“Hey Now” by Kendrick Lamar is a dynamic track that explores themes of success, loyalty, power, and personal growth. The song blends vivid imagery with clever wordplay, reflecting Kendrick’s duality between street credibility and spiritual enlightenment.
The lyrics navigate financial success and inner peace, loyalty to incarcerated friends, and the pressures of fame, all set against a backdrop of nostalgic club beats with a modern twist. The song features Kendrick’s confident delivery and a guest verse by Dody6, adding layers of aggression and street life narratives.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
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“Hey Now” Lyrics Meaning
[Intro: Kendrick Lamar]
Damn, baby
I like it
Damn
Hmm
The intro sets a casual, laid-back vibe with Kendrick expressing excitement and enjoyment. It’s a brief moment of feeling good about something he sees or experiences.
[Verse 1: Kendrick Lamar]
Hey now, say now, I’m all about my yen
Big face Buddha, get my peace from within
Sending kites to all my dirties in the pen
Let the honorary walk for the win, for the win
You crash out, then you better break the backboard
I got friends, hopin’ that they make the tabloids
You know the last one figured he was Magneto
You play God, you gon’ get what you ask for
We got the same twenty-four, what you mad for?
I put a square on his back like I’m Jack Dorsey
It’s high beams if I make a public appearance
Go back to hidin’ ’cause I’m not too friendly with niggas
One one thousand, two one thousand, four
The Black Noah, I just strangled me a goat
I walked in with a therapeutic flow
Put a few hundred up, let ’em go, let ’em go
Kendrick begins by affirming his focus on wealth (“Yen”) and finding peace within (“Big face Buddha”). He sends “kites” to his friends in prison, showing support and solidarity. The verse highlights his confidence and ability to navigate challenges, emphasizing his importance and refusal to be affected by negativity (“We got the same twenty-four, what you mad for?”). Kendrick also mentions his public presence and how he commands attention (“It’s high beams if I make a public appearance”).
[Chorus: Kendrick Lamar]
Hey now, say now
Hey now, say now
Hey now, say now
Hmm, hey now, say now
Hey now, say now, I’m all about my yen
Big face Buddha, get my peace from within
Sending kites to all my dirties in the pen
Let the honorary walk for the win, for the win
Hey now, say now
Hey now, say now
Hey now, say now
Hey now, say now
The chorus reinforces Kendrick’s focus on success and inner peace, with repeated affirmations of his goals and values.
[Verse 2: Kendrick Lamar]
Hey now, say now, I done slid on they backstreet
Heavy on the Parmesan, every day tax season
What the fuck you wearin’? Bro, it’s tacky
Niggas layin’ on they deathbed tryna match me
Oh my God, I’m ’bout to do the fool
They be screamin’ out P, but they resume is boof
Switch both lanes, the engine sound like the zoo
Need a fee just to breathe, bitch, I can’t talk to you
It’s the Ben Frank murderer
Mister I ain’t heard of ya
Gulf streams, back to back, flyin’ through the turbulence
Who is he? Free lunch, hmm, Kraft Services
Throw your ass out this rental if I smell nervousness
Hey now, say now, let me pop my shit
Water down my wrist, arm around my bitch
It’s a green light, don’t get out of bounds, I’ma blitz
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no, it’s all blue strips
Nigga, what?
Kendrick reflects on navigating street life and material success, critiquing superficiality (“What the fuck you wearin’? Bro, it’s tacky”). He asserts his superiority, noting others try to match him but fail (“Niggas layin’ on they deathbed tryna match me”). The verse also touches on financial power and the cost of fame (“Need a fee just to breathe, bitch, I can’t talk to you”).
[Chorus: Kendrick Lamar]
Hey now, say now
Hey now, say now
Hey now, say now
Hmm, hey now, say now
I’m way too important
I’m way too important
I’m way too important to ever let you slide on me again
Similar to the first chorus, this section reiterates Kendrick’s themes of success and self-importance.
