The Blacker the Berry
The Blacker the Berry

Kendrick Lamar - The Blacker the Berry Lyrics

Dive into the lyrical prowess of Kendrick Lamar as he navigates through a sea of racial tension, self-identification, and societal perceptions. "The Blacker the Berry" is an unapologetic exploration of his African-American heritage, laced with biting… Read more

Hip-Hop/Rap
Mar 16, 2015
290
The Blacker the Berry Music Video

The Blacker the Berry Lyrics

Everything black, I don't want black (they want us to bow)
I want everything black, I ain't need black (down to our knees)
Some white, some black, I ain't mean black (and pray to the God)
I want everything black (we don't believe)
Want all things black, I don't need black
Want everything black, don't need black
Our eyes ain't black, I own black
Own everything black

Six in the morn'
Fire in the street
Burn, baby, burn
That's all I wanna see
And sometimes I get off watchin' you die in vain
It's such a shame they may call me crazy
They may say I suffer from schizophrenia or somethin', but homie, you made me
Black don't crack, my nigga

I'm the biggest hypocrite of 2015
Once I finish this, witnesses will convey just what I mean
Been feeling this way since I was sixteen, came to my senses
You never liked us anyway, fuck your friendship, I meant it
I'm African-American, I'm African
I'm black as the moon, heritage of a small village
Pardon my residence
Came from the bottom of mankind
My hair is nappy, my dick is big, my nose is round and wide
You hate me don't you?
You hate my people, your plan is to terminate my culture
You're fuckin' evil I want you to recognize that I'm a proud monkey
You vandalize my perception but can't take style from me
And this is more than confession
I mean I might press the button just so you know my discretion
I'm caught in my feelings, I know that you feel it
You sabotage my community, makin' a killin'
You made me a killer, emancipation of a real nigga

The blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice
The blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice
The blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice
The blacker the berry, the bigger I shoot

I said dem treat we like a slave, cah we black
Woii, we feel wul heap ah pain, cah we black
I man ah say dem put we inna chain, cah we black
And watch 'ya now, big gold chains full of rocks
And you nuh see di whip, left scar 'pon we back
But now we have a big whip parked 'pon di block
How dem ah seh we doomed from the start, cah we black?
Remember this, every race start from the block, jus 'member dat

I'm the biggest hypocrite of 2015
Once I finish this, witnesses will convey just what I mean
I mean, it's evident that I'm irrelevant to society
That's what you're telling me, penitentiary would only hire me
Curse me 'til I'm dead
Church me with your fake prophesize that I'ma be just another slave in my head
Institutionalized manipulation and lies
Reciprocation of freedom only live in your eyes
You hate me don't you?
I know you hate me just as much as you hate yourself
Jealous of my wisdom and cards I dealt
Watchin' me as I pull up, fill up my tank, then peel out
Muscle cars like pull ups, show you what these big wheels 'bout, ah
Black and successful, this black man meant to be special
Katzkins on my radar, bitch, how can I help you?
How can I tell you I'm making a killin'?
You made me a killer, emancipation of a real nigga

The blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice
The blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice
The blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice
The blacker the berry, the bigger I shoot

I said dem treat we like a slave, cah we black
Woii, we feel wul heap ah pain, cah we black
I man ah say dem put we inna chain, cah we black
And watch 'ya now, big gold chains full of rocks
And you nuh see di whip, left scar 'pon we back
But now we have a big whip parked 'pon di block
How dem ah seh we doomed from the start, cah we black?
Remember this, every race start from the block, jus 'member dat

I'm the biggest hypocrite of 2015
When I finish this if you listenin' then sure you will agree
This plot is bigger than me, it's generational hatred
It's genocism, it's grimy, little justification
I'm African-American, I'm African
I'm black as the heart of a fuckin' Aryan
I'm black as the name of Tyrone and Darius
Excuse my French but fuck you, no, fuck y'all
That's as blunt as it gets, I know you hate me, don't you?
You hate my people, I can tell 'cause it's threats when I see you
I can tell 'cause your ways deceitful
Know I can tell because you're in love with that Desert Eagle
Thinkin' maliciously, he get a chain then you gone bleed him
It's funny how Zulu and Xhosa might go to war
Two tribal armies that want to build and destroy
Remind me of these Compton Crip gangs that live next door
Beefin' with Pirus, only death settle the score
So don't matter how much I say I like to preach with the Panthers
Or tell Georgia State, "Marcus Garvey got all the answers"
Or try to celebrate February like it's my B-Day
Or eat watermelon, chicken, and Kool-Aid on weekdays
Or jump high enough to get Michael Jordan endorsements
Or watch BET 'cause urban support is important
So why did I weep when Trayvon Martin was in the street
When gang banging make me kill a nigga blacker than me?
Hypocrite!

Writer(s): Jeffrey Campbell, Kendrick Duckworth, Stephen Noel Kozmeniuk, Matthew Jehu Samuels, Zale Epstein, Alexander Izquierdo, Brent Andrew Kolatalo, Ken Lewis, Terrace Martin
Copyright(s): Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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What is the Meaning of The Blacker the Berry?

Dive into the lyrical prowess of Kendrick Lamar as he navigates through a sea of racial tension, self-identification, and societal perceptions. "The Blacker the Berry" is an unapologetic exploration of his African-American heritage, laced with biting criticism against systemic racism. Yet, it's not all about pointing fingers; Lamar introspectively acknowledges his own hypocrisy in a society where violence is often inflicted within one's own community. It’s a raw confession that calls out the paradoxes within black culture and himself - celebrating blackness while wrestling with internal conflicts. This track doesn't shy away from uncomfortable truths but instead, demands listeners to confront them head-on. A powerful anthem for introspection and change!

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