Kendrick Lamar’s “Euphoria” is a scathing diss track aimed at Drake, released in April 2024. The song is a response to Drake’s “Push Ups” and “Taylor Made Freestyle,” and it critiques Drake’s authenticity and place in hip-hop culture.
Through complex lyrics and sharp wordplay, Lamar attacks Drake’s image, accusing him of being a “master manipulator” and questioning his connection to Black culture. The track showcases Lamar’s lyrical prowess and artistic superiority, positioning him as a leader in the evolution of hip-hop.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
Table of Contents
“Euphoria” Lyrics Meaning
[Part I]
[Intro]
eurt s’em tuoba yas yeht gnihtyrevE
Euphoria
[Verse]
Them super powers gettin’ neutralized, I can only watch in silence
The famous actor we once knew is lookin’ paranoid and now is spiralin’
You’re movin’ just like a degenerate, every antic is feelin’ distasteful
I calculate you’re not as calculated, I can even predict your angle
Fabricatin’ stories on the family front ’cause you heard Mr. Morale
A pathetic master manipulator, I can smell the tales on you now
You’rе not a rap artist, you a scam artist with the hopes of being accеpted
Tommy Hilfiger stood out, but FUBU never had been your collection
I make music that electrify ’em, you make music that pacify ’em
I can double down on that line, but spare you this time, that’s random acts of kindness
Know you a master manipulator and habitual liar too
But don’t tell no lie about me and I won’t tell truths ’bout you
The intro sets a mocking tone, implying that Lamar will turn Drake’s tactics against him. The reversed phrase suggests that everything said about him is true, which he will use to his advantage.
In the verse, Lamar attacks Drake’s image and authenticity. He portrays Drake as losing control and credibility, describing him as “paranoid and now is spiralin'”. Lamar accuses Drake of being inauthentic and manipulative, calling him a “master manipulator” who fabricates stories. The FUBU vs. Tommy Hilfiger reference suggests Drake profits from Black culture without a genuine connection to it. Lamar contrasts their musical impact, claiming his music “electrify ’em” while Drake’s merely “pacify ’em”.
[Part II]
[Intro]
Shoo, shoo, shoo
Shoo, shoo, shoo
Bee, bee, bee, bee, bee, bee
[Verse]
Yeah, I’m out the way, yeah, I’m low, okay
Yeah, the island right here’s remote, okay
I ain’t thinkin’ about no reaper, nigga, I’m reapin’ what I sow, okay
Got a Benjamin and a Jackson all in my house like I’m Joe, okay
Hellcat, made his homeboys and them type sell they soul, okay
Everybody wanna be demon ’til they get chipped by a throwaway
And I might do a show a day, once a lame, always a lame
Oh, you thought the money, the power or fame would make you go away?
Have you ever played have-you-ever? Okay, nigga, let’s play
Have you ever walked your enemy down like with a poker face?
Have you ever paid five hundred thou’ like to an open case?
Well, I have, and I failed at both, but I came out straight
I hate when a rapper talk about guns, then somebody die, they turn into nuns
Then hop online like “Pray for my city,” he fakin’ for likes and digital hugs
His daddy a killer, he wanna be junior, they must’ve forgot the shit that they done
Dementia must run in his family, but let it get shaky
I’ll park his son
The very first time I shot me a Drac’, the homie had told me to aim it this way
I didn’t point down enough, today, I’ll show you I learned from those mistakes
Somebody had told me that you got a ring, on God, I’m ready to double the wage
I’d rather do that than let a Canadian nigga make Pac turn in his grave
Cutthroat business, you got shit twisted
What is it? The braids?
