i
Kendrick Lamar
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
I done been through a whole lot Trials and tribulations, but I know God Satan wanna put me in a bow-tie Praying that the holy water don't go dry, yeah yeah As I look around me So many motherfuckers wanna down me But ain't no nigga never drown me In front of a dirty double-mirror they found me And I love myself (The world is a ghetto with guns and picket signs) I love myself (But it can do what it want whenever it wants and I don’t mind) I love myself (He said I gotta get up, life is more than suicide) I love myself (One day at the time, sun gone shine) Everybody looking at you crazy (Crazy) What you gone do? (What you gone do?) Lift up your head and keep moving (Keep moving) Or let the paranoia haunt you? (Haunt you) Peace to fashion police I wear my heart On my sleeve let the runway start You know the miserable do love company F*ck do you want from me and my scars? Everybody lack confidence, everybody lack confidence How many times our potential was anonymous? How many times the city making me promises? So I promise this And I love myself (The world is a ghetto with guns and picket signs) I love myself (But it can do what it want whenever it wants and I don’t mind) I love myself (He said I gotta get up, life is more than suicide) I love myself (One day at the time, sun gone shine) They wanna say there's a war outside and a bomb in the street And a gun in the hood and a mob of police And a rock on the corner and a line full of fiends And a bottle full of lean and a model on a scheme, yup These days of frustration keep y'all on tucking rotation I duck these gold faces, post up fee-fi-fo-fum bases Dreams of realities peace Blow steam in the face of the beast The sky can fall down, the wind can cry now The strong in me, I still smile I love myself (The world is a ghetto with guns and picket signs) I love myself (But it can do what it want whenever it wants and I don’t mind) I love myself (He said I gotta get up, life is more than suicide) I love myself (One day at the time, sun gone shine) Walk my barefeet (Walk my barefeet) Down, down valley peak (Down, down valley peak) I keep my fee-fi-fo-fum (Fee-fi-fo-fum) I keep my heart undone (My heart undone) And I love myself (The world is a ghetto with guns and picket signs) I love myself (But it can do what it want whenever it wants and I don’t mind) I love myself (He said I gotta get up, life is more than suicide) I love myself (One day at the time, sun gone shine) I went to war last night With an automatic weapon, don’t nobody call a medic I'mma do it 'til I get it right I went to war last night I've been dealing with depression ever since an adolescent Duckin' every other blessin', l can never see the message I can never take the lead, I can never bob and weave For my nigga that be letting ‘em alienate me And the sound is moving in a meteor speed From a 100 to a billion lay my body in the street Keep my money in the ceiling let my mama know I'm free Give my story to the children and the lesson they can read And the glory to the feeling of all of y'all scenes Seen enough, make a motherfucker scream, "I love myself!" I lost my head, I must've misread what the good book said Oh woes keep me, it's a jungle inside Give myself again 'til the well runs dry
Struggling with i? Become a better singer in 30 days with these videos!
Written by: Columbus Tower Smith, Ernest Isley, Christopher Howard Jasper, Marvin Isley, O'kelly Jr. Isley, Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley, Kendrick Lamar Duckworth
Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
15 facts about this song
Artistic ApproachKendrick Lamar used the song "i" as a way to address issues affecting the African American community, including depression, addiction, and violence.
|
Grammy AwardsThe song "i" won two Grammy awards in 2015 for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance.
|
Release YearIt is the lead single from Lamar's third studio album, "To Pimp a Butterfly," released in 2014.
|
Song's InspirationThe song heavily samples "That Lady" by The Isley Brothers and Lamar received their personal blessings before releasing it.
|
Music VideoIts music video caused a stir due to its politically charged content, similar to most of Kendrick's work.
|
Billboard Rank"i" peaked at number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the USA.
|
Personal InterpretationThe song serves as an anthem for self-love and self-respect, which was a topic Kendrick felt was much needed to be discussed in the society during the times.
|
Live PerformanceLamar debuted the song while performing on Saturday Night Live on November 15, 2014.
|
Record Label"i" was released under the record label "Top Dawg Entertainment," Kendrick Lamar's primary record label since the start of his professional career.
|
Certified PlatinumThe song was certified Platinum by RIAA for selling over a million copies.
|
Album SuccessLamar's album "To Pimp a Butterfly," which features "i," has frequently been named in many end-of-year best album lists, often ranking at number one.
|
Juxtaposition"i" contrasts to Lamar's later release from the same album, "u," which delves into self-hatred and guilt.
|
RecognitionThe song "i" helped Lamar win the award for Outstanding Original Music & Lyrics at the 67th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
|
Backup SingersThe song features background vocals by Thundercat, Bilal, Anna Wise, and singer/songwriter Rapsody.
|
Album Version vs Single VersionThe album version of the song is a live performance and is different from the single version released previously. It features more lyrics and a different arrangement.
|
Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"i Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 8 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/9653/Kendrick+Lamar/i>.
Discuss the i Lyrics with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In