Kendrick Lamar - dodger blue Lyrics

 Kendrick Lamar - dodger blue Lyrics

(feat. Sam Dew, Ink, Roddy Ricch)

Ooh

Ooh

White diamonds, 2 a.m., she wildin'

Bitches sick, got their stomach in her comments

What school you went to? Gardena, Compton

Westchester, King/Drew, then we function

Little nigga, but that dog in me, that's on Top

On my kids, I'll sock you niggas up

Have you ever took a fade and ran three more back to back?

Oh, you haven't? Then shut the fuck up and keep it rap

Gah, gah, gah

Bitch, I'm from the LAnd

Don't say you hate L.A. when you don't travel past the 10

Am I trippin'? Yes, I am

Meditate over some money, I see Franklin, I find zen

Bitch, I'm from the LAnd

Don't say you hate L.A., but live in L.A. and pretend

My neck on Tarantino, Alejandro, Spike Lee

Just know you took the scenic route if you stand by me, stupid

So fly in this bitch

Fifty on me, don't die tryin' and shit (Ooh-ooh)

You know I'm up and down when I slide in this bitch

Dreamers and the Jets outside in this bitch

Westside, get the money, yeah, that's fo' sho'

Streets don't love you, better respect the code

Ain't no sleepin' in on Sunday

If it's 'bout the money, then my niggas on go

When I walk in, oh yeah, bring that

It's unanimous, how I pop shit

When I walk in, hoes better get in check

You lookin' at a bad bitch, nothin' less

Walk, walk, walk, walk

Walk, walk, walk, walk

Tip, toe, pivot, walk

Tip, toe, pivot, walk

Ooh, don't take it personal

You won't be the first to know

Just might be the first to go

Just might be, ooh

Don't take it personal

You won't be the first to know

Just might be the first to go

Just might be

Song Analysis: "Bitch I'm from the LAnd"

Themes:

1. Power and Identity:

   • The lyrics emphasize self-assurance, representing a confident persona rooted in a specific geographic and cultural identity, notably Los Angeles (LA). The phrase "Bitch, I'm from the LAnd" marks a declaration of pride in one’s roots and the strength derived from them.
   • The mention of neighborhoods like Compton, Gardena, and Westchester ties the speaker's identity to the gritty, resilient environment of LA.

2. Ambition and Success:

   • A key theme throughout the song is the relentless pursuit of success, often through money and power. Lines like "Meditate over some money, I see Franklin, I find zen" connect wealth to a state of peace and tranquility, but only through hustle and sacrifice.
   • The lyrics also address the concept of survival and thriving in a harsh, competitive world, where respect is earned and power is demonstrated.

3. Street Culture and Ethics:

   • The song includes references to street codes and survival in a tough environment. The line "Streets don’t love you, better respect the code" suggests that while the streets may offer opportunities, they also demand adherence to unwritten rules and loyalty.
   • "Take a fade and ran three more back to back" refers to the ability to face challenges head-on and overcome them multiple times, emphasizing resilience and strength.

4. Reality vs. Facade:

   • There's a recurring motif of authenticity versus superficiality. The speaker criticizes those who claim to hate LA yet live in it or only experience a sanitized version of it, as seen in the lines, "Don't say you hate L.A. when you don't travel past the 10." This speaks to the idea of true experience versus passive observation.
   • The speaker’s position as someone who has lived and thrived in the real LA is contrasted with those who may merely "pretend" or live in a facade.

5. Confidence and Disdain for Weakness:

   • The lyrics reflect a theme of self-empowerment and a dismissive attitude toward weakness. "When I walk in, hoes better get in check" conveys dominance in social interactions, while the repetition of "don’t take it personal" suggests an impersonal, almost detached approach to relationships and situations.

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Emotions:

• Confidence and Defiance:
  • Throughout the song, the speaker projects an image of supreme confidence, often expressing a defiant attitude towards criticism or adversity.
• Aggression and Resilience:
  • The aggressive tone in certain lines reflects a readiness to face conflict and prove one’s worth, especially in the face of challenges.
• Cynicism and Reality Check:
  • There's an underlying cynicism, particularly towards those who don’t truly understand the struggles of street life or who try to act beyond their means.

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Key Lines:

1. "Bitch, I'm from the LAnd"
   • A clear declaration of identity, grounding the speaker's confidence and self-assurance in the specific cultural context of Los Angeles.
2. "Streets don't love you, better respect the code"
   • A warning about the harsh realities of the street life and the necessity of adhering to unwritten rules to survive and thrive.
3. "Don't say you hate L.A. when you don't travel past the 10"
   • A critique of people who claim to understand or reject LA without experiencing all of it, highlighting the difference between superficial perceptions and lived realities.
4. "When I walk in, hoes better get in check"
   • This line demonstrates dominance and control over the environment, asserting the speaker’s power and self-assuredness in social interactions.

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Lyrics Structure and Repetition:

• Repetitive and Rhythmic:
  • The song utilizes repetition, particularly in the chorus and certain key phrases like "Bitch, I’m from the LAnd" and "Walk, walk, walk," which create a rhythmic flow and reinforce the core themes of power and dominance.
• Cyclical and Assertive:
  • The repetitive nature of phrases like "Tip, toe, pivot, walk" adds a sense of unwavering momentum and forward motion, symbolizing the speaker’s relentless pursuit of success.

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Language and Symbolism:

• Street Slang and Argo:
  • The use of street slang like "sock you niggas up" and "pop shit" is indicative of the harsh environment the speaker comes from. These expressions serve to solidify the tough persona of the speaker, while also connecting with listeners familiar with this lexicon.
• Cultural References:
  • The mention of figures like Tarantino, Alejandro González Iñárritu, and Spike Lee connects the speaker to a wider cultural and artistic context, suggesting that their influence and creativity extend beyond just street life into broader media and culture.
• Money and Wealth:
  • Wealth is both a literal and symbolic theme. Lines like "Fifty on me" and "Franklin" (referring to Benjamin Franklin, a symbol of money) highlight the pursuit of financial success as a measure of both security and power.

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Final Message:

• The song is a powerful expression of confidence, self-empowerment, and pride in one's origins, all while acknowledging the complexities of survival and success in a competitive, harsh world. The speaker’s messages are layered with themes of resilience, ambition, and a rejection of superficiality, presenting a tough but triumphant view of life in Los Angeles. The use of street culture references and an unapologetically bold tone underscores a broader narrative of overcoming adversity and asserting dominance in one's environment.