DNA. Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I got, I got, I got, I got—
Loyalty, got royalty inside my DNA

Cocaine quarter piece, got war and peace inside my DNA
I got power, poison, pain, and joy inside my DNA
I got hustle, though, ambition flow inside my DNA

I was born like this, since one like this, immaculate conception
I transform like this, perform like this, was Yeshua new weapon

I don't contemplate, I meditate, then off your fucking head
This that put-the-kids-to-bed

This that I got, I got, I got, I got—
Realness, I just kill shit ’cause it's in my DNA

I got millions, I got riches buildin' in my DNA
I got dark, I got evil that rot inside my DNA
I got off, I got troublesome heart inside my DNA

I just win again, then win again like Wimbledon, I serve
Yeah, that’s him again, the sound that engine in is like a bird
You see fireworks and Corvette tire skrrt the boulevard

I know how you work, I know just who you are
See, you's a, you's a, you's a—
Bitch, your hormones prolly switch inside your DNA
Problem is, all that sucker shit inside your DNA
Daddy prolly snitched, heritage inside your DNA

Backbone don't exist, born outside a jellyfish, I gauge
See, my pedigree most definitely don't tolerate the front
Shit I've been through prolly offend you, this is Paula's oldest son
I know murder, conviction
Burners, boosters, burglars, ballers, dead, redemption
Scholars, fathers dead with kids and
I wish I was fed forgiveness
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, soldier’s DNA (I’m a soldier's DNA)
Born inside the beast, my expertise checked out in second grade

When I was nine, on cell, motel, we didn’t have nowhere to stay
At twenty-nine, I've done so well, hit cartwheel in my estate

And I'm gon' shine like I’m supposed to, antisocial extrovert
And excellent mean the extra work
And absentness what the fuck you heard

And pessimists never struck my nerve
And Nazareth gonna plead his case
The reason my power's here on earth
Salute the truth, when the prophet say

[Bridge: Kendrick Lamar & Geraldo Rivera]
I-I got loyalty, got royalty inside my DNA
This is why I say that hip hop has done more damage to young African Americans than racism in recent years
I-I got loyalty, got royalty inside my DNA
I live a better life, I'm rollin' several dice, fuck your life
I-I got loyalty, got royalty inside my DNA
I live a be-, fuck your life
Five, four, three, two, one
This is my heritage, all I'm inheritin'
Money and power, the mecca of marriages


[Verse 2]
Tell me somethin'
You motherfuckers can't tell me nothin'
I'd rather die than to listen to you

My DNA not for imitation
Your DNA an abomination

This how it is when you in the Matrix
Dodgin' bullets, reapin' what you sow

And stackin' up the footage, livin' on the go
And sleepin' in a villa
Sippin' from a Grammy, walkin' in the buildin'
Diamond in the ceilin', marble on the floors
Beach inside the window, peekin' out the window

Baby in the pool, godfather goals
Only Lord knows I've been goin' hammer
Dodgin' paparazzi, freakin' through the cameras
Eat at Four Daughters, Brock wearin' sandals
Yoga on a Monday, stretchin' to Nirvana

Watchin' all the snakes, curvin' all the fakes
Phone never on, I don't conversate

I don't compromise, I just penetrate
Sex, money, murder, these are the breaks

These are the times, level number nine
Look up in the sky, ten is on the way
Sentence on the way, killings on the way
Motherfucker, I got winners on the way

You ain't shit without a body on your belt
You ain't shit without a ticket on your plate
You ain't sick enough to pull it on yourself
You ain't rich enough to hit the lot and skate

Tell me when destruction gonna be my fate
Gonna be your fate, gonna be our faith
Peace to the world, let it rotate

Sex, money, murder our DNA

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About

Genius Annotation

On “DNA.,” Kendrick Lamar adopts multiple viewpoints; celebrating, critiquing, and exploring his black heritage and culture. In the music video, Kendrick and actor Don Cheadle appear to trade bars, engaging in an argument using the song’s lyrics during an interrogation scene. We also learn that “DNA” stands for “Dead Nigger Association.”

Lamar is wearing a traditional Kung Fu uniform throughout the piece. In an interview with Pitchfork, Don Cheadle confirmed that he inadvertently inspired the ‘Kung Fu Kenny’ persona. Cheadle portrayed a Chinese-speaking martial artist named Kenny in the 2001 action-comedy sequel Rush Hour 2.

At the beginning of the video, the song “YAH.” can be heard echoing above—almost as if it is playing in Kendrick’s head as the camera pans down. “YAH.” comes directly after “DNA.” on DAMN.’s tracklist.

Following his initial encounter with Cheadle, who seems to be portraying a law enforcement figure, the ending of “BLOOD.” suddenly begins playing; when Cheadle turns on the lie-detector device, he begins convulsing, almost as if in a trance. This snippet comes from the video of Geraldo Rivera criticizing Kendrick’s lyrics on “Alright,” one of his most successful singles. The music video also contains snippets from “Hood Politics,” another song from Lamar’s March 2015 award-winning album, To Pimp A Butterfly.

Lastly, the song’s second verse samples a different segment of the same Fox News clip from “BLOOD.” and it’s worth noting that “BLOOD.” precedes “DNA.” on the album.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

Have Mike WiLL Made-It and Kendrick worked together?
Genius Answer

Mike WiLL Made-It had production credits on DAMN.’s lead single, “HUMBLE.” They have also worked together on “Perfect Pint,” as well as 2014’s “Buy The World.”

Mike WiLL has production credits on “XXX.” later on the album.

What is that sample in the background of Verse 2, and where's it from?
Genius Answer

The sample says “gimme some ganja” and is taken from a 1982 live performance of “Mary Jane” by R&B musician Rick James.

In the music video, what do the Chinese words translate to?
Genius Answer

The video features the use of Chinese in the second half, with Kendrick subtitled “功夫肯尼” (“Kung Fu Kenny”, an alternate name used throughout the DAMN. album) and Kendrick’s crew being given “的家庭” (De jiātíng; “The family”.)

The Top Dawg Entertainment logo is presented alongside “顶级狗娱乐” (Dǐngjí gǒu yúlè, literally “top level dog entertainment”.)

What's the song in the background of the car scenes?
Did this song leaked ahead of it's release?
What has Kendrick Lamar said about the song?
Was this song teased before the release?
Who is the guy walking toward the camera at the end of the video?
What is the BPM?
What's the name of the song playing in the background at the start of the video?
Is there a MTV VMAs performance of the song?
How did the song do on the charts?
Has this track received any certifications?
Has Mike Will said something about the song ?
Credits
Mastering Engineer
Video Producer
Released on
April 14, 2017
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