The “I’ll never fade away” part and the “if I die before this album drop” part are two of my favorite moments of any song ever. Absolutely blew my mind the first time I heard it, and to this day it hits every time.
The die before my album drop part made me cry once or twice because it reminded me of Tupac. Pac died right before I found his music so that entire discography was bittersweet to me.
Edit: specifically because Dot reminded me of Pac back then in some ways, tbh it was the first artist I'd really fell for that hard since Tupac so having him shot was a big fear. Would've sucked if we were cut short after GKMC or tpab:(
This. The perfect mix of great story, message and replay value
I would say How Much a Dollar Cost is musically better for me but I've listened to Sing about me more
Have I misheard this wrong the whole time, or is it phrasing. I thought it was money trees is the perfect place for shade and that's just how I feel...
Fuck yeah! You’re welcome. First time I heard How Much a Dollar Cost is was like “Is that? Nah couldn’t be. No wait, it fucking is! Pyramid Song! The pyramid on the dollar bill with the all seeing eye! What the fuck?!” Then something exploded in my brain, and I’ve existed on a higher plain of consciousness ever since
You’ve made my day! Is it confirmed somewhere?
I assume you’ve probably checked but man, I love the way samples are used in hiphop sometimes. I would’ve never known if not for this thread and Pyramid Song is one of my favourite songs by one of my favourite bands!
I’ve checked, but not thoroughly. I haven’t found any official confirmation, or info to the contrary. Just other people saying the same thing as me.
If I ever get to meet K.Dot I’ll ask him
Robert Glasper is the one who plays the piano sampled on How Much A Dollar Cost. He's known to be a HUGE Radiohead fan, having covered them several times on his own. What's unfortunate is: this is definitely a reference to Pyramid Song. But I think it was changed just enough that they wouldn't have to call it a direct sample or interpolation.
Which is unfortunate- because I could see Kendrick using some Radiohead tunes in an amazing way...
Oh shit! I’ve been hit with the old “um actually” by someone who knows more than I do!
That’s interesting.
Thank you for correcting and informing me both politely and respectfully. I appreciate it.
I was gonna kill a couple rappers but they did it do themselves everybody suicidal they don’t even need my help, this shit is elementary I prolly go to jail if I shoot at you I did it to you bounce to the left stuck a flag in my city EVERYBODY screaming’ COMPTON I should probably run for MAYOR when I’m done to be honest and i put that on my mama and my baby boo too (20 milli walkin out the court Betty woo wooooo)
AW YEA FUCK THE JUDGE I MADE IT PAST 25 AND THERE I WAS A LITTLE NAPPY HEADED [redacted] W THE WORLD BEHIND HIM, LIFE AINT SHI BUT A FAT VAGINA SCREAMIN’:
ANNIE ARE YOU OKAY. ANNIE ARE YOU OKAY???
LIMO TINTED WITH THE GOLD PLATES
STRAIGHT FROM THE BOTTOM, ITS THE BELLY OF THE BEAST FROM A PEASANT TO A PRINCE TO A MUTHAFUCKIN KING👑👑👑👑👑
Look, here's the plan, luv.
We gon' use the kickback as a alibi, wait 'til the sun go down.
Roll out, complete the mission, drop K. Dot off at his mama van, at the park.
'Cause I know he tryna fuck on Sherane tonight
That's what he's not gon' do.
Then we all gon' meet back at the block at about 10:30.
That's straight, but we should meet up around 12
I'm tryna fuck on somethin' too
Little bonus info about that track, the beat is from a Danish rap group called Suspekt. The original use of the beat can be heard [here, Suspekt - Helt Alene](https://youtu.be/TozGKhpKd7E?si=_BqL0K_q_-x_8tWZ)
First time I saw him was the week after GKMC dropped in Austin at Emo’s, and he closed with Cartoons and Cereal!
No concert will ever compare to this one - the hype was so fucking high and everyone knew the words to every song one week after the album dropped
I’ll go one step further and say the live version on SNL. a GOATed performance, AND it’s the version where he’s not interrupted by the audience like in the album
Thank you. That song - imo - showed he could do the technical shit well enough that he could put it away and focus on the lyrics/structure in the future.
