Sherane a.k.a Master Splinter’s Daughter by Kendrick Lamar Lyrics Meaning – Decoding the Layers of Compton’s Tale
Lyrics
I come to you a sinner
And I humbly repent for my sins
I believe that Jesus is Lord
I believe that you raised him from the dead
I will ask that Jesus come to my life
And be my Lord and Savior
I receive Jesus to take control of my life
And that I may live for him from this day forth
Thank you Lord Jesus for saving me with your precious blood
In Jesus’ name, Amen
I met her at this house party on El Segundo and Central
She had the credentials of strippers in Atlanta
Ass came with a hump from the jump she was a camel
I want to ride like Arabians
Push an ’04 Mercedes-Benz
“Hello my name is Kendrick”
She said “No, you’re handsome”
Whispered in my ear, disappeared then found her dancing
Ciara had played in the background
The parade music we made had us all wearing shades now (cool)
“Where you stay?”
She said, “Down the street from Dominguez High”
Okay, I know that’s borderline Compton or Paramount
“Well is it Compton?”
“No,” she replied and quickly start batting her eyes and
I strictly had wanted her thighs around me
Seventeen, with nothing but pussy stuck on my mental
My motive was rather sinful
“What you trying to get into?”
She didn’t tell, just gave me her Nextel
Dropped the number, we chirped the whole summer and well
The summer had passed and now I’m liking her
Conversation we having probably enticing her
Who could imagine, maybe my actions would end up wifing her
Love or lust, regardless we’ll fuck ’cause the trife in us
It’s deep-rooted, the music of being young and dumb
Its never muted, in fact it’s much louder where I’m from
We know a lot ’bout each other, her mother was a crack addict
She live with her granny and her younger two brothers
Her favorite cousin Demetrius’s irrepetible
Family history of gang banging did make me skeptical
But not enough to stop me from getting a nut
“I wanna come over, what’s up?”
That’s what I told her soon as this episode
Of Martin go off
I’m trying to get off
I was in heat like a cactus, my tactics of being thirsty
Probably could hurt me, but fuck it I got some heart
Grab my momma’s keys, hopped in the car, then oh boy
So now I’m down Rosecrans in a Caravan
Passing Alameda, my gas meter in need of a pump
I got enough to get me through the traffic jam
At least I hope cause my pockets broke as a promise man
I’m thinking ’bout that sex, thinking bout her thighs
Or maybe kissing on her neck, or maybe what position’s next
Sent a picture of her titties blowing up my texts
I looked at ’em and almost ran my front bumper into Corvette
Enthused by the touch of a woman she’s a masseuse
And I’m a professional porn star when off the Goose
I had a fifth in the trunk like Curtis Jackson for ransom
I’m hoping to get her loose like an Uncle Luke Anthem
I’m two blocks away, two hundred and fifty feet
And six steps from where she stay, she waving me ‘cross the street
I pulled up a smile on my face, and then I see
Two niggas, two black hoodies, I froze as my phone rang
Please leave your message for 323
Record your message after the tone
Kendrick, where you at?
Damn! I’m sittin’ here waitin’ on my van
You told me you was gon’ be back in fifteen minutes
I gotta go to the county buildin’, man
These kids ready to eat! I’m ready to eat, shit
I gotta get them food stamps, come on now
You on you way or what?
I hope you ain’t out there messin’ with them damn hood-rats out there, shit
Especially that lil’ crazy-ass girl Sherane
And plus you got school tomorrow
You keep fuckin’ around in them streets
You ain’t gon’ pass to the next grade, eleventh grade
(Is that Kendrick on the phone?)
Yo’ daddy hollerin’ about some damn dominoes (lemme holler at me him)
He want to holler at you too, go ‘head, Kenny, go! Shit
(Hello? Yeah, where my motherfuckin’ dominoes at?)
Kenny! (What?) You on his voicemail! Damn fool (oh) shit!
(K, where my motherfuckin’ dominoes at?
This the second time I ask you to bring my fuckin’ dominoes!)
Kenny, give me the damn phone, shit, don’t hang up! Damn!
Just let me—Kendrick
When you get this message, man, call me back
I need to know when you gon’ bring back my damn car
This man fussin’ about some damn dominoes
It ain’t all that serious, for damn dominoes
Shit, I’ma miss my damn appointment! Fuck!
