wacced out murals

Kendrick Lamar

Lyrics

[Intro: Deyra Barrera] Siento aquí tu presencia La noche de anoche Y nos ponemos a llorar

[Verse 1] Yesterday somebody whacked out my mural That energy'll make you niggas move to Europe But it's regular for me, yeah, that's for sure The love and hate is definite without a cure All this talk is bitch-made, that's on my Lord I'll kill 'em all before I let 'em kill my joy I done been through it all, what you endure? It used to be fuck that nigga, but now it's plural Fuck everybody, that's on my body My blick first, then God got me I watch 'em pander with them back-handed compliments Put they head on a Cuban link as a monument I paid homage and I always mind my business I made the— I never lost who I am for a rap image It's motivation if you wonder how I did it

[Chorus] Yeah, nigga, go and up your rank Know you a god even when they say you ain't Yeah, nigga, keep your feelings out the way Never let no one put smut up on your name Yeah, nigga, keep your head down and work like I do But understand everybody ain't gon' like you Yeah, nigga, if they say it's love, you've been lied to A couple rules of engagements, I'ma guide you

[Post-Chorus: Deyra Barrera] Que reflejan tu mirada La noche, tú y yo

[Verse 2] Ridin' in my GNX with Anita Baker in the tape deck, it's gon' be a sweet love Fuck apologies, I wanna see y'all geeked up Don't acknowledge me, then maybe we can say it's fair Take it to the internet and I'ma take it there Miss my uncle Lil' Mane, he said that he would kill me if I didn't make it Now I'm possessed by a spirit and they can't take it Used to bump Tha Carter III, I held my Rollie chain proud Irony, I think my hard work let Lil Wayne down Whatever, though, call me crazy, everybody questionable Turn me to an eskimo, I drew the line and decimals Snoop posted "Taylor Made," I prayed it was the edibles I couldn't believe it, it was only right for me to let it go Won the Super Bowl and Nas the only one congratulate me All these niggas agitated, I'm just glad they showin' they faces Quite frankly, plenty artists, but they outdated Old-ass flows, tryna convince me that you they favorite This is not for lyricists, I swear it's not the sentiments Fuck a double entendre, I want y'all to feel this shit Old soul, bitch, I probably built them pyramids Ducking strays when I rap battled in the Nickersons Where you from? Not where I'm from, we all indigenous Against all odds, I squabbled up for them dividends Against all odds, I showed up as a gentleman I done lost plenty friends, sixteen to be specific Put that on my kids' children, we gon' see the future first They like, "Dot big trippin'," I just want what I deserve What bridge they done burnt? All of them, it's over with I'm doin' what COVID did, they'll never get over it

[Chorus] Yeah, nigga, go and up your rank Know you a god even when they say you ain't Yeah, nigga, keep your feelings out the way Never let no one put smut up on your name Yeah, nigga, keep your head down and work like I do But understand everybody ain't gon' like you Yeah, nigga, if they say it's love, you've been lied to A couple rules of engagements, here to guide you

[Verse 3] Niggas from my city couldn't entertain old boy Promisin' bank transactions and even bitcoin I'll never peace it up, that shit don't sit well with me Before I take a truce, I'll take 'em to Hell with me If that money got in the hands of a crash dummy Could jeopardize my family and burden the ones who love me Niggas mad 'cause I decided not to pretend Y'all stay politically correct, I'ma do what I did Ain't no sympathy here, this shit's hilarious It's a lot of opinions, but no power to carry it 2025, they still movin' on some scary shit Tell 'em quit they job and pay the real niggas they severance Don't insult my intelligence, I'm not just for the television Teleport to Bullis Road and dig up all my relatives Okay, nigga, let's settle it, these niggas been fake loyal Since y'all pandering to choose a side, let me do it for you Okay, fuck your hip-hop, I watched the party just die Niggas cackling about— while all of y'all is on trial Niggas thought that I was antisocial when I stayed inside of my house You better off to have one woman, everything tricky right now You niggas live in denial Ayy, fuck anybody empathetic to the other side, I vow A bitch nigga love bitch niggas, they exist with 'em in style Exterminate 'em right now Make Katt Williams and them proud, the truth 'bout to get loud No juice inside of my cup, I sober up and knock 'em all off Don't let no white comedian talk about no Black woman, that's law I know propaganda work for them, and fuck whoever that's close to them The niggas that coon, the niggas that bein' groomed, slide on both of them You ever ate Cap'n Crunch and proceeded to pour water in it? Pulled over by the law, you ridin' dirty, so you can't argue with 'em? Then make it to be a star, bare your soul and put your heart up in it? Well, I did Whacked the murals out, but it ain't no legends if my legend ends

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of "wacced out murals"?

