How Much A Dollar Cost
[Verse 1: Kendrick Lamar]How much a dollar really cost?The question is detrimental, paralyzin' my thoughtsParasites in my stomach keep me with a gut feeling, y'allGotta see how I’m chillin' once I park this luxury carHopping out feeling big as Mutombo20 on pump six dirty Marcellus called me Dumbo20 years ago, can't forgetNow I can lend all my ear or two how to stack these residualsTenfold, the liberal concept of what men'll do20 on 6, he didn't hear meIndigenous African only spoke ZuluMy American tongue was slurryWalked out the gas stationA homeless man with a silly tan complexionAsked me for ten grandStressin' about dry landDeep water, powder blue skies that crack openA piece of crack that he wanted, I knew he was smokin'He begged and pleadedAsked me to feed him twice, I didn't believe itTold him, "Beat it"Contributin' money just for his pipe, I couldn't see itHe said, "My son, temptation is one thing that I've defeatedListen to me, I want a single bill from youNothin' less, nothin' moreI told him I ain't have it and closed my doorTell me how much a dollar cost
[Chorus: James Fauntleroy]It's more to feed your mindWater, sun and love, the one you loveAll you need, the air you breathe
[Verse 2: Kendrick Lamar]He's starin' at me in disbeliefMy temper is buildin', he's starin' at me, I grab my keyHe's starin' at me, I started my car and tried to leaveAnd somethin' told me to keep it in park until I could seeA reason why he was mad at a stranger like I was supposed to save himLike I'm the reason he's homeless and askin' me for a favorHe's starin' at me, his eyes followed me with no laserHe's starin' at me, I notice that his stare is contagiousCause now I'm starin' back at him, feelin' some type of disrespectIf I could throw a bat at him, it'd be aimin' at his neckI never understood someone beggin' for goodsAskin' for handouts, takin' it if they couldAnd this particular person just had it down patStarin' at me for the longest until he finally askedHave you ever opened to Exodus 14?A humble man is all that we ever needTell me how much a dollar cost
[Chorus]
[Verse 3: Kendrick Lamar]Guilt trippin' and feelin' resentmentI never met a transient that demanded attentionThey got me frustrated, indecisive and power trippin'Sour emotions got me lookin' at the universe differentI should distance myself, I should keep it relentlessMy 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 penniesI need all of mines, and I recognize this type of panhandlin' all the timeI got better judgement, I know when nigga's hustlin'Keep in mind, when I was strugglin', I did compromiseNow I comprehend, I smell grandpa's old medicineReekin' from your skin, moonshine and ginNigga your babblin', your words ain't flatterin', I'm imaginin'Denzel be lookin' at O'NealCause now I'm in sad thrills, your gimmick is mediocre, the jig is upI seen you from a mile away losin' focusAnd I'm insensitive, and I lack empathyYou 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 freeYou're lookin' at the Messiah, the son of Jehova, the higher powerThe choir that spoke the word, the Holy Spirit, the nerveOf Nazareth, and I'll tell you just how much a dollar costThe 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 beShades of grey will never change if I condoneTurn this page, help me change, so right my wrongs