Fuck them damn dominoes, nobody wanna hear that
Nobody wanna hear yo’ ass!
Matter of fact, cut my motherfuckin’ oldies back on
You killin’ my motherfuckin’ vibe
Kendrick Lamar’s storytelling prowess is a marvel that shapes the contemporary landscape of hip hop. The Compton native has a knack for weaving intricate tales that speak volumes about the human experience, especially those that stem from the inner-city life. ‘Sherane a.k.a. Master Splinter’s Daughter’ is no exception, capturing the vivid imagery of youthful desires, the sting of street reality, and the omnipresence of faith within chaos.
The song serves as a cinematic opener to his critically-acclaimed album, ‘good kid, m.A.A.d city,’ setting a tone that is both confessional and foreboding. In its verses, Lamar introduces us to Sherane, the magnetic yet mysterious figure whose tale is laced with lust, danger, and the inevitable lessons of life in the hood.
Tales of Lust and Innocence Lost
At first listen, ‘Sherane a.k.a. Master Splinter’s Daughter’ might appear to be a standard story of teenage infatuation and sexual awakening. Kendrick’s verses drip with desire for the eponymous character, a young woman who embodies the allure of forbidden fruit. He recounts their summer-long flirtation with the vividness of a seasoned novelist, capturing the intoxication of new attraction.
Yet, beneath the surface lies a commentary on the all-too-common coming-of-age narrative for many young men. This is a story not just about lust, but also about navigating the complex path from adolescence to manhood in an environment where distractions are plentiful and consequences are steep.
Deciphering the Den: Who is Master Splinter?
Introduced in the song’s title, Master Splinter – the wise rat sensei from the ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ – may seem like an odd reference in the context of a hip-hop track. However, this allegory is laden with symbolism. By associating Sherane with Master Splinter, Kendrick may be hinting at the duality of her influence – a mentor and corrupter all at once.
Sherane’s parental figure, insinuated to be Master Splinter, could represent the guidance one can find even in the most dysfunctional environments. Alternatively, the title could imply the treacherous nature of Sherane’s allure that leads Kendrick down a path fraught with peril – much like a trap set by the crafty Splinter.
A Mirror to Society: The Hidden Meanings Unveiled
Kendrick Lamar, often lauded for his lyrical depth, drops listeners straight into the core of social issues with ‘Sherane a.k.a. Master Splinter’s Daughter.’ The narrative explores the impacts of gang violence, drug addiction, and systemic poverty on the individual psyche. Sherane is not just a love interest; she is an embodiment of Compton’s complexities.
As the story unfolds, the song becomes an intimate exploration of generational curses and the often inescapable nature of one’s environment. Kendrick’s infatuation with Sherane is symptomatic of a larger quest for solace in a neighborhood marked by struggle and strife. She represents an oasis in a desert of hardship, a respite momentarily masking the harsh realities waiting outside the door.
Lyrical Landmarks: Memorable Lines that Define a Generation
Few artists can inject their music with lines that resonate across generations, but Kendrick does so effortlessly. ‘Seventeen, with nothing but pussy stuck on my mental / My motive was rather sinful’ reflects the unfiltered thoughts of youth, raw and untamed. It is a battle cry of adolescent yearning, yet tinged with self-awareness of its primal nature.
His skillful wordplay also dissects the dichotomy of devotion and temptation in ‘Love or lust, regardless we’ll fuck ’cause the trife in us / It’s deep-rooted, the music of being young and dumb.’ Kendrick captures the ambivalence of emotions and the intensity of teenage passions, all while crafting an anthem that speaks to the recklessness of the young and in love.
The Final Verdict: An Ode to Good Kid, m.A.A.d City
As the introductory track to his album, ‘Sherane a.k.a. Master Splinter’s Daughter’ sets the stage for an autobiographical epic. From the opening prayer to the abrupt voicemail interruptions, the song blurs the lines between religious salvation and street ensnarement, between the hope for a better life and the gravitational pull of the ‘m.A.A.d city’ that shaped him.
The protagonist’s journey – a microcosm of Lamar’s own travails – couples the narrative of ‘Sherane’ with the broader themes resonating throughout the album, crafting a multifaceted puzzle that listeners are invited to piece together. Much more than a narrative about a youthful romance gone awry, the song is a poignant exploration of inner-city blues told through the lens of one of hip hop’s most insightful lyricists.
