DISSNATION
Verified archive entry

ELEMENT. (OG)

By Kendrick Lamar · Targeting Rival MCs

ELEMENT. (OG) is a diss track by Kendrick Lamar targeting Rival MCs. The supplied transcript is a competitive battle-rap performance directed at rival MCs rather than one consistently named opponent.

ReleasedPending
Annotated2
ExplicitYes
Addressable transcript

Lyrics & breakdown

Demo lines only. Select a line number to copy a stable deep link.

  1. 01

    [Chorus]

    02

    I know, I can’t afford to stop

    03

    For I know much

    04

    Cuz I’m just too soon, to forget-

    05

    I know, I can’t afford to stop

  2. 06

    For I know much

    07

    Cuz I’m just out of reach of your finger

  3. 08

    [Verse]

    Multi-line diss block
    09

    I'm willin' to die for this shit

    10

    I done cried for this shit, might take a life for this shit

    11

    Put the Bible down and go eye for an eye for this shit

    12

    D-O-T my enemy, won't catch a vibe for this shit, ayy

    Block noteMakes the confrontation explicit

    TargetRival MCs

    MeaningWhat it means: In “I'm willin' to die for this shit,” Kendrick Lamar addresses Rival MCs directly and makes the situation described in the quoted line the point of confrontation. Why it was said: The supplied transcript is a competitive battle-rap performance directed at rival MCs rather than one consistently named opponent. Naming or plainly addressing Rival MCs removes the safety of a subliminal and makes the quoted claim something the target can either answer or leave standing.

    ContextThe supplied transcript is a competitive battle-rap performance directed at rival MCs rather than one consistently named opponent.

  4. 13

    I been stomped out in front of my mama

    14

    My daddy commissary made it to commas

    15

    Bitch, all my grandmas dead

    16

    So ain't nobody prayin' for me, I'm on your head, ayy

  5. 17

    Thirty millions later, know the feds watchin'

    18

    Auntie on my Telegram like, "Be cautious!"

    19

    I be hangin' out at Tam's, I be on Stockton

    20

    I don't do it for the 'Gram, I do it for Compton

  6. 21

    I'm willin' to die for this shit, nigga

    Multi-line diss block
    22

    I'll take your fuckin' life for this shit, nigga

    23

    We ain't goin' back to broke family sellin' dope

    24

    That's why you maney-ass rap niggas better know

    Block noteMakes the confrontation explicit

    TargetRival MCs

    MeaningWhat it means: In “I'll take your fuckin' life for this shit, nigga,” Kendrick Lamar addresses Rival MCs directly and makes the situation described in the quoted line the point of confrontation. Why it was said: The supplied transcript is a competitive battle-rap performance directed at rival MCs rather than one consistently named opponent. Naming or plainly addressing Rival MCs removes the safety of a subliminal and makes the quoted claim something the target can either answer or leave standing.

    ContextThe supplied transcript is a competitive battle-rap performance directed at rival MCs rather than one consistently named opponent.

  7. 25

    [Chorus]

    26

    I know, I can’t afford to stop

    27

    For I know much

    28

    Cuz I’m just too soon, to forget-

    29

    I know, I can’t afford to stop

  8. 30

    For I know much

    31

    Cuz I’m just out of reach of your finger