Hol’ Up by Kendrick Lamar Lyrics Meaning – The Unveiling of Hip-Hop’s Poetic Consciousness
Lyrics
Stewardess complimentin’ me on my nappy hair
If I can f-ck her in front of all of these passengers
They’ll prob’ly think I’m a terrorist
Eat my asparagus, then I’m askin’ her
Thoughts of a young nigga, fast money and freedom
A crash dummy for diamonds, I know you dyin’ to meet ’em
I’ll prob’ly die in a minute
Just bury me with twenty bitches, twenty million, and a Comptown fitted
Hol’ up (Hol’ up) hol’ up (Hol’ up)
Hol’ up (Hol’ up) hol’ up (Hol’ up)
Yeah, big shit poppin’
Section 80
Back in this bitch in the back of that bitch
Wit’ my back against the wall and yo’ bitch on the edge of my dick
Jump off
I call a bitch a bitch, a ho a ho, a woman a woman
I never did nothin’ but break the ground on top of the asphalt
Tire mark gave you evidence that I’m easily peddlin’ with the speed of a lightnin’ bolt
As a kid I killed two adults, I’m too advanced
I live my twenties at two years old, the wiser man
Truth be told, I’m like eighty-seven
Wicked as eighty reverends in a pool of fire wit’ devils holdin’ hands
From the distance, don’t know which one is a Christian, damn
Who can I trust in 2012? There’s no one
Not even myself, a Gemini screamin’ for help, somebody
Hol’ up (Hol’ up) hol’ up (Hol’ up)
Hol’ up (Hol’ up) hol’ up (Hol’ up)
Yeah, big shit poppin’, everybody watchin’
When you do it like this, nigga, losin’ ain’t an option
Hol’ up (Hol’ up) hol’ up (Hol’ up)
Hol’ up (Hol’ up) hol’ up (Hol’ up)
Yeah, big shit poppin’ (Ay, ay, kick her out the studio, Ali)
24/7 nigga, workin’ his ass for it, she poppin’ that ass for it
The King of Diamonds wit’ diamonds I never do ask for
They checkin’ my passport, I’m too accustomed with Customs
She call in the task force, I killed it, somebody cuff ‘I’m
They want me to fast-forward the game, and why you complain
When you niggas is past poor, you’ll never hop in my lane
When you pushin’ a RAV4, you wreckin’ my Jaguar
You play like a bad sport, her feet on the dashboard
Hol’ up (Hol’ up) hol’ up (Hol’ up)
Hol’ up (Hol’ up) hol’ up (Hol’ up)
Yeah, big shit poppin’, everybody watchin’
When you do it like this, nigga, losin’ ain’t an option
Hol’ up (Hol’ up) hol’ up (Hol’ up)
Hol’ up (Hol’ up) hol’ up (Hol’ up)
Yeah, big shit poppin’, everybody watchin’
When you do it like this, nigga
I wrote this record while thirty thousand feet in the air
Stewardess complimentin’ me on my nappy hair
If I can fuck her in front of all of these passengers
They’ll prob’ly think I’m Osama
The plane emergency landed, it was an honor hol’ up
Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Hol’ Up,’ a track from his critically lauded 2011 album ‘Section.80,’ reverberates with the dense lyricism and sharp socio-political commentary that has come to define Lamar’s oeuvre. In this mosaic of complex verses, Lamar juxtaposes personal narrative with larger societal issues, crafting a piece that is as provocative as it is poetic.
Diving into ‘Hol’ Up,’ listeners encounter a labyrinthine narrative that embeds the audacity of youth, the trappings of fame, and the nuanced understanding of one’s identity within an often oppressive culture. What follows is an exploration of the layers interwoven in this compelling narrative, bridging the gap between personal anecdote and cultural discourse.
Elevation and Reflection: Decoding the Aerial Perspectives
The opening lines of ‘Hol’ Up’ immediately set a scene of elevation, both literal and metaphorical. Lamar’s reference to writing the record ‘thirty thousand feet in the air’ serves as a symbol for a higher state of consciousness, overlooking the world below with a critical eye. This vantage point also serves as a metaphor for Lamar’s rise in the music industry, observing the commotion from a place of newfound prominence.
Compliments on his ‘nappy hair’ by the stewardess become a nod to the recognition of black identity’s innate beauty, challenging societal beauty standards and embracing the distinctiveness of Afrocentric features. Yet, the next line punctuates this pride with a stark awareness of prejudice as Lamar quips about the passengers potentially mistaking him for a terrorist, drawing attention to rampant racial profiling.
The Pursuit of Materialism and Mortality – A Fleeting Gratification
Lamar’s verse spans from the braggadocio of luxury (‘twenty bitches, twenty million’) to an awareness of life’s fleeting nature (‘I’ll prob’ly die in a minute’). This oscillation mirrors a common tension in hip-hop between celebration of material gain and recognition of its impermanence and insufficiency in providing true fulfillment.
The claim to be ‘a crash dummy for diamonds,’ suggests an awareness of being used or perhaps exploiting oneself in the pursuit of wealth. Lamar recognizes the magnetic allure of materialism but simultaneously acknowledges its potential to lead to one’s demise, a duality that haunts the landscape of his narrative.
The Audacious Bravado and Raw Realism of Youth
Kendrick Lamar does not shy away from showcasing the brazen confidence and sometimes unsettling transparency of the youth. In ‘Hol’ Up,’ he boldly relays his sexual exploits and the defiance that characterize his early years. However, the candor with which he addresses his life experiences isn’t without introspection, wrestling with the inherent complexities of his actions.
This section reiterates the song’s theme of balancing hubris with humility. It is within this space that Lamar’s lyrics flourish, displaying both the unapologetic attitude commonly associated with hip-hop and a depth of self-awareness that elevates the conversation.
The Hidden Meaning Behind the Mantra: ‘Hol’ Up’
Repeated throughout the song, the phrase ‘Hol’ Up’ serves as a checkpoint, a moment of pause within the rush of thought and narrative flow. It signals a call to the listener to pay attention, to ruminate on the preceding lines, and to brace for the impinging truths.
Beyond its function as a hook, ‘Hol’ Up’ embodies the act of interrupting the status quo, challenging the listener to stop and question the world around them. It captures Lamar’s capacity to freeze the moment, beckoning reflection in the midst of chaos.
Memorable Lines: A Reflection of the Somatic and the Spiritual
‘Back in this bitch in the back of that bitch / Wit’ my back against the wall and yo’ bitch on the edge of my dick,’ stands out not only for its rhythmic complexity but for embodying the song’s essence. It simultaneously denotes sexual conquest, confrontational resilience, and the ever-present struggle against barriers, both self-imposed and societal.
The wit and weight of his words succinctly encapsulate a generation’s voice, offering a raw glimpse into the vernacular that underpins the community from which Lamar hails. It’s a stark reminder of the power of language to both express and critique cultural and personal realities.
