Meet The Grahams Lyrics – Kendrick Lamar

[Verse 1]
Dear Adonis
I’m sorry that that man is your father, let me be honest
It takes a man to be a man, your dad is not responsive
I look at him and wish your grandpa woulda wore a condom
I’m sorry that you gotta grow up and then stand behind him
Life is hard, I know, the challenge is always gon’ beat us home
Sometimes our parents make mistakes that affect us until we grown
And you’re a good kid that need good leadership
Let me be your mentor since your daddy don’t teach you s*it
Never let a man piss on your leg, son
Either you die right there or pop that man in the head, son
Never fall in the escort business, that’s bad religion
Please remember, you could be a b!tch even if you got b!tches
Never code-switch, whether right or wrong, you a Black man
Even if it don’t benefit your goals, do some push-ups, get some discipline
Don’t cut them corners like your daddy did, fu*k what Ozempic did
Don’t pay to play with them Brazilians, get a gym membership
Understand, no throwing rocks and hiding hands, that’s law
Don’t be ashamed ’bout who you wit’, that’s how he treat your moms
Don’t have a kid to hide a kid to hide again, be sure
Five percent will comprehend, but ninety-five is lost
Be proud of who you are, your strength come from within
Lotta superstars that’s real, but your daddy ain’t one of them
And you nothing like him, you’ll carry yourself as king
Can’t understand me right now? Just play this when you eighteen

[Verse 2]
Dear Sandra
Your son got some habits, I hope you don’t undermine them
Especially with all the girls that’s hurt inside this climate
You a woman, so you know how it feels to be in alignment
With emotion, hoping a man can see you and not be blinded
Dear Dennis, you gave birth to a master manipulator
Even using you to prove who he is is a huge favor
I think you should ask for more paper, and more paper
And more, uh, more paper
I’m blaming you for all his gambling addictions
Psychopath intuition, the man that like to play victim
You raised a horrible fu*king person, the nerve of you, Dennis
Sandra, sit down, what I’m about to say is heavy, now listen
Mm-mm, your son’s a sick man with sick thoughts, I think n!ggas like him should die
Him and Weinstein should get fu*ked up in a cell for the rest they life
He hates Black women, hypers*xualizes ’em with kinks of a nympho fetish
Grew facial hair because he understood being a beard just fit him better
He got s*x offenders on ho-VO that he keep on a monthly allowance
A child should never be compromised and he keeping his child around them
And we gotta raise our daughters knowing there’s predators like him lurking
Fu*k a rap battle, he should die so all of these women can live with a purpose
I been in this industry twelve years, I’ma tell y’all one lil’ secret
It’s some weird s*it going on and some of these artists be here to police it
They be streamlining victims all inside of they home and calling ’em tender
Then leak videos of themselves to further push their agendas
To any woman that be playing his music, know that you’re playing your sister
Or better, you’re selling your niece, to the weirdos, not the good ones
Katt Williams said, “Get you the truth,” so I’ma get mines
The Embassy ’bout to get raided, too, it’s only a matter of time
Ayy, LeBron, keep the family away, hey, Curry, keep the family away
To anybody that embody the love for they kids, keep the family away
They looking at you too if you standing by him, keep the family away
I’m looking to shoot through any pervert that lives, keep the family safe

[Verse 3]
Dear baby girl
I’m sorry that your father not active inside your world
He don’t commit to much but his music, yeah, that’s for sure
He a narcissist, misogynist, living inside his songs
Try destroy families rather than taking care of his own
Should be teaching you time tables or watching Frozen with you
Or at your eleventh birthday, singing poems with you
Instead, he be in Turks paying for s*x and popping Percs, examples that you don’t deserve
I wanna tell you that you’re loved, you’re brave, you’re kind
You got a gift to change the world, and could change your father’s mind
‘Cause our children is the future, but he lives inside confusion
Money’s always been illusion, but that’s the life he’s used to
His father prolly didn’t claim him neither
History do repeats itself, sometimes it don’t need a reason
But I would like to say it’s not your fault that he’s hiding another child
Give him grace, this the reason I made Mr. Morale
So our babies like you can cope later
Give you some confidence to go through something, it’s hope later
I never wanna hear you chase a man ’cause his failed behavior
Sitting in the club with sugar daddies for validation
You need to know that love is eternity and trumps all pain
I’ll tell you who your father is, just play this song when it rains
Yes, he’s a hitmaker, songwriter, superstar, right
And a fu*king deadbeat that should never say “more life”
Meet the Grahams

