Duckworth Lyrics: The Compelling True Story Behind Kendrick Lamars Storytelling Masterpiece

23rd April, 2024

Unlock the Profound Narrative of Kendrick Lamar Duckworth Lyrics

Kendrick Lamar’s unparalleled storytelling prowess takes centre stage in the mesmerising track Duckworth from his critically acclaimed 2017 album DAMN.

Through vivid lyricism and intricate wordplay, Lamar weaves a captivating true story that explores profound themes of destiny, chance encounters, and the far-reaching impact of pivotal moments.

The True Story Behind Duckworth

Duckworth recounts a remarkable true story involving Kenny Lamar’s father, Kenny “Ducky” Duckworth, and Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, the founder of Lamar’s label, Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE).

The song vividly depicts how a fateful interaction between the two men in the mid-1980s ultimately paved the way for Lamar’s success as a rapper decades later.

In Kendrick Lamar’s own words:

“Ducky was well-aware / They robbed the manager and shot a customer last year / He figured he’d get on these niggas’ good sides / Free chicken every time Anthony posted in line, two extra biscuits / Anthony liked him, and then let him slide; they didn’t kill him.”

This fateful interaction, where Top Dawg spared Ducky’s life during a robbery at the Kentucky Fried Chicken where he worked, set off a profound chain of events that would ultimately shape Lamar’s rise to hip-hop stardom.

Lyrics Breakdown: A Masterclass in Storytelling

Throughout Duckworth, Kendrick Lamar Duckworth’s lyrical prowess is on full display as he meticulously crafts an immersive narrative.

He seamlessly weaves vivid imagery, intricate details, and nuanced character development into each verse, gradually unveiling the far-reaching consequences of that pivotal encounter.

In his own words, Lamar reflects on the serendipitous nature of this story: “Whoever thought the greatest rapper would be from coincidence?”

The Butterfly Effect and Kendrick’s Musical Destiny

Had Top Dawg not shown mercy on that fateful day, the course of history may have been forever altered. As Lamar poignantly illustrates:

“Because if Anthony killed Ducky, Top Dawg could be servin’ life / While I grew up without a father and die in a gunfight.”

This powerful lyric underscores the profound butterfly effect stemming from that single moment, ultimately paving the way for Kendrick Lamar’s success as one of the greatest rappers of his generation.

Masterful Production and Instrumentation

The instrumentation of Duckworth is a tapestry of various genres, with elements of blues, rap, 90s R&B, 70s funk, rock, gospel, spoken word, 60s jazz, and soul.

This eclectic mix creates a rich backdrop that allows Kendrick Lamar’s vocal performance to shine, further amplifying the impact of his storytelling prowess.

Critical Acclaim and Commercial Success

Duckworth has garnered widespread critical acclaim for its masterful storytelling and sonic innovation.

Critics praised it as DAMN’s “strongest song” and a “fantastic philosophical mic-drop.”

Beyond critical reception, Duckworth found commercial success, peaking at #63 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #36 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

If you haven’t experienced this storytelling masterpiece yet, immerse yourself in Kendrick Lamar’s captivating narrative by listening to Duckworth on streaming platforms like Spotify.

Production Credits and Samples

Produced by 9th Wonder and Bēkon, Duckworth features an eclectic blend of samples from various genres, including “Atari” by Hiatus Kaiyote, “Ostavi trag” by September, “Let the Drums Speak” by Fatback Band, “Be Ever Wonderful” by Ted Taylor, and “Mole on the Dole” by Climax Blues Band.

In Lamar’s own words, reflecting on the song’s creation:

“Top himself didn’t know I was going to do it or even execute it in that fashion, to be the last song or to be anywhere. Just making it make sense.”

A Lyrical Masterclass in Storytelling

With its profound themes, masterful storytelling, innovative production, and intricate lyricism, Duckworth is a visceral experience that demands your undivided attention.

Kendrick Lamar has poured his heart and soul into this sonic masterpiece, inviting you to unravel the captivating true story behind one of the most powerful narratives in modern hip-hop.

Do yourself a favour and immerse yourself in the compelling world of Duckworth by Kendrick Lamar Duckworth.

