Kendrick Lamar’s “Reincarnated” Lyrics Explained

Kendrick Lamar’s “Reincarnated” Lyrics: A Journey Through Time, Spirit, and Redemption

Released as part of Kendrick Lamar’s 2024 album GNX, Reincarnated interweaves historical references, spiritual introspection, and the cyclical nature of human existence.

With a narrative that spans decades and explores themes of pride, redemption, and artistic legacy, Kendrick uses Reincarnated to solidify his place in hip-hop’s pantheon while reflecting deeply on his own spiritual and creative journey.

“Reincarnated” Production: A Sonic Resurrection

The track opens with a haunting Spanish-language poem performed by Deyra Barrera, a Mexican singer Kendrick discovered at a Los Angeles Dodgers game.

Barrera’s reflective contribution sets the tone for the introspective journey ahead.

Sampling 2Pac’s Made N****z, Kendrick pays homage to the West Coast legend while simultaneously contrasting contemporary debates around AI-generated vocals.

Co-produced by Kendrick, Sounwave, Jack Antonoff, Noah Ehler, and M-Tech, the production blends a gritty yet ethereal soundscape, creating a perfect backdrop for the song’s heavy themes.

By sampling 2Pac, Kendrick not only honours his influence but also critiques modern practices, such as Drake’s controversial use of AI-generated 2Pac vocals, subtly asserting authenticity over innovation at any cost.

Kendrick Lamar Reincarnated Lyrics: A Tale of Three Lives

Reincarnated unfolds in three distinct acts, each exploring a different era and character, highlighting the universal struggles of artistic integrity, fame, and redemption.

Act I: The Guitarist

Set in 1947 Michigan, Kendrick’s lyrics channel the spirit of John Lee Hooker—referred to as “Boogeyman,” a title echoing both Hooker’s nickname and Kendrick’s own persona.

Hooker’s formative years in Detroit and his reputation as a revolutionary blues guitarist resonate deeply within Kendrick’s narrative.

Lines like “Let’s take it back to Michigan in 1947” and “My father kicked me out the house ’cause I wouldn’t listen to him” mirror Hooker’s life, portraying the pitfalls of pride and materialism.

Act II: The Vocalist

The narrative shifts to a female Chitlin’ Circuit singer, widely interpreted as Billie Holiday.

Kendrick vividly depicts her struggles with addiction and industry exploitation, capturing the duality of her angelic voice and her personal demons.

Lyrics such as “Heroin needles had me in fetal position, restricted” delve into the harrowing realities of fame during an era of systemic racial and gender oppression.

Holiday’s life—marked by brilliance and tragedy—serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of artistry in a hostile world.

Act III: Kendrick Lamar

The final act brings the story to Kendrick’s present, where he addresses his own battles with pride and purpose.

In a conversation with a divine figure, Kendrick confronts his flaws and seeks redemption.

The line “I rewrote the devil’s story just to take our power back” encapsulates his mission to redefine his legacy while acknowledging the spiritual weight of his talent.

This act serves as both a culmination of the previous lives and a declaration of Kendrick’s intent to rise above their mistakes.

“Reincarnated”: Spiritual and Historical Resonance

The song’s spiritual undertones are rooted in Isaiah 14, a biblical passage that describes Lucifer’s fall from heaven due to pride.

Kendrick uses this framework to explore the dual nature of artistic gifts: their divine potential and their capacity for corruption.

The track’s connection to his earlier song Squabble Up, where he first explored the concept of reincarnation, adds a layer of continuity to his artistic journey.

By juxtaposing his narrative with those of John Lee Hooker and Billie Holiday, Kendrick underscores the enduring struggles of Black artists, from systemic exploitation to personal battles.

The result is a multi-dimensional exploration of how these themes persist across generations.

Reimagining the Power of Storytelling

Reincarnated thrives on its layered narrative and vocal ingenuity. Each act captures the essence of a different era, with Kendrick adapting his tone and delivery to reflect the struggles and triumphs of his characters.

From the raw grit of the first act to the vulnerable introspection of the second and the reflective authority of the final, Kendrick’s performance embodies the weight of each story.

This seamless adaptability enriches the song’s immersive quality.

Unlike traditional song structures, Reincarnated bypasses the need for a chorus, flowing instead through three interconnected verses.

This decision amplifies the impact of the narrative, guiding listeners through a cohesive journey that balances personal confession and historical reflection.

Kendricks “Reincarnated”: An Unflinching Exploration of Redemption

Reincarnated offers more than a glimpse into Kendrick Lamar’s mind—it’s an unfiltered exploration of how pride, artistry, and redemption intersect.

