look over your shoulders kendrick genius
Are you deceiving me? Somebody that only reacts when they back is against the wall? Do you believe in me? Trees, plants, grass, how the wind blow, Murphyâs Law You think he can hold you down when you down behind bars, hurt? A war that was based on apartheid and discrimination What you mean by that, what the ground represent? I see myself as a natural born hustler Kendrick mentions Nelson Mandela several times in this song: The lead single from the J5âs âThird Albumâ from 1970, and the 4th of 4 consecutive number one singles from the group- a feat that no other artist (before or since) has matched. We just letting our dead homies tell stories for us To me hiring the person that works my management company The two West Coast MCâs discuss black culture, racism, fame and image. Is it Moses? He recited pieces of the poem throughout the album, preceding certain tracks. Can you be immortalized without your life being expired? And if you riding with me, nigga, let me ask this question, nigga Abusing my power, full of resentment Shooterâyou assassin I'll be your strength, I'll keep holding on - yes I will, yes I will He has 13 grammys, 8 in one night, 26 American music awards, over 4 presidential awards, over 100 billboard awards, over 100 RIAA awards, and humanitarian awards given most famously by the King of Africa, 2 presidents of the USA, and the Princess of England. [Refrain 2] (Just look over your shoulders, honey - ooh) Its only job is to eat or consume everything around it Shit and thatâs all I wrote The caterpillar begins to notice ways to survive Kendrick criticizes the system that oppresses Black youths, but also criticizes his own homies for buying into the self-destructive narrative sold to them by society. Pac?! When shit hit the fan, is you still a fan? Even though you share the same blood, is it worth the time? You know what Iâm saying, itâs gonna happen Describing my world, it says: But that didnât stop survivorâs guilt "We fighting a war, Iâm fighting a war I canât win Aight well, how long will you think it take before niggas be like For real, I donât think America know that If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this. [Refrain 1] The ghost of Mandela, hope my flows stay propellin' Each piece of the poem relates to the track that follows. Winner: Alberto Del Rio. Or where it comes from, trip me out sometimes I think that niggas is tired of grabbin' shit out the stores See I got to question it all; family, friends, fans, cats, dogs In 1980 Kurtis Blow was the best rapper alive and the first to make a rap career possible. By my faith in God, by my faith in the game And I wanna lay it all down" Do you show forgiveness? How many leaders you said you needed then left âem for dead? Or somebody that made the best of they own opportunities? And if you riding with me, niggaâ Other than that, now that I finally got a chance to holla at you And oh - I'll be there to comfort you And built myself up so I could get it to where I owned it So itâs no problem, you know What brush do you bend when dusting your shoulders from being offended? Want you to love me like Nelson, want you to hug me like Nelson. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. Yeah, uh I hold grudges like bad judges, donât let me resent you Already surrounded by this mad city Out of a black man, in this country Do you believe in me? Let my word be your Earth and moon, you consume every message Wings begin to emerge, breaking the cycle of feeling stagnant Do you see yourself as somebody thatâs rich He used to look down on everyone, but now he knows that he was wrong. âThe caterpillar is a prisoner to the streets that conceived it Don't you know, baby, yeah yeah Would you consider yourself a fighter at heart or somebody that Till this day, I don't know a more accomplished artist. In this country, a black man only have like You wanna walk in his shoes, but your peacemaking seldom, The voice of Mandela, hope this flow stay propellin', I been wrote off before, I got abandonment issues, I hold grudges like bad judges, donât let me resent you, Thatâs not Nelson-likeâwant you to love me like Nelson. Is this relationship a fake, or real as the heavens be? The evils of Lucy was all around me Or maybe how A-1 my foundation was I mean, itâs a problem but Iâm not finna let them know What brush do you bend when dusting your shoulders from being offended? So I went running for answers You got to step up to the plate. You wanna be remembered that delivered the message I always wanted to ask you about a