Every rapper from California reps where they’re from in almost every song they record, and Kendrick Lamar just happens to take us on a tour through his lyrics. We’re going to take you on some stops along his journey.
“Compton” featuring Dr. Dre
“So come and visit the tire screeching, ambulance, policeman / Won’t you spend a weekend on Rosecrans, n-gga /Khaki creasing, crime increasing on Rosecrans, n-gga“
Rosecreans Avenue is one of the most dangerous streets in Compton. Be brave if you want to venture out there, because that’s what you’ll see.
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“Say she from the hood but she live inside in the valley now / Vaca’d in Atlanta, then she goin’ back to Cali“
If you don’t know what the Valley is by now, you might be too young, bro, but the Valley was known for where some of the rich kids live.
“Compton State of Mind”
“F-ck it though I’m out here, I’ve always been out here /Since the Compton swap meet“
Swap meets are a Los Angeles staple, and Kendrick told Complex about his days there growing up. “I’ve been going to the swap meet my whole life. As a kid, that’s where I used to get all my cassettes, all my CDs. My pops, too—he’d buy music. I’d get my Nikes there. You might see Suge Knight, other folks from Compton.”
“The City” – Game featuring Kendrick Lamar
“Reminiscing when the LA Raiders / Was in my home, snapback fitted on my uncle’s dome“
The Raiders moved to L.A. from Oakland and back again back. They were in Los Angeles for 12 years and even saw a championship during the city’s duration.
“A.D.H.D.”
“Somebody walked in with a pound / Of that Bay Area kush“
It’s not a Cali song if you don’t mention weed.
“The Recipe” featuring Dr. Dre
“Ribbon in the sky on the radio cause Stevie know I control“
Stevie Wonder owns the urban contemporary radio station, KJLH 102.3, based in Compton which has been around since 1965.