I hurt your feelings? You don’t wanna work with me no more? Okay
It’s three GOATs left, and I seen two of them kissin’ and huggin’ on stage
I love ’em to death, and in eight bars, I’ll explain that phrase, huh
It’s nothin’ nobody can tell me, huh
I don’t wanna talk on no celly, huh
You know I got language barriers, huh
It’s no accent you can sell me, huh
Yeah, Cole and Aubrey know I’m a selfish nigga, the crown is heavy, huh
I pray they my real friends, if not, I’m YNW Melly
I don’t like you poppin’ shit at Pharrell, for him, I inherit the beef
Yeah, fuck all that pushin’ P, let me see you push a T
You better off spinnin’ again on him, you think about pushin’ me
He’s Terrence Thornton, I’m Terence Crawford, yeah, I’m whoopin’ feet
We ain’t gotta get personal, this a friendly fade, you should keep it that way
I know some shit about niggas that make Gunna Wunna look like a saint
This ain’t been about critics, not about gimmicks, not about who the greatest
It’s always been about love and hate, now let me say I’m the biggest hater
I hate the way that you walk, the way that you talk, I hate the way that you dress
I hate the way that you sneak diss, if I catch flight, it’s gon’ be direct
We hate the bitches you fuck ’cause they confuse themself with real women
And notice, I said “we,” it’s not just me, I’m what the culture feelin’
How many more fairytale stories ’bout your life ’til we had enough?
How many more Black features ’til you finally feel that you’re Black enough?
I like Drake with the melodies, I don’t like Drake when he act tough
You gon’ make a nigga bring back Puff, let me see if Chubbs really crash somethin’
Yeah, my first one like my last one, it’s a classic, you don’t have one
Let your core audience stomach that, then tell ’em where you get your abs from
V12, it’s a fast one, baow-baow-baow, last one
Headshot for the year, you better walk around like Daft Punk
This section intensifies the attack. Lamar references his own experiences and authenticity in the rap game, positioning himself as someone who reaps what he sows. He criticizes Drake’s perceived inauthenticity and questions his toughness, suggesting that Drake’s attempts to appear tough are insincere. There are allusions to violence and street credibility, with Lamar mentioning that he has faced real challenges and come out stronger. He also mentions other artists and industry figures, expanding the scope of his critique.
Lamar expresses disdain for rappers who glorify violence but then pretend to be concerned when someone dies. He criticizes Drake’s acting tough and then seeking sympathy online. The mention of “have you ever” games is a challenge to Drake’s authenticity and experience. Lamar also references his own financial and legal struggles, implying that he has faced real adversity unlike Drake.
[Part III]
[Verse]
Remember?
Ayy, Top Dawg, who the fuck they think they playin’ with?
Extortion my middle name as soon as you jump off of that plane, bitch
I’m allergic to the lame shit, only you like bein’ famous
Yachty can’t give you no swag neither, I don’t give a fuck ’bout who you hang with
I hate the way that you walk, the way that you talk, I hate the way that you dress
Surprised you wanted that feature request, you know that we got some shit to address
I even hate when you say the word “nigga,” but that’s just me, I guess
Some shit just cringeworthy, it ain’t even gotta be deep, I guess
Still love when you see success, everything with me is blessed
Keep makin’ me dance, wavin’ my hand, and it won’t be no threat
I’m knowin’ they call you The Boy, but where is a man? ‘Cause I ain’t seen him yet
Matter fact, I ain’t even bleed him yet, can I bleed him? (Bet)
When I see you stand by Sexyy Red, I believe you see two bad bitches
I believe you don’t like women, it’s real competition, you might pop ass with ’em
Let’s speak on percentage, show me your splits, I’ll make sure I double back with ya
You were signed to a nigga that’s signed to a nigga that said he was signed to that nigga
Try cease and desist on the “Like That” record?
Ho, what? You ain’t like that record?
“Back To Back,” I like that record
I’ma get back to that, for the record
Why would I call around tryna get dirt on niggas? Y’all think all my life is rap?
