Behind Bars – Kendrick Lamar (Ft. Jay Z), Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe (Remix)

Before I start, let me get this straight. I am talking strictly about the third verse to this song, Kendrick’s second verse. For those who don’t know, Kendrick was in the works of making a remix to BDKMV and Jay heard it. He thought he’d go on a put a pretty hot 16 on it, with Jay sounding livelier than ever. Kendrick was surprised when his TDE label mates played Jay’s verse back for him and immediately thought that he needs to go even harder on this last verse. I’m not saying the first to verses aren’t good, they’re amazing. But this last verse was something special.

In hindsight, it is clear that Kendrick’s pretty much sums up his career so far. He has built up this outstanding repertoire of music and is rapidly becoming the king of hip hop. Kendrick acknowledges his struggles to get here, but he is not backing down to anyone else. He knows that he has the potential to take the throne and is doing everything in his power to be on top of everyone’s list.

Kendrick starts off by saying the he is killin’ everyone in the game. And you know what? He does not give a single shit about it. By “eulogy to urinals” Kendrick is burying rappers and pissing on their graves. He is certainly the man to do so, with such harsh and raw lyrics. If Drake isn’t, Kendrick is pretty much the “leader of the new school” (Shout out Kendrick).

The part I love most about this verse is the insane wordplay Kendrick goes on to use. I’m gonna go ahead and write the whole damn bit down for you motherfuckers to read. Decode that shit (if you haven’t already) and tell me the last time you heard such brilliance. “Told niggas, when I was 16 that I’d write a 16/To put a nigga right on the big screen/In a paddy wagon with six teens, should have been in pen/But now my pen write with morphine/I heal niggas, touch down with more fiends.” Many that shit is just... Bravo, Sir Kendrick, bravo.

Kendrick goes on to finish the song by saying that he deserves to be here. The kid from Compton ain’t someone to fuck around with because he will end you. His last couple lines give everyone a heads up to what the future of rap is going to be: “If Shawn’s a black Beatle then I need a 10 second drum solo/ Bitch! See you at Woodstock.”

Well... I guess we’ll see you then.