The Most Important Song on DAMN (PRIDE Analysis)

[@drxzi1]

BLOOD snippet towards the end of the video is messed up, some copyright thing with UMG. Dealing with copyright and some writers block has delayed the next video, but it will be out soon!

[@imYe1]

This song, called "PRIDE," sounds laid back and "humble," while "HUMBLE" sounds very aggressive and "prideful."

[@drxzi1]

Good observation!

[@FrenkieEdits168]

to me they seem like polar opposites, with Pride being slow and deep, and Humble being fast and a little less meangingful, but i think that’s what Kendrick was going for.

[@babyraven521]

@@FrenkieEdits168thats what most the album is, love and lust, blood and dna, xxx and fear, God and duckworth, yah and element, and feel and loyalty, all polar opposites of eachother, in a list of wickedness and weakness. for example, pride is weakness, humble is wickedness, blooad weakness, dna wickedness, love weakness, lust wickedness. this is part of the reason why this album is often referred to as the best lyrical/ storytelling album, as when its played, the story together is kendrick slowly turning to God, weakness (his current life. In the collectors edition, the album is reversed order and tells a story of kendrick turning from God into a life of crime and death (what he fears wouldve happened if his father [ducky] never helped that guy at the kfc [top dawg], as told in duckworth)

[@Lau-c6i]

From PRIDE. to HUMBLE. is a transition of weakness. From HUMBLE. to PRIDE. is a transition of wickedness.

[@cookiesarereallycool]

whenever one talks about their own pride, they come off as humble, whenever one mentions how humble they are, it comes off as prideful

[@yetispaghetti5754]

Words cannot describe the tragic yet beautiful feeling I get every time I listen to this song.

[@drxzi1]

FEEL gives me similar vibes, I'm thinking about making another video on that or FEAR

[@kso5225]

@@drxzi1fear has a lot more tbh but either one would be great

[@drxzi1]

Fear has more in terms of stuff to breakdown but FEEL has more in emotional depth

[@kso5225]

@@drxzi1 agreed entirely

[@iker5530]

@@drxzi1Feel is an amazing song probably the best on Damn imo

[@okuhle1711]

PRIDE, XXX and FEAR are the holy trinity in DAMN

[@protoberserk1352]

Replace XXX with DUCKWORTH and i'd agree. Don't get me wrong, I love XXX, but the meaning of DUCKWORTH triumphs XXX.

[@okuhle1711]

@@protoberserk1352 Nah

[@scythxr25]

@@okuhle1711 I agree with the other guy. XXX is quite literally my favorite song on the album but DUCKWORTH is better for the meaning and what is adds to the album

[@protoberserk1352]

@@okuhle1711 DUCKWORTH is the throughline of the entire album, it's what makes the narritive of DAMN so interesting

[@VVooshbait]

you mean duckworth, fear and feel?

[@ChinoThe70]

I listened to this song hundreds of times, and STILL gained some perspective from your way of deciphering this song. Much Respect for your love of the culture.

[@drxzi1]

Thank you, I do the best I can :)

[@marcelharris6541]

Low key I want you to do a full breakdown of your favorite album (favorite rap and favorite over all then maybe a review

[@drxzi1]

@@marcelharris6541 I started writing a analysis for a song on TPAB but its impossible to do one in isolation because of how interconnected the songs are. Definitely want to do that at some point but it will take a while to do it.

[@S0LILOQUY]

dude these lyrics give me a really visceral feeling

[@xannyfrommars1897]

I think Kendrick presents pride as a choice, as in the deluxe edition of pride, kendrick choses pride, and the line ‘pride’s gonna be the death of you’ becomes a reality. However in the normal version of pride, he choses against pride, and is rewarded with it by not dying, and not having his father killed in duckworth.

[@birchie27]

It’s crazy this album has this much depth that is still being discovered 8 years after its release

[@xannyfrommars1897]

@@birchie27 forreal

[@KyleClinton-u9v]

Kendrick is the greatest rapper of all time

[@jerryliu9018]

This is objectively why kendrick is better than drake, he can make hit songs just like drake, but drake will never touch this level of depth in his music like kendrick.

[@juannaym8488]

you listen to a Drake song, you may vibe with it in the moment, but you'll forget it once the song finishes. You listen to a Kendrick song, it stays with you

[@GoatedNotoriousB.l.G]

Instead, he will touch minors.