That’s ho shit, I got a son to raise, but I can see you don’t know nothin’ ’bout that
Wakin’ him up, know nothin’ ’bout that
Then tell him to pray, know nothin’ ’bout that
Then givin’ him tools to walk through life like day by day, know nothin’ ’bout that
Teachin’ him morals, integrity, discipline, listen, man, you don’t know nothin’ ’bout that
Speakin’ the truth and consider what God’s considerin’, you don’t know nothin’ ’bout that
Ain’t twenty-v-one, it’s one-v-twenty if I gotta smack niggas that write with you
Yeah, bring ’em out too, I’ll clean ’em out too, tell BEAM that he better stay right with you
Am I battlin’ ghost or AI?
Nigga feelin’ like Joe Hale Osteen
Funny, he was in a film called A.I
And my sixth sense tellin’ me to off him
I’ma blick niggas all in they coffin
Yeah, OV-ho niggas is dick riders
Tell ’em run to America to imitate heritage, they can’t imitate this violence
What I learned is niggas don’t like the West Coast, and I’m fine with it, I’ll push the line with it
Pick a nigga off one at a time with it
We can be on a three-hour time difference
Don’t speak on the family, crodie
It can get deep in the family, crodie
Talk about me and my family, crodie?
Someone gon’ bleed in your family, crodie
I be at New Ho King eatin’ fried rice with a dip sauce and a blammy, crodie
Tell me you’re cheesin’, fam
We can do this right now on the camera, crodie
Ayy, fuck y’all niggas, I don’t trust y’all niggas
I wave one finger and thump y’all niggas like mmm
Field goal, punt y’all niggas, they punk y’all niggas, nobody never took my food
Whoever that’s fuckin’ with him, fuck you niggas, and fuck the industry too
If you take it there, I’m takin’ it further
Psst, that’s something you don’t wanna do
[Outro]
Ooh
We don’t wanna hear you say “nigga” no more
We don’t wanna hear you say “nigga” no more
Stop
The final part is the most direct and aggressive. Lamar explicitly challenges Drake’s identity and place in hip-hop culture, questioning his authenticity and cultural appropriation. He mocks Drake’s style, mannerisms, and even his use of African American Vernacular English (AAVE). There are references to Drake’s personal life and family, with Lamar asserting his own superiority and authenticity in the rap game.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Euphoria”
Kendrick Lamar’s “Euphoria” is a multi-layered diss track aimed at Drake, showcasing Lamar’s lyrical prowess and strategic approach to hip-hop rivalries. The title itself carries multiple meanings, each adding depth to the track’s impact.
On the surface, “Euphoria” references the HBO show of the same name, for which Drake serves as an executive producer. This connection allows Lamar to subtly critique Drake’s involvement in a series that depicts teenagers in adult situations, alluding to rumors about Drake’s alleged interest in younger women.
Diving deeper, the title “Euphoria” takes on a more sinister meaning when considering the phenomenon where people experience a state of euphoria before death. This interpretation suggests that Lamar views his track as a fatal blow to Drake’s career or reputation in the rap game.
The song’s structure and content further reinforce its complexity. Opening with a reversed phrase from “The Wiz,” Lamar sets the tone for unraveling conventions and challenging perceptions. Throughout the track, he weaves together themes of power, deception, cultural identity, and self-reflection, creating a dense narrative that demands multiple listens to fully grasp.
Lamar uses “Euphoria” to question Drake’s authenticity, both as an artist and as a representative of Black culture. He portrays Drake as a “master manipulator” and a “scam artist,” suggesting that Drake’s carefully crafted public persona is merely a facade. The FUBU versus Tommy Hilfiger reference further emphasizes what Lamar perceives as Drake’s opportunistic relationship with Black culture.
Ultimately, “Euphoria” is not just a diss track but a declaration of artistic integrity and lyrical superiority. Lamar positions himself as a thought-provoking artist who “electrifies” his audience, in contrast to Drake, whom he accuses of merely pacifying listeners. Through this intricate and multi-faceted approach, Lamar reaffirms his status as a visionary artist in hip-hop, challenging not just Drake but the entire industry to elevate their craft.
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