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Artist: Kendrick Lamar
Track: Real

Lyrics
I do what I wanna do
I say what I wanna say
When I feel, and I
Look in the mirror and know I'm there
With my hands in the air
I'm proud to say yeah
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really, really real
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really, really, real
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really, really, real
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really, really, real

I promise that I know you very well
Your eyes never lie even if they tell
Sweet lullabies that come with a smell
Of a dozen roses flippin' down the green hill
You living in a world that come with plan B
'Cause plan A never relay a guarantee
And plan C never could say just what it was
And your plans only can pan around love
You love him, you love them, you love her
You love so much, you love when love hurts
You love red-bottom and gold that say queen
You love hand-bag on the waist of your jean
You love French tip and trip that pay for
You love bank slip that tell you we paid more
You love a good hand whenever the card dealt
But what love got to do with it when you don't love yourself?

I do what I wanna do
I say what I wanna say
When I feel, and I
Look in the mirror and know I'm there
With my hands in the air
I'm proud to say yeah
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really, really, real
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really, really, real
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really, really, real
I'm real, I'm real ('cause before you know it, everything's gone)

I promise that I know you very well
Your eyes never lie even if they fell
Out the sky and your optics turn stale
Where they mold that's green
I can see you fit the bill
Of living in a world that come with Plan B
'Cause Plan A only can make another mistake
And you can't see success coming from plan C
When it all breaks you, you still say you're lovely
And love them and love when you love her
You love so much, you love when love hurts
You love fast cars and dead presidents old
You love fast women
You love keepin' control
Of everything you love, you love beef
You love streets, you love runnin', duckin' police
You love your hood, might even love it to death
But what love got to do with it when you don't love yourself?

I do what I wanna do
I say what I wanna say
When I feel, and I
Look in the mirror and know I'm there
With my hands in the air
I'm proud to say yeah
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really, really, real
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really, really, real
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really, really, real
I'm real, I'm real ('cause before you know it, everything's gone)

The reason why I know you very well
'Cause we have the same eyes can't you tell?
The days I tried to cover up and conceal
My pride, it only made it harder for me to deal
When living in a that come with plan B
A scapegoat 'cause plan A don't come free
And plan C just an excuse like because
Or the word "but", but what if I got love
I love them, I love when I love her
I love so much, I love when love hurts
I love first verse 'cause you're the girl I attract
I love second verse 'cause your the homie that packed
Burning like a stove top, they love cooking from scratch
I love what the both of you have to offer
In fact, I love it so much
I don't love anything else
But what love got to do with it when I don't love myself?
To the point I should hate everything I do love
Should I hate living my life inside the club?
Should I hate her for watching me for that reason?
Should I hate him for telling me that I'm seizin'?
Should I hate them for telling me ball out?
Should I hate street credibility I'm talkin' 'bout
Hatin' all money, power, respect in my will
Or hatin' the fact that none of that shit make me real?

Dot, I ain't trippin' off them dominoes no more
Just calling
Sorry to hear what happened to your homeboy
But don't learn the hard way like I did, homie
Any nigga can kill a man, that don't make you a real nigga
Real is responsibility
Real is taking care of your motherfucking family
Real is God, nigga

I do what I wanna do
I say what I wanna say
When I feel, and I
Look in the mirror and know I'm there
With my hands in the air
I'm proud to say yeah
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really, really, real
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really, really, real
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really, really, real
I'm real, I'm real
('Cause before you know it, everything's gone)

Alright, that's all I wanted to tell you
Just make sure you call us back when you get this message
Here go your mama
Boy, you better have my car on full all this time
You done had my damn car, but look I ain't trippin'
Look, the neighbors say they seen you and your little friends
Over there by Food for Less and they was preaching to you
Over there telling you about the good book
'Cause right about now that's what ya'll need
Oh, and Top Dawg called the house too
I guess he want you and Dave to come to the studio
Now look, you take that music business serious, yeah
Put out something me and your dad can step to
Shit, you know we from Chicago, you know that's what we do

Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you

If I don't hear from you by tomorrow
I hope you come back and learn from your mistakes
Come back a man
Tell your story to these black and brown kids in Compton
Let 'em know you was just like them
But you still rose from that dark place of violence
Becoming a positive person, but when you do make it
Give back with your words of encouragement
And that's the best way to give back, to your city
And I love you Kendrick
If I don't hear you knocking on the door
You know where I usually leave the key
Alright? Talk to you later, bye
Full Lyrics and Meaning
Genius Meanings
Kendrick Lamar (Ft. Anna Wise) – Real
This song denotes an incredibly important realization that Kendrick Lamar has felt. The song as a whole stresses the importance of loving yourself (and how this is a necessary
Terrell Piper – Analysis of the Song "Real" by Kendrick Lamar
I chose to analyze the song “Real” by Kendrick Lamar. The song is split into three verses which speak about three different people. Kendrick speaks about a girl he loves, a close
Kendrick Lamar – HUMBLE.
On the ironically braggadocious track “HUMBLE.” Kendrick Lamar challenges his competition. It was released a week after the first promotional single, “The Heart Part 4,” with a
Kendrick Lamar (Ft. Sampha) – Father Time
On “Father Time,” Kendrick concerns himself with his daddy issues, while the title refers to time personified, usually as an older man with a scythe or an hourglass. Kendrick
Kendrick Lamar (Ft. Rihanna) – LOYALTY.
On “LOYALTY.,” Kendrick Lamar and Rihanna muse on the value and necessity of complete loyalty and honesty in both platonic and romantic relationships. The song marks the first
Kendrick Lamar – YAH.
The song title “YAH.” refers to Yahweh (יהוה), which is believed to be the closest estimation to God’s actual name–in Hebrew, it was said as ‘YHWH,’ as they had no vowels in their
Kendrick Lamar – ​i (Album Version)
“i” is the first single from Kendrick’s third studio album, To Pimp a Butterfly. Kendrick received two Grammys for the studio version of the song at the 57th Grammy Awards for Best
Kendrick Lamar – N95
“N95” is the second track on Kendrick Lamar’s fifth and final studio album with Top Dawg Entertainment, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. The song’s title refers to N95 face masks
Kendrick Lamar – The Heart Part 5 (Original)
On “Prayer,” Kendrick Lamar reflects over “the voices of art” and personifies a song by Michael Jackson and a speech by Martin Luther King, Jr., respectively. In each of the first
SZA (Ft. Kendrick Lamar) – Doves in the Wind
In a song “dedicated to vaginas,” SZA enlists fellow TDE mate Kendrick Lamar to talk about how there is so much more to offer than sex and things people do to go out of their way
Kendrick Lamar – Real 92.3 Freestyle
On the eighteenth anniversary of the The Notorious B.I.G.’s passing, Kendrick Lamar goes in on several beats from the Do-or-Die, Bed-Stuy legend’s catalogue on L.A.’s Real 92.3.
Kendrick Lamar – Real One
[Intro] / I been a real one, I been a real one / I been a real one, I been a real one / I been a- I been a love and a travesty / Never talk down on no prophecy, put it on God, ain'
Kendrick Lamar – The Blacker the Berry
Released via Empire star Taraji P. Henson’s twitter, this comes the day after Kendrick won Best Rap Song & Performance for “i” at the 2015 Grammy Awards. The song shares the name
Kendrick Lamar – Rich Spirit
“Rich Spirit” depicts an irreverent Kendrick talking about his own qualities while trying to stand firm against the criticism against him. Kendrick utilizes ethereal melodies and
Kendrick Lamar – BLOOD.
On “BLOOD.,” Kendrick is shot by a blind lady he’s trying to help. The blind woman can be thought of as representing consequences of the damnation referenced in the Book of
Kendrick Lamar – Average Joe
The Kendrick Lamar EP, Overly Dedicated and Section.80 all have Wyldfyer produced joints. In the O.D. edition, Kendrick drops commentary on Compton, his near-death experiences
Kendrick Lamar – ELEMENT. (Original)
[Intro] / I don't give a fuck, I don't give a- / I don't give a-, I don't- / This will be an ugly motherfucker / [Verse 1] / I'm willin' to die for this shit / I done cried for
Kendrick Lamar – FEAR.
On “FEAR.,” Kendrick explores three instances of true terror at ages 7, 17, and 27, respectively. In the first verse, he explores the fear he experienced growing up in the hood
Kendrick Lamar – The Art of Peer Pressure
The song where the album’s narrative truly begins to set itself in motion, Kendrick takes you through a vivid story of how he learned ‘Peer Pressure’ the hard way. This samples
Kendrick Lamar – Tammy's Song (Her Evils)
After introducing the character of Keisha in “No Makeup (Her Vice),” Kendrick continues the story by bringing Tammy into the equation. In this song, two women are initially shown
Kendrick Lamar (Ft. MC Eiht) – ​m.A.A.d city
“m.A.A.d” is an acronym for both “my Angels on Angel dust” and “my Angry Adolescence divided.” “m.A.A.d” is also a reference to the 90s Compton based hip-hop group “WC and the
Kendrick Lamar, Baby Keem & Sam Dew – Savior
On “Savior,” Kendrick teams up with Sam Dew and Baby Keem to inform his listeners about the brokenness of society. The song comes directly after “Savior (Interlude),” which Baby
Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar – ​family ties
“family ties” finds cousins Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar uniting for their first official collaboration after months of partnering under the pgLang imprint. Originally titled “Jump
Taylor Swift (Ft. Kendrick Lamar) – Bad Blood (Remix)
