Kendrick Lamar Reincarnated Lyric Breakdown | DeCypherEd

[@ManSeekingMeaning]

Best track on GNX, and well deserving of a breakdown by you fine folks. Love that right off the bad you guys are talking about how obtuse and ignorant people are being about this track. Kendrick sampling a Pac track and doing his flow completely blinds those who WANT to be blinded, saying this is just a Pac tribute as opposed to a kaleidoscope of poetry, of a man digging into the evils of music, the sins of Lucifer, the rise and fall of black artists. It’s so deep and yet people sleep on this song because “Pac”.

[@MrByrdis]

Nerds are up! I’m from the hood in Chicago and often tell young boys coming up that being a nerd is cool. Plus, being a nerd has max potential ROI later in life. Love this channel.

[@BeautifulEarthJa]

16:02 exactly. The first 'my father kicked me out the house' was lucifer's fall

[@MOO-MOO4rmCLOUD9]

The isolation at 4 years old refers to Satan being kicked out of the garden of Eden at the end of Genesis 3.

[@blaquehealer5484]

Congratulations Decyphered on the 20K! it's not a mixtape but an album as a complete cohesive body of work and apparently it can be listened to backwards and it is his musical journey in chronological order.

[@aaronarmstead3246]

Enjoyed how yall brothers broke this down. Understanding that the entire song is from the perspective of Lucifer Is key to grasping the spiritual lesson dot is teaching. They gotta give him another Pulitzer just off this song alone

[@charlahenry]

Great job 👏 you guys always do such a good review, I just saw GNX hit a billion streams in 37 days 🔥 I love the album ❤ congratulations 🎉

[@demitasse22]

wtf, how was I not subscribed before?! I love this channel!! Liked. Commented. Subscribed.

[@lungi8424]

Same

[@SladeW5218]

@TheCompanyMan you have to check out this breakdown.

[@MADDYG-p8v]

Saw that you moderated the Live with Skip, DJ, and ABSA. Thank you! 🙏🏾

[@SladeW5218]

@MADDYG-p8v 🫡🏆 appreciate it fam.

[@nathanvaladares1079]

It's all happening

[@goreyfantod5213]

This was a great discussion - you've gained a new subscriber. 15:35 One thing I'll disagree about is the question of whose perspective Kendrick is writing from. I agree that it's Lucifer throughout, but I also think he's speaking as himself, Kendrick, at key points. As you pointed out, the lines about being a lonely soul, isolated at 4 y/o, past life regression - these are instances of Kendrick placing himself within the cycle of reincarnation that he's presenting in the song. You guys mentioned the way that Lucifer seems to have merged or blended his identity with the people, aka the vessels, he's inhabited; so much so that he's now confused about who he really is. Kendrick, having told us that he's part of the cycle, ends the song by speaking as the current iteration of Lucifer, who is also himself, Kendrick Lamar, conflicted about how to use his gifts. Schematically, it continues the metaphor of the Trinity - Kendrick is a father, a son and - in this allegory - the spirit as embodied by Lucifer. It also continues the ongoing theme of Kendrick wrestling with his dueling impulses toward war & peace. I don't know what denomination (if any), Kendrick was or is, but it's in keeping with Christian tradition, especially Pentecostalism, to envision that Satan himself is working through an individual. It's also, in the modern era, a very Pentecostal/fundamentalist thing to believe that Satan is working through music to corrupt minds, especially the minds of youth. This again, echoes the theme of Kendrick's internal struggle, war vs. peace, secular vs. spiritual, while also reflecting the history of Black music's perception within the Black community. From Jazz to R&B, to Rock & Roll, Motown, Disco & Hip Hop, there's always been an influential segment of the community that rejects popular music as the work of the Devil. In the full framework of the song, I see Kendrick confronting head-on: the dark history of the music business from the perspective of the Black artists themselves, with allusions to the Black cultural perspectives on those artists at the time. He's placing himself firmly within that tradition through the metaphor of reincarnation, which also serves as a way to grapple with his internal conflict.

[@BadCoverMan]

Beautifully put; agreed.

[@melsaint8616]

Very well said.

[@GenXGemini79]

Done! Watching on 2 devices to support😊

[@SladeW5218]

🫡🏆

[@BeastNationXIV]

Congrats on 20K....now 21K. Something that always stuck out to me on "Only God Can Judge Me"....What does Pac say act he's done rapping? "My only fear of death is coming back to this bitch reincarnated." And now here we are with Kenny, who you KNOW heard that little gem, just cooking for us off one word.

