Kendrick Lamar Why was "Real" placed so awkwardly ?

chip100 · Feb 17, 2015

Feb 17, 2015
It might have great context but imo it doesn't save it from being a bad song

pluto✰ · Feb 17, 2015

Feb 17, 2015
yeah, i like the closing skit on the song but its still not anything i ever listen to

black boy fly on the other hand..that should've closed the album

Enigma · Feb 17, 2015

Feb 17, 2015
Compton is mediocre, Real is pretty great though.

chip100 · Feb 18, 2015

Feb 18, 2015
If Kendrick had managed to fit Cartoons & Cereal, Collect Calls and Black Boy Fly into the album instead of Real and Compton then it would have truly been the GOAT

jewtheiii · Feb 18, 2015

Feb 18, 2015
If he had included Cartoon and Cereal in the first half of the album, removed Real, and then sandwiched Collect Calls between Sing About Me and Dying of Thirst (without the final preaching by the older lady/grandma) album would've left me like

Compton is a bore. Prefer The Recipe over that.

what · Feb 19, 2015

Feb 19, 2015

tiiico said

The song is GOAT. Only reason people hate on it is cause of the hook. Understandable. However, the overall quality of the song is up there with the rest of the album. And that ending skit though!!!

"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."

The song really shows how much of an impact Kendrick's parents had on him. They really wanted what was best for him, but Kendrick hasn't fully understood the meaning of being "real," yet. It wasn't until after the events of Swimming Pools, a turning point in the album, that Kendrick has come into realization of what's really going on in his life. The song sing about me, i'm dying of thirst (IMO best song on the album) illustrates a mature Kendrick who has finally "learned from [his] mistakes" and who is ready to begin his "new life," his "real life." (as mentioned in the ending skit of dying of thirst). IMO Real is placed perfectly in the album. It defines what "real" means via Kendrick's dad, and it defines Kendrick's purpose in life. The song Real also teases that Kendrick will eventually be signed by "Top Dawg," in which he will use his rap platform to carry on his purpose. The outcome? Compton. A culmination/celebration of the entire project and a representation of what Kendrick stands for, as a whole. Kendrick stands for Compton. It's his responsibility to advance and progress his city by "curing" it of all it's problems because "real is responsibility; real is taking care of your motherfucking family." Family has a double meaning:

Literal meaning of actual family/relatives

An analogy for the city of Compton as a community

It's only fitting that Compton follows Real because Kendrick is rapping with Dre. He's made it to the top. He's fulfilling his duty to his city by telling his story.

"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..." --Mama Kendrick

The song Real is perfectly placed. good kid m.A.A.d city is a COMPLETE masterpiece. Anyone who is hating on Real doesn't want to accept the fact that the project is perfect.

#hiiipower
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Awesome post. Yeah the song is solid, and plays an important part in the album narrative.

Section80 · Feb 25, 2015

Feb 25, 2015
Lol scary to think gkmc could've been even better

Jinn · Feb 25, 2015

Feb 25, 2015
I think it's perfectly placed and my favourite song. It comes after his moment of realization and he starts to value himself.
In m.A.A.d City, he goes all out glorifying the daily violence in Compton. No f---s given.
Then in Swimming pools, he's drowning and being succumbed by it until Sing about me, I'm dying of thirst when at the end his family and friends make him conscience of his actions and the consequences they have.
And then in Real he hits that home when he is being pushed to his potential by his mother.

Towards the end of the song, it goes 'Sing my song, it's all for you (x16)' with his mother's voice mail and the next song is Compton... So he's giving back as she suggested. That's what makes the album a masterpiece, it's a story from start to finish.

Long live the King

Ryan · Feb 25, 2015

Feb 25, 2015
SAMIDOT and Real are such mood-killers. So much so that I have way less plays on Compton and the bonus tracks because I'm already 4 songs into another album by the time these would end.

CODEiNE DEMON · Feb 25, 2015

Feb 25, 2015

Ryan said

SAMIDOT and Real are such mood-killers. So much so that I have way less plays on Compton and the bonus tracks because I'm already 4 songs into another album by the time these would end.
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I understand Real but SAMIDOT?

Mikey · Feb 25, 2015

Feb 25, 2015

Ryan said

SAMIDOT and Real are such mood-killers. So much so that I have way less plays on Compton and the bonus tracks because I'm already 4 songs into another album by the time these would end.
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You must be the only person who says SAMIDOT is a mood killer. Its two classic songs.

Ryan · Feb 25, 2015

Feb 25, 2015

Mikey1990 said

You must be the only person who says SAMIDOT is a mood killer. Its two classic songs.
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I've always thought that about those two tracks. Start of SAM is chill and smooth.. By 5 minutes I'm nodding off... At 7 minutes cool another skit on this album I have to listen to.. At 9 minutes.. uh.. Cool interlude.. uh.. he's rapping.. uh..

Pixel · Feb 25, 2015

Feb 25, 2015

Koolo said

i think the reason most people hate on this classic song, is the awkward place it had

dying of thirst was a PERFECT ending...then you get Compton playing as the end credit

wtf where they thinking placing real between them?
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The lyrics and concept of the song were 100% perfect, its just the beat and hook shouldve been worked on a lot more
SAM/IDOT was a classic track but real's verse lyrics were a better ending....

DKC · Mar 2, 2015

Mar 2, 2015
GKMC flows much better as an album if after Dying of Thirst you turn it off and listen to Rich g---

pluto✰ · Mar 2, 2015

Mar 2, 2015

Ryan said

I've always thought that about those two tracks. Start of SAM is chill and smooth.. By 5 minutes I'm nodding off... At 7 minutes cool another skit on this album I have to listen to.. At 9 minutes.. uh.. Cool interlude.. uh.. he's rapping.. uh..
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sing about me is pretty great

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