Prototype

[Intro: Kendrick Lamar] Heh-heh, bear with me We gon' slow it down for you For this time around I see ya tired, but don't forget the social training That's if you can make a victory lap, heh-heh-heh-heh [Pre-Chorus: Kendrick Lamar] They say that I'm the one (that's what they say) And you, you are the prototype You might have the ears of somethin' (you just might) But you already know who they like [Chorus: Kendrick Lamar] You niggas need hugs, for real Somebody to hold you real tight You niggas need hugs, for real Somebody tell him he's the prototype [Verse 1: Kendrick Lamar] I am the truth, no lie about it Bring my testimony when I walk in their booth Walkin' a thin line between love and hate, I defend mines Jordan when it comes to that crunch time, I never fold I love pressure, that's why I apply so much on niggas thinkin' they better I am a clutch shooter, I am a sharp-shooter Aim is great enough to hit a butterfly movin' Follow me movin' through these ghetto streets At school I said "fuck a tardy sweep" Walk in the school the Chief right tried to target me In the midst of the Piru and Nutty Blocc beef Shit, we hesitated to walk down Parmelee That tenth grade summer, we had death in front of us Didn't leave the house without kissin' our mommas The new Jordans came out, but we didn't get 'em The color on 'em drew too much attention Damn it, I liked it thoughs 'Pac was talkin' 'bout a concrete rose I never seen one 'til I looked in the mirror There it go, heh-heh “That's the flow right there, you should use it" That's what my conscience said, then I overabused it, heh I am the lyrics and the music, y'all rappin' over the beat I let the instrumentals listen to me I listen for heat, my ears can hear fire I pierce through the flame like barbed wire breaking up concrete And I ain't thinking 'bout no rap beef Niggas is getting killed throughout the week, that's every day Catchin' bullets like an umpire We tried to stay home but still ain't safe That's baseball tactics, retaliation back and forth like tennis rackets We used to it, who can circle 'round the block the fastest? If you can do it, then you know why it becomes a practice We work it out like barely total, 'cause shit happens [Chorus: Kendrick Lamar] You niggas need hugs, for real Somebody to hold you real tight You niggas need hugs, for real Somebody tell him he's the prototype [Verse 2: Punch] (Uh, right here? Chyeah, chyeah) I ain't even gotta rap, I let them young boys get ya Paint a perfect picture like I'm rhyming only scripture I'm nice, ice water veins, it's pure, no filter Who you get your style from? It seem real familiar, like I heard it before But reincarnation is a blind man's theory So I ain't going for it, uh-uh I ain't havin' it, you gettin' aborted Like a unfit mother, my child you gon' suffer 'Til you acknowledge, to whom gave you life through knowledge It's higher learning, I'm takin' dudes through college The prototype for the flows you like I'm surgical on the mic, I cut you up somethin' nice Get outta pocket, I'm sendin' them skyrockets right through your mind's optic, popping out ya eye sockets, ah Excites a riot every time I'm rhyming In accordance with the snare I got impeccable time, Junior [Pre-Chorus: Kendrick Lamar] They say that I'm the one And you, you are the prototype You might have the ears of somethin' But you already know who they like [Chorus: Kendrick Lamar] You niggas need hugs, for real Somebody to hold you real tight You niggas need hugs, for real Somebody tell him he's the prototype