Shot Down

By Kendrick Lamar

On C4

Released on January 30, 2009

13K Views

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[Intro: Ab-Soul & Kendrick Lamar]

C4, K.Dot, let's get it (DJ Dave)

Yeah, Punch wanted me to come right in on the one

I didn't want to (DJ Ill Will)

I love this beat

I love it so much, I can just listen to the instrumental

And don't rap

But I won't do that


[Verse 1: Kendrick Lamar]

Light an incense for little Kendrick, little, oh, Kendrick

Determination, my drive is like a thousand convertible engines

My adrenaline pump the blood of a warrior, chump, the apprentice

Grown to be a man, 21 now, my heart in my hand

Don’t get gunned down, I’m from Compton, bitch

Fuck a 6-4, we hit the kill switch

The other day I seen my nigga Snows in the casket

Darker skin tone, you can only imagine

The type of shit we on, murdered them dumb bastards

Kill 'em inside their kitchen

And then stuffed them inside their cabinets

Death before dishonor, put that on my mama

I'mma ride till I see the promise land, that’s a promise

Llamas in the unfamiliar minivan

More drama only make more problems, but


[Chorus: Kendrick Lamar]

They gotta get shot down

'Cause we riding, we riding, we riding

They gotta get shot down

'Cause we riding, we riding


[Verse 2: Kendrick Lamar]

Like a black rodeo, .44’s, calicos

Chop 'em up, stop 'em up like a stuffy nose

We supposed to be brothers, motherfuck ya

Tuck your tail, bitch, hell is waiting on ya

While I’m praying on ya

Not on my knees though, I mean preying on ya

I gotta feed, ho, and your death is nutritious to my appetite

After I eat, you’re sure to see afterlife

Jesus Christ, forgive me for my sins

Because when you forgive me, I’m sure to sin again

I guess I’m a sinner, especially when I found out somebody killed my nigga

Nigga, does anybody killer, fuck your creed, race, or color

Son, daughter, sister, mother, brother gotta suffer

Bitch, I’m cold hearted, till my arteries freeze

Please hand me the keys to the G-ride

They outside then


[Chorus: Kendrick Lamar]

They gotta get shot down

'Cause we riding, we riding, we riding

They gotta get shot down

'Cause we riding, we riding

[Verse 3: Punch with Kendrick Lamar]

Somebody get ready for a murder

No more further announcements

Mac-11 bouncing, the murder scene, coroner, yellow tape surrounding

Either I retaliate or find self counseling

Somebody got to die, simple mathematics

Semi-automatic, watch them niggas panic and their hearts perish

Or let's be diplomatic and less melodramatic

Everything is vanity, think Ecclesiastic

But what’s it all for, or what’s it all mean?

An eye for an eye means you and I won’t live to see

As our hearts bleed, we proceed cautiously

Shoot them niggas down consciously, that’s how


[Chorus: Kendrick Lamar]

They gotta get shot down

'Cause we riding, we riding, we riding

They gotta get shot down

'Cause we riding, we riding