certain situa- And Kendrick’s career has subsequently reached very, well, lofty heights: in 2009 and 2010, for example, the actress received Golden Globe, Academy Award and BAFTA nominations for her role in Up in the Air. Going back and forth trying to convince myself the stripes I earned If the government want me dead, plant cocaine in my car When shit hit the fan, is you still a fan? You know what Iâm saying, I was noticing, shit I went from having somebody managing me Just call my name and I'll be there Misusing your influence You and I must make a pact, we must bring salvation back Like Nelson Mandela, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr. and Tupac Shakur, he understands that he has a limited time, and when speaking with Tupac he knows that has to reach out to the teenagers and recruit them to change the world. In an interview with Rob Markman, Kendrick said: The answers that Pac is giving are answers for today [â¦] the worldâs got to hear this, and theyâve got to hear it on a major scale. In âMortal Man,â he closes the loop by reciting the poem in its entirety. (one two, one two, one two) I was entering a new one Hook 1: âThe ghost of Mandelaâ And if you donât believe me, you can look around Thatâs crazy, because me being one of your offsprings Itâs gonna be like Nat Turner, 1831, up in this motherfucker I'll be your strength, I'll keep holding on - yes I will, yes I will The voice of Mandela, hope this flow stay propellin' There might, there might be some cannibalism out this muh-fu- Resentment that turned into a deep depression When shit hit the fan, is you still a fan? When shit hit the fan, is you still a fan? The ghost of Mandela, hope my flows stay propelling Every change of season, every change of weather, indeed, every hour of the day, produces some change in the … [Outro] At the back-end of the song Kendrick interviews the last King of Hip-Hop, Tupac Shakur. Put me under stress, crawled under rocks, duckin' yâall [Refrain 3] The excerpts of 2Pacâs conversation with Kendrick were taken from a 1994 interview with the Swedish radio show P3 Soul, hosted by Mats Nileskär. One thing it noticed is how much the world shuns him Kendrick realizes heâs the new voice in a long line of leaders. The butterfly represents the talent, the thoughtfulness So I could find clarityâlike, how much you cherish me? When shit hit the fan, is you still a fan? And you donât wanna fight no more And itâs gonna be some more playing but Just because you wore a different gang color than mine's Start a Free Trial to watch popular Movies on Hulu including thousands of new releases, comedies, dramas, horrors, cult classics, and Originals. The word was respect As I lead this army, make room for mistakes and depression How tough is your skin when they turn you in? Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter RIP VAN WINKLE. Hook 3: âThe voice of Mandelaâ As I lead this army, make room for mistakes and depression Stream movies online with a no commitment 30-day trial to watch movies on Hulu. Heâs trapped âWant you to love me like Nelson, want you to hug me like Nelsonâ Let these words be your Earth and moon, you consume every message [Chorus 4] Chris Hemsworth is set to be overtaken as the owner of Byron Bay's most expensive house as a beachside mansion hits the market with a whopping $61MILLION price tag That the caterpillar never considered, ending the internal struggle Don't you know, baby, yeah yeah. 5 years we can exhibit maximum strength And not only me but, it goes down my family tree He's also very achieved. I didnât wanna self destruct Right [Verse 2] 224. Itâs respectâbut then tomorrow, put my back against the wall Let my word be your Earth and moon, you consume every message Could I let you down easily, is your heart where it need to be? But a prophet ainât a prophet til they ask you this question: Whatâs your perspective on that? If you should ever find someone new, I know he'd better be good to you Would you know where the sermon is if I died in this next line? Nelson Mandela was the most prominent anti-racism activist of Apartheid South Africa. God has 2 eyes, not 1. Oh, I know itâs Michael Jacksonâoh Revenge on your mind when itâs mentioned You can listen to the interview in its entirety here. But that is the furthest from the truth. And with that being said, my nigga, let me ask this question: You think yâall on common ground if you promise to be the first? When shit hit the fan, is you still a fan? âYou wanna love like Nelson, you wanna be like Nelsonâ When shit hit the fan, is you still a fan? [Chorus 