[@JazziMia]

Congratulations on 20.7K Subscribers!!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@GenXGemini79]

CONGRATULATIONS ON 20K!!

[@TamiaPeach]

The Spanish interludes are Kendrick’s pen narrating the album.

[@jarrett5215]

Congratulations on the 20K! Great breakdown of this song.

[@Gnb496]

This has to be the best reaction discussion I have ever heard and….as a believer this breakdown is amazing!

[@kanittaj3894]

These breakdowns have been so helpful. Reincarnated was a little harder for me to decypher. Appreciate you guys.

[@Donte86]

Bruh, this breakdown was 🔥. The way y'all broke this down from the biblical context was dope. Kendrick was very intentional with that and a lot of people who may not be as well versed with the Scriptures or even have a prerephical understanding have been getting the the meaning of this song wrong and have mainly focused on which artist he's embodying (which to y'alls credit wasn't centered nearly as much). And also, as Skip mentioned, I immediately thought about Prayer when I heard this. His POV writing of MJ and MLK was dope. It also continues a theme he has had, going back to at least TPAP ("when sh"t hits the fan, is you still a fan?" on Mortal Man and obviously the R. Kelly mentions on We Cry Together and the entire inclusion of Kodak Black on MMATBS) of wrestling with art and artists separation. Definitely looking forward to y'all's breakdown of the album as a whole and also the top albums of 2024 videos. Y'all doing good work man 👊🏾

[@jamestoneyjr]

THIS IS WHY I RESPECT THIS CHANNEL!!! This was the first time I’ve seen someone read the scripture and actually apply it correctly. I saw one dude read it but he had no idea what it meant.

[@antwinehurst9546]

You brothers are breath of fresh air by giving this intelligent and concise breakdown of this song✊🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@UM3.Yasuke]

Easy subscribe, yall hit every nail on the head! "But you love war... NO I DON'T" Also shows how he still growing its like the facade slips for a second there. KDOT the Goat fr

[@LBrown-fo7sr]

Love the deep thought on this record.

[@quintellburton1374]

I believe the mariachi singer is Gloria/ his pen 🖊️ . You know you bout to get some shit when you hear her sing lol

[@VicCarnage]

10:15 “yeah das a double” he knew he snapped with that one 😂😂😂

[@DFree216]

Congratulations on 20k subs 💯 no response even needed. Love what are doing. I would suggest review group called Coast Contra. Best hiphop group out easy🔥💯

[@andreajeff8628]

Congratulations Skip and DJ for reaching over 20,000 subs!👏🏼 This is one of my favorite songs by Kendrick and you both did an excellent job of breaking it down, as usual.

[@transformedlife2000]

Hey fam new to the channel, I want to hear your thoughts on a 3rd of me demented, possibly representing a third of the angels being cast down from heaven… and also the shedding skin being a double ent of Lucifer taking on different skins of humans as well as him being that serpent as you know snakes shed skin Kendrick is something else bro, no way he didn’t consider all these angles 🔥🔥🔥

[@transformedlife2000]

Sorry I jumped the gun you guys covered the serpent/skin angle, appreciate the work fellas 👊🏽

[@leowerner1119]

20+k, congrats, well earned❤️

[@adrienne3272]

I love this breakdown!!!!! Best breakdown channel on KZbin

[@coltenrobinson]

Congrats on 20k y'all. You deserve so much more this was a fantastic breakdown, loved the discussion. Hope 2025 brings you big things

[@stephencalhoun4569]

Congrats ! Y’all deserve it all!

[@WitchlingFairyelle]

One of my favorite pieces of literature is Paradise Lost by John Milton, I think about it so often, it’s in the perspective of Satan directly after the Fall, and it’s a major reason why I love this Kendrick song so much because it’s almost like a contemporary retelling of it.

[@JamilaGomez82]

20K! Congrats!

[@lleldridge1]

Top tier discussion/breakdown. Thanks gents. ☮️

[@MOO-MOO4rmCLOUD9]

A 3rd of me demented refers to a 3rd of the angels being kicked out of heaven with Lucifer

[@jackiearcher7738]

CONGRATULATION 20 K, REALLY ENJOYED YALL BREAK DOWN

[@sooverit]

👏🏿for this breakdown, enjoyed it

[@Ash_lee613]

Congratulations!!! You got 20k!! 🎉🎉🎉 And this breakdown really had me revisiting the song with your words in mind. Y'all did that!