[Verse 4]
Dear Aubrey
I know you probably thinking I wanted to crash your party
But truthfully, I don’t have a hating bone in my body
This supposed to be a good exhibition within the game
But you fu*ked up the moment you called out my family’s name
Why you had to stoop so low to discredit some decent people?
Guess integrity is lost when the metaphors doesn’t reach you
And I like to understand ’cause your house was never a home
Thirty-seven, but you showing up as a seven-year-old
You got gambling problems, drinking problems, pill-popping and spending problems
Bad with money, wh*rehouse
Soliciting women problems, therapy’s a lovely start
But I suggest some ayahuasca, strip the ego from the bottom
I try to empathize with you ’cause I know that you ain’t been through nothing
Crave entitlement, but wanna be liked so bad that it’s puzzling
No dominance, let’s recap moments when you didn’t fit in
No secret handshakes with your friend
No cultural cachet to binge, just disrespecting your mother
Identity’s on the fence, don’t know which family will love ya
The skin that you living in is compromised in personas
Can’t channel your masculine even when standing next to a woman
You a body shamer, you gon’ hide them baby mamas, ain’t ya?
You embarrassed of ’em, that’s not right, that ain’t how mama raised us
Take that mask off, I wanna see what’s under them achievements
Why believe you? You never gave us nothing to believe in
‘Cause you lied about religious views, you lied about your surgery
You lied about your accent and your past tense, all is perjury
You lied about your ghostwriters, you lied about your crew members
They all pu*sy, you lied on ’em, I know they all got you in ’em
You lied about your son, you lied about your daughter, huh
You lied about them other kids that’s out there hoping that you come
You lied about the only artist that can offer you some help
Fu*k a rap battle, this a long life battle with yourself

[Verse 1]
In the first verse, Kendrick Lamar addresses Adonis, expressing empathy for his situation as the son of an inadequate father. He acknowledges the absence of positive paternal guidance in Adonis’s life and offers himself as a mentor figure. Lamar reflects on the challenges of growing up with flawed parents, recognizing the impact of their mistakes on their children’s lives. He emphasizes the importance of strong leadership and guidance for Adonis, given the shortcomings of his father.

Lamar implores Adonis to resist negative influences and stand up for himself, illustrating this with a metaphor about not allowing someone to urinate on him, figuratively or literally. He advises Adonis against engaging in unethical activities, such as the escort business, and encourages him to maintain integrity and discipline, especially as a Black man facing societal challenges. Lamar warns against following in his father’s footsteps, urging Adonis to avoid shortcuts and embrace his identity with pride.

The rapper underscores the significance of self-respect and authenticity, encouraging Adonis to remain true to himself and not be ashamed of his choices or associations. He cautions against perpetuating cycles of irresponsibility and emphasizes the importance of breaking free from negative patterns. Lamar reminds Adonis of his inherent worth and potential, reassuring him that he is not defined by his father’s failings. He encourages Adonis to aspire to greatness and carry himself with dignity, contrasting him with his father’s shortcomings.

Lastly, Lamar acknowledges that Adonis may not fully grasp his message at present but suggests that playing the song again when he turns eighteen may bring clarity. This implies a long-term perspective, with the hope that Adonis will eventually understand and internalize the advice offered, empowering him to navigate life with wisdom and strength.

[Verse 2]
In this verse, Kendrick Lamar addresses Sandra, likely the mother of Dennis, Adonis’s father. He begins by expressing concern about Dennis’s behavior, warning Sandra not to ignore his troubling habits, especially considering the vulnerable position of girls in today’s society. Lamar acknowledges Sandra’s experience as a woman navigating emotional complexities and the desire for recognition without being objectified.