[@Carsverse21]

Drake is the type of person that was getting defined in a non perfect world materialistic

[@sherpaa1868]

This video made me realize that Kendrick chose the right name for the album. All I'm thinking is "damn" after watching 😅. It's so much deeper and more interesting than I thought. It reminds me of that BigBoyTV interview where Kendrick ranked DAMN as his favourite album he's made - and for good reason. It really is that awesome, it just took me a while to realize. Great video!

[@KyleClinton-u9v]

😂

[@the_sports_nerd]

The DAMN album is masterpeice, every song has a purpose. with FEEL, PRIDE, and FEAR all are so heartbreaking to me

[@babyraven521]

did you know the songs in the album are all opposites of eachother? pride and humble, love and lust, blood and dna, xxx and fear, God and duckworth, yah and element, and feel and loyalty, all polar opposites of eachother, in a list of weakness, wickedness, weakness, wickedness, and so on. For example, pride is weakness, humble is wickedness, blooad weakness, dna wickedness, love weakness, lust wickedness. this is part of the reason why this album is often referred to as the best lyrical/ storytelling album, as when its played, the story together is kendrick slowly turning to God, weakness (his current life. In the collectors edition, the album is reversed order and tells a story of kendrick turning from God into a life of crime and death. Whcih is what he fears wouldve happened if his father (ducky) never helped that guy at the kfc (top dawg), as told in duckworth.

[@the_sports_nerd]

@@babyraven521 I do know I watched a video by tennis Tom who has an hour long deep dive on it

[@joeldeleon8599]

Maybe I wasn’t thereeeeeeeeeeeeee 🥲🥲

[@drxzi1]

My favourite part of the song

[@prodsage2719]

Then the back up sing in the background adds so much emotion

[@TheGouthamCity]

@@prodsage2719 Anna Wise and Kendrick is confirmed Grammys. Her band has great songs too. Steve lacy strings too :)

[@zozobibi34]

@@drxzi1 in another life i surely was THEREeeeEEEEEEEEE

[@Dr.ocolus]

​​@@zozobibi34Meeee, i wasn't taught, to share, but *care* I care. I *care* .

[@imelusivexd]

PRIDE. is my absolute favorite song by kendrick. sure, there are more hype ones, and more memorable ones, but this song resonates with me on a whole other level.

[@drxzi1]

Those are my favourite Kendrick songs

[@S0LILOQUY]

i really messed with this bruh gave me a completely different outlook to how i casually listen to ut

[@drxzi1]

Thanks 🙏 None of these meanings are confirmed or anything, they all come from my thoughts no genius annotations here haha

[@nicoketzer331]

the most complete song ever existed

[@MGY-_-]

You are really underrated. You‘re editing and you‘re perspective and opinions are really good. You have potential. 🙏

[@drxzi1]

Thanks really appreciate it ❤️

[@papafrank8900]

At <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="396">6:36</a> I"ve heard people say that by saying indigenous disposition kendrick says that a perfect world would not be perfect as us humans are not perfect in nature so putting us in a perfect world would be indigenous disposition. This would also make sense because of the next thing he says which is ¨feel like we belong here¨ saying that humans feel like they belong in this imperfect world as they are not perfect themselves

[@drxzi1]

Good ideas

[@DetectiveComicsIssue15]

I think it's interesting how it's the 7th song of the album, and it's also one of the 7 deadly signs. Always thought that was a really creative touch on DAMN.

[@snekdavrman2306]

This dude needs more likes and subscribers

[@drxzi1]

I agree!

[@pumas6189]

A lot of people are not ready for this man. Those that know, know

[@States_of_Arenenge]

The start to end / end to start meaning is crazy

[@drxzi1]

@@States_of_Arenenge Ik I cooked

[@States_of_Arenenge]

@@drxzi1 and you cooked greatly

[@ProdMadeJace]

Bros editing is crazy how is he not famous

[@109number9]

This song definitely sticks out from others on the album. Even all these years later, I still get goosebumps hearing it. This video was like a whole documentary, impressive! Obviously one can take the song at face value and appreciate it, but this video greatly expands on it!

