Kendrick Lamar - How Much A Dollar Cost (Lyrics)

[Verse 1: Kendrick Lamar]

How much a dollar really cost?

The question is detrimental, paralyzin' my thoughts

Parasites in my stomach keep me with a good feeling, y'all

Gotta see how I’m chillin' once I park this luxury car

Hopping out feeling big as Mutombo

20 on pump six dirty Marcellus called me Dumbo

20 years ago, can't forget

Now I can lend all my ear into how to stack these residuals

Tenfold, the liberal concept of what men'll do

20 on 6, he didn't hear me

Indigenous African only spoke Zulu

My American tongue was slurry

Walked out the gas station

A homeless man with a [?] tan complexion

Asked me for ten grand

Stressin' 'bout dry land

Deep water, powder blue skies that crack open

A piece of crack that he wanted, I knew he was smokin'

He begged and pleaded

Asked me to feed him twice, I didn't believe it

Told him, "Beat it"

Contributin' money just for his pipe, I couldn't see it

He said, "My son, temptation is one thing that I've defeated

Listen to me, I want a single bill from you

Nothin' less, nothin' more

I told him I ain't have it and closed my door

Tell me how much a dollar cost

[Chorus: James Fauntleroy]

It's more to feed your mind

Water, sun and love, the one you love

All you need, the air you breathe

[Verse 2: Kendrick Lamar]

He's starin' at me in disbelief

My temper is buildin', he's starin' at me, I grab my key

He's starin' at me, I started my car and tried to leave

And somethin' told me to keep it in park until I could see

A reason why he was mad a stranger like I was supposed to save him

Like I'm the reason he's homeless and askin' me for a favor

He's starin' at me, his eyes followed me with no laser

He's starin' at me, I notice that his stare is contagious

Cause now I'm starin' back at him, feelin' some type of disrespect

If I could throw a bat at him, it'd be aimin' at his neck

I never understood someone beggin' for goods

Askin' for handouts, takin' it if they could

And this particular person just had it down pat

Starin' at me for the longest until he finally asked

Have you ever opened to Exodus 14?

A humble man is all that we ever need

Tell me how much a dollar cost

[Chorus]

[Verse 3: Kendrick Lamar]

Guilt trippin' and feelin' resentment

I never met a transient that demanded attention

They got me frustrated, indecisive and power trippin'

Sour emotions got me lookin' at the universe different

I should distance myself, I should keep it relentless

My selfishness is what got me here, who the fuck I'm kiddin'?

So I'ma tell you like I told the last bum, crumbs and pennies

I need all of mines, and I recognize this type of panhandlin' all the time

I got better judgement, I know [?] hustlin'

Keep in mind, when I was strugglin', I did compromise

Now I comprehend, I smell grandpa's old medicine

Reekin' from your skin, moonshine and gin

Cut your babblin', your words ain't flatterin', I'm imaginin'

Denzel be lookin' at O'Neal

Cause now I'm in sad thrills, your gimmick is mediocre, the jig is up

I seen you from a mile away losin' focus

And I'm insensitive, and I lack empathy

You looked at me and said, "Your potential is bittersweet"

I looked at him and said, "Every nickel is mines to keep"

He looked at me and said, "Know the truth, it'll set you free

You're lookin' at the messiah, the son of Jehova, the higher power

The choir that spoke the word, the Holy Spirit, the nerve

Of Nazareth, and I'll tell you just how much a dollar cost

The price of having a spot in Heaven, embrace your loss, I am God"

[Outro: Ronald Isley]

I wash my hands, I said my grace, what more do you want from me?

Tears of a clown, guess I'm not all what is meant to be

Shades of grey will never change if I condone

Turn this page, help me change, so right my wrongs