You might also like:

Kendrick Lamar DUCKWORTH Lyrics

Intro: Bēkon & Kid Capri
It was always me versus the world
Until I found it’s me versus me
Why, why, why, why?
Why, why, why, why?
Just remember, what happens on Earth stays on Earth!
We gon’ put it in reverse

Bridge: Ted Taylor
Darling, I told you many times
And I am telling you once again
Just to remind you, sweetheart
That my—

Verse: Kendrick Lamar
Oh, Lamar
Hail Mary and marijuana, times is hard
Pray with the hooligans, shadows all in the dark
Fellowship with demons and relatives, I’m a star
Life is one funny ma’fucker
A true comedian, you gotta love him, you gotta trust him
I might be buggin’, infomercials and no sleep
Introverted by my thoughts; children, listen, it gets deep
See, once upon a time inside the Nickerson Garden projects
The object was to process and digest poverty’s dialect
Adaptation inevitable: gun violence, crack spot
Federal policies raid buildings and drug professionals
Anthony was the oldest of seven
Well-respected, calm and collected
Laughin’ and jokin’ made life easier; hard times, mama on crack
A four-year-old tellin’ his nanny he needed her
His family history: pimpin’ and bangin’
He was meant to be dangerous, clocked him a grip and start slangin’
Fifteen, scrapin’ up his jeans with quarter pieces
Even got some head from a smoker last weekend
Dodged a policeman, workin’ for his big homie
Small-time hustler, graduated to a brick on him
Ten-thousand dollars out of a project housing, that’s on the daily
Seen his first mill’ twenty years old, had a couple of babies
Had a couple of shooters, caught a murder case
Fingerprints on the gun they assumin’, but witnesses couldn’t prove it
That was back when he turned his back and they killed his cousin
He beat the case and went back to hustlin’
Bird-shufflin’, Anthony rang
The first in the projects with the two-tone Mustang, that 5.0 thing They say 5-0 came, circlin’ parking lots and parking spots
And hoppin’ out while harrassin’ the corner blocks
Crooked cops told Anthony he should kick it
He brushed ’em off and walked back to the Kentucky Fried Chicken
See, at this chicken spot, there was a light-skinned nigga that talked a lot
With a curly top and a gap in his teeth, he worked the window
His name was Ducky, he came from the streets, The Robert Taylor Homes
Southside Projects, Chiraq, the Terror Dome
Drove to California with a woman on him and five-hundred dollars
They had a son, hopin’ that he’d see college
Hustlin’ on the side with a nine-to-five to freak it
Cadillac Seville, he’d ride his son around on weekends
Three-piece special with his name on the shirt pocket
‘Cross the street from the projects, Anthony planned to rob it
Stuck up the place before, back in ’84
That’s when affiliation was really at gears of war
So many relatives tellin’ us, sellin’ us devilish works, killin’ us, crime
Intelligent, felonious prevalent proposition with 9’s
Ducky was well-aware
They robbed the manager and shot a customer last year
He figured he’d get on these niggas’ good sides
Free chicken every time Anthony posted in line, two extra biscuits
Anthony liked him and then let him slide, they didn’t kill him
In fact, it look like they’re the last to survive, pay attention
That one decision changed both of they lives, one curse at a time
Reverse the manifest and good karma, and I’ll tell you why
You take two strangers and put ’em in random predicaments
Give ’em a soul, so they can make their own choices and live with it
Twenty years later, them same strangers, you make ’em meet again
Inside recording studios where they reapin’ their benefits
Then you start remindin’ them about that chicken incident
Whoever thought the greatest rapper would be from coincidence?
Because if Anthony killed Ducky, Top Dawg could be servin’ life
While I grew up without a father and die in a gunfight

Outro: Kendrick Lamar
Thgifnug a ni eid dna rehtaf a tuohtiw pu werg I elihW
Efil ‘nivres eb dluoc gwaD poT ,ykcuD dellik ynohtnA fi esuaceB
Ecnedicnioc morf eb dluow reppar tsetaerg eht thguoht reveohW?
Tnedicni nekcihc taht tuoba meht ‘nidnimer trats uoy nehT
Stifeneb rieht ‘nipaer yeht erehw soiduts gnidrocer edisnI
Niaga teem me’ ekam uoy ,sregnarts emas meht ,retal sraey ytnewT
Ti htiw evil dna seciohc nwo rieht ekam nac yeht os luos a me’ eviG
Stnemaciderp modnar ni me’ tup dna sregnarts owt ekat uoY
Yhw uoy llet ll’I dna ,amrak doog dna tsefinam eht esreveR
Emit a ta esruc eno ,sevil yeht fo htob degnahc noisiced eno tahT
Noitnetta yaP—
Erac tuB
—Tpecnoc etalucammi ,siht ekil eno ecnis retrauq eniacoC
AND ym edisni ytlayor tog ,ytlayoL
—Tog I ,tog I ,tog I ,tog I
So, I was takin’ a walk the other day…