Kendrick Lamar is a rapper, songwriter, and record producer, widely regarded as one of the most groundbreaking artists of his generation. His music conveys the complexities of life in his hometown, explaining themes of race, inequality, and personal struggle.

He first gained attention with his 2011 mixtape Section. 80, but it was his 2012 album, Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, that propelled him to international fame.

This album, along with his later projects, earned him critical acclaim for his storytelling, intricate lyricism, and ability to address social issues with profound depth.

About the Song

Loyalty is a smooth, self-improvement track that shows themes of trust and loyalty in relationships. The song blends Kendrick’s sharp lyricism with Rihanna’s soulful hook.

Loyalty Lyrics by Kendrick Lamar

Intro: Mr. Talkbox

Pre-Chorus: DJ Dahi & Kendrick Lamar

I said I’m geeked and I’m fired up (Fired, fire)
All I want tonight is just get high (High, high, high)
Girl, you look so good, it’s to die for (Die for, fire)
Ooh, that pussy good, it’s to die for (I’m on fire)

Chorus 1: Kendrick Lamar & Rihanna

It’s a secret society
All we ask is trust (All we ask is trust)
All we got is us
Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty
Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty

Verse 1: Kendrick Lamar

Kung Fu Kenny now
My resume is real enough for two millennium
A better way to make a wave, stop defendin’ them
I meditate and moderate all of my wins again
I’m hangin’ on the fence again
I’m always on your mind
I put my lyric and my lifeline on the line
And ain’t no limit when I might shine, might grind
You rollin’ with it at the right time, right now
(Only for the dollar sign)

Verse 2: Rihanna

Bad girl RiRi now
Swerve, swerve, swerve, swerve, leave it now
On your pulse like it’s EDM
Gas in the bitch like it’s premium
Haul ass on a bitch all in the fast lane
Been a bad bitch way before any cash came
I’m established, hundred carats on my name
Run the atlas, I’m a natural, I’m alright

Verse 3: Kendrick Lamar & Rihanna

I’m a savage, I’m a asshole, I’m a king
Shimmy ya, shimmy ya, shimmy ya rah (Yeah)
You can tell your nigga he can meet me outside (Yeah)
You can babysit him when I leave him outside
Ain’t no other love like the one I know
I done been down so long lost hope
I done came down so hard I slowed
Honestly forever, all a real nigga want

Pre-Chorus: DJ Dahi & Kendrick Lamar

I said I’m geeked and I’m fired up (Fired, fire)
All I want tonight is just to get high up (Yeah)
All I want is, all I want is

Chorus 2: Kendrick Lamar & Rihanna

Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty
Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty
10-4, no switchin’ sides
Feel somethin’ wrong
You actin’ shifty, you don’t vibe
With me no more, I need
Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty
Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty

Verse 4: Kendrick Lamar

Tell me who you loyal to
Is it money? Is it fame? Is it weed? Is it drink?
Is it comin’ down with the loud pipes in the rain?
Big chillin’, only for the power in your name
Tell me who you loyal to
Is it love for the streets when the lights get dark?
Is it unconditional when the ‘Rari don’t start?
Tell me when your loyalty is comin’ from the heart

Verse 5: Rihanna & Kendrick Lamar

Tell me who you loyal to
Do it start with your woman or your man? (Mmm)
Do it end with your family and friends? (Mmm)
Are you loyal to yourself in advance?
I said, tell me who you loyal to
Is it anybody that you would lie for?
Anybody you would slide for?
Anybody you would die for?
That’s what God for

Pre-Chorus: DJ Dahi & Kendrick Lamar

I said I’m geeked and I’m fired up (Fired, fire)
All I want tonight is just to get high up (Yeah)
All I want is, all I want is

Chorus 2: Kendrick Lamar & Rihanna

Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty
Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty
10-4, no switchin’ sides
Feel somethin’ wrong
You actin’ shifty, you don’t vibe
With me no more, I need
Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty
Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty

Outro: Kendrick Lamar & Rihanna, Rihanna

It’s so hard to be humble
It’s so hard to be
Lord knows I’m tryin’
Lord knows I’m dyin’, baby

Similar Songs Like Loyalty

If you are a huge rap listener or a Kendrick fan in general, here’s a list of similar songs like Loyalty that you might like:

• HUMBLE.: It is a bold and hard-hitting anthem from DAMN., where Kendrick challenges his critics and calls for humility in the rap game.
• DNA.: This track gets deep into Kendrick’s heritage and personal identity, with themes of strength, survival, and the complexities of his upbringing.
• Alright: Featured on To Pimp a Butterfly, this song became an anthem for the Black Lives Matter movement, offering hope and courage in the face of systemic oppression.

Awards for The Song

Similar Artists Like Kendrick Lamar

Here’s a list of similar rap-rock artists like Kendrick Lamar that you might like to give a try:

• J. Cole
  Genre: Hip-hop, Rap
  Top Albums: 2014 Forest Hills Drive (2014), KOD (2018), Born Sinner (2013)
• Chance the Rapper
  Genre: Hip-hop, Rap, Gospel
  Top Albums: Coloring Book (2016), Acid Rap (2013), The Big Day (2019)
• Travis Scott
  Genre: Hip-hop, Trap
  Top Albums: Astroworld (2018), Rodeo (2015), Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight (2016)
• Schoolboy Q
  Genre: Hip-hop, West Coast Hip-hop
  Top Albums: Oxymoron (2014), Blank Face LP (2016), Crash Talk (2019)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Message Behind the Lyrics?

The lyrics question who or what people are loyal to, money, fame, love, or personal values and highlight how loyalty can define whether someone is damned or blessed.

How Successful was Loyalty Commercially?

The song was certified 2x Platinum in the United States, 3x Platinum in Canada, Gold in Brazil, and Silver in the United Kingdom.

What Samples are Used in Loyalty?

Loyalty contains a reverse sample of Bruno Mars’ 24K Magic and a replay of Jay-Z’s Get Your Mind Right Mami.