HUMBLE By Kendrick Lamar: Dissecting the Lyrics and Meaning

8th April, 2024

Humility in an Age of Hubris

In a world increasingly dominated by self-aggrandizement and materialism, where social media feeds are flooded with carefully curated displays of wealth and supposed perfection, Kendrick Lamar’s Humble arrived like a bucket of ice water to the face.

Released on March 30, 2017, as the lead single from his acclaimed album DAMN., the blistering track was an unapologetic rebuke of arrogance and excess, a rallying cry for self-awareness amidst success.

Written by Lamar, Mike WiLL Made-It, and Pluss, with production credits going to the latter two, Humble wasn’t just another rap song; it was a cultural resetting, a recalibration of what it means to be humble in the social media era.

From its opening tales of Lamar’s humble Compton beginnings to his self-assured yet philosophically grounded modern-day boasts, the lyricism walked a tightrope few writers can manage.

Decoding the Humble Lyrics and Meaning

From its opening lines, Humble grabs listeners by the collar with Lamar’s masterful cadences and brutally honest lyrics.

He weaves vivid tales of his ascent from Compton’s streets, reminding us of his humble beginnings with “syrup sandwiches and crime allowances.”

Yet, it’s his present-day flexing that truly sets the track ablaze, as he boasts, “I can buy your ass the world with my paystub.” This delicate balance between reminiscing and revelling is a hallmark of Lamar’s lyrical genius.

However, the true power of “Humble” lies in its central message: a call for self-awareness and humility amidst success. As Lamar spits, “Bitch, be humble / Sit down,” he challenges not just his competition but all who revel in arrogance and excess.

This potent refrain, delivered with Lamar’s signature intensity, has become a cultural touchstone, a reminder to stay grounded no matter how high one climbs.

On a religious note, the song could also be a reference to the verse in James 4:7: “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from”you”—thus linking to April 7th, the date Kendrick told the industry to have their sh*t together.

Some speculate that Humble is a critique of the rap industry, while others believe it’s a broader commentary on society’s obsession with materialism and superficiality.

Kendrick Lamar himself has hinted at both interpretations in interviews and annotations. For example, he said that the song is about “the ego” and how it can affect one’s perception of reality.

He also explained that some of the lines are directed at specific rappers who have been disrespectful or dishonest.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, Humble. received widespread acclaim. Pitchfork named it the Best New Track, highlighting its critique of beauty standards. NPR saw the song as an exploration of themes like God, religion, and personal growth.

The Guardian praised its instrumentation, noting its departure from the complex jazz and funk sounds of Lamar’s previous album, To Pimp a Butterfly.

However, not everyone was impressed by Humble. Some critics argued that the song was misogynistic or hypocritical. Others felt that it was too mainstream or simplistic for Lamar’s standards.

Visuals That Became A Cultural Phenomenon

Kendrick Lamar surrounded by TDE members like Ret One, Mackwop, Jay Rock, Blue, MixedByAli, and Sounwave

The Humble music video, directed by Dave Meyers and The Little Homies, is a striking fusion of religious iconography and urban aesthetics that quickly became a viral phenomenon.

Kendrick Lamar appears in priestly robes, surrounded by scenes reminiscent of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” with TDE members like Ret One, Mackwop, Jay Rock, Blue, MixedByAli, and Sounwave seated alongside him, juxtaposing spiritual themes with the gritty realities of street life.

This powerful imagery reinforces the song’s central message, challenging viewers to reconcile their own contradictions and embrace humility. As of now, the official music video has amassed close to a billion views on YouTube.

As Lamar told Rolling Stone, “The first thing that came to my head was, ‘Be humble.’ It was the beat first, actually. [Producer] Mike Will sent the beat over. All I could think of was [Marley Marl’s] ‘The Symphony’ and the earliest moments of hip-hop, where it’s complex simplicity, but it’s also somebody making moves.“

Want to experience the tracks’s genius firsthand? Listen to Humble by Kendrick Lamar.

Minimalist Instrumentation, Maximalist Impact

The song Humble by Kendrick Lamar features minimalist instrumentation, which is dominated by a deep piano riff and a bumping 808 bass line.

This sparse yet impactful production, combining just two repeated chords, allows Kendrick Lamar’s dynamic vocal delivery to take centre stage as he effortlessly modulates his cadence, transforming his voice into an instrument itself.

Humble’s Unprecedented Success and Accolades

The impact of Humble on the music industry has been seismic. The track debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Kendrick Lamar’s highest-charting song to date.

It later ascended to the top spot, becoming his first solo No. 1 hit and second overall after his feature on Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood.”