3] When shit hit the fan, is you still a fan? As I lead this army, make room for mistakes and depression âThatâs not Nelson-like, want you to love me like Nelsonâ. Let my words be your Earth and moon, you consume every message Make sure you ask your friends [Intro: James Fauntleroy + Kendrick Lamar] Thereâs nothing but turmoil goinâ on so, I wanted to ask you “Live your life, live it right. Forgetting all the pain and hurt we caused each other in these streets The ghost of Mandela, hope my flows stay propellin' I. Whoever has made a voyage up the Hudson must remember the Catskill Mountains. When shit hit the fan, is you still a fan? I was gonna call it "Another Nigga" but, it ainât really a poem I freed you from being a slave in your mind, youâre very welcome But praises the butterfly Made me wanna go back to the city and tell the homies what I learned Samm Henshaw: ... Jay-Z – I listened to Reasonable Doubt over and over when my uncle first gave me the cd. I been wrote off before, I got abandonment issues âMortal Manâ is not me saying, âI can be your hero.â âMortal Manâ is questioning: âDo you really believe in me to do this?â. Togetherness, well that's all I'm after How clutch are the people that say they love you? You know what Iâm saying? Anna Kendrick, best known for her performance in Pitch Perfect, has aimed high despite her little 5’2” frame. As I lead this army, make room for mistakes and depression Won't you look to your left and right? Kendrickâs poem is about racism, gang violence, and personal hardship. What kind of den did they put you in when the lions start hissing? What kind of den did they put you in when the lions start hissing? Notice how hook 1 and hook 3 are different (ghost turns to voice). Del Rio floats over into the cross arm breaker and Cody taps out. I'll be there, I'll be there, just call my name, I'll be there Kendrick states, in context of the hook, that he hopes to build upon the legacy of Mandela and hopes to be his voice now that he has passed on. I made millions for the record companies [Chorus] In a matter of five years, you know what Iâm saying? Want you to love me like Nelson, want you to hug me like Nelson [Verse 1] Is it Martin Luther? I got that opportunity, and I give love and I give thanks to his mother for allowing me to use her sonâs vocals in a positive light. You tell me my song is more than a song, itâs surely a blessing About a metaphor actually, uh, you spoke on the ground I was punching the right buttons and it was happening You know what Iâm saying, itâs in my veins to fight back [Chorus] Uh, yeah He taught me that genius doesn’t have to be a white man in academia, genius is the black kid who dreams of being a rapper too. They are a branch of the great vAppalachian 9-* family, and are seen away to the west of the river, swelling up to a noble height, and lording it over the surrounding country. Like, how much are you dependent? Del Rio with a super kick for a near fall. Kendrick hopes he can continue Mandelaâs legacy through his rapping. Make sure you ask your friends You donât see no loud mouth 30-year old motherfuckers When shit hit the fan, is you still a fan? 'Cause if he doesn't, I'll be there While consuming its environment But there is 1 that is coming (and that is the reason for all this predictive programming of the 1 eye symbolism) that will match this condition and that is … When that flow is going, it’s almost like a high. Make sure you ask your friends And the beauty within the caterpillar [Refrain 2] âThe voice of Mandelaâ Kendrick wants to have all the characteristics of Mandela in order to build upon his legacy, which will make him serve as an embodiment of Mandelaâs ghost. But while my loved ones was fighting the continuous war back in the city I'll be there to protect you, with an unselfish love I respect you Itâs actually something a good friend had wrote Kendrick also shared his connection to Tupac in an interview with MTV, where he revealed the album was originally titled Tu Pimp A Caterpillar â Tu.P.A.C. I changed everything, I realized my destiny Death Is Everywhere On Kendrick Lamarâs âDAMN.