Moving on to Dennis, Lamar condemns him as a manipulative and morally bankrupt individual. He blames Sandra for enabling Dennis’s destructive behavior, urging her to demand more accountability from him. Lamar accuses Dennis of gambling addiction, manipulation, and victim-playing, painting a picture of a deeply troubled individual with harmful tendencies.

Lamar goes further, condemning Dennis’s actions and advocating for severe consequences. He suggests that individuals like Dennis, who exhibit predatory behavior towards Black women and children, deserve severe punishment, even equating them to notorious figures like Harvey Weinstein. Lamar highlights Dennis’s exploitation of his own child and association with s*x offenders as further evidence of his depravity.

The rapper reflects on the broader issue of misogyny and exploitation within the music industry, warning women about the dangers of supporting artists like Dennis who perpetuate harmful ideologies and behaviors. He emphasizes the need to protect vulnerable individuals and calls for collective action to hold perpetrators accountable.

Lamar’s reference to the impending “raid” at the Embassy suggests a reckoning for those involved in exploitation and abuse within the industry. He calls on figures like LeBron James and Steph Curry to distance themselves from individuals like Dennis and emphasizes the importance of safeguarding families from predatory influences.

Overall, this verse serves as a scathing indictment of Dennis’s character and actions, as well as a broader commentary on societal attitudes towards misogyny, exploitation, and the need for accountability and protection of vulnerable individuals.

[Verse 3]
In this verse, Kendrick Lamar addresses a young girl who likely faces the absence of her father in her life. He expresses sympathy for her situation, acknowledging that her father’s commitment seems to be solely to his music rather than to his role as a parent. Lamar condemns the father’s narcissistic and misogynistic behavior, which he manifests even in his songs, suggesting that he prioritizes self-aggrandizement over familial responsibilities.

Lamar contrasts the father’s neglectful behavior with what should be typical parent-child interactions, such as teaching her school subjects or celebrating special occasions together. Instead, he depicts the father engaging in destructive habits like substance abuse and promiscuity, which Lamar suggests the girl doesn’t deserve to witness or experience.

Despite the father’s failings, Lamar offers the girl words of encouragement and affirmation, reminding her of her inherent worth and potential to make a positive impact on the world. He acknowledges the generational cycle of dysfunction but emphasizes that it’s not her fault and encourages her to find hope and resilience.

Lamar cautions the girl against seeking validation through unhealthy means, such as relationships with older men for material gain. He stresses the enduring power of love and the need to prioritize self-respect over external validation. Lamar promises to reveal the truth about her father’s character to her, suggesting that understanding his flaws may offer her some closure and clarity.

Ultimately, Lamar paints a sobering picture of the girl’s father as a talented but negligent individual, underscoring the importance of breaking free from toxic cycles and finding strength in oneself.

[Verse 4]
In this verse, Kendrick Lamar directly addresses Aubrey, likely referring to Drake, in response to perceived disrespect towards his family. Lamar asserts that he harbors no ill will but feels compelled to address Aubrey’s actions. He accuses Aubrey of tarnishing the spirit of what should have been a friendly competition by dragging his family into the fray.

Lamar questions Aubrey’s integrity, implying that he lacks the moral fiber to understand the gravity of his actions. He contrasts Aubrey’s outward success with inner turmoil, highlighting his struggles with gambling, substance abuse, and relationships. Lamar suggests that Aubrey’s quest for validation has led him to adopt a persona that contradicts his true self.

The rapper empathizes with Aubrey’s insecurities, recognizing his desire for acceptance despite his flaws. He critiques Aubrey’s lack of authenticity and cultural grounding, accusing him of disrespecting his own heritage and family. Lamar challenges Aubrey to confront his inner demons and shed the masks he wears to conceal his shortcomings.

Lamar accuses Aubrey of deception, listing various lies he believes Aubrey has perpetuated about his personal life and career. He condemns Aubrey’s manipulation of the truth and calls into question his credibility as an artist and individual. Lamar suggests that Aubrey’s dishonesty has alienated those around him and left him in a perpetual battle with his own identity.

Ultimately, Lamar’s message to Aubrey is one of confrontation and accountability. He implores Aubrey to confront his inner conflicts and embrace authenticity, urging him to abandon the facade and embrace the truth, both within himself and in his interactions with others.