How Much a Dollar Cost

## Song by Kendrick Lamar featuring James Fauntleroy and Ronald Isley

"**How Much a Dollar Cost**" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, released as the fourteenth track from his third album, *To Pimp a Butterfly* (2015).

## Analysis

"How Much a Dollar Cost" is a song/story about Kendrick Lamar and a test he faced with while in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was confronted by a homeless man while at a gas station and the man asked for 10 Rands (South African currency) ≈ 1 dollar. Kendrick, thinking the man would spend it on alcohol or another drug, says no. The man persists but Kendrick continues to say he will not give him the dollar. The man asks one last time and finally reveals who he actually is, God. It was a test and Kendrick failed and as a result, God tells Kendrick he has lost his spot in heaven. Kendrick though, by writing this song, is admitting his wrong and is repenting in hope of receiving forgiveness from God.

The song as a whole is parable by Kendrick Lamar. It is similar to the stories told by Jesus to convey a message. In this particular song, the message is about the dollar and how it has corrupted us. Kendrick, someone who has many dollars (just like many others), did not give this man a single dollar. Kendrick represents all of us, as a society and how we are too greedy and unwilling to help those less fortunate. Kendrick is trying to tell society money does not matter, we just need love and as the hook of "How Much a Dollar Cost" goes, "All you need, the air you breathe."

## In popular culture

Barack Obama, then-United States president, named "How Much a Dollar Cost" as his favorite song of 2015.

## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Verse 1: Kendrick Lamar]

How much a dollar really cost?

The question is detrimental, paralyzin' my thoughts

Parasites in my stomach keep me with a gut feeling, y'all

Gotta see how I'm chillin' once I park this luxury car

Hopping out feeling big as Mutombo

"20 on pump 6," dirty Marcellus called me Dumbo

Twenty years ago, can't forget

Now I can lend him a ear or two

How to stack these residuals tenfold

The liberal concept of what men'll do

"20 on 6," he didn't hear me

Indigenous African only spoke Zulu

My American tongue was leery

Walked out the gas station

A homeless man with a semi-tan complexion

Asked me for ten Rand, stressin' about dry land

Deep water, powder blue skies that crack open

A piece of crack that he wanted, I knew he was smokin'

He begged and pleaded

Asked me to feed him twice, I didn't believe it

Told him, "Beat it"

Contributin' money just for his pipe—I couldn't see it

He said, "My son, temptation is one thing that I've defeated

Listen to me, I want a single bill from you

Nothin' less, nothin' more"

I told him I ain't have it and closed my door

Tell me, how much a dollar cost?

[Chorus: James Fauntleroy]

It's more to feed your mind

Water, sun and love, the one you love

All you need, the air you breathe

[Verse 2: Kendrick Lamar]

He's starin' at me in disbelief

My temper is buildin', he's starin' at me, I grab my key

He's starin' at me, I started the car, then I tried to leave

And somethin' told me to keep it in park until I could see

The reason why he was mad at a stranger

Like I was supposed to save him

Like I'm the reason he's homeless and askin' me for a favor

He's starin' at me, his eyes followed me with no laser

He's starin' at me, I notice that his stare is contagious

'Cause now I'm starin' back at him, feelin' some type of disrespect

If I could throw a bat at him, it'd be aimin' at his neck

I never understood someone beggin' for goods

Askin' for handouts, takin' it if they could

And this particular person just had it down pat

Starin' at me for the longest until he finally asked

"Have you ever opened up Exodus 14?

A humble man is all that we ever need"

Tell me, how much a dollar cost?

[Chorus: James Fauntleroy]

It's more to feed your mind

Water, sun and love, the one you love

All you need, the air you breathe

[Verse 3: Kendrick Lamar]

Guilt trippin' and feelin' resentment

I never met a transient that demanded attention

They got me frustrated, indecisive and power trippin'

Sour emotions got me lookin' at the universe different

I should distance myself, I should keep it relentless

My 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 pennies, I need all of mines

And I recognize this type of panhandlin' all the time

I got better judgment, I know when n\*\*\*a's hustlin', keep in mind

When I was strugglin', I did compromise, now I comprehend

I smell Grandpa's old medicine, reekin' from your skin

Moonshine and gin, n\*\*\*a, you're babblin', your words ain't flatterin'

I'm imaginin' Denzel but lookin' at O'Neal

Kazaam is sad thrills, your gimmick is mediocre

The jig is up, I seen you from a mile away losin' focus

And I'm insensitive, and I lack empathy

He 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 free

You're lookin' at the Messiah, the son of Jehovah, the higher power

The choir that spoke the word, the Holy Spirit

The nerve of Nazareth, and I'll tell you just how much a dollar cost

The price of having a spot in Heaven, embrace your loss—I am God"

[Outro: Ronald Isley]

I washed my hands, I said my grace

What more do you want from me?

Tears of a clown, guess I'm not all what it's all meant to be

Shades of grey will never change if I condone

Turn this page, help me change to right my wrongs

## References

1. ↑ McAfee, Tierney and Westfall, Sandra (December 9, 2015). "Kendrick Lamar vs. Bruno Mars: POTUS and FLOTUS' Favorite Songs, Movies and Moments of 2015". *People*.

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