[@teeroby]

I like the John Lee Hooker angle he is called The Boogie man

[@gregory-hy5hy]

Kendrick typa music is like the Chameleon, love it watching this

[@aliciamcclain7071]

You guys are AMAZING 🙌🏻👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@Sigmalove84]

This was a blessing! And didn’t disappoint.

[@SladeW5218]

Dope breakdown, as always fam 🫡🏆

[@kaij2309]

Congrats on 20k boys! These are the best breakdowns on the platform

[@deposits205]

Been waiting on this 1

[@mouglas777]

20k subs! Salute to you brothas 🙌🏾

[@iam5947]

Congratulations🎉 20k 🙌🏾❤

[@Rryiac]

Wow you guys blow my mind thank you for this breakdown

[@nubianq333]

Congrats on 20k So well deserved

[@dranzmaxwell3090]

This was amazingly well done.

[@nonoazania7686]

I thoroughly enjoyed this❤❤subscribed❤

[@StaceyI0711]

Congratulations DeCypherEd on 20k+ 🎉 I love your channel and the way you breakdown these songs. This was fantastic Gemini♊️ Gang in the building!!

[@dannyollie643]

Great breakdown! You always keep it real

[@AngelaNoels]

Congrats on 20K! 🥳🎄

[@mwangangimaina1445]

Congrats on the 20K

[@jeniqualucena5599]

Congrats on the 20.7 k 🎉

[@UM3.Yasuke]

Congrats on 20K!!!

[@osiamemokoena809]

20.7k 🎉 keep going gang!

[@sherrimoultrie8930]

Amazing job 🥰

[@shawandapinkney7410]

Congrats 🎉 on 20k

[@Hellrasor29]

GGs for 20k

[@AllTheArtsy]

theres alot of night sky, stars, stargazing eleme ts in this album. i wonder if its all sort of alluding to that "light bringer" since The Devil/Lucifer was just a personified version of Venus' movements in the morning and night sky, first as light bringer then fallen star. i cant help but think if thats what Kendrick alludes to as his "Gemini twin" where GNX is the dark, brooding sound, and either the next album or the deluxe is that kinda choir-like, heavenly sound from the early part of the teaser trailer

[@demitasse22]

W on 20K!!

[@wearedecyphered]

Thanks!! #HiphopLivesHere

[@bonnieallen-nadella5782]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!🎉

[@felisafulton2131]

Congratulations 🎉🎊 🎉

[@MimiAngel-u7d]

Congratulations 🎉

[@MattJancaitis]

Congrats on 20k, fellas!

[@wearedecyphered]

Much appreciated, HipHopLivesHere !

[@jams-y7g]

I wish I woulda saw these linked products! I literally just bought Damn, Untitled, GNX, and had Mr Morale gifted. I’ll bolo for a link for Doechii. I haven’t been able to find her new album anywhere.

[@a7h137]

Congratulations cool people 👏🏾

[@BeautifulEarthJa]

53:37 we not dismising it calling it a mixtape! And its clear this project has two types of songs...Reincarnated, Gloria, Luther and Heart Part 6 is side 1 and the rest are side 2 😊

[@luciana137]

Love it! He's doing the work and is paying off the karma from those past lives!

[@romonabutler9880]

I read a breakdown from a music blog the people referenced according to the write is John Lee hooker and Dinah Washington

[@dregott4975]

The ultimate fall off is wild lol

[@stonedALPHAZ]

I didn't like Drake before the rap battle. He's gotta be the most uninteresting artist I've ever seen or heard. I listened to him back in day but quickly grew past him afta I graduated in '10. He didn't appeal to me as a Kdot or Cole did. Kendrick has grown with his music and I feel that in erry track on erry album he's dropped over the yrs. Afta the battle I personally have noo interest in hearing from Drake again. Especially afta the lawsuit petition, ni99a plz 😒👎🏿

[@feliciadavis881]

I really enjoy y'all content and I subscribe some of these fans/stans are really ignorant. I love Kendrick music and I like the singing Aubrey.

[@jams-y7g]

Could you drop the link for membership? For some reason I can’t access a membership option through the app. Thanks so much!

[@wearedecyphered]

Try this ! Join this channel kzbin.info/door/QQ-zY11fbe5Hlj5T7-qaxAjoin

[@jams-y7g]

@@wearedecyphered done & done!

