Mar 2, 2016 When it comes to being true, at least true to me One thing I've found, one thing I found Oh no, you'll never let me down
Jun 1, 2016 ive been wanting to do a SOTD for awhile and I was finally inspired after this song came up on shuffle "H.O.C, H.O.C All the real Smokers give me H.O.C......" (x2) All the real smokers know H.O.C is an acroynym for the phrase "high on contact". I remember in my early days of smoking hearing that phrase and thinking "aint no way you can get high just by being around someone else who is". but then I ended up going to a couple of college house parties and being proven wrong. For Kendrick to not be a smoker, he definitely knows how to make a track for the smokers ... and everything about this song creates the most perfect vibe to chill out and smoke a blunt to. first line of this literally had me like .... "Everybody know I spit that other s---, s--- that make you duck for cover s--- s--- that make you hop out your seat and slap your mother s---...." WHAAAAAAATTTT ! I mean WHO? says that ....for it to be the opening line ...ahh man it just makes me want to hear more of what Kenny has to say. the first verse of this track sets up a more playful side of Kendrick... it contains a lot of what I consider funny, and clever Kendrick lines. he plays around with a lot of similes to describe how dope of an artist he is, despite not currently being a smoker himself. ". . .Especially when Drop drop the beat I drop jewels like my nuts dropped out of my briefs Jump in the booth and shatter every rapper's dream They jump in a sauna because I killed their self-esteem That's a jab, you should bob and weave Like Pam when Martin pulled jokes out his sleeve I go in studio sessions and feel like a nerd Cause I'm the only n----- there not smoking no herb You telling me the kush make you think on level 4? I'm on 5, you saying that I can level more? In high school my teachers thought I was smoking stress Didn't know my eyes low cause of genetic defects I stimulate my mind every time I think about the end of time Creation of man and Columbine." moving into the hook Kendrick lets us know he's more of an alcohol drinker (specifically Henny is his drink of choice) and hes real polite about it too...he's like". . .I really appreciate that you share your Indo But a sip of Henny is the farthest I would go I don't even smoke, I don't even smoke I don't even smoke, I don't even smoke." . . .what a gentleman . Look, nowadays everybody think they're big chiefers Just cause they heard that new tape from Wiz Khalifa Knowing d--- well they can't hit the sour They're new booties, they probably need baby powder My skill shower over your city for 40 days 40 nights off the chain like freedom of slaves Before you get it twisted like 40 gays My flow worth the earth, that's not to be appraised Those the type of lines that I'm talking 'bout You know the type of rhymes you don't talk about Copy my session on a disc when the session ends So my momma can have it and play it for her friends Brag on me like "My son's 'bout to win Somehow some day and I don't care when" I might hit the gin once a month I'll let you inhale, like an atheist for the first verse he rhymes the last word of each line with the next line (beat-briefs, dream-esteem, weave-sleeve, nerd-herb, 4-more, stress-defects, time-columbine), but he switches it up on verse 2. and then completely doesn't rhyme in the last 2 lines but it somehow works and flows with the rest of the verse. now we're taken to an early memory from Kendricks' past and he reveals an experience he had smoking with a friend. he barely rhymed at all, but the immaculate storytelling in this verse proves it isn't needed. "I'll take you back to the 9th grade When Dough Boy had me high for 4 days That's my n-----, he a street n----- Probably in your hood, f---ing up your street, n----- But anyway I think it was some purple Told me "Don't hit it hard because it'll hurt you" I didn't listen, I was floating like the Rose Parade Swear to God a n----- seem some flying fishes. That was the Vegas trip, Hooters sponsored The same time I start writing like a f---ing monster. ." is he saying that the weed had him creatively writing at his peak? .....this track is so dope its appreciated by smokers and non-smokers...hes not bashing those who do smoke or praising those who dont smoke but simply giving them a track they can come together and vibe to. to me this song is one of the highlights on OD because of how easily digestible the lyrics are. theyre cleverly constructed rhymes, but not overly complicated to understand. I think Kendrick had fun writing this song, I know I have fun and am able to enjoy life everytime I listen to it. this track samples the end of the beat: Mass Productions - Galaxy @KendrickSXN
Jun 1, 2016 Yeeesssss I've never appreciated H.O.C that much, thanks for digesting it! Great to see this come back. Awesome stuff @shahidah