Lyrics of hey now — Kendrick Lamar

Annotations

The term "yen" refers to the Japanese money, which represents Kendrick's emphasis on financial success and global ambitions. The term "Big Face Buddha" refers to Buddhism, which stresses obtaining serenity and achievement by cultivating inner harmony and improving one's internal condition. Kendrick contrasts financial prosperity with inner peace, implying that while he appreciates accomplishment, genuine contentment stems from interior harmony rather than materialistic gains.Kendrick claims to be sending messages or letters "kites" to his devoted pals "dirties" who are imprisoned "the pen". This demonstrates his dedication and support for people who are detained, letting them know that he has not forgotten about them, even if they are in prison. In "m.A.A.d City," Kendrick depicts Compton's violent atmosphere and how it affects his pals, many of whom wind up in prison. "You crash out, then you better break the backboard" It might be a jab at Drake's public failure in the battle, especially with Pusha T's "The Story of Adidon" insult and the infamous ghostwriter charges. Kendrick may be stating that if you're going to get caught up or fail in such a major way (like Drake did when his secrets were discovered), you should at least make it memorable or significant in some way — even if you're taking a "L."Kendrick emphasizes that we all have the same 24 hours of opportunity in each day, rejecting anyone who might covet his achievements.The lyric employs a play on words to connect putting a "square on his back" (targeting someone) to Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Square, a digital corporation.Kendrick agrees that any sort of his public presence is highly visible, which he dislikes. This parallels Kendrick's feelings about counting, but he bypasses number three because he recently murdered Drake, one of the "Big Three," in the fight that began with Like That and finished with Not Like Us.In this phrase, Kendrick Lamar employs brilliant wordplay to mock Drake. "GOAT" is a term frequently linked with both Kendrick and Drake, who have been feuding since the early 2010s and have exchanged subtle insults throughout the years. Their dispute culminated in early 2024 with a series of diss recordings, with Kendrick largely seen as the winner. The sentence also references the biblical account of Noah sacrificing animals after the flood to represent Kendrick sacrificing Drake for the greater cause of hip-hop culture. Furthermore, the allusion to a "goat" might refer to the "Goat of Mendes," a Satanic emblem commonly connected with the deity Baphomet, implying a darker, more evil parallel for Drake.In his 2017 song ELEMENT, he says, "Most of y'all just envy, but jealousy gets you killed."These words may be a continuation of his prior verses directed against Drake, since they now relate to his song "Euphoria," which was Kendrick's first diss track in reaction to Drake's "Push Ups" and "Taylor Made Freestyle." Kendrick launched "Euphoria" by rapping at Drake over a soul sample from Teddy Pendergrass' "You're My Latest, My Greatest Inspiration". One may describe his flow throughout the first minute of the song as therapeutic or calming. Soon after, Kendrick modified the beat twice, escalating his rage toward Drake throughout the song. Four days later, Lamar released "Not Like Us," which went on to become one of the most popular songs of 2024, lasting on the Billboard charts for over six months. It also received the biggest single-day streaming for a hip hop song (12.8 million) when it was released on May 4, 2024.The term "yen" refers to the Japanese money, which represents Kendrick's emphasis on financial success and global ambitions. The term "Big Face Buddha" refers to Buddhism, which stresses obtaining serenity and achievement by cultivating inner harmony and improving one's internal condition. Kendrick contrasts financial prosperity with inner peace, implying that while he appreciates accomplishment, genuine contentment stems from interior harmony rather than materialistic gains.Kendrick claims to be sending messages or letters "kites" to his devoted pals "dirties" who are imprisoned "the pen". This demonstrates his dedication and support for people who are detained, letting them know that he has not forgotten about them, even if they are in prison. In "m.A.A.d City," Kendrick depicts Compton's violent atmosphere and how it affects his pals, many of whom wind up in prison. If Pirus and Crips got along, they'd probably shoot me before the end of the song. Seems like the entire city is against me. exposes the dangers of growing up in an area where gang violence and jail are prevalent. Kendrick's "GNX" and "m.A.A.d City" focus on the brutal reality of street life and the jail system.Kendrick Lamar is widely regarded as one of our generation's best and most influential artists—perhaps even of all time. Many competitors in the game have attempted to replicate or compete with his style and musical skill.Kendrick responds to his Drake insult "Euphoria": "I don't like you popping shit at Pharrell; for him, I inherit the beef." Yeah, screw all that pushin' P, let me see you push T. You're better off spinning on him again, and you're thinking about pushing me. He reiterates that Drake lacks the credentials to back up his purported impact.Kendrick compares the sound of his engine to animals in the zoo.Kendrick brags about spending money, yet this is yet another instance of Kendrick equating himself to a flu-like condition of the lungs, as seen in "Wacced Out My Murals." Ben Franklin died of complications from pleurisy, an inflammation of the tissues that border the lungs and chest cavity. Pleurisy can be caused by infections such as influenza.Kendrick then makes a dobble allusion to the Gulf Stream, an Atlantic ocean circulation generated by western surface wind patterns."Blue strips" is slang for the $100 note. The name alludes to the bill design, which had a blue strip adjacent to a portrait of Benjamin Franklin and was introduced in 2013 (which relates to the "Ben Frank murderer" bar from the same stanza).Kendrick Lamar remixes D4L's 2005 song "Scotty" by changing Fabo's signature phrase "Starting to see spaceships on Bankhead" to "Starting to see spaceships on Rosecrans." It's a transition that takes the visuals from Atlanta to Kendrick's hometown of Compton, firmly anchored in his Los Angeles origins.Building on the gentrification theme, Kendrick sees the "aliens" move into Compton, holding hands - possibly in the sense of "a gleeful pleasant stroll around the neighbourhood holding hands," or perhaps a more sinister "holding hands and chanting an alien ritual," all while wanting to see him perform. "Watch them do my dance" also has a minstrel element.Halloween falls at the end of the month, but this may be a reference to Drake's OVO label.Torpedo and J-Cat are phrases used often in prisons. A torpedo is an enforcer, someone who does the necessary labor. While J-cat refers to an inmate who is mentally disturbed, the letter J represents a specific section of California's criminal code.The term "bald heads" initially referred to Michael Jordan. "Bald heads in the Heckler" refers to the Heckler & Koch VP9 handgun or MP5. This might also relate to an account in 2 Kings:This is a play on words from the popular children's song that goes "Eenie, meenie, miny, moe, catch a tiger by the toe." It also references the racist original rhyme in America, which goes: "Hood Trophy". "Trophy" is West Coast slang for a well-known local figure.The Rolls-Royce Ghost is a type of luxury automobile. He refers to the 2016 horror film Hush, which is about a deaf writer who flees into the woods to live a solitary existence and must battle for her life in silence when a masked attacker comes at her window. "Jumped in a Ghost" might also imply that he is portraying the killer wearing a white mask.Tech Decks are mini-skateboards that allow you to perform skate tricks (like a kickflip) using your fingertips. Tech is also a nickname for the TEC-9, a semi-automatic pistol.