On May 17, 2015, Taylor Swift debuted her “Bad Blood” video at the Billboard Music Awards. The premiere was highly anticipated and featured a slew of notable actors and performers
Kendrick Lamar & Travis Scott – Big Shot
In “Big Shot,” Kendrick Lamar and Travis Scott describe their prestigious status and the perks of being rich and famous. Travis and Kendrick have a relationship that goes beyond
Kendrick Lamar (Ft. GLC) – Poe Mans Dreams (His Vice)
The title, “Poe Man’s Dreams,” is a play on the southern pronunciation of ‘poor,’ but also alludes to the classic American writer Edgar Allan Poe. Poe’s cause of death in 1849 was
Kendrick Lamar’s “DUCKWORTH.” Is About A Chance Meeting Between His Dad & Top Dawg
“Ducky was well aware, they robbed the manager and shot a customer last year.”
Kendrick Lamar – ​u
The sixth track on Lamar’s third album, “u” acts as a complete contrast to its lead single “i,” an anthem of peace, positivity, and prosperity starting with self-love. With more
Kendrick Lamar – Last Real Nigga Alive
11th track off the mixtape Compton State of Mind by Kendrick Lamar, released in 2009.
Kendrick Lamar – H.O.C.
Kendrick Lamar talks about his experiences as a non-smoker and how although his music may sound like something a pot head might make he’s far from that. The Official Music Video:
Kendrick Lamar (Ft. Drake) – Poetic Justice
Kendrick explained “Poetic Justice” in a 2012 interview with Complex magazine, saying: If you listen to ‘Poetic Justice,’ it’s a song about a chick saying these legs are poems. On
Kendrick Lamar (Ft. 2 Chainz, A$AP Rocky & Drake) – Fuckin’ Problems (Original)
This track serves as the long lost original version of A$AP Rocky’s October 2012 hit track, “Fuckin' Problems,” which features a second verse from Kendrick Lamar. While the two
Kendrick Lamar – The Heart Part 4
On “The Heart Part 4,” Kendrick Lamar floats across four distinct beat changes, describing his industrious lifestyle while challenging his contemporaries. He finishes the song with
Kendrick Lamar – PRIDE.
“PRIDE” is an introspective track that continues the album’s strong religious themes. Consider Proverbs 11:2: When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.
Kendrick Lamar (Ft. Rapsody) – Complexion (A Zulu Love)
This song is about educating society on beauty standards, especially colorism. Colorism affects the black community profusely due to its roots, which spawn from the history of
Kendrick Lamar (Ft. Anna Wise, Bilal & Snoop Dogg) – Institutionalized
While “King Kunta” shows Lamar at a high, confidently claiming his throne atop the rap game with the influence and success he has acquired, “Institutionalized” is the dramatic
Kendrick Lamar – Rigamortus
From Team Kendrick: When rigor mortis occurs within a corpse, its muscles tighten, causing the body to become stiff and very difficult to move. The chemical reaction makes all
Kendrick Lamar – DNA.
On “DNA.,” Kendrick Lamar adopts multiple viewpoints; celebrating, critiquing, and exploring his black heritage and culture. In the music video, Kendrick and actor Don Cheadle
Kendrick Lamar – Momma
“Momma” tells of the personal growth and self-realisation that Kendrick experienced after having persevered against the internal struggles he described as “Lucy” in the preceding
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SongFacts
Real by Kendrick Lamar - Songfacts
Real by Kendrick Lamar song meaning, lyric interpretation, video and chart position
These Walls by Kendrick Lamar - Songfacts
These Walls by Kendrick Lamar song meaning, lyric interpretation, video and chart position
SongTell Meaning
Meaning of "Real" by Kendrick Lamar (Ft. Anna Wise)
"Real" by Kendrick Lamar is a self-reflective song that explores the idea of authenticity. The song begins with a chorus that highlights the importance of ...
Meaning of "Analysis of the Song “Real” by Kendrick Lamar" by Terrell Piper
The song "Real" by Kendrick Lamar, as analyzed by Terrell Piper, explores the themes of self-love, societal expectations, and materialism. In the first v...
Meaning of "Last Real Nigga Alive" by Kendrick Lamar
The song "Last Real Nigga Alive" by Kendrick Lamar is a retrospective look at the hip-hop industry and the journey Lamar himself has taken to become one of...
Meaning of "Last Real Nigga Alive" by Kendrick Lamar
The song "Last Real Nigga Alive" by Kendrick Lamar is a retrospective look at the hip-hop industry and the journey Lamar himself has taken to become one of...
Meaning of "Vent (Original)" by Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar
"Vent (Original)" by Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar delves into themes of personal struggles, frustration, and the need for self-expression. The song portrays ...
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SongMeanings Interpretations
Kendrick Lamar - Real Lyrics
While the obvious connections with suicide or alcoholism could be drawn easily, more subtly this song could be about someone who views the world through a ...
Genius Artists
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar Duckworth (born June 17, 1987) is an American rapper and songwriter from Compton, California. He first gained major attention after the release of his 2010 mixtape
Genius Albums
To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar
To Pimp a Butterfly is Kendrick Lamar’s second major label studio album, and third full-length project. It was released via Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment, and
good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
good kid, m.A.A.d city is the first major label album by Kendrick Lamar, released on October 22, 2012 through Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records