Kendrick Lamar is widely regarded as one of hip-hop’s most influential and critically acclaimed artists, known for his intricate storytelling, complex lyricism, and profound social commentary. 

Born in Compton, California, in 1987, he rose to prominence with his independent releases before achieving mainstream success with albums like “good kid, m.A.A.d city” (2012) and “To Pimp a Butterfly” (2015).

About the Song

“i” is a powerful and introspective song by Kendrick Lamar that promotes self-love and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Released as the lead single from his album “To Pimp a Butterfly,” the track samples The Isley Brothers’ “That Lady” and features an uplifting message about maintaining hope and self-worth despite depression, social pressures, and personal struggles.

The song marks a significant departure from Lamar’s previous work, incorporating funk and soul elements while delivering an empowering message.

i Song by Kendrick Lamar Lyrics

Intro: Kendrick Lamar & Ronald Isley

Is this mic on? (Hey, move this way, this way)
Hey, hey, hey, turn the mic up, c’mon, c’mon
Is the mic on or not? I want the mic
We’re bringing up nobody, nobody
Nobody but the number one rapper in the world
He done traveled all over the world
He came back just to give you some game
All of the little boys and girls, come up here
(Ah, one two, one two, what’s happening, fool?)
Come right here, this is for you, come on up
I done been through a whole lot (Kendrick Lamar)
Trial, tribulation, but I know God
The Devil wanna put me in a bow tie (Make some noise, brother)
Pray that the holy water don’t go dry, yeah, yeah
As I look around me
So many motherfuckers wanna down me
But enemigo never drown me
In front of a dirty double-mirror they found me

Chorus: Kendrick Lamar

And I love my (I love myself)
Huh, when you lookin’ at me, ah, tell me what do you see?
(I love myself)
Ahh, I put a bullet in the back of the back of the head of the poli’
(I love myself)
Uh, illuminated by the hand of God, boy, don’t seem shy
(I love myself)
One day at a time, huh
See Kendrick Lamar Live
Get tickets as low as $100

Verse 1: Kendrick Lamar

They wanna say it’s a war outside, bomb in the street
Gun in the hood, mob of police
Rock on the corner with a line for the fiend
And a bottle full of lean and a model on the scheme, uh
These days of frustration keep y’all on tuck and rotation (Come to the front, yeah)
I duck these cold faces, post up fi-fie-fo-fum basis
Dreams of reality’s peace (Oh, yeah)
Blow steam in the face of the beast
Sky could fall down, wind could cry now
Look at me, motherfucker, I smile

Chorus: Kendrick Lamar

And I love my (I love myself)
Uh, and when you lookin’ at me, ah, tell me what do you see?
(I love myself)
Ahh, I put a bullet in the back of the back of the head of the poli’
(I love myself)
Uh, illuminated—
All y’all come to the front, y’all come up to the front
(I love myself)
Baby, what about you? Come on

Verse 2: Kendrick Lamar

(Crazy, what you gon’ do?)
Lift up your head and keep moving (Keep moving), turn the mic up
(Haunt you)
Peace to fashion police, I wear my heart
On my sleeve, let the runway start
You know the miserable do love company
What do you want from me and my scars?
Everybody lack confidence, everybody lack confidence
How many times my potential was anonymous?
How many times the city making me promises?
So I promise this, niggaChorus: Kendrick Lamar

(I love myself)
Uh, and when you lookin’ at me, ah, tell me what do you see?
(I love myself)
Ahh, I put a bullet in the back of the back of the head of the bully
(I love myself)
Huh, illuminated by the hand of God, boy don’t seem shy
(I love myself)

Bridge: Kendrick Lamar

Huh (Walk my bare feet), huh (Walk my bare feet)
Huh (Down, down valley deep), huh (Down, down valley deep)
(I love myself) Huh (Fi-fie-fo-fum), huh (Fi-fie-fo-fum)
(I love myself) Huh (My heart undone), one, two, three

Verse 3: Kendrick Lamar

I went to war last night
With an automatic weapon, don’t nobody call a medic
I’ma do it ’til I get it right (Oh, no)
I went to war last night (Night, night, night, night, woo)
I’ve been dealing with depression ever since an adolescent
Duckin’ every other blessin’, I can never see the message
I could never take the lead, I could never bob and weave
From a negative and letting them annihilate me
And it’s evident I’m moving at a meteor speed
Finna run into a building, lay my body—