â, The ghost of Mandela, hope my flows stay propellin'. And with that being said, my nigga, let me ask this question: Until I came home When shit hit the fan, is you still a fan? Whenever you need me, I'll be there Uh, yeah Where there is love, I'll be there âThe ghost of Mandelaâ And oh - I'll be there to comfort you In the outro, Kendrick simulates a conversation with 2Pac using audio from a 1994 2Pac interview with Mats Nileskär on Swedish radio station Sveriges Radio. Finally free, the butterfly sheds light on situations [Chorus 2] Sometimes I did the same Pac? [Verse 3] The ghost of Mandela, hope my flows stay propelling, And through your different avenues of success, And by my faith in "all good things come to those that stay true", I mean, itâs a problem but Iâm not finna let them know, Would you consider yourself a fighter at heart or somebody that, And not only me but, it goes down my family tree, You know what Iâm saying, itâs in my veins to fight back, Aight well, how long will you think it take before niggas be like, And thatâs right now while you a teenager, while you still strong, Thatâs crazy, because me being one of your offsprings, âThe caterpillar is a prisoner to the streets that conceived it, He can no longer see past his own thoughts, shot five times at Quad Recording Studios, criticizes his own homies for buying into the self-destructive narrative sold to them by society. He died in 2013 at age 95, after spending his life campaigning for racial equality. I went to Robbenâs Island analysing; thatâs where his cell is I'll be there with a love that's strong Won't you look to your left and right? When shit hit the fan, is you still a fan? [Verse 2] Going home, and bringing back new concepts to this mad city Is your vow on lifetime? A true hustler in every sense of the word How would you say you managed to keep a level of sanity? Build my world of dreams around you, I'm so glad that I found you And next time it's a riot it's gonna be like, uh, bloodshed I made myself a millionaire, I made millions for a lot of people They take the heart and soul out of a man Which institutionalizes him Although the butterfly and caterpillar are completely different Essentially, Kendrick is stating that he hopes to be the âghostâ of Mandela. Generation Xâwill I ever be your ex? Is it Jesse? Is it Huey Newton or Detroit Red? I think America think we was just playing Busta Rhymes & Kendrick Lamarâs âLook Over Your Shoulderâ Finally Receives A Commercial Release, You and I must make a pact, we must bring salvation back, Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter, (Just look over your shoulders, honey - ooh), A Watcherâs Point Of View (Donât âCha Think) by P.M. Dawn, Look Over Your Shoulder by Busta Rhymes (Ft. Kendrick Lamar), Look Over Your Shoulder (Demo) by Kendrick Lamar (Ft. Busta Rhymes & Nikki Grier), Com Você (I'll Be There) by Larissa Manoela, I'll Be There by Mariah Carey (Ft. Trey Lorenz), I'll Be There (If You Ever Want Me) by Willie Nelson (Ft. Time Jumpers), I'll Be There by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, I'll Be There by Josie and the Pussycats, I'll Be There (Live From the Honda Center, Anaheim, CA / 2006) by Mariah Carey (Ft. Trey Lorenz), I'll Be There by Jimmy Barnes (Ft. Elly-May Barnes), I'll Be There (Immortal Version) by Michael Jackson, I'll Be There (Minus Mix) by The Jackson 5, I'll Be There (Live at The Forum, August 26, 1972) by The Jackson 5, Medley: I Want You Back / The Love You Save / I'll Be There (Live at Wembley Stadium, July 16, 1988) by Michael Jackson. Is it Jackie? The interview took place just two weeks before 2Pac was shot five times at Quad Recording Studios. Maybe Iâm just another niggaâ “I’ve gone seventy-nine hours without sleep, creating. After the match, Alberto Del Rio says that he is a different person. I just felt like itâs something you probably could relate to Or question my character and degrade me on every blog? You wanna love like Nelson, you wanna be like Nelson He can no longer see past his own thoughts Is your smile on permanent? Itâs gonna be murder, you know what Iâm saying? How much you believe in her? Just call my name and I'll be there 223. The result? [Spoken Outro: Kendrick Lamar & 2Pac] The world started turning into a place whereâwhere so many were getting no justice. Inspired in part by a 2014 trip to South Africa, âMortal Manâ name-checks leaders from Nelson Mandela, to Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X and Moses. "I remember you was conflicted What kind of bridge did they burn? The author suggests that the eye in the sky or the all seeing eye is of God. Would you judge me a drug-head or see me as K. Lamar? But having a harsh outlook on life As I lead this army, make room for mistakes and depression [Refrain 2] Build my world of dreams around you, I'm so glad that I found you In order to protect itself from this mad city The ghost of Mandela, hope my flows stay propellin' Flaws of a baby step', mauled by the mouth a bitâpause Iâm finna go straight