The song's title and central metaphor, "wacced out murals," represents the public defacement of Kendrick Lamar's legacy and reputation. A mural is a public tribute to a respected figure. By saying it was "whacked out" (a street term for being killed or destroyed), he's describing how his public image is being attacked, but he remains defiant, seeing this love-hate dynamic as a permanent part of his journey.

What does Kendrick Lamar mean by "squabble up"?

In the line, "Against all odds, I squabbled up for them dividends," "squabble up" means to fight or argue, often in a scrappy, determined way. Kendrick is saying that despite every obstacle, he fought hard for his success and earnings ("dividends"). It emphasizes his journey as a struggle he had to win through conflict.

Who is Kendrick talking about in the Snoop Dogg line?

Kendrick is expressing his disappointment with Snoop Dogg, a West Coast legend he respects. The line "Snoop posted 'Taylor Made,' I prayed it was the edibles" refers to Snoop Dogg promoting Drake's AI-assisted diss track "Taylor Made Freestyle" during the beef. Kendrick felt betrayed by a fellow West Coast icon seemingly siding with an outsider, hoping it was a joke or a mistake.

What is the censored line "I made the—"?

The censored or unfinished line "I made the—" is widely believed to be a self-censored jab at his rivals, likely Drake or J. Cole. By cutting himself off, he implies that he is responsible for their careers or for making them famous through his influence and competition. It's a power move that lets the listener's imagination fill in the blank with the name of his adversaries.

What is the 'GNX' Kendrick mentions in the song?

The GNX is a rare, high-performance model of the Buick Grand National, an iconic American muscle car from 1987. By mentioning he's "Ridin' in my GNX," Kendrick is flexing his success with a symbol of classic, raw, American power and exclusivity. The car serves as a metaphor for his own status: rare, powerful, and rooted in a classic era.

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The Meaning of "wacced out murals"

The Price of a Crown

Kendrick Lamar's "wacced out murals" is a somber, introspective victory lap and a poignant reflection on the cost of greatness. The central metaphor, a defaced mural, represents his legacy being attacked by rivals and critics even at the height of his success. He's not angry, but resigned and resolute: "The love and hate is definite without a cure." This isn't a battle cry like "Not Like Us"; it's a veteran's acknowledgment of the permanent war that comes with being at the top.

The song is a declaration of isolation. He expresses disappointment in peers and idols, citing West Coast legend Snoop Dogg for promoting a Drake diss and noting that only Nas congratulated him on his "Super Bowl" (his victory in the beef). This reinforces a central theme: in the lonely space at the pinnacle of hip-hop, alliances are flimsy and respect is scarce. His focus shifts from a singular rival to a plural one: "It used to be fuck that nigga, but now it's plural."

Ultimately, "wacced out murals" is about preserving one's core identity against external pressure. He affirms his values—fighting for his earnings ("I squabbled up for them dividends"), protecting his family, and refusing to "peace it up" for political correctness. The song is a guide for survival, a set of "rules of engagements" for anyone navigating a hostile world while trying to stay true to themselves. The whacked-out mural isn't a defeat; it's proof of his impact and a scar he wears with pride.

About The Track

As the opening track of Kendrick Lamar's surprise 2024 album *GNX*, "wacced out murals" sets a powerful, introspective tone. It serves as the immediate aftermath of his highly public feud with Drake, moving away from aggressive attacks to a more reflective state. Over a soulful, cinematic beat, Kendrick processes the consequences of his victory, touching on feelings of isolation, betrayal by industry peers, and the permanent nature of the love/hate relationship he has with the world. The track is rich with cultural references, from the iconic Buick GNX to nods to Lil Wayne and Nas, using them to frame his own journey and solidify his place in the hip-hop pantheon. It's less of a diss and more of a thesis statement for the album: a look at the heavy crown worn by a king who has defeated his rivals but now faces the solitude of the throne.