“Money Trees” is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, featuring his label mate Jay Rock. It is the fifth track on Lamar's second studio album, “good kid, m.A.A.d city” (2012), which tells the story of his life growing up in Compton, California. The song was produced by DJ Dahi and samples “Silver Soul” by Beach House.
In the song, Lamar and Jay Rock rap about their dreams of living a lavish lifestyle like famous rappers, and how they are tempted by money and crime. They also reflect on the harsh realities of poverty, violence, and death in their neighborhood. The chorus of the song uses a contrast between “Halle Berry” and “hallelujah” to represent the choices between worldly pleasures and spiritual salvation. The song also features vocals from Anna Wise, who sings the refrain.
“Money Trees” was well received by critics and fans, who praised its storytelling, production, and lyrics. It was also nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 56th Grammy Awards. The song has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and has sold over one million copies in the United States. It is considered one of Lamar's signature songs, and one of the best rap songs of the 2010s.
Kendrick Lamar – Money Trees (feat. Jay Rock) Lyrics
Uh, me and my niggas tryna get it, ya bish (ya bish)
Hit the house lick, tell me is you wit' it, ya bish? (Ya bish)
Home invasion was persuasive (was persuasive)
From nine-to-five I know it's vacant, ya bish (ya bish)
Dreams of living life like rappers do (like rappers do)
Back when condom wrappers wasn't cool (they wasn't cool)
I fucked Sherane and went to tell my bros (tell my bros)
Then Usher Raymond “Let It Burn” came on (“Let Burn” came on)
Hot sauce all in our Top Ramen, ya bish (ya bish)
Park the car then we start rhyming, ya bish (ya bish)
The only thing we had to free our mind (free our mind)
Then freeze that verse when we see dollar signs (see dollar signs)
You looking like an easy come up, ya bish (ya bish)
A silver spoon I know you come from, ya bish (ya bish)
And that's a lifestyle that we never knew (we never knew)
Go at a reverend for the revenue
It go Halle Berry or hallelujah
Pick your poison, tell me what you doing
Everybody gon' respect the shooter
But the one in front of the gun lives forever
(The one in front of the gun, forever)
And I been hustling all day, this-a-way, that-a-way
Through canals and alleyways, just to say
Money trees is the perfect place for shade and that's just how I feel
Nah, nah, a dollar might just fuck your main bitch, that's just how I feel
Nah, a dollar might say fuck them niggas that you came with, that's just how I feel
Nah, nah, a dollar might just make that lane switch, that's just how I feel
Nah, a dollar might turn to a million and we all rich, that's just how I feel
Dreams of living life like rappers do (like rappers do)
Bump that new E-40 after school (way after school)
You know “Big Ballin' With My Homies” (my homies)
Earl Stevens had us thinkin' rational (thinkin' rational)
Back to reality, we poor, ya bish (ya bish)
Another casualty at war, ya bish (ya bish)
Two bullets in my Uncle Tony head (my Tony head)
He said one day I'll be on tour, ya bish (ya bish)
That Louis Burgers never be the same (won't be the same)
A Louis belt will never ease that pain (won't ease that pain)
But I'ma purchase when that day is jerkin' (that day is jerkin')
Pull off at Church's with Pirellis skirtin' (Pirellis skirtin')
Gang signs out the window, ya bish (ya bish)
Hoping all of them offend you, ya bish (ya bish)
They say your hood is a pot of gold (pot of gold)
And we gon' crash it when nobody's home
It go Halle Berry or hallelujah
Pick your poison, tell me what you doing
Everybody gon' respect the shooter
But the one in front of the gun lives forever
(The one in front of the gun, forever)
And I been hustling all day, this-a-way, that-a-way
Through canals and alleyways, just to say
Money trees is the perfect place for shade and that's just how I feel
Nah, nah, a dollar might just fuck your main bitch, that's just how I feel
Nah, a dollar might say fuck them niggas that you came with, that's just how I feel
Nah, nah, a dollar might just make that lane switch, that's just how I feel
Nah, a dollar might turn to a million and we all rich, that's just how I feel
Be the last one out to get this dough? No way
Love one of you bucket-headed hoes? No way
Hit the streets, then we break the code? No way
Hit the brakes when they on patrol? No way
Be the last one out to get this dough? No way
Love one of you bucket-headed hoes? No way
Hit the streets, then we break the code? No way
Hit the brakes when they on patrol? No way
‘Magine Rock up in them projects where them niggas pick your pockets
Santa Claus don't miss them stockings, liquor spillin', pistols popping
Baking soda YOLA whipping ain't no turkey on Thanksgivin'
My homeboy just domed a nigga, I just hope the Lord forgive him
Pots with cocaine residue, every day I'm hustlin'
What else is a thug to do when you eatin' cheese from the government?
Gotta provide for my daughter n'em, get the fuck up out my way, bitch
Got that drum and I got them bands just like a parade, bitch
Drop that work up in the bushes, hope them boys don't see my stash
If they do, tell the truth, this the last time you might see my ass
From the gardens where the grass ain't cut, them serpents lurking, blood
Bitches selling pussy, niggas selling drugs, but it's all good
Broken promises, steal your watch and tell you what time it is
Take your J's and tell you to kick it where a Foot Locker is
In the streets with a heater under my Dungarees
Dreams of me getting shaded under a money tree
It go Halle Berry or hallelujah
Pick your poison, tell me what you doing
Everybody gon' respect the shooter
But the one in front of the gun lives forever
(The one in front of the gun, forever)
And I been hustling all day, this-a-way, that-a-way
Through canals and alleyways, just to say
Money trees is the perfect place for shade and that's just how I feel
Kendrick, just bring my car back man, I called in for another appointment
I figured you weren't gonna be back here on time anyways
Look, shit, shit, I just wanna get out the house man
This man's on one, he feeling good than a motherfucker
Shit, I'm tryna get my thing going too, just bring my car back (girl, I want your body, I want your body)
Shit, he faded, he feeling good, look, listen to him ('cause you got a big ol' fat ass)
Girl, girl, I want your body, I want your body, 'cause of that big ol' fat ass
See he high as hell, shit, he ain't even trippin' off them
Damn dominoes no more (girl, I want your body, 'cause of that big ol-)
Just bring the car back
Did somebody say dominoes?
Listen to Kendrick Lamar – Money Trees (feat. Jay Rock) below:
Money Trees (feat. Jay Rock)
by Kendrick Lamar
Audio Player
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