The accolades for Humble have been equally impressive. At the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards, the Humble music video won a staggering seven awards, including Video of the Year, Best Direction, and Best Choreography.

Kendrick Lamar performing on stage 2017 MTV VMAs

The following year, at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, Humble took home three prestigious Grammys: Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video.

The song’s success was further cemented when it was certified 7x platinum by the RIAA on May 25, 2018.

A Lasting Cultural Handprint

When the dust ultimately settles on Kendrick Lamar’s legendary career, Humble will be remembered as more than just another smash hit.

It will be seen as a cultural milestone, a pivotal swing of hip-hop’s pendulum back towards substantive art that challenges norms and sparks deep introspection.

In many ways, Humble is Kendrick Lamar’s grand thesis statement—a declaration that true artistry lies in provocative messaging, not just catchy beats.

By fearlessly holding up a mirror to society’s ills while still delivering a wildly infectious track, he ensured this anthem would reverberate far beyond music blogs and playlists.

Lamar’s ability to seamlessly blend potent rhetoric with an undeniable groove is reminiscent of hip-hop’s purest roots, when the genre’s greatest works served as the voice of the unvoiced and the unwavering consciences of the mainstream.

With Humble, a new generation found its rallying cry against complacency, its answer to mindless indulgence. In the process, Kendrick Lamar cemented his place as one of music’s most vital and impactful forces.

For when we inevitably look back on this era of culture, it will be impossible to tell the story without Humble, that hard-hitting, deftly-crafted musical grenade that blew open the doors for hip-hop’s rebirth of the conscious.

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Kendrick Lamar’s HUMBLE Lyrics

Intro
Nobody pray for me
It been that day for me
Way (Yeah, yeah)

Verse 1
Ayy, I remember syrup sandwiches and crime allowances
Finesse a nigga with some counterfeits, but now I’m countin’ this
Parmesan where my accountant lives, in fact, I’m downin’ this
D’USSÉ with my boo bae, tastes like Kool-Aid for the analysts
Girl, I can buy your ass the world with my paystub
Ooh, that pussy good, won’t you sit it on my taste bloods?
I get way too petty once you let me do the extras
Pull up on your block, then break it down: we playin’ Tetris
AM to the PM, PM to the AM, funk
Piss out your per diem, you just gotta hate ’em, funk
If I quit your BM, I still ride Mercedes, funk
If I quit this season, I still be the greatest, funk
My left stroke just went viral
Right stroke put lil’ baby in a spiral
Soprano C, we like to keep it on a high note
It’s levels to it, you and I know

Chorus
Bitch, be humble (Hol’ up, bitch)
Sit down (Hol’ up, lil’, hol’ up, lil’ bitch)
Be humble (Hol’ up, bitch)
Sit down (Hol’ up, sit down, lil’, sit down, lil’ bitch)
Be humble (Hol’ up, hol’ up)
Bitch, sit down (Hol’ up, hol’ up, lil’ bitch)
Be humble (Lil’ bitch, hol’ up, bitch)
Sit down (Hol’ up, hol’ up, hol’ up, hol’ up)
Be humble (Hol’ up, hol’ up)
Sit down (Hol’ up, hol’ up, lil’, hol’ up, lil’ bitch)
Be humble (Hol’ up, bitch)
Sit down (Hol’ up, sit down, lil’, sit down, lil’ bitch)
Be humble (Hol’ up, hol’ up)
Bitch, sit down (Hol’ up, hol’ up, lil’ bitch)
Be humble (Lil’ bitch, hol’ up, bitch)
Sit down (Hol’ up, hol’ up, hol’ up, hol’ up)

Verse 2
Who that nigga thinkin’ that he frontin’ on Man-Man? (Man-Man)
Get the fuck off my stage, I’m the Sandman (Sandman)
Get the fuck off my dick, that ain’t right
I make a play fucking up your whole life
I’m so fuckin’ sick and tired of the Photoshop
Show me somethin’ natural like afro on Richard Pryor
Show me somethin’ natural like ass with some stretch marks
Still I take you down right on your mama couch in Polo socks
Ayy, this shit way too crazy, ayy, you do not amaze me, ayy
I blew cool from AC, ayy, Obama just paged me, ayy
I don’t fabricate it, ayy, most of y’all be fakin’, ayy
I stay modest ’bout it, ayy, she elaborate it, ayy
This that Grey Poupon, that Evian, that TED Talk, ayy
Watch my soul speak, you let the meds talk, ayy
If I kill a nigga, it won’t be the alcohol, ayy
I’m the realest nigga after all