Wesley's Theory

## Song by Kendrick Lamar featuring George Clinton and Thundercat

"**Wesley's Theory**" is the lead track from American rapper Kendrick Lamar's third studio album, *To Pimp a Butterfly* (2015). It samples the 1974 song "Every Ni\*\*er Is a Star" by Boris Gardiner. The title refers to Wesley Snipes, an American actor who was incarcerated for tax evasion. Lyrics specifically address how no one teaches poor Black males "to manage money or celebrity," and if successful, they are exploited or have power taken away from them.

## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Sample: Boris Gardiner]

Every n\*\*\*a is a star, ayy, every n\*\*\*a is a star

Every n\*\*\*a is a star, ayy, every n\*\*\*a is a star

Every n\*\*\*a is a star, ayy

Who will deny that you and I and every n\*\*\*a is a star?

[Intro: Josef Leimberg]

Hit me!

When the four corners of this cocoon collide

You'll slip through the cracks hopin' that you'll survive

Gather your wit, take a deep look inside

Are you really who they idolize?

*To Pimp a Butterfly*

[Chorus: Kendrick Lamar]

At first, I did love you

But now I just wanna fuck

Late nights thinkin' of you

Until I get my nut

Tossed and turned, lesson learned

You was my first girlfriend

Bridges burned, all across the board

Destroyed, but what for?

[Verse 1: Kendrick Lamar]

When I get signed, homie, I'ma act a fool

Hit the dance floor, strobe lights in the room

Snatch your little secretary bitch for the homies

Blue-eyed devil with a fat-ass monkey

I'ma buy a brand new Caddy on vogues

Trunk the hood up, two times, deuce-four

Platinum on everythin', platinum on weddin' ring

Married to the game and a bad bitch chose

When I get signed, homie, I'ma buy a strap

Straight from the CIA, set it on my lap

Take a few M-16s to the hood

Pass 'em all out on the block, what's good?

I'ma put the Compton swap meet by the White House

Republican run up, get socked out

Hit the press with a Cuban link on my neck

Uneducated, but I got a million-dollar check like that

[Refrain: Thundercat & George Clinton]

We should never gave

We should never gave n\*\*\*as money

Go back home, money, go back home

We should never gave

We should never gave n\*\*\*as money

Go back home, money, go back home

(Everybody get out)

[Chorus: Kendrick Lamar, Thundercat & George Clinton]

At first, I did love you (Love you)

But now I just wanna fuck (I just wanna fuck)

Late nights thinkin' of you (Of you)

Until I get my nut ('Til I get my nut)

Tossed and turned, lesson learned

You was my first girlfriend

Bridges burned, all across the board (Across the board)

Destroyed, but what for?

[Break: Dr. Dre]

Yo, what's up? It's Dre

Remember the first time you came out to the house?

You said you wanted a spot like mine

But remember, anybody can get it

The hard part is keepin' it, motherfucker

[Verse 2: Kendrick Lamar]

What you want you? A house or a car?

Forty acres and a mule, a piano, a guitar?

Anythin', see, my name is Uncle Sam, I'm your dog

Motherfucker, you can live at the mall

I know your kind (That's why I'm kind)

Don't have receipts (Oh, man, that's fine)

Pay me later, wear those gators

Cliché? Then say, "Fuck your haters"

I can see the baller in you, I can see the dollar in you

Little white lies, but it's no white-collar in you

But it's whatever though because I'm still followin' you

Because you make me live forever, baby

Count it all together, baby

Then hit the register and make me feel better, baby

Your horoscope is a Gemini, two sides

So you better cop everything two times

Two coupes, two chains, two C-notes

Too much ain't enough, both we know

Christmas, tell 'em what's on your wish list

Get it all, you deserve it, Kendrick

And when you hit the White House, do you

But remember, you ain't pass economics in school

And everything you buy, taxes will deny

I'll Wesley Snipe your ass before thirty-five

[Bridge: George Clinton & Kendrick Lamar]

Yeah, lookin' down, it's quite a drop (It's quite a drop, drop, drop)

Lookin' good when you're on top (We’re on top together)

You got a medal for us

Leavin' metaphors metaphysically in a state of euphoria

Look both ways before you cross my mind

[Refrain: Thundercat, George Clinton]

We should never gave

We should never gave n\*\*\*as money

Go back home, money, go back home

We should never gave

We should never gave n\*\*\*as money

Go back home, money, go back home

[Outro: Anna Wise, Whitney Alford]

Tax man comin', tax man comin'

Tax man comin', tax man comin'

Tax man comin', tax man comin'

Tax man comin', tax man comin'

## References

1. ↑ Walker, Angus (March 31, 2015). "Kendrick Lamar Reveals Meaning Behind "To Pimp a Butterfly" Album Title". *HotNewHipHop*.

Template:Kendrick Lamar