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Kendrick Lamar’s “squabble up”: A High-Octane Return to Street-Level Bravado

<p>Kendrick Lamar&#8217;s &#8220;squabble up&#8221; blends street-smart swagger, raw energy, and bold production on his surprise album GNX.</p>

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.

Kendrick Lamar GNX Album Artwork
Kendrick Lamar GNX Album Artwork

Kendrick Lamar “squabble up” Lyrics: Raw Energy Meets Technical Precision

The track opens with a sample from Debbie Deb’s ’80s electro classic “When I Hear Music,” setting up a unique sonic foundation.

The chorus – “I feel good, get the fuck out my face” – isn’t just tough talk; it’s Kendrick asserting his dominance with the kind of raw energy that made him famous.

“squabble up” Lyrics Meaning: Street Codes and Industry Commentary

What makes “squabble up” particularly striking is how Kendrick weaves references to his current position in hip-hop with street-level authenticity.

Lines like “I got hits, I got bucks, I got new paper cuts” showcase his ability to blend commercial success with street credibility.

It’s not just about throwing hands – it’s about maintaining respect at every level of the game.

Kendrick Lamar’s “squabble up”: A Production Deep Dive

The production, handled by Kendrick himself alongside Sounwave and Jack Antonoff, creates an atmosphere that’s both menacing and infectious.

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.

“squabble up”: From Viral Snippet to Full-Length Banger

Remember when that 20-second snippet had everyone losing their minds in the “Not Like Us” video?

The full version delivers on all that promise and then some. While fans were worried this might end up like the unreleased “Alright” video snippet, Kendrick came through with a complete track that expands on the teaser’s energy while adding new layers of complexity.

Why Kendrick Lamar’s “squabble up” Resonates in 2024

Released as part of “GNX,” “squabble up” arrives at a crucial moment in Kendrick’s career.

With the Drake beef still simmering and questions about his position in hip-hop’s hierarchy, this track serves as a reminder that Kendrick can still deliver raw, unfiltered energy while maintaining his artistic integrity.

It’s battle rap elevated to high art, without losing its street edge.

Looking at the broader picture, “squabble up” might be precisely what hip-hop needs right now – a return to fundamentals wrapped in modern production, delivered by one of the genre’s most skilled practitioners.

It’s proof that sometimes the best way forward is to keep one foot firmly planted in the streets while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in hip-hop.

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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

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