Spoken Interlude: Kendrick Lamar

(*Offstage argument*)
Ayy, hold on, woah, woah, stop all this
Not on my, not while I’m up here
Not on my time, kill the music, not on my time
We could save that shit for the streets
We could save that shit, this for the kids, bro
2015, niggas tired of playin’ victim, dog
Niggas ain’t trying to play vic—, TuTu, how many niggas we done lost?
How many—, Yan-Yan, how many we lost?
No, for real, answer the que—, how many niggas we done lost, bro?
This—, this year alone
Exactly, so we—, we ain’t got time to waste time, my nigga
Niggas gotta make time, bro
The judge make time, you know that, the judge make time, right?
The judge make time so it ain’t shit
It shouldn’t be shit for us to come out here and appreciate the little bit of life we got left, dog
On the dead homies, Charlie P, you know that, bro
You know that
Right, it’s man—, it’s mando, right, it’s mando
And I s—, and I—, and I—, and I say this because I, I love you niggas, man
I love all my niggas, bro
Exac—, enough said, enough said
And we gon’ get back to the show and move on, because that shit petty, my nigga
Mic check, mic check, mic check, mic check, mic check
We gon’ do some acapella shit before we get back to, a—
All my niggas listen, listen to this:

Outro: Kendrick Lamar

I promised Dave I’d never use the phrase “fuck nigga”
He said, “Think about what you saying: ‘Fuck niggas’
No better than Samuel on the Django
No better than a white man with slave boats”
Sound like I needed some soul searching
My pops gave me some game in real person
Retraced my steps on what they never taught me
Did my homework fast before government caught me
So I’ma dedicate this one verse to Oprah
On how the infamous, sensitive N-word control us
So many artists gave her an explanation to hole us
Well, this is my explanation straight from Ethiopia
N-E-G-U-S definition: royalty; king royalty – wait, listen
N-E-G-U-S description: black emperor, king, ruler, now let me finish
The history books overlooked the word and hide it
America tried to make it to a house divided
The homies don’t recognize we been using it wrong
So I’ma break it down and put my game in a song
N-E-G-U-S, say it with me, or say it no more
Black stars can come and get me
Take it from Oprah Winfrey, tell her she right on time
Kendrick Lamar, by far, realest Negus alive

Similar Songs Like i by Kendrick Lamar

• “Alright” – A powerful anthem of hope and resilience in the face of societal pressures, featuring uplifting production and a message of communal perseverance that parallels “i”‘s personal empowerment theme.
• “u” – Serves as the thematic counterpart to “i,” exploring the darker side of self-reflection and internal struggle, making both songs two sides of the same emotional coin.
• “Love Yourself (Interlude)” – Though shorter, this track from “Section.80” shares similar themes of self-worth and personal acceptance with “i.”
• “HUMBLE” – While more aggressive in tone, it similarly deals with themes of identity and self-awareness, though from a different perspective.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Significance of the Song’s Title “i”?

The lowercase “i” in the title represents humility while paradoxically discussing self-love, reflecting Kendrick’s complex approach to personal identity.

The simplicity of the single letter also emphasizes the universal nature of self-love and personal struggle, making it relatable to all listeners.

How Did Kendrick Lamar and Ronald Isley Collaborate on “i”?

While there wasn’t direct studio collaboration, Kendrick obtained permission to sample “That Lady” from The Isley Brothers. Ronald Isley reportedly praised Kendrick’s use of the sample and the positive message of the song.

The clearing of the sample led to The Isley Brothers receiving writing credits on the track.

What Themes Are Explored in “i”?

The song explores multiple interconnected themes, including self-love in the face of depression, maintaining hope amid societal pressure, racial identity in modern America, and personal growth through adversity.

It also addresses mental health in the Black community and the importance of maintaining self-worth despite external negativity.

How Did the Sample from “That Lady” Influence the Sound of “i”?

The iconic guitar riff from “That Lady” forms the backbone of “i”‘s instrumental, giving the song its distinctive funk and soul flavor.

The sample was specifically chosen to create an uplifting atmosphere that complements the song’s positive message while also paying homage to Black musical heritage.

What Was the Critical Reception of “i”?

The song received widespread critical acclaim and earned two Grammy nominations. Critics particularly praised its departure from Kendrick’s previous work, its positive message, and its innovative use of the sample.

Some initial listeners were surprised by its more commercial sound, but the song has since been recognized as a crucial piece in Kendrick’s artistic evolution and a significant statement about self-love in hip-hop.