By weaving historical anecdotes with personal reflection, Kendrick creates a song that defies genre conventions, positioning itself as both a deeply personal confession and a universal meditation on human nature.

Reincarnated’s power lies not just in its storytelling but in its ability to connect deeply personal struggles with broader truths.

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Kendrick Lamar reincarnated Lyrics

Intro: Deyra Barrera
Que reflejan tu mirada
La noche, tú y yo

Verse 1: Kendrick Lamar
I got this fire burnin’ in me from within
Concentrated thoughts on who I used to be, I’m sheddin’ skin
Every day, a new version of me, a third of me demented, cemented in pain
Juggling the pros and cons of fame
I don’t know how to make friends, I’m a lonely soul
I recollect this isolation, I was four years old
Truth be told, I’ve been battling my soul
Tryna navigate the real and fake
Cynical about the judgement day
I did past life regression last year and it fucked me up
Reincarnated on this earth for a hundred plus
Body after body, lesson after lesson, let’s take it back to Michigan in 1947
My father kicked me out the house ’cause I wouldn’t listen to him
I didn’t care about his influence, only loved what I was doing
Gifted as a musician, I played guitar on a grand level
The most talented where I’m from, but I had to rebel
And so I’m off in the sunset, searchin’ for my place in the world
With my guitar up on my hip, that’s the story unfurled
I found myself with a pocket full of money and a whole lot of respect
While the record business loved me
I was head of rhythm and blues
The women that fell to they feet, so many to choose
But I manipulated power as I lied to the masses
Died with my money, gluttony was too attractive, reincarnated

Verse 2: Kendrick Lamar
Another life had placed me as a Black woman in the Chitlin’ Circuit
Seductive vocalist as the promoter hit the curtains
My voice was angelic, straight from heaven, the crowd sobbed
A musical genius what the articles emphasized
Had everything I wanted, but I couldn’t escape addiction
Heroin needles had me in fetal position, restricted
Turned on my family, I went wherever cameras be
Cocaine, no private planes for my insanity
Self-indulged, discipline never been my sentiments
I needed drugs, to me, an 8-ball was like penicillin
Fuck love, my happiness was in that brown sugar
Sex and melodies gave me hope when nobody’s lookin’
My first assistant was a small town scholar
Never did a Quaalude ’til I got myself around her
My daddy looked the other way, he saw sin in me
I died with syringes pinched in me, reincarnated

Verse 3: Kendrick Lamar
My present life is Kendrick Lamar
A rapper looking at the lyrics to keep you in awe
The only factor I respected was raisin’ the bar
My instincts sent material straight to the charts, huh
My father kicked me out the house, I finally forgive him
I’m old enough to understand the way I was livin’
Ego and pride had me looking at him with resentment
I close my eyes, hoping that I don’t come off contentious
I’m yelling, “Father, did I finally get it right?” Everything I did was selfless
I spoke freely, when the people needed me, I helped them
I didn’t gloat, even told ’em, “No,” when the vultures came
Took control of my fleshly body when the money changed
Son, you do well, but your heart is closed
I can tell residue that linger from your past creates a cell
Father, I’m not perfect, I got urges, but I hold them down
“But your pride has to die,” okay, Father, show me how
Tell me every deed that you done and what you do it for
I kept one hundred institutions paid
Okay, tell me more
I put one hundred hoods on one stage
Okay, tell me more
I’m tryna push peace in L.A. 
But you love war
No, I don’t
Oh, yes, you do
Okay, then tell me the truth
Every individual is only a version of you
How can they forgive when there’s no forgiveness in your heart?
I could tell you where I’m going
I could tell you who you are
You fell out of Heaven ’cause you was anxious
Didn’t like authority, only searched to be heinous
Isaiah fourteen was the only thing that was prevalent
My greatest music director was you
It was colors, it was pinks, it was reds, it was blues
It was harmony and motion
I sent you down to earth ’cause you was broken
Rehabilitation, not psychosis
But now we here now
Centuries you manipulated man with music
Embodied you as superstars to see how you moving
You came a long way from garnishing evilish views
And all I ever wanted from you was love and approval
I learned a lot, no more putting these people in fear
The more that word is diminished, the more it’s not real
The more light that I can capture, the more I can feel
I’m using words for inspiration as an idea
So can you promise that you won’t take your gifts for granted?
I promise that I’ll use my gifts to bring understanding
For every man, woman and child, how much can you vow?
I vow my life just to live one in harmony now
You crushed a lot of people keeping their thoughts in captivity
And I’m ashamed that I ever created that enemy
Then let’s rejoice where we at
I rewrote the devil’s story just to take our power back, ‘carnated