“Peekaboo” by Kendrick Lamar is a high-energy track from his album GNX, featuring AzChike. The song is a layered exploration of dominance, authenticity, and cultural critique, blending playful wordplay with sharp commentary on the rap industry’s superficiality.
The repetitive chorus, “What they talkin’ ’bout? They ain’t talkin’ ’bout nothin’,” underscores Kendrick’s frustration with shallow lyrics, while the verses showcase his lyrical prowess and assert his position as a leader in hip-hop. The track combines humor, aggression, and cultural references, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
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“Peekaboo” Lyrics Meaning
[Intro: Kendrick Lamar]
Give a helping hand
To your fellow men, oh, my—
Ayy, what?
Look
The intro samples Little Beaver’s “Give Me a Helping Hand,” setting a tone of community before transitioning to Kendrick’s confrontational stance.
[Chorus: Kendrick Lamar]
What they talkin’ ’bout? They ain’t talkin’ ’bout nothin’
What they talkin’ ’bout? They ain’t talkin’ ’bout nothin’
What they talkin’ ’bout? They ain’t talkin’ ’bout nothin’
What they talkin’ ’bout? They ain’t talkin’ ’bout nothin’
Huh? They ain’t talkin’ ’bout nothin’
Hm, ayy
What they talkin’ ’bout? They ain’t talkin’ ’bout nothin’
What they talkin’ ’bout? They ain’t talkin’ ’bout nothin’
What they talkin’ ’bout? They ain’t talkin’ ’bout nothin’
What they talkin’ ’bout? They ain’t talkin’ ’bout nothin’
Huh? They ain’t talkin’ ’bout nothin’, hm
The chorus, with its repetitive “What they talkin’ ’bout? They ain’t talkin’ ’bout nothin’,” critiques the lack of substance in contemporary rap, emphasizing Kendrick’s frustration with shallow lyricism.
[Verse 1: Kendrick Lamar]
Peekaboo, I just put them boogers in my chain
Peekaboo, eighty-pointers like a Kobe game
Peekaboo, 7.62s’ll make ’em plank
Peekaboo, poppin’ out,
you better not smut my name
Peekaboo, put two foreigns on the 405
Peekaboo, cacio e pepe if I’m doin pasta
Peekaboo, why you actin’ tough on IG Live?
Peekaboo, you know my lil’ niggas off they rocker
Kendrick uses “Peekaboo” as a recurring motif to introduce various boasts and observations. He flaunts his wealth through references to diamond jewelry and luxury cars. The line “Eighty-pointers like a Kobe game” alludes to both diamond quality and Kobe Bryant’s legendary 81-point game, possibly a subtle jab at Drake. He mentions firearms and violence, asserting his power and danger. References to fine dining further emphasize his success. He mocks others for posturing on social media, contrasting his authentic lifestyle with their online personas.
[Verse 2: AzChike & Kendrick Lamar]
Peekaboo, surprisе, bitch, it’s that nigga Chuck E. Cheese
Peekaboo, let me FacеTime my opp, bitch, I’m up the street
Peekaboo, yeah, it’s AZ, I’m puttin’ somethin’ to sleep
Peekaboo, he on the ground, I praise God and start stompin’ feet
Peekaboo, I put ten on his face, bitch, my shooter playin’
Peekaboo, I hit it from the back, I told her move her hands
Peekaboo, then slide my thumb in it where her, uh, at
Peekaboo, I’m on your top, I’m with Dot, bitch, don’t look back
AzChike continues the “Peekaboo” theme, mixing violent imagery with sexual content. The verse maintains the aggressive tone set by Kendrick, with AzChike asserting his dominance and readiness for conflict. His lyrics are more explicit and graphic, adding a raw edge to the track.
[Verse 3: Kendrick Lamar]
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
, that’s my bitch
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
, that’s my bitch
Hey, hey, hey, hey
, with all that fake shit
Hey, hey, hey, hey
, ain’t the one to play with
Hey, hey, hey, hey
, hey, pull off in a Lam’
Double-park it all at Tam’s
, Mr. Get-Off-On-Your-Mans
If he hatin’, disrespect, you better follow up with hands
Losses to the neck, but now I’m trophied up, I’m sayin’, like
Bing-bop-boom-boom-boom-bop-bam
The type of shit I’m on, you wouldn’t understand
The type of skits I’m on, you wouldn’t understand
Big-dog business, I would not hold your hand
Kendrick returns with a series of “Hey” repetitions, possibly addressing a romantic interest or asserting ownership. He continues to boast about his success and warns against disrespect, emphasizing his elevated status in the rap game. The verse showcases Kendrick’s unique flow and wordplay, reinforcing his position as a top-tier lyricist.
[Verse 4: AzChike]
Broke-bitch business, I could not be your man
Never got his ass whooped until we opened up that can
Damn, alley-oop me bands, I’ma slam, jam
Freak bitch, I like my MAC touchin’ yams
Play that opp shit around me, I’ma tell you, “Turn it off”
Heard what happened to your mans, not sorry for your loss
Should’ve prayed before them shooters came and nailed him to the cross
I let your boy get a pass, bitch, you lucky he soft, for real
AzChike delivers another verse filled with street imagery, violence, and sexual references. He contrasts his lifestyle with those less fortunate and continues the aggressive posturing established earlier in the track. His lyrics are unapologetic and confrontational, matching the overall tone of the song.
[Outro: Kendrick Lamar]
Peekaboo
The song ends with a final “Peekaboo,” bringing the central motif full circle and reinforcing the theme of sudden revelations and confrontations. This simple outro serves to bookend the track and leave a lasting impression on the listener.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Peekaboo”
Kendrick Lamar’s “Peekaboo” is a multi-layered track that blends playful wordplay with sharp social commentary, reflecting themes of authenticity, power dynamics, and survival in the music industry and broader society. The title itself invokes a sense of surprise and childlike innocence, but Kendrick subverts this expectation by infusing the song with undertones of menace and confrontation.
The repetitive use of “peekaboo” throughout the song serves as a warning to Kendrick’s adversaries that he sees through their facades and recognizes their true intentions. This concept is further reinforced by the visual symbolism in the music video, where dancers in different colors represent various social groups and their interactions. The white dancers symbolize privileged insiders, while red dancers, peering through red glass, represent those aspiring to join the elite ranks. Meanwhile, blue dancers observe the red dancers and perceive them as adversaries.
Kendrick and featured artist AzChike employ clever double entendres throughout the lyrics to address street life and industry dynamics. Lines like “jam freak bitch I like my mac touching yams” can be interpreted both innocently (as food preferences) and more provocatively (as references to weapons and sexual acts). This linguistic dexterity showcases Kendrick’s ability to craft lyrics that operate on multiple levels, appealing to casual listeners while rewarding closer analysis.
The song’s aggressive tone and repetitive hook create an atmosphere that walks the line between humor and intimidation, reflecting the duality of Kendrick’s persona as both an entertainer and a formidable presence in the rap game. “Peekaboo” serves as a reminder to value authenticity over appearances and to move with intention rather than empty words, themes that are consistent with Kendrick’s broader artistic vision.
Ultimately, “Peekaboo” is a testament to Kendrick Lamar’s skill in balancing complexity with accessibility, offering a track that is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. It challenges listeners to look beyond surface-level interpretations and consider the deeper societal and personal issues that Kendrick consistently addresses in his work.
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