The Real Meaning Behind Kendrick Lamar's "U"
16,484
Published 2021-02-01
On "U," Kendrick Lamar locks himself in a hotel room with a bottle of liquor and starts screaming, battling survivor's guilt and impostor syndrome. This is the story of how he got to that breaking point. Let's break down the meaning of "U" from Kendrick Lamar's classic album,To Pimp A Butterfly.
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Timecodes
0:00 - Intro to "U"
0:58 - Kendrick Lamar's status as a role model
1:36 - Kendrick's inner conflict
2:09 - Kendrick faces his demons
4:43 - Kendrick's childhood and teenage years in Compton
7:29 - Kendrick deals with culture shock
8:39 -"U" lyric breakdown
9:43 - Kendrick's shame and guilt
10:32 - Kendrick's teenage sister gets pregnant
11:25 - What is impostor's syndrome
12:16 - Kendrick's battle with impostor's syndrome
13:29 - Kendrick struggles with self-esteem
14:47 - How Kendrick helps us overcome impostor syndrome
15:37 - Kendrick suffers from survivor's guilt
16:35 - Kendrick deals with Chad's death
17:21 - What is survivor's guilt?
20:29 - The tension between Kendrick's career and his old life in Compton
22:32 - Kendrick's subconscious takes over
23:34 - Survivor's guilt and PTSD
24:26 - How Kendrick helps us deal with survivor's guilt
24:56 - Silver lining?
26:54 - Sources
Tags:
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All Comments (21)
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Damn, I just want to give Kenny a big hug. Now knowing the deeper meaning of U and it happening while he was touring breaks my heart 💔 But on a lighter note, this was awesome, I’m in awe at your research and the graphics!! Can’t wait to keep watching!
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I had survivors guilt when my suicide attempt failed. feelinh survivors guilt is horrible but feelinh it against yourself is disgusting and unfair
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U is my fav track off TPAB. It's the only truly perfect album imo. Amazing video! I thought I knew a lot about k. dot but you even showed me there's more i dunno about him^^
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I was aware of the struggles of Kendrick Lamar, but this is so much deeper. I deadass cried when I heard the song, and it’s backstory. That’s some deep shit, I wish I could give him a hug, a real hug. That shit is real deep
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This is it man! You killed it, can’t wait for the next one 📈📈📈
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Ours by Ka, Ka doesn't get nearly enough credits for being one of the best lyricists of all time
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I love this song, it has to be one of my favorite Kendrick tracks of all time. This was an amazing analysis, cannot wait to see your future videos!
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incredibly informative and really well edited. Looking forward to future episodes!
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Love the deep dive. Happy to see you on YouTube! Keep it up 🤟🏼
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Learned so much about my favorite rapper, great video! Edits on point, subbed and can't wait for more!
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High quality content my man! One of my favorite K-Dot songs of all time and I didn't know how deep the backstory went. Subbed, keep up the good shit.
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Just a really great video. Looking forward to everything you’ll create in the future!
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Amazing video Max!!! Looking forward to more content! Really loved the analysis, "U" is one of Kendrick's best songs for sureeee!
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Please. Please. Please. do 'The Book of Soul' by Ab Soul
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Congrats on this vid! Keep it up🙏🏼
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This video is so amazingly created, i love it thank you for widening my knowledge on this song <3
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Killed the edits, great video. Subscribed, can’t wait to see what’s next!
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Really insightful video man I appreciated this.
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I can’t believe this have only 1k views, this video is amazing
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Why is no one talking about what the hotel lady is telling him when knocking? Its so awesome. I believe its spanish. I remember it meant 'open your room! If you dont open your room we cant clean up!' The room of course being his walls. And opening up for cleaning meaning just that, if ya know what im saying.
