Sing About Me, I'm Dying Of Thirst [explicit] Lyrics - Kendrick Lamar

When the lights shut off 

And it's my turn to settle down 

My main concern 

Promise that you will sing about me 

Promise that you will sing about me 

I said when the lights shut off 

And it's my turn to settle down 

My main concern 

Promise that you will sing about me 

Promise that you will sing about me 

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I woke up this morning and figured I'd call you 

In case I'm not here tomorrow, I'm hoping that I can borrow 

A peace of mind, I'm behind on what's really important 

My mind is really distorted, I find nothing but trouble in my life 

I'm fortunate you believe in a dream 

This orphanage we call a ghetto is quite a routine 

And last night was just another distraction or a reaction 

Of what we consider madness, I know exactly what happened 

You ran outside when you heard my brother cry for help 

Held him like a newborn baby and made him feel 

Like everything was alright and a fight he tried to put up 

But the type of bullet that stuck had went against his will 

As blood spilled on your hands, my plans rather vindictive 

Everybody's a victim in my eyes 

When I ride, it's a murderous rhythm and outside became pitch black 

A demon glued to my back whispering, "Get 'em" 

I got 'em, and I ain't give a fuck 

That same mentality that told my brother not to duck 

In actuality, it's a trip how we trip off of colors 

I wonder if I'll ever discover a passion like you and recover 

The life that I knew as a young'n in pajamas and dun-ta-duns 

When thunder comes it rains cats and dogs 

Dumb niggas like me never prosper 

Prognosis of a problem child, I'm proud and well devoted 

This piru shit been in me forever 

So forever I'mma push it, wherever, whenever 

And I love you 'cause you love my brother like you did 

Just promise me you'll tell this story when you make it big 

And if I die before your album drop, I hope (gunshots) 

Photos 

Promise that you will sing about me 

Promise that you will sing about me 

I said when the lights shut off 

And it's my turn to settle down 

My main concern 

Promise that you will sing about me 

Promise that you will sing about me 

You wrote a song about my sister on your tape 

And called it Section.80, the message resembled "Brenda's Got a Baby" 

What's crazy was, I was hearing about it 

But doubted your ignorance how could you ever just put her on blast and shit 

Judging her past and shit, well, it's completely my future 

Her nigga behind me right now asking for ass and shit 

And I'mma need that forty dollars even if I gotta 

Fuck, suck and swallow in the parking lot 

Gonzales Park, I'm followed by a married man, a father of three 

My titties bounce on the cadence of his tinkling keys 

Matter of fact, he my favorite 'cause he tip me with E's 

He got a cousin named David and I seen him last week 

This is the life of another girl damaged by the system 

These foster homes, I run away and never do miss 'em 

See, my hormones just run away and if I can get 'em back 

To where they used to be then I'll probably be in the denim 

Of a family gene that show women how to be woman 

Or better yet, a leader, you need her to learn somethin' 

Then you probably need to beat her, that's how I was taught 

Three niggas in one room, first time I was tossed 

And I'm exhausted, but fuck that "Sorry for your loss" shit 

My sister died in vain, but what point are you trying to gain 

If you can't fit the pumps I walk in? I'll wait 

Your rebuttal a little too late 

And if you have a album date, just make sure I'm not in the song 

'Cause I don't need the attention bring enough of that on my own 

And matter fact, did I mention that I physically feel great? 

A doctor's approval is a waste of time, I know I'm straight 

I'll probably live longer than you and never fade away 

I'll never fade away, I'll never fade away, I know my fate 

And I'm on the grind for this cake, I'mma get it or die trying 

I'm eyeing every male gender with intentions of buying 

You lying to these motherfuckers, talking about you can help 'em 

With my story, you can help me if you sell this pussy for me, nigga 

Don't ignore me, nigga, fuck your glory, nigga... 

When the lights shut off 

And it's my turn to settle down 

My main concern 

Promise that you will sing about me 

Promise that you will sing about me 

I said when the lights shut off 

And it's my turn to settle down 

My main concern 

Promise that you will sing about me 

Promise that you will sing about me 

Sometimes I look in a mirror and ask myself: 

Am I really scared of passing away? If it's today, I hope I hear a 

Cry out from heaven so loud it can water down a demon 

With the holy ghost 'til it drown in the blood of Jesus 

I wrote some raps that make sure that my lifeline 

Reeking the scent of a reaper, ensuring that my allegiance 

With the other side may come soon, and if I'm doomed 

May the womb help my mother be blessed for many moons 

I suffer a lot, and every day the glass mirror 

Get tougher to watch; I tie my stomach in knots 

And I'm not sure why I'm infatuated with death 

My imagination is surely an aggravation of threats 

That can come about, 'cause the tongue is mighty powerful 

And I can name a list of your favorites that probably vouch 

Maybe 'cause I'm a dreamer and sleep is the cousin of death 

Really stuck in the schema of wondering when I'mma rest 

And you're right, your brother was a brother to me 

And your sister's situation was the one that pulled me 

In a direction to speak of something that's realer than the TV screen 

By any means, wasn't trying to offend or come between 

Her personal life, I was like, "It need to be told" 

Cursing the life of twenty generations after her soul 

Exactly what'd happen if I ain't continued rappin' 

Or steady being distracted by money drugs and four- 

Fives, I count lives all on these songs 

Look at the weak and cry, pray one day, you'll be strong 

Fighting for your rights even when you're wrong 

And hope that at least one of you sing about me when I'm gone 

Am I worth it? 

