Real Lyrics
[Produced by Terrace Martin]
[Chorus: Kendrick Lamar & Anna Wise]
I do what I wanna do
I say what I wanna say, when I feel, and I
Look in the mirror and know I’m there
With my hands in the air, I’m proud to say yeah
I’m real, I’m real, I’m really, really, real
I’m real, I’m real, I’m really, really, real
I’m real, I’m real, I’m really, really, real
I’m real, I’m real, I’m really, really, real
[Verse 1: Kendrick Lamar]
I promise that I know you very well
Your eyes never lie, even if they tell
Sweet lullabies that come with a smell
Of a dozen roses flipping down the green hill
You’re living in a world that come with plan B
‘Cause plan A never relay a guarantee
And plan C never could say just what it was
And your plans only can pan around love
You love him, you love them, you love her
You love so much, you love when love hurts
You love red bottom and gold that say “Queen”
You love hand-bag on the waist of your jean
You love French tip and trip that pay for
You love bank slip that tell you we paid more
You love a good hand whenever the card dealt
But what love got to do with it when you don’t love yourself?
[Chorus: Kendrick Lamar & Anna Wise]
I do what I wanna do
I say what I wanna say, when I feel, and I
Look in the mirror and know I’m there
With my hands in the air, I’m proud to say yeah
I’m real, I’m real, I’m really, really, real
I’m real, I’m real, I’m really, really, real
I’m real, I’m real, I’m really, really, real
I’m real, I’m real, (‘Cause before you know it, everything’s gone)
[Verse 2: Kendrick Lamar]
I promise that I know you very well
Your eyes never lie, even if they fell
Out the sky and your optics turn stale
Where they mold that’s green, I can see you fit the bill
Of living in a world that come with plan B
‘Cause plan A only can make another mistake
And you can’t see success coming from plan C
When it all breaks, you’ll still say you’re lovely
And love them and love when you love her
You love so much, you love when love hurts
You love fast cars and dead presidents old
You love fast women, you love keepin’ control
Of everything that you love, you love beef
You love streets, you love running, ducking police
You love your hood, might even love it to death
But what love got to do with it when you don’t love yourself?
[Chorus: Kendrick Lamar & Anna Wise]
I do what I wanna do
I say what I wanna say, when I feel, and I
Look in the mirror and know I’m there
With my hands in the air, I’m proud to say yeah
I’m real, I’m real, I’m really, really, real
I’m real, I’m real, I’m really, really, real
I’m real, I’m real, I’m really, really, real
I’m real, I’m real (‘Cause before you know it, everything’s gone)
[Verse 3: Kendrick Lamar]
The reason why I know you very well
‘Cause we have the same eyes, can’t you tell?
The days I tried to cover up and conceal
My pride, it only made it harder for me to deal
When living in a world that come with plan B
A scapegoat ’cause plan A don’t come free
And plan C just an excuse like “because”
Or the word “but,” but what if I got love?
I love them, I love when I love her
I love so much, I love when love hurts
I love first verse ’cause you’re the girl I attract
I love second verse ’cause you’re the homie that pack
Burner like a stove top, that love cooking from scratch
I love what the both of you have to offer
In fact, I love it so much, I don’t love anything else
But what love got to do with it when I don’t love myself
To the point I should hate everything I do love?
Should I hate living my life inside the club?
Should I hate her for watching me for that reason?
Should I hate him for telling me that I’m seizin’?
Should I hate them for telling me “ball out”?
Should I hate street credibility I’m talkin’ about
Hating all money, power, respect in my will
Or hating the fact none of that shit make me real?
[Skit: Kenny Duckworth]
Kenny, I ain’t trippin’ off them dominoes anymore. Just calling, sorry to hear what happened to your homeboy, but don’t learn the hard way like I did, homie. Any nigga can kill a man, that don’t make you a real nigga. Real is responsibility. Real is taking care of your motherfucking family. Real is God, nigga
[Chorus: Kendrick Lamar & Anna Wise]
I do what I wanna do
I say what I wanna say, when I feel, and I
Look in the mirror and know I’m there
With my hands in the air, I’m proud to say yeah
I’m real, I’m real, I’m really, really, real
I’m real, I’m real, I’m really, really, real
I’m real, I’m real, I’m really, really, real
I’m real, I’m real (‘Cause before you know it, everything’s gone)
[Skit: Kenny Duckworth & Paula Duckworth]
Alright, that’s all I wanted to tell you. Just make sure you call us back when you get this message. Here go your mom
Boy, you better have my car on full all this time you done had my damn car, but look I ain’t trippin’. Look, the neighbors say they seen you and your little friends over there by Food for Less and they was preaching to you over there telling you about the good book because right about now that’s what y’all need. Oh, and Top Dawg called the house too. I guess they want you and Dave to come to the studio. But look, you take that music business serious, and put out something me and your dad can step to. Shit, you know we from Chicago, you know that’s what we do
[Bridge: Anna Wise]
Sing my song, it’s all for you
Sing my song, it’s all for you
Sing my song, it’s all for you
Sing my song, it’s all for you
Sing my song, it’s all for you
Sing my song, it’s all for you
Sing my song, it’s all for you
Sing my song, it’s all for you
Sing my song, it’s all for you
Sing my song, it’s all for you
Sing my song, it’s all for you
Sing my song, it’s all for you
Sing my song, it’s all for you
Sing my song, it’s all for you
Sing my song, it’s all for you
Sing my song, it’s all for you
[Skit: Paula Duckworth]
“If I don’t hear from you by tomorrow, I hope you come back and learn from your mistakes. Come back a man, tell your story to these black and brown kids in Compton. Let ’em know you was just like them, but you still rose from that dark place of violence, becoming a positive person. But when you do make it, give back with your words of encouragement, and that’s the best way to give back. To your city… And I love you Kendrick, if I don’t hear you knocking on the door you know where I usually leave the key. Alright? Talk to you later, bye.”
(*Sound of a cassette tape being stopped and fast forwarded*)