Herbert (song)

## Song by Ab-Soul

"**Herbert**" (stylized in all caps) is a song by Ab-Soul, released as the 14th track from his fifth studio album of the same name, *Herbert* (2022). It features vocals from Kendrick Lamar, Yaris Sanchez, and Jasmine "Sistar Outspoken" Pitcher, and samples the 2019 song "Mulholland" by James Blake. The accompanying music video was released on April 12, 2023, director by Omar Jones.

## Credits and personnel

Song
* Andrew Boyd – mixing engineer, recording engineer
* Demetrius Lewis II – mastering second engineer
* Jake Kosich – composer
* James Blake Litherland – composer, producer
* Johnny Kosich – composer
* Kendrick Lamar Duckworth – background vocals, lyricist
* Herbert "Ab-Soul" Stevens – main artist, lyricist
* Matthew Schaeffer – composer
* Nicholas de Porcel – mastering engineer
* Phillip Rodrian – composer, lyricist
* Rory Behr – producer, mixing engineer, recording engineer
* Yaris Sanchez, Jasmine "Sistar Outspoken" Pitcher – background vocals

Video
* Omar Jones – director, editor
* Scott Siracusano – director of photography
* Moosa Tiffith – creative direction
* Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith – executive producer
* Anthony “Moosa” Tiffith Jr. – executive producer
* McCray Sutherlin, Farah Idrees, David Wept – producer
* TDE Films and Muddy Water – production company
* Lyell Hintz – AI engineer
* Lindsay Berkebile – stop motion animation director

## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Intro: Ab-Soul]

Ayy

[Refrain: Ab-Soul, *Kendrick Lamar*]

They'll never understand Herbert Anthony

They'll never understand

They'll never understand Herbert Anthony

They'll never understand

*Are you in your feelings for sure?*

They'll never understand Herbert Anthony

*Are you in your feelings for sure?*

They'll never understand

[Interlude: James Blake]

It is our divine birthright to heal, belong and feel empowered

They are just now understanding me

[Verse: Ab-Soul]

They will never understand Herbert Anthony

How I handle tryna battle my insanity

How I play dodgeball with all the vanity

How I share my light like charity

How I kept the fear of God in humanity

How I'm making sacrifices for the family

I ain't happy, but I gotta make it happen, though

Mad Hatter in a rabbit hole

Trouble on my mind, I was trying not to lose it

Top on my line 'bout new music

Did a little rehab, need a little more

I'm an addict, got some habits, everybody know

Wrestling with depression last few years

Went to therapy and I shed a few tears

Caught Steven-Johnson ten years old

I survived, but I'm still going blind, though

Eye doc say I need new corneas

I'd rather need those than a coroner

Papa took a headshot, no photography

Ain't know him that well, but I hope he proud of me

Loriana left me with PTSD

I see her face when me and Tia be texting

Dalai Mama and her daughter give a n\*\*\*a hope

For they sake, I just wanna be the best soul

Mama love me and my grandma still pray

I know I can always count on Zay Zay

Circle smaller, but the homies know I'm still 'round

Even if I fall off, I'ma stay down

You know what happens when a Black king have a dream

They will never understand Herbert Anthony

[Refrain: Kendrick Lamar]

Are you in your feelings for sure?

[Outro: Sistar Outspoken]

Legally blinding, too

It heighten the third, I watch his vision improve

He said she the heart, but he soul

Kinetically connected, he the invisible glue

The real can't miss

See, I been dealing with fake shit, then taste this, it's medicine

Amphetamine, overdose

He at a loss of words, make a poet choke

See, he the best gifted

Conscientiously connect in streets, he rep different

Don't say much, he flex different

It's Del Amo bred

See, this that land downhill from city limits built by the illest

That turned a swamp to the cooking pot

That made rich Crips and the title only a given by the livid watching them living

But the riches came with prayer hands and reminiscing

Time away from they missus in conjugal visits

This is—

So you fuckin' with that one, Herb?

## References

1. ↑ Powell, Jon (April 12, 2023). "Ab-Soul unveils new visual for "HERBERT"". *Revolt*.