Did I put enough work in? 

Promise that you will sing about me 

Promise that you will sing about me 

I said when the lights shut off 

And it's my turn to settle down 

My main concern 

Promise that you will sing about me 

Promise that you will sing about me 

(Promise that you'll sing about me forever 

Promise that you'll sing about me for-ooooh) 

Promise that you'll sing about me forever 

Promise that you'll sing about me for-ooooh 

Promise that you'll sing about me forever 

Promise that you'll sing about me for-ooooh 

(On the phone:) 

"Nigga, the homie's brother-- nigga, right here, he gone, my nigga, he gone!" 

"Nigga-- they just killed the homie's brother, my nigga. We right here on the block, my nigga." 

"Al- alright, nigga-- nigga just come-- alright, alright, just call me back, man, just call me back." 

(Hangs up) 

"Arghh... *fuck!* 

...So what we gon' do, my niggas? What we gon' do?" 

"Bro, we can go back right now, my nigga. Like... nigga, I don't give a FUCK, my nigga. We can go back right now.*" 

"Fuck! I'm tired of this shit! I'm tired of fuckin' runnin', I'm tired of this shit! My brother, homie!" 

Tired of running, tired of hunting 

My own kind but retiring nothing 

Tires are steady screeching, the driver is rubbing 

Hands on the wheel, who said we wasn't 

Dying of thirst, dying of thirst, dying of thirst 

Dope on the corner, look at the coroner 

Daughter is dead, mother is mournin' her 

Strayed bullets, AK bullets 

Resuscitation was waiting patiently but they couldn't 

Bring her back, who got the footage? 

Channel 9, cameras is looking 

It's hard to channel your energy when you know you're crooked 

Banana clip, split his banana pudding 

I'm like Tre, that's Cuba Gooding 

I know I'm good at 

Dying of thirst, dying of thirst, dying of thirst 

How many sins? I'm running out 

How many sins? I lost count 

Dreams of balling like Spalding 

But only shotty bounce 

The reaper calling, I'm cottonmouth 

Money is power (money is power) 

Yours is ours (yours is ours) 

Lay with a snitch, die with a coward 

Hope we get rich, hope we can tower 

Over the city with vanity with the music louder 

The same song, a black flower 

I'll show you how to dye your thirst, dye your thirst, dye your thirst 

What are we doing? Who are we fooling? 

Hell is hot, fire is proven 

To burn for eternity, return of the student 

That never learned how to live righteous but how to shoot it 

Tired of running, choirs is hummin' 

Tell us to visit, we lying 'bout comin' 

Now back to business, loading the guns in 

Back of the Buick, your hood is feuding, and the beef is bubblin' 

It's no discussion 

Hereditary, all of my cousins 

Dying of thirst, dying of thirst, dying of thirst 

Too many sins, I'm running out 

Somebody send me a well for the drought 

See, all I know, is taking notes 

On taking this life for granted, granted, if he provoke 

My best days, are stress days 

(Lord, forgive me for all my sins for I not know...) 

My best days, are stress days 

Say "Fuck the world," my sex slave 

Money, pussy and greed; what's my next crave 

Whatever it is, know it's my next grave 

Tired of running, tired of running 

Tired of tumbling, tired of running 

Tired of tumbling 

Back once my momma say 

"See a pastor, give me a promise 

What if today was the rapture, and you completely tarnished 

The truth will set you free, so to me be completely honest 

You dying of thirst, you dying of thirst 

So hop in that water, and pray that it works" 

Fuck! I'm tired of this shit! I'm tired of fuckin' runnin', I'm tired of this shit! That's my brother, homie! 

("Young man, come talk to me! Is that what I think that is?) 

I know that's not what I think that is 

Why are you so angry? See you young men are dying of thirst 

Do you know what that means? That means you need water, holy water 

You need to be baptized, with the spirit of The Lord 

Do you want to receive God as your personal savior? 

Okay, repeat after me 

Lord God, I come to you a sinner 

(Lord God, I come to you a sinner) 

And I humbly repent for my sins" 

(And I humbly repent for my sins) 

I believe that Jesus is Lord 

(I believe that Jesus is Lord) 

I believe you raised him from the dead 

(I believe you raised him from the dead) 

I would ask that Jesus come into my life 

(I would ask that Jesus come in my life) 

And to be my Lord and Savior 

And to be my Lord and Savior) 

I receive Jesus to take control of my life" 

(I receive Jesus to take control of my life) 

And that I may live with him from this day forward 

(And that I may live with him from this day forward) 

Thank you Lord Jesus for saving me with your precious blood 

(Thank you Lord Jesus for saving me with your precious blood) 

In Jesus name, amen 

(In Jesus name, amen) 

Alright now, remember this day: the start of a new life 

Your REAL life.