Dedication

## Single by Nipsey Hussle featuring Kendrick Lamar

"**Dedication**" is a song by Nipsey Hussle, released on February 13, 2018, as the third single from his debut studio album *Victory Lap* (2018). The song features American rapper Kendrick Lamar, with production handled by Mike & Keys, Rance and Mars of 1500 or Nothin', Ralo Stylez and Axl Folie. On February 14, 2023, it was certified platinum by the RIAA.

## Background

He told *NPR*:

>
> *"This ain't entertainment, it's for n\*\*\*as in the slave ship / These songs is the spirituals I swam against them waves with...."*
>
>
> I meant that in my spirit, and I never was able to articulate it. I got major support for this album—we spent millions on marketing—and that line is on it. As somebody that looked at our position in America and had an opinion about it, I feel like I did my job by being able to get that line off. And that means everything to me. I was really proud that it came out like that 'cause I ain't write none of these lyrics; I just went in the booth. So it was in my gut and it was in my spirit to say that. That's a really important line to me.
>
>
> *Marathon* was the last project I wrote [lyrics down] for every song. And I didn't even write all of those. I get a more passionate delivery when I just go in the booth and let the music talk. It's less rigid and it's less structured, so sometimes you lose content value. But I found a good balance lately. I ain't never spoke on it 'cause that's Jay-Z's narrative and that's Biggie's narrative. So I never wanted to seem like I was copying them. But I've been writing raps since I was probably 13, 14 years old. So it has evolved. I can go in the booth once I hear the beat and instead of writing it I say into the mic.
>
>
>
>

He later told *Mass Appeal* that it was a conversation "you have with yourself when you outside of the opportunities… [when] your actions and your mentality are success, but the reality of your situation isn't."

## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Verse 1: Nipsey Hussle]

Look, my n\*\*\*a this is dedication, this is anti-hesitation

This a real n\*\*\*a celebration

This a Dime Blocc declaration

59th and 5th Ave, granny house with vanilla wafers

This the remedy, the separation

2Pac of my generation, blue pill in the fuckin' Matrix

Red rose in the gray pavement

Young black n\*\*\*a trapped and he can't change it

Know he a genius, he just can't claim it

'Cause they left him no platforms to explain it

He frustrated so he get faded

But deep down inside he know you can't fade him

How long should I stay dedicated?

How long 'til opportunity meet preparation?

I need some real n\*\*\*a reparations

'Fore I run up in your bank just for recreation

[Chorus: Nipsey Hussle]

Dedication, hard work plus patience

The sum of all my sacrifice, I'm done waitin'

I'm done waitin', told you that I wasn't playin'

Now you hear what I been sayin'

Dedication

It's dedication, look

[Verse 2: Kendrick Lamar]

I spent my whole life thinkin' out the box

Boxin' homies three-on-one, got DP'ed but I ain't drop

Chirp on me, here I come, brrt, spin around the block

They blurped on me, said I ran a stop sign but that's a lie

I spent my whole life starin' at the stage

Playin' Sega, daddy smokin' sherm, mama playin' spades

Catchin' vapors, grandma said I'd get some Jordans for my grades

That's my baby, when she died my heart broke a hundred ways

I spent my whole life tryna make it, tryna chase it

The cycle of a black man divided, tryna break it

You take a loss? Shit, don't cry about it, just embrace it

Minor setback for major comeback, that's my favorite

My n\*\*\*a L said, "You do a song with Nip, K. Dot, he a better Crip"

I said, "He a man first, you hear the words out his lips

About flourishing from the streets to black businesses?"

Level four, yard livin', given to false imprisonment

Listen close, my n\*\*\*a

It's bigger than deuces and fours, my n\*\*\*a

Since elementary we close, my n\*\*\*a, yeah, straight like that

I give you the game, go back to the turf and give it right back

For generations we been dealt bad hands with bad plans

Prove your dedication by hoppin' out Grand Am's

I'm at the premiere politickin' with Top, Nip, and Snoop

Damn, Pac watchin' the way we grew, from dedication

[Interlude: Kendrick Lamar]

If it ain't congratulate then it look like hate

If it ain't congratulate then it look like what, Nipsey?

Hol' up

[Verse 3: Nipsey Hussle]

Look

This ain't entertainment, it's for n\*\*\*as on the slave ship

These songs just the spirituals I swam against them waves with

Ended up on shore to they amazement

Now I hope the example I set's not contagious

Lock us behind gates but can't tame us

Used to be, "Stay safe," now it's, "Stay dangerous"

'Cause ain't no point in playin' defense, n\*\*\*a

That's why I dove off the deep end, n\*\*\*a, without a life jacket

Couple mil', tour the world, dawg, my life crackin'

Cook the books, bring it back so it's no taxes

Royalties, publishing, plus I own masters

I'll be damned if I slave for some white crackers

I was mappin' this out, I hit the heist backwards

Hoppin' out the eighty-five in Reebok Classics

Ran a couple marathons just to get established

To make it happen, you got to have it

[Chorus: Nipsey Hussle]

Dedication, hard work plus patience

The sum of all my sacrifice, I'm done waitin'

I'm done waitin', told you that I wasn't playin'

Now you hear what I been sayin'

Dedication

It's dedication

## References

1. ↑ Carmichael, Rodney (February 16, 2018). "Nipsey Hussle Tells the Epic Stories Behind 'Victory Lap,' Track by Track". *NPR*.
2. ↑ "The Studio Interview with Nipsey Hussle | Breaks Down 'Victory Lap' and Overcoming His Obstacles". *YouTube*. March 26, 2018.