Between beefing with Drake and dropping surprise albums, Kendrick Lamar’s been keeping the hip-hop world on its toes.
His latest track squabble up – which first teased fans in the Not Like Us video – finally got its full release on his unexpected new album “GNX,” and it’s exactly the kind of street-smart swagger we’ve been missing from K-Dot.
“squabble up” Lyrics Meaning: When Kendrick Decides to Wake up and Choose Violence
Let’s cut straight to it, squabble up isn’t just another track. From the moment that Debbie Deb sample kicks in (yeah, that’s “When I Hear Music” from ’84 for those keeping score), you know you’re in for something special.
“I feel good, get the f*ck out my face” is classic Kendrick: deceptively simple on the surface, but hit rewind and you’ll catch the layers.
The verses are a masterclass in layered meaning. When K-Dot spits about being “reincarnated,” he’s not just flexing, but addressing everything from his artistic evolution to his position in the Drake beef.
It’s the kind of writing that has you catching new meanings on your fifteenth listen.
Inside Kendrick Lamar’s “squabble up” Video: A West Coast Time Machine
If you thought the track was deep, wait until you dive into the visuals.
Director Calmatic didn’t just make a music video – he created a love letter to West Coast hip-hop culture.
Every frame is packed with references that’ll have hip-hop heads hitting pause.
From the subtle nod to The Roots’ “The Next Movement” video (East Coast meets West Coast, anyone?) to the Ice-T “Power” album recreation, it’s like flipping through a hip-hop history book.
But the real genius? How it all ties into Kendrick’s current narrative.
Hidden Gems in the “squabble up” Music Video:
- That Marcus Garvey flag isn’t just decoration
- The “How to Be More Like Kendrick for Dummies” book (shots fired?)
- The Compton Christmas Parade scenes that might be hinting at something bigger
- Those Soul Train-inspired dance sequences that perfectly blend old school with new
Decoding “squabble up”: From Street Metaphors to Mariachi Beats
Sure, squabble up goes hard – that’s undeniable. The track’s already climbing charts (#1 on Billboard Hot 100) and taking over TikTok.
But what’s really got people talking is how Kendrick’s managed to make something so commercially viable while keeping it raw and authentic.
The production, handled by Kendrick himself alongside Sounwave, Jack Antonoff, and Scott Bridgeway, is a perfect blend of classic West Coast sound and modern polish.
The beat builds tension through minimal elements, letting Kendrick’s voice carry the weight.
That “thunk, thunk, thunk” pattern in the third verse isn’t just rhythmic genius – it’s a callback to his Not Like Us delivery, showing how he can repurpose his own flows in fresh contexts.
That G-funk bassline hits different when it’s mixed with those hyphy-inspired drums and subtle mariachi elements.
It’s like they took everything that makes West Coast hip-hop great and pushed it into 2025.
Why “squabble up” is Kendrick Lamar’s Most Important Drop Since “Not Like Us”
What makes squabble up special isn’t just the music – it’s what it represents.
In an era where hip-hop often feels divided between commercial success and street credibility, Kendrick’s showing us you can have both.
He’s out here making music that works in the club and the critic’s headphones, all while staying true to his artistic vision.
The track’s already made waves beyond music, from that Mercedes AMG Formula One campaign to becoming the soundtrack of NBA games.
But more importantly, it’s got people talking about what authenticity means in hip-hop today.
When Kendrick asks “Tell me why the fuck you n*ggas rap if it’s fictional?” he’s not just throwing shots – he’s starting a conversation the culture needs to have.
GNX Era: Is “squabble up” Just the Beginning?
With squabble up dominating streams and airwaves, all eyes are on what Kendrick’s got planned next.
The GNX album drop caught everyone by surprise, and if this track is any indication, we might be entering another golden era for hip-hop’s favourite conscious rapper turned commercial killer.
One thing’s for sure – Kendrick Lamar isn’t just participating in the culture; he’s directing it.
And if squabble up is any indication of where he’s heading, we’re all in for one hell of a ride.
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Kendrick Lamar squabble up Lyrics
Intro: Kendrick Lamar
God knows
I am reincarnated
I was stargazin’
Life goes on, I need all my babies (Gyah, gyah)
Verse 1: Kendrick Lamar & Debbie Deb
Woke up lookin’ for the broccoli
High-key, keep a horn on me, that Kamasi
IP, ownership, the blueprint is by me
Mr. Get Off, I get off at my feet
When I hear music, it makes me dance
You got the music, now is your chance
A yee nigga couldn’t try me in the tri-state
Buddy pass, bet I get him splashed ’til he hydrated
Bounce out, know he spook town, eyes dilated
I got the money and the power both gyratin’
Chorus: Kendrick Lamar
I feel good, get the fuck out my face
Look good, but shе don’t got no taste
I walk in, walked out with the safе
Mando, let me know what the play
Verse 2: Kendrick Lamar
What the fuck?
I got hits, I got bucks, I got new paper cuts
I got friends, I got foes, but they all sitting ducks
Hit his turf and get crackin’, double back like a deluxe
Fifty deep, but it ain’t deep enough
Fuck a plea, there he go, beat him up
Fallin’ from my money tree and it grow throughout the months
Spit a loogie at the camera, speed off, yeah, it’s us
Chorus: Kendrick Lamar
I feel good, get the fuck out my face
Look good, but she don’t got no taste
I walk in, walked out with the safe
Mando, let me know what the play
Post-Chorus: Kendrick Lamar
Squabble up, squabble up
Squabble up, squabble up
Squabble up (Mm, mm), squabble up (Mm, mm)
Squabble up (Mm, mm), squabble up
Bridge: Kendrick Lamar
Hol’ up (Hol’ up)
Where you from? (Where you from?)
My bitch (My bitch)
I’m finna go dumb (Finna go dumb)
Sideways (Sideways)
Bunk skunk (Bunk skunk)
Fever (Fever)
I’m on one (I’m on one)
Verse 3: Kendrick Lamar
Thunk, thunk, thunk, thunk, thunk, baby rockin’ it
Quid pro quo, what you want? ‘Cause I’m watchin’ it
Work on the floor, let me know if you clockin’ it
Brodie won’t go, but I know that he poppin’ it
It was woof tickets on sale ’til I silenced it
Pipe down, young, these some whole other politics
Bitch with him and some bitch in him, that’s a lot of bitch
Don’t hit him, he got kids with him, my apologies
Ghetto child, it was Black & Milds with the Smirnoff
Yeehaw, we outside, whoadie ’bout to kill him off
Blaps on blaps, it’s a fact, this a brick of raw
Tell me why the fuck you niggas rap if it’s fictional?
Tell me why the fuck you niggas fed if you criminal?
“Ayy, Dot, can I get a drop?” I’m like, “Nigga, nah”
Ace boon coon from the Westside to Senegal
It’s a full moon, let the wolves out, I been a dog (Ah)
Chorus: Kendrick Lamar
I feel good, get the fuck out my face
Look good, but she don’t got no taste
I walk in, walked out with the safe
Mando, let me know what the play
Post-Chorus: Kendrick Lamar
Squabble up, squabble up
Squabble up, squabble up
Squabble up (Mm, mm), squabble up (Mm, mm)
Squabble up (Mm, mm), squabble up