[Bridge: Kendrick Lamar]
Startin’ to see spaceships on Rosecrans (Startin’ to see spaceships on Rosecrans)
I seen the aliens hold hands (I seen the aliens holding hands)
They wanna see me do my dance (They wanna see me do my dance)
I let ’em watch me do my dance
The bridge offers a surreal and imaginative scene, possibly symbolizing Kendrick’s rise to fame and his impact on his community (“Starting to see spaceships on Rosecrans”).
[Verse 3: Dody6 & Kendrick Lamar]
Who the fuck I feel like? I feel like Joker
Harley Quinn up in the cut with a blower
Ayy, shit get spooky, every day in October
My torpedo even jumped out on smokers, J-Cat
Ayy, we mean muggin’ niggas, Dody too important
If they talkin’ ’bout playin’ ball, me and my team gon’ get to scorin’
If they talkin’ ’bout playin’ ball, they can take it up with Jordan
It’s bald heads in the Heckler for all endorsements
Eenie, meenie, miny, moe, I’m tryna tag a nigga toe
I’m aggressive on the beat and real life, niggas know
Ayy, I tatted up my body in the pen’, level four
Ayy, I sharpened up a knife and came home to a blow
My bitch gon’ get to tweakin’ like she playin’ with her nose
Lil’ brodie ’bout to crash, my young niggas be on go
I’m a different type of trophy, baby girl, I’m rose gold
Me and Dot get to slidin’, put ’em in a choke hold
Bitches actin’ like some niggas, niggas actin’ like some hoes
Ayy, I jumped out that pen’, then I jumped up in a Ghost
I’m the hottest type of nigga, see my face, then he froze
All that shit he was talkin’, found out he not that bold
Okay, this shit like forty, that’s a dub, okay, let’s add it up
Baby ass fat, can you do it? Can you back it up?
Kickflip a nigga, I got Tech Decks
And it ain’t shit for me to call and get your chin checked
Tell ’em, “Dody did that”
Dody6’s verse introduces a harsher, more aggressive tone, emphasizing street life and violence (“Who the fuck I feel like? I feel like Joker”). The verse also touches on competition and the pursuit of success, referencing iconic figures like Michael Jordan. It highlights a mentality of aggression both in music and real life, with a focus on being untouchable and superior.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Hey Now”
Kendrick Lamar’s song “Hey Now” from his album GNX is a multifaceted exploration of themes such as success, loyalty, power, and personal growth. The track blends nostalgic elements of early 2000s rap with a modern twist, creating a high-energy backdrop for Kendrick’s lyrical dexterity. At its core, “Hey Now” reflects Kendrick’s duality, balancing street credibility with spiritual enlightenment and material success with introspective reflection.
The song delves into the harsh realities of survival in urban environments, with lines like “Send the kites to all my dirties in the pen” highlighting enduring bonds with his community while acknowledging the dangers and tensions of street life. Kendrick also critiques societal structures, celebrating resilience and reflecting both the pain and potential within Black communities. His narrative is deeply rooted in real-world locations, such as Compton, and references icons of Black excellence to resonate with his audience.
Kendrick’s lyricism in “Hey Now” showcases his ability to blend poetic devices with raw storytelling. The song is layered with symbolism and clever wordplay, conveying messages of resilience and self-assurance. Kendrick proclaims his importance in the rap game and his refusal to be exploited by the industry, emphasizing his determination to maintain control over his career and artistic vision. The track also features Dody6’s aggressive verse, adding another layer by emphasizing the harsh realities of street life and the pursuit of respect.
“Hey Now” is not just a song; it’s a layered exploration of identity, success, and the human condition. By blending cultural commentary, poetic devices, and raw emotion, Kendrick invites listeners to reflect on his journey and their own. The song resonates as both a celebration of power and a meditation on its costs, connecting with listeners who face their own struggles with identity and ambition. Overall, “Hey Now” is a testament to Kendrick Lamar’s genius as a storyteller and lyricist, offering new insights with every listen.
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He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.