Momma by Kendrick Lamar Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Poetic Depth of Kendrick’s Reflective Journey
Lyrics
Oh, I need that
I need that sloppy
That sloppy
Like a Chevy in quicksand
That sloppy
This feelin’ is unmatched
This feelin’ is brought to you by adrenaline and good rap
Black Pendleton ball cap
(West, west, west)
We don’t share the same synonym fall back
(West, west, west)
Been in it before internet had new acts
Mimicking radio’s nemesis made me wack
My innocence limited the experience lacked
Ten of us with no tentative tactic that cracked
The mind of a literate writer but I did it in fact
You admitted it once I submitted it wrapped in plastic
Remember scribblin’ scratchin’ dilligent sentences backwards
Visiting freestyle cyphers for your reaction
Now I can live in a stadium, pack it the fastest
Gamblin’ Benjamin benefits, sinnin’ in traffic
Spinnin’ women in cartwheels, linen fabric on fashion
Winnin’ in every decision
Kendrick is master that mastered it
Isn’t it lovely how menace has turned attraction?
Pivotin’ rappers, finish your fraction while writing blue magic
Thank God for rap, I would say it got me a plaque
But what’s better than that?
The fact it brought me back home
We been waitin’ for you
Waitin’ for you
Waitin’ for you
Waitin’ for you
I know everything, I know everything, know myself
I know morality, spirituality, good and bad health
I know fatality might haunt you
I know everything, I know Compton
I know street shit, I know shit that’s conscious, I know everything
I know lawyers, advertisement their sponsors
I know wisdom, I know bad religion, I know good karma
I know everything, I know history
I know the universe works mentally
I know the perks of bullshit isn’t meant for me
I know everything, I know cars, clothes, hoes and money
I know loyalty, I know respect, I know those that’s Ornery
I know everything, the highs the lows the groupies the junkies
I know if I’m generous at heart, I don’t need recognition
The way I’m rewarded, well, that’s God’s decision
I know you know that lines from Compton School District
Just give it to the kids, don’t gossip about how it was distributed
I know how people work, I know the price of life
I know how much it’s worth, I know what I know and I know it well
Not to ever forget until I realized I didn’t know shit
The day I came home
We been waitin’ for you
Waitin’ for you
Waitin’ for you
Waitin’ for you
I met a little boy that resembled my features
Nappy afro, gap in his smile
Hand me down sneakers bounced through the crowd
Run a number on man and woman that crossed him
Sun beamin’ on his beady beads exhausted
Tossin’ footballs with his ashy black ankles
Breakin’ new laws mama passed on home trainin’
He looked at me and said Kendrick you do know my language
You just forgot because of what public schools had painted
Oh I forgot don’t kill my vibe, that’s right you’re famous
I used to watch on Channel 5, TV was takin’
But never mind you’re here right now don’t you mistake it
It’s just a new trip, take a glimpse at your family’s ancestor
Make a new list, of everything you thought was progress
And that was bullshit, I mean your life is full of turmoil
You spoiled by fantasies of who you are
I feel bad for you
I can attempt to enlighten you without frightenin’ you
If you resist, I’ll back off quick go catch a flight or two
But if you pick, destiny over rest in peace
Then be an advocate go tell your homies especially
To come back home
This is a world premiere
This is a world premiere
This is a world premiere
I been lookin’ for you my whole life, an appetite
For the feeling I can barely describe, where you reside?
Is it in a woman, is it in money, or mankind?
Tell me something got me losing my mind, ah!
You make me wanna jump
Jump, jump, jump, jump, jump, jump, jump (let’s talk about love, let’s talk about love)
Jump, jump, jump, jump, jump, jump, jump (let’s talk about love, let’s talk about love)
I been lookin for you my whole life, an appetite
For the feeling I can barely describe, where you reside?
Is it in a woman, is it in money, or mankind?
Tell me something, think I’m losing my mind, ah!
