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Kendrick Lamar debuted a powerful, experimental new track on The Colbert Report

'Put a price on my talent / I hit the bank and withdraw'

Christopher Hooton
Friday 19 December 2014 16:00 GMT
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If 'i' dampened your expectations for Kendrick Lamar's new album, a soul-searching but very radio friendly track, this new one he performed on The Colbert Report this week should get you sufficiently stoked.

Holding a hip flask and spitting through the smoke on a dimly lit stage, Kendrick talked about race, survival and not pandering to record labels in the song, which featured a saxophone solo from Terrace Martin (who fans might remember from Ab Soul's Outro on Section.80).

Instead of using a verse-chorus structure it feels almost like a Biblical story, with Kendrick talking about advice received from people of different ethnicities.

An Asian man tells him to focus on his health rather than his career, an Indian man suggests he invest in real estate, a black man tells him "nookie is power" and a white man sees him as an ATM.

The track reaches a climax with Kendrick shouting "Tell 'em we don't die, we multiply", echoing the words of Bebe's Kids.

The untitled song could well feature on Kendrick's new album, which was expected at the end of 2014 but now looks like it'll be out next year.

Genius users pieced together the lyrics, which are as follows:

[Intro]

So I met this young lady, ya know, when I went back home. I was tryna spit my best game to her, you know, give her my best cap, but she kept on snapping her fingers like *snaps*. I said "You know what, girl? You crazy." Then she asked me what he said

[Verse 1]

(What did the Asian say?)

A peace of mind

That's what the Asian said, I need a divine

Intervention was his religion and now I'm surprised

Him believing in Buddha, me believing in God

Asked me what am I doing, he said "taking my time"

Meditation is a must, it don't hurt if you try

See you thinking too much plus you too full of yourself

Worried about your career, ever think of your health?

[Verse 2]

(What did the Indian say?)

A piece of land

That's what the Indian said, I needed demand

Telling me longevity is in the dirt, buy some property first

Profit a better dollar with generational perks

Equity at his best, really, you should invest

These tangible things expire, don't you expect

Income with so much outcome and yes

Look at my heritage, we blessed

[Verse 3]

(Now what the black man say?)

A piece of nookie

That's what the black man said, I needed to push me

To the limit, satisfy my hunger

Do it all for a woman, hair cut to a wool

We like to live in the jungle, like to play in the peach

What you saying to me?

He said "homie, come back to reality for a week"

Nookie is power, cut on a new chick every night

I wouldn't be prouder, you should allow it

[Verse 4]

(What the white man say?)

A piece of mines

That's what the white man wanted when I rhyme

Telling me that he selling me just for $10.99

I go platinum from rapping, I do the company fine

What if I compromise? He said it don't even matter

Make a million or more, you living better than average

You losing your core following, gaining it all

Put a price on my talent, I hit the bank and withdraw

Hit the bank and withdraw, hit the bank and withdraw

Put myself in the rocket ship and I shot for the stars

Tell me what you accomplished and what he said to the boy

I'mma make you some promises that you just can't ignore

Your profession anonymous as an artist

I don't target your market

You ain't signing your signature when I throw you my wallet

A lot of rappers are giving their demo all in the toilet

World tour, your masters, market, I need ya

[Saxophone Interlude: Terrace Martin]

[Hook]

I holler, "What you do? What you say?"

I shall enjoy the fruits of my labor if I get freed today

[Outro]

What the black man say?

Tell 'em we don't die, tell 'em we don't die

Tell 'em we don't die, we multiply

Tell 'em we don't die, tell 'em we don't die

Tell 'em we don't die, we multiply

Tell 'em we don't die, tell 'em we don't die

Tell 'em we don't die, we multiply

Tell 'em we don't die, tell 'em we don't die

Tell 'em we don't die, we multiply

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