Kendrick Lamar’s “HUMBLE.” is a bracing call-out track that serves up a masterclass in ego-checking, self-awareness, and societal critique. Built around a repeating refrain of ‘be humble and sit down,’ Kendrick situates himself as the pragmatic voice amidst the chaos, elevating the conversation to underline the inherent toxicities within his surrounding culture and industry, while never losing his grounding in his own come-up story.
Kicking off the track, Kendrick places his hardships and success in the same breath. He talks about “syrup sandwiches,” a reflection of his childhood poverty, and contrasts that with his current success, using parmesan cheese as a symbol of wealth. The D’USSÉ reference alludes to luxury, a high-end cognac that signifies his rise to the top. This is paired with an allusion to counterfeit money, showing his transition from the struggles of the street (crime allowances) to legit success.
But Kendrick’s not just talking about material wealth, he’s also dropping nuggets of wisdom about staying grounded despite fame and success, emphasized by the repeated chorus “Bitch, be humble (hol’ up, bitch) / Sit down.” He’s issuing a challenge, not only to his contemporaries but perhaps also as a constant reminder to himself. You can tell K-Dot’s been around the block by the way he’s pushing against the bloated self-importance that often comes with fame.
In the second verse, Kendrick raps about the shallowness and fraudulence he sees around him. His distaste for Photoshop and desire for authenticity (“Show me somethin’ natural like afro on Richard Pryor / Show me somethin’ natural like ass with some stretch marks”) speaks volumes about how he views the social landscape. It’s a culture critique, skewering unrealistic beauty standards and hollow pretension.
But Kendrick ain’t just about criticism. He establishes himself as a beacon of realness, a keeper of truth. He asserts that he doesn’t fabricate anything and takes a dig at others who do. He references Grey Poupon, a brand of Dijon mustard, historically associated with wealth and class, as a metaphor for his high-quality, truthful content. He contrasts this with others who only appear to be ‘real’ when under the influence, hinting that their authenticity is induced, not inherent.
“HUMBLE.” treads on the double lane of being a personal introspection and a broader societal commentary. Behind the banging Mike WiLL Made-It beat and Kendrick’s potent delivery, he demands humility and authenticity – both from himself and the industry at large. At the crux of it, it’s a lyrical testament to staying grounded and true. Now, if that ain’t real talk, I don’t know what is.