Song Details and Overview

• Album: GNX
• Track Number: 5
• Release Date: November 22, 2024
• Producers: Mustard, Sounwave
• Featuring: Dody6
• Musical Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
• Language(s): English
• Mood: Confident, Energetic

Exploring the meaning of "hey now"

The track "hey now" by Kendrick Lamar featuring Dody6 dives into themes of self-empowerment, ambition, and the complexities of life in the spotlight. The song opens with an assertive introduction, setting the stage for a confident declaration of Kendrick's journey and aspirations.

Kendrick Lamar's Intent

Kendrick aims to convey a message about rising above adversity and embracing one’s worth. The collaboration with Dody6 enhances the track's dynamic, showcasing their chemistry through seamless lyrical exchanges.

Central Themes and Messages

The song encapsulates several central themes:

• Self-Empowerment: Kendrick emphasizes the importance of confidence and self-worth amidst challenges.
• Ambition: The lyrics reflect a drive to succeed and rise above negativity.
• Cultural Commentary: The track addresses societal expectations and the pressures faced by individuals in the music industry.
• Loyalty and Authenticity: Kendrick critiques superficial relationships while highlighting the importance of genuine connections.

Meaning and Annotations

• [Intro]: Establishes a confident tone, inviting listeners into Kendrick's world.
• [Verse 1]: Reflects on personal experiences and aspirations, emphasizing resilience.
• [Chorus]: A motivational refrain encouraging listeners to embrace their worth.
• [Verse 2]: Continues the theme of ambition while critiquing societal norms.
• [Post-Chorus]: Reiterates the call to action, symbolizing both confrontation and celebration.
• [Bridge]: Introduces playful yet assertive elements, reinforcing camaraderie between Kendrick and Dody6.
• [Verse 3]: Addresses loyalty and authenticity while reflecting on personal experiences that shape their relationships.

Similar Songs

Comparing the lyrics of "hey now" with other similar songs in history reveals common themes of empowerment and ambition:

• "The Heart Part 4" by Kendrick Lamar - Explores similar themes of authenticity and societal critique.
• "Sicko Mode" by Travis Scott - Features energetic verses that reflect on success and street life.
• "Loyalty." by Kendrick Lamar featuring Rihanna - Examines trust and commitment in relationships.
• "Pride." by Kendrick Lamar - Reflects on personal growth and self-acceptance amidst challenges.
• "I Wanna Be Down" by Brandy - A classic R&B track about longing for connection and understanding in love.

Chart Performance and Awards

While specific chart performance details for "hey now" are not available due to its recent release, Kendrick Lamar's previous works have consistently topped charts and garnered numerous accolades. His ability to blend personal narratives with broader societal commentary has solidified his position as one of hip-hop's most influential voices.

Quotes

Kendrick Lamar stated, "If this world were mine, I'd take your dreams and make 'em multiply," reflecting his commitment to uplifting those he loves.

Kendrick Lamar discussing his vision for love and empowerment in music. Overall, "hey now" stands as a testament to Kendrick Lamar's artistry, inviting listeners into a world filled with ambition, resilience, and cultural critique.