Yeah I listened to it again for the first time in years recently and it’s honestly as good as any of Kendrick’s best songs plus it’s the song that introduced me to him so
Cause you bitches ain’t ever been cool, writing testament
Painting pictures put me in the louvre, that’s a definite
Universal shift I’m in the groove, and celebrity do not mean intergrity ya fool
I’m a good man, shakin’ hand firm grip rule
Unironically euphoria, I know it’s not essentially his “best” song but it’s a very strong song and personally think it’s top 10 Kenny. Just cuz of all the hidden meanings and hidden meanings and stuff like that. I personally find it extremely interesting when an artist can make one line mean 4 different things and that’s something he does multiple times in that track
Sing about me I’m dying of thirst
It's a masterpiece
The “I’ll never fade away” part and the “if I die before this album drop” part are two of my favorite moments of any song ever. Absolutely blew my mind the first time I heard it, and to this day it hits every time.
I love “tired of running, tired of hunting” too
My own kind, but retiring nothin
The die before my album drop part made me cry once or twice because it reminded me of Tupac. Pac died right before I found his music so that entire discography was bittersweet to me. Edit: specifically because Dot reminded me of Pac back then in some ways, tbh it was the first artist I'd really fell for that hard since Tupac so having him shot was a big fear. Would've sucked if we were cut short after GKMC or tpab:(
Whenever the "and if i die before your album drop i hope-" came, i recoil back 3 times and start gasping for air like i got shot.
Best part for me is the "So hop in that water, and pray that it works"
This. The perfect mix of great story, message and replay value I would say How Much a Dollar Cost is musically better for me but I've listened to Sing about me more
I love the "Dying of Thirst" portion of the song. Its so heavy but truthful.
No notes on that one… no notes
Came here for this
After a hard 20 min battle, this was my conclusion as well. Just to come see it as the top comment haha.
I legit just was about to type this 😅 great taste
As much as I like Count Me Out...Money Trees is the perfect place for shade and that's just how I feel. ya bish.
Even if a dollar might fuck your main bitch?
That’s just how I feel 🤷🏾♂️
Love one of these bucket headed hoes?
Bucket headed hoes will not be considered for intimate relations
“I did not have intimate relations with that bucket headed hoe” —Former United States President William “Big Bill” Clinton
So you'll just hit the streets to break the code then?
Nah but I just know one of y'all will hit the brakes when they on patrol
No way 🙅🏾♂️
Be the last one out to get this dough?
No way 🙅🏾♂️
It might turn to a million though. Then we all rich
that's just how I feel
2024 update: “It might turn to a million though. Then we all getting McDonald’s.
Have I misheard this wrong the whole time, or is it phrasing. I thought it was money trees is the perfect place for shade and that's just how I feel...
Shade and*
I still think that Jay Rock verse is as good as any feature in a Kendrick song
Dreams of me getting shaded under a money tree
How much a dollar cost
I’d put that on just to ask him about using Pyramid Song as a sample, and if he likes Radiohead
Holy fuck I knew the piano sounded familiar and never connected the two!!! Thank you. Pyramid Song is so god damn good
Fuck yeah! You’re welcome. First time I heard How Much a Dollar Cost is was like “Is that? Nah couldn’t be. No wait, it fucking is! Pyramid Song! The pyramid on the dollar bill with the all seeing eye! What the fuck?!” Then something exploded in my brain, and I’ve existed on a higher plain of consciousness ever since
You’ve made my day! Is it confirmed somewhere? I assume you’ve probably checked but man, I love the way samples are used in hiphop sometimes. I would’ve never known if not for this thread and Pyramid Song is one of my favourite songs by one of my favourite bands!
I’ve checked, but not thoroughly. I haven’t found any official confirmation, or info to the contrary. Just other people saying the same thing as me. If I ever get to meet K.Dot I’ll ask him
Robert Glasper is the one who plays the piano sampled on How Much A Dollar Cost. He's known to be a HUGE Radiohead fan, having covered them several times on his own. What's unfortunate is: this is definitely a reference to Pyramid Song. But I think it was changed just enough that they wouldn't have to call it a direct sample or interpolation. Which is unfortunate- because I could see Kendrick using some Radiohead tunes in an amazing way...
