On March 31, days after the release of Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly, MTV sat down with K-Dot for a breakdown of eight songs featured on the Compton, California rapper’s newly-released album.
Among the eight tracks Kendrick broke down were “Alright,” “King Kunta,” “Mortal Man,” and “How Much A Dollar Cost.”
The TDE lyricist spoke on pulling “from previous experiences” with “u” and went on to label the record one of his most vulnerable songs.
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“I’ve pulled that song, not only from previous experiences, I think my whole life,” Kendrick said while speaking on “u.” “I think everything is drawn out of that, even situations from ‘good kid, m.A.A.d. City.’ Nothing was as vulnerable as that record. So it’s even pulling from those experiences of coming up in Compton.”
The James Fauntleroy and Ronald Isley-assisted “How Much A Dollar Cost” is another record the rapper says he pulled from his person life to create.
“It’s a true story…These are moments in my life deeper than just handing somebody a dollar,” he said. “These are actually moments of integrity, actually being able to talk to somebody. Me talking to him was simply a thank you from God. And I felt God speaking through him to get at me.”
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While Kendrick didn’t speak on the conversation with the late Tupac Shakur, which is featured at the end of “Mortal Man,” he did offer some insight into the song. According to the rapper, “Mortal Man” is about those who are quick to judge and point out the flaws of others.
“We’re so confined with hatred and want to point out people’s flaws that we don’t see the big picture in what they’re doing,” Kendrick said. “And it’s been done with leaders way before my time. They did it to Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior, feel me? So who am I? I’m just a man, that’s why we call it ‘Mortal Man.’”
For additional Kendrick Lamar coverage, watch the following DX Daily:
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