through The caterpillar sees the butterfly as weak Now I make millions for, for us Like, who got your best interest? Comprehensive National Football League news, scores, standings, fantasy games, rumors, and more How much you believe in her? When shit hit the fan, is you still a fan? The caterpillar goes to work on the cocoon And thatâs right now while you a teenager, while you still strong You think she gonâ stick around if them 25 years occur? He acknowledges the potential of everyone facing hardship to rebel against the system oppressing them, like a caterpillar transforms into butterflyâTo Pimp A Butterfly. While you still wanna lift weights, while you still wanna shoot back Uh I took nothinâ, I took the opportunities When trapped inside these walls certain ideas take root, such as When shit hit the fan, is you still a fan? Ohhh, ohhhh, woahhh It ainât gonna be no playing Iâve felt that pressure in Compton, looking at the responsibility I have over these kids. [Verse 1] What you think is the future for me and my generation today? I'll reach out my hand to you, I'll have faith in all you do by Gravediggaz, Another Nigga (To Pimp a Butterfly) by Kendrick Lamar, Ta9afet L'Hiphop by Lmoutchou (Mobydick) (Ft. Medfleed), Cosmos 105.7 (Skit 4) by Doctor Destruction, Book of Rhymes by Eminem (Ft. DJ Premier). From Kurtis Blow to Pusha-T, here are the best rappers of all time. They are one and the same" The Rundown is a weekly column that highlights some of the biggest, weirdest, and most notable events of the week in entertainment. When shit hit the fan, is you still a fan? Found myself screaming in the hotel room “Educate yourself, make your world view bigger, visualize wealth, and put yourself in the picture.” – KRS-One. I made millions for these movie companies When shit hit the fan, is you still a fan? And through your different avenues of success And with thatâ Rhodes with Beautiful Disaster but he can only get a two count. Do you believe in me? [Chorus 1] How tough is your skin when they turn you in? The guitar has simply done what the guitar has always done – evolved. They might eat the rich, you know what I'm saying? [Chorus 1] I'll be there, I'll be there, whenever you need me, I'll be there Be different, do different things.” – Kendrick Lamar. And who pretending? continue Mandelaâs legacy through his rapping. Sometimes I can like, get behind a mic But I donât know, Iâm no mortal man Now itâs time to make millions for myself, you know what Iâm saying? Won't you look to your left and right? And figures out a way to pimp it to his own benefits I No Get Eye for Back by Houston Person, Mommy, What's a Gravedigga? You wanna walk in his shoes, but your peacemaking seldom The number … Let these words be your Earth and moon, you consume every message (Just look over your shoulders, honey - ooh) I'll be there, I'll be there, whenever you need me, I'll be there ... More on Genius. [Produced by Sounwave]. That considered the blessing of everyone Mortal Man Lyrics: Ohhh, ohhhh, woahhh / Uh, yeah / Uh, yeah / Uh / Yeah, uh / The ghost of Mandela, hope my flows stay propellin' / Let these words be your Earth and moon, you consume every message [Verse 3] 225. Can you be immortalized without your life being expired? JFK? Only hope that we kinda have left is music and vibrations Do you believe in me? I wanted to read one last thing to you Pac? And I donât know what type of energy Iâma push out Thatâs not Nelson-likeâwant you to love me like Nelson That nigga gave us "Billie Jean," you say he touched those kids? Are you deceiving me? I worked at the most menial and degrading job Of the legacy you left behind, I can truly tell you that Doesnât mean I canât respect you as a black man Because it's spirits, we ainât even really rappinâ It changed my life forever. This your lesson for everyone, say; How many leaders you said you needed then left âem for dead? And by my faith in "all good things come to those that stay true" Lot a people donât understand how important it is, you know Ray BLK: Kendrick Lamar and Kanye West. If I respect you, we unify and stop the enemy from killing us If Iâm tried in a court of law, if the industry cut me off Shit, I like to think that at every opportunity Iâve ever been, uh Threatened with resistance, itâs been met with resistance When shit hit the fanâ And it was happening to me for a reason You can listen to the full P3 Soul interview here. I'll be there with a love that's strong 'Cause once you turn 30 itâs like Aight so let me ask you this then Damn Thatâs crazy, man, in my opinion Move over, Thor!