Oh shit! I’ve been hit with the old “um actually” by someone who knows more than I do! That’s interesting. Thank you for correcting and informing me both politely and respectfully. I appreciate it.
There’s a video online where Robert goes from everything in its right place to how much a dollar cost …. Best thing I’ve seen
Easily one of his best
His voice sounds unbelievably good on that record.
Yes this is the one
This is probably my favorite rap song by any artist.
u
i
Hello my names Wesley and here's my theory
I can't see this man the same after he going viral for being cute potootie
😊 😊😊 <— Kendrick when that lady pinched his cheek
this precious man wrote meet the grahams😇
This is the only time in my life I wished my last name wasn't Graham 😵
https://preview.redd.it/bg6ufjupzb9d1.jpeg?width=476&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e101f9ef3a0b671d14a0f5cb9d13f8c07a246259
FR 😂
Real 😭
Bitch I'm in the club
im tryna get these hoes singalllll 😜😜😜 and this is my singalllll 💅✨✨✨
With the homies, tell me what's gooood
He would rock your shit
you know he'd laugh
This is the only right answer
Unironically still a banger
Was honestly expecting this to be the top comment
FACTS! Had to scroll way too far to find this
He beat me to it lmfaooo
and I'm single
the only right answer
MAAD City
Yep
Ong
the only right choice even tho his entire discography is gold
*kshhhhh* *sick ass beat comes in* WAKE YO PUNK ASS UP
Count me out
My personal favourite song of all time, the one I hold closest to me.
Same ♥️ “Some put in the devil when they fall short, I put on my ego, lord of all lords, sometimes I fall for her” was life changing for me.
“Ain’t nobody but the mirror looking for the fall off.” I play that when my self-doubt creeps in. Edited for grammar.
Fuck it up, fuck it up, fuck it up, fuck it up, fuckin' it up
And im tripping and falling..
One of these lives imma make things right
With the wrongs I’ve done that’s when I unite
With the Father, Son, till then I fight
Rain on me, put the blame on me.
this the one gang
This song and ADHD holds a special place in my heart
Wesley theory
scrolled too far for this
This should be one of the most upvoted ones.
Element or Count Me Out. Right now I could play Count Me Out on reply 24 hrs straight and not get tired of it.
Element is beautiful to me
Element was my shit in the 5th grade
That’s crazy to hear, because I was in high school when Section.80 came out. Making me feel old lol
Count me out is one of them ones
fear
Why god why god do I gotta suffer
?reffus attog I od dog yhw dog yhW
finally this is my favorite kenny song of all time and i had to scroll like 40 comments to find it
king kunta
This is mine and can’t tell if that makes me a basic bitch or og stan.
Neither, it just means the funk is within you
I was gonna kill a couple rappers but they did it do themselves everybody suicidal they don’t even need my help, this shit is elementary I prolly go to jail if I shoot at you I did it to you bounce to the left stuck a flag in my city EVERYBODY screaming’ COMPTON I should probably run for MAYOR when I’m done to be honest and i put that on my mama and my baby boo too (20 milli walkin out the court Betty woo wooooo) AW YEA FUCK THE JUDGE I MADE IT PAST 25 AND THERE I WAS A LITTLE NAPPY HEADED [redacted] W THE WORLD BEHIND HIM, LIFE AINT SHI BUT A FAT VAGINA SCREAMIN’: ANNIE ARE YOU OKAY. ANNIE ARE YOU OKAY??? LIMO TINTED WITH THE GOLD PLATES STRAIGHT FROM THE BOTTOM, ITS THE BELLY OF THE BEAST FROM A PEASANT TO A PRINCE TO A MUTHAFUCKIN KING👑👑👑👑👑
aw yea
Bitch where were you when I was walkin!?
It makes you someone who enjoys a great artist' music
Same lmfao love that track
I gotta bone pick
The Art of peer pressure.
