How much does a dollar cost?
It has happened! The new IB prescribed list is out, and it's gooooooood. We have singers, componists and rappers. My heart is full :)
And because of this, my site will be updating itself regularly with new categories.
Today's new addition being dedicated to Kendrick Lamar. When reading The Hate U Give, Starr (in otherwords Angie Thomas) often questions how one person becomes a part of lower-class society. Kendrick Lamar does this same thing in his rap/spoken word 'How Much Does a Dollar Cost'.
Watch as Kendrick Lamar explains to us what a dollar is worth and how this determines ones worth.
Lyrics
How much a dollar really cost? The question is detrimental, paralyzin' my thoughts Parasites in my stomach keep me with a gut feeling, y'all Gotta see how I’m chillin' once I park this luxury car Hopping out feeling big as Mutombo 20 on pump six dirty Marcellus called me Dumbo 20 years ago, can't forget Now I can lend 'em a ear or two how to stack these residuals Tenfold, the liberal concept of what men'll do 20 on 6, he didn't hear me Indigenous African only spoke Zulu My American tongue was slurry Walked out the gas station A homeless man with a silly tan complexion Asked me for ten grand Stressin' about dry land Deep water, powder blue skies that crack open A piece of crack that he wanted, I knew he was smokin' He begged and pleaded Asked me to feed him twice, I didn't believe it Told him, "Beat it" Contributin' money just for his pipe, I couldn't see it He said, "My son, temptation is one thing that I've defeated Listen to me, I want a single bill from you Nothin' less, nothin' more I told him I ain't have it and closed my door Tell me how much a dollar cost
It's more to feed your mind Water, sun and love, the one you love All you need, the air you breathe
He's starin' at me in disbelief My temper is buildin', he's starin' at me, I grab my key He's starin' at me, I started the car and tried to leave And somethin' told me to keep it in park until I could see A reason why he was mad at a stranger like I was supposed to save him Like I'm the reason he's homeless and askin' me for a favor He's starin' at me, his eyes followed me with no laser He's starin' at me, I notice that his stare is contagious Cause now I'm starin' back at him, feelin' some type of disrespect If I could throw a bat at him, it'd be aimin' at his neck I never understood someone beggin' for goods Askin' for handouts, takin' it if they could And this particular person just had it down pat Starin' at me for the longest until he finally asked Have you ever opened to Exodus 14? A humble man is all that we ever need Tell me how much a dollar cost
It's more to feed your mind Water, sun and love, the one you love All you need, the air you breathe
Guilt trippin' and feelin' resentment I never met a transient that demanded attention They got me frustrated, indecisive and power trippin' Sour emotions got me lookin' at the universe different I should distance myself, I should keep it relentless My selfishness is what got me here, who the fuck I'm kiddin'? So I'ma tell you like I told the last bum, crumbs and pennies I need all of mines, and I recognize this type of panhandlin' all the time I got better judgement, I know when nigga's hustlin' Keep in mind, when I was strugglin', I did compromise Now I comprehend, I smell grandpa's old medicine Reekin' from your skin, moonshine and gin Nigga your babblin', your words ain't flatterin', I'm imaginin' Denzel be lookin' at O'Neal Cause now I'm in sad thrills, your gimmick is mediocre, the jig is up I seen you from a mile away losin' focus And I'm insensitive, and I lack empathy You looked at me and said, "Your potential is bittersweet" I looked at him and said, "Every nickel is mines to keep" He looked at me and said, "Know the truth, it'll set you free You're lookin' at the Messiah, the son of Jehova, the higher power The choir that spoke the word, the Holy Spirit, the nerve Of Nazareth, and I'll tell you just how much a dollar cost The price of having a spot in Heaven, embrace your loss, I am God"
I wash my hands, I said my grace, what more do you want from me? Tears of a clown, guess I'm not all what is meant to be Shades of grey will never change if I condone Turn this page, help me change, so right my wrongs
Songwriters: James Edward Fauntleroy Ii / Kendrick Duckworth / Josef Leimberg / Terrace Jahmal Martin / Rose Ann Mckinney
How Much a Dollar Cost lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