I say where you at? From the front to the back
I’m lookin’ for you I react, only when you react
Ah, I thought I found you, back in the ghetto
When I was seventeen with the .38 special
Maybe you’re in a dollar bill, maybe you’re not real
Maybe only the wealthy get to know how you feel
Maybe I’m paranoid, ha, maybe I don’t need you anyway
Don’t lie to me I’m suicidal anyway
I can be your advocate
I can preach for you if you tell me what the matter is
In the pantheon of hip hop’s lyricists, Kendrick Lamar stands as a modern-day prophet, embedding messages that transcend conventional storytelling. His deeply personal narrative in ‘Momma’ from the critically acclaimed album ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ acts as a spiritual and intellectual homecoming.
Lamar’s verses are less lyrics and more chiseled carvings on the pillars of hip hop history. The song operates on multiple levels, combining the tangible with the ethereal, the street with the scholarly, the past with the present—a multiverse of Kendrick’s psyche laid bare for analysis and awe.
The Symbiotic Relationship Between Art and Artist
Kendrick’s role as a narrator of his own evolutionary tale is a cornerstone of ‘Momma.’ By exploring his journey from the streets of Compton to the heights of rap superstardom, Lamar reveals himself not only as a product of his environment but also a scholar of his own experience. His reflection on the state of being ‘unchanged’ by fame juxtaposes sharply with the personal growth documented throughout the song.
The layered complexity in phrases like ‘I know everything’ speaks to the bravado we expect from rappers but hints at deeper introspection. This dichotomy showcases Kendrick’s grappling with knowledge and wisdom—a telltale sign of an artist seeking meaning beyond his accolades.
A Tapestry of Influences: From Jazz to Poetry
The musical backdrop of ‘Momma’ bespeaks Kendrick’s reverence for the Black artistic tradition. Woven seamlessly into this song are the improvisational rhythms of jazz and the weighty pauses of spoken word, encapsulating a soundscape ripe for Lamar’s lyrical odyssey.
This fusion not only pays homage to the ancestral lineage of Black music but also allows Kendrick to utilize their established dynamics to craft narratives that are contemporary and yet timeless.
Growing Pains and the Loss of Innocence
In a poignant retrospective glance, Lamar reflects on his start in the game ‘before internet had new acts,’ hinting at a simpler, perhaps more genuine time in hip hop. His unabashed admission of ‘mimicking radio’s nemesis’ reveals an artist who has struggled with the temptation of conformity—a universal motif in the coming-of-age script.
By acknowledging his early ‘diligent sentences backwards,’ Kendrick admits to a learning curve and discerns his evolution not only as an artist but as a person. This vulnerability is a testament to his authenticity.
The Hidden Meaning of Homecoming
‘Momma’ transcends literal interpretations to unfold an allegorical homecoming. The term ‘home’ functions as a metaphor for self-realization and inner peace—a psychological pilgrimage back to Kendrick’s core values. It’s a journey that circles back to authenticity, heritage, and community after a voyage through the tumultuous waters of fame and personal challenge.
When Kendrick reaches a point where he understands he ‘didn’t know shit,’ listeners experience a moment of profound humility and recognition of the lifelong pursuit of knowledge and inner growth. His trip to South Africa, which is said to have inspired parts of ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’, parallels this internal expedition to ‘home’ in ‘Momma’.
Dissecting the Most Memorable Lines
The refrain ‘I know everything’ repeats thrice, undercut by the stunning realization in hindsight: ‘I realized I didn’t know shit the day I came home.’ This seismic shift in self-perception challenges listeners to reconsider their own assertions of knowledge and understanding.
Furthermore, Lamar’s dialogue with a boy from his neighborhood serves as a symbolic confrontation with his younger self, a reminder of where he comes from and the inextricable links to his past. It’s a powerful reminder that to truly know oneself, Kendrick Lamar must reconcile with his roots, his community, and ultimately, his younger, more naive self.