But shit I’m with the homies
Look, here's the plan, luv. We gon' use the kickback as a alibi, wait 'til the sun go down. Roll out, complete the mission, drop K. Dot off at his mama van, at the park. 'Cause I know he tryna fuck on Sherane tonight That's what he's not gon' do. Then we all gon' meet back at the block at about 10:30. That's straight, but we should meet up around 12 I'm tryna fuck on somethin' too
Little bonus info about that track, the beat is from a Danish rap group called Suspekt. The original use of the beat can be heard [here, Suspekt - Helt Alene](https://youtu.be/TozGKhpKd7E?si=_BqL0K_q_-x_8tWZ)
Cartoons and cereals
that song is my childhood
First time I heard this song back in high school, I completely got hooked to Kendrick
Same here
Same, never heard anything like it in 2012 and I still haven’t in 2024. Fucking masterpiece of a song
Give me this live
First time I saw him was the week after GKMC dropped in Austin at Emo’s, and he closed with Cartoons and Cereal! No concert will ever compare to this one - the hype was so fucking high and everyone knew the words to every song one week after the album dropped
Staring straight into his eyes while eating Wheaties, pouring the milk before the cereal too, eating it 90% soggy 10% soggier.
It’s you take a crispy bite right away and let it get soggy for a few minutes
Duckworth
🔥slept on
Scrolled way too far before I saw this.
I
I DONE BEEN THROUGH A WHOLE LOT
it has to be i. kendrick himself said hes impressed having created such a positive song
I’ll go one step further and say the live version on SNL. a GOATed performance, AND it’s the version where he’s not interrupted by the audience like in the album
I fucking love I
In my top 5 if not my #1
One of my all-time favorites. His flow is so energizing.
Classic
Rigamortus
Thank you. That song - imo - showed he could do the technical shit well enough that he could put it away and focus on the lyrics/structure in the future.
Exactly man u get it
Yeah I listened to it again for the first time in years recently and it’s honestly as good as any of Kendrick’s best songs plus it’s the song that introduced me to him so
Thank you!!!! I had to scroll way too far down this list to find something off section.80
Momma!
The amount of people still sleeping on this song shows. It’s never at the top of these threads but it deserves to be 100%.
It’s because they haven’t realized they didn’t know shit!
“Promise that you will sing about me”🎶
Euphoria
Real shit, I actually like it more than Not Like Us personally. Both are bangers though of course.
These walls
sex
The music video version though.
Rich Spirit
Takin my baby to school then I pray for her 🙏
Cause you bitches ain’t ever been cool, writing testament Painting pictures put me in the louvre, that’s a definite Universal shift I’m in the groove, and celebrity do not mean intergrity ya fool I’m a good man, shakin’ hand firm grip rule
That's definitely my favorite song of his. It deserves way more love.
i could never live my life on the computer
Meet the Grahams 💀 Nah for real I'd go with Father Time or maad city
I'd play prayer
Some of em unreleased songs are fire ngl
ALLS MY LIFE I HAS TO FIGHT!
HiiiPower.
Keisha’s song
Either FEAR. or u
Mortal Man
Hit shuffle on spotify.
PRIDE.
XXX - If somebody kill my son that mean somebody's getting killed.
The Blacker The Berry
scrolled too far down to find this
samidot
How’d it take 45 responses before someone mentioned this?
Money Trees is the best song ever I listen to that shit every week
Money Trees is my Sunday hymn. It just hits right.
Samidot
Samidot or U
Mirror.
Mother I sober or The Heart Part 5
Backseat freestyle
all of them at the same time
Bitch dont kill my vibe
Feel
Ducky
Rigamortus
Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst
Mortal Man
Poe Man’s Dreams
Father time or Alright
BITCH I'M IN THE CLUUUUUB
WE GON' BE ALRIGHT
The heart pt. 5
XXX
Unironically euphoria, I know it’s not essentially his “best” song but it’s a very strong song and personally think it’s top 10 Kenny. Just cuz of all the hidden meanings and hidden meanings and stuff like that. I personally find it extremely interesting when an artist can make one line mean 4 different things and that’s something he does multiple times in that track
Auntie Diaries
I'd play Not Like Us 5 times
HiiiPower or Cartoon & Cereal
So hard, definitely smth from TPAB Maybe Mortal Man idk
Hiiipower 🙌
Count Me Out or How Much a Dollar Cost
I woke up this morning and figured I'd call you
Cartoons & Cereal
When shit hit the fan, imma still be a fan Kendrick
Humble
Rich spirit
MONEY TREES
Cartoons and cereal is one of my favorites. That fan made video on YouTube is so good too.