[@home-818]

Beans vs jadakiss was a hard time for me 😂

[@dregott4975]

Wassup Family

[@funkyfreshkid08]

Havent finished but Lucifer going thru the cycles and FINALLY getting it in the form of Kendrick is continued in the beginning of TV Off. "F being rational give em what they asked for." But more importantly, "this the alpha and omega bitch welcome home." Could we say that after Lucifer learned the lesson he was welcomed back in heaven? On top of "carnated" instead of reincarnated, def bodes well for the being welcomed home in tv off.

[@MimiAngel-u7d]

Genuine question: does Drake has songs that required such in depth breakdown? Or is it true that his songs are surface level? I'm not trying to instigate stans war, I really want to know about his writing.

[@annastrachan3252]

Why isn’t GNX in the background with those other albums

[@wearedecyphered]

It’s purchased, it just hasn’t arrived yet. I dont think they ship til March

[@kennyfleming3007]

The 3rd verse is an ode to DMX

[@MrByrdis]

I thought about this but I wasn’t sure. But I think no interpretation is really wrong. But I immediately thought X when I heard the 3rd verse. I’m interested to know how you came to this interpretation

[@ifakerr8369]

🔥🔥🔥👍🏾🇬🇧

[@Yolee580]

American ignorance is at an all time high. Even KDot has expressed his frustration about it. Do better America!🤦🏾‍♀️

[@wearedecyphered]

What’s this comment referring to

[@Yolee580]

As DJ mentioned early in the breakdown, folks miss so much in the lyrics and are just not interested anymore. Great breakdown!

[@D2BII]

Isaiah 14 was the only thing that was prevalent.........................*instrumental, head bob*

[@blaquehealer5484]

Kendrick is embodying Tupac's cadance and uses his sample intentionally because of AI shenanigans. However, I think Tupac said he wasn't interested in reincarnation because he didn't return to this wretched earth. I could neva look at Aubrey the same as he continues to crash out!, yes, i find myself bopping to Robert, but it makes me uncomfortable. However, I didn't listen to his last album but he was an author to the soundtrack to my life as a Chicago native. **whateva tho....all these 🥷 questionable"KLD

[@BluEx22329]

Squirtle sticker

[@D2BII]

20k.

[@wearedecyphered]

🎉 we all made that possible ! #HipHopLivesHere

[@trentonbailey4907]

Look... No you cant like both. That automatically makes you a hypocrite to the core. Heres why. If you are from the hip hop community. Meaning you are a natural born citizen of it, it is culturally impossible to like drake because he is literal anti hip hop. Rapping doesnt make him hip hop. And on the other side, a casual music listener and non hip hop citizen who is a drake fan, could never understand and truly appreciate kendrick. They lack substance and love for the community and what the culture stands for. Again its impossible

[@elijahmack]

Lucifer is man…we drive the spirit of the anti-christ. We always have. Adam and Eve represented us…they had everything except the throne. They weren’t told they could/would never partake in the tree of the knowledge of good and evil…put they were anxious. In the Bible God ties himself to the creation of man twice. Once in the garden and then in the gospels. Twice! Two types of person (two sides to life). What we do and how we reflect in the world will benefit the cause of one of these two sides. The flesh (Adam/Eve)/bad/ugly/foolish/evil/wrong/etc…or the Spirit; patient/kind/empathetic/sympathetic/nurturing/loving/discipline/good/etc…(Christ) There a few sets of twins birthed in scripture. Go back and look into those stories and see what you notice about their dynamics. The line in the sand was drawn long before we all got here. No matter when you were born. The choice to go left or right presents itself daily. As adults we will all have the chance to burden the responsibility of right/wrong…because we “know better”

[@bay_beauty7844]

I CANNOT listen to "ol boy" anymore because he is just super corny. All the moves he's made since he lost the battle is way too petty and childish in my opinion. Suing ur label, buying the whole front section of Dot's concert so it will look empty, going on all the colonizers podcast and not 1 black person's especially his #1 akademiks🙄 bruh I just can't with mr malibu's most wanted🙅🏾‍♀ It's over for dude. Dope breakdown fella's...loved it! 🔥 However, the 1st verse he's talking about Jackie Wilson is he not🤔 and Billie Holiday was the 2nd verse. The last verse was about Dot. God said" Tell me every deed that you done and what you do it for I kept one hundred institutions paid Okay, tell me more I put one hundred hoods on one stage Okay, tell me more I'm tryna push peace in L.A. but u love war. That's all Kendrick

[@MADDYG-p8v]

Congrats on 20K! 🫶🏾 Y’all are awesome!