[@ikesters6697]

Thank you for this video. I am a very devoted christian now but there was a time when I first heard this song way back in 2017 in the midst of a dark depression, i had lost my faith and was consumed by my own desires aka pride. Its tough to listen to this song honestly because the lyrics spoke so deep to me I basically lived by that song at that time. Now i live in a much better position in life, much harder yes, much more responsibilities yes, much more people to worry about yes, no more time for me anymore yes, completely different perspective in life yes, constantly stressed and no sleep yes. But i would take all this over what i was back in 2017 anyday. Anyways, thanks for reading bro, keep up the excelent content, i subbed

[@drxzi1]

The fact you have such a strong connection I think is exactly what Kendrick hopes in making his music, glad to see you are doing better ❤️

[@Joserom100]

Crazy how listening to PRIDE made me feel so deep that i thought about my gramps passing away at the perfect time for him, but before he could try any of the recipes I've mastered (i didn't like sharing my skills before). So now he'll never now how i season my foods, but am grateful i got to see the man eat contently.

[@tonycolon4917]

here before this blows up

[@capperbuns]

This song helped me go from a selfish mf to a better person. It helped me see the vision.

[@BaldManWithAHat]

This dude criminally underrated

[@benraftery9020]

This is one of the best music analysis I've seen, great job bro

[@drxzi1]

Thanks!

[@zwizzii]

man you summarized this perfectly. after 7 years of listening to this song, thinking i knew its deep meaning, you gave me more to think about. apreciate you bro

[@ulisesflores5142]

Man either I’m stupid af or your smart af, because how do you get emotional detachment from a line that says cold December but never remember what winter did. Damn that’s some next level understanding man, great lyrical breakdown 🎶

[@AydenWolter-m3l]

I actually cry to this song, it has such a impactful meaning and sounds amazing

[@YoungRichy1610]

I think the song Fear was the one that stood out to me because is very relatable speaking as a 17 year old many fears Kendrick speaks about are real things me too I contemplate but the key to overcoming fear is not dwelling on it but see it as a cloud passing by. Love your videos man keep it up ❤

[@drxzi1]

The line "I'll probably die because that's what you do when you're 17" or something along those lines has always stuck with me. Really puts into perspective better than I think any single line on Section .80 or GKMC what its like to live in Compton

[@Lia-gy4zs]

This song fucks me up everytime I listen to it.

[@bennygavrieli1461]

until the end i really thought youre sum huge youtuber that makes those vids alot, then i got bummed when i saw you have under 1000 subs??? keep making that shit and never stop. fucking loved it.

[@drxzi1]

Thank you!

[@thebrothers733]

DAMN muy buena explicación pai

[@jonathanbrock9170]

This song helped me through a breakup. It taught me that you try to make others and the world better but don’t better yourself and to do this you have to face your actions.

[@brucethemusicguy]

Maybe I wasn’t thereeeee CHILLS EVERYTIME and now that i know the lyrics better... its perfect

[@uwuziii2801]

i always got that from this song and i agree it’s important. i love this video. can’t wait to see what else you got dawg🖤

[@leandrorithm]

This song always makes me feel like sitting in the passenger seat of a car driving out of a dimly lit urban tunnel endlessly. I appreciate your analysis and the effort to put this out despite the song being about for years now. EDIT: After finishing the video, you've earned my subscription.

[@drxzi1]

Thank you!

[@seldumb_]

This is truly one of the most beautiful videos i’ve ever seen. I subscribed just because how beautiful the formatting and video idea was.

[@drxzi1]

Thanks so much ❤️

[@sxncedisbad]

I love this bro, I’ve been wanting to make musical analysis videos but wasn’t too sure about it this has inspired me and I think I am going to follow through.

[@drxzi1]

Do it! Lmk when you do I’ll watch

[@ofodaum]

this song is the definition of beautiful and tragical

[@kuyi2680]

this was such a great analysis on this song 🤘🤘

[@sunnie_verse]

This is the song that made me idolize Kendrick. PRIDE is really that song for me.

[@kennyhighborn942]

Amazing break down of my favorite song on the album!!!

[@valksnipe]

this is the definition of a perfect late night watch

[@TSAROG]

Kendrick is so good with lyrics

[@the-experiment]

This single song is possibly why this is Kendrick’s favorite project he’s done

[@williamplunkett501]

this is one of my fav kendrick songs

[@the_savva_b]

Yoo, this was a real good analysis

[@drxzi1]

Thanks ❤️

[@EmperorSolus]

Words cannot describe what I feel when I listen to PRIDE.

[@Inak-hx8lx]

Love this video you did an incredible job dissecting the song keep it up

[@Invertix06]

You truly deserve more subscribers, this was beautiful

[@drxzi1]

Thank you so much ❤️

[@SXARTXDFT]

This was amazing

[@drxzi1]

Thanks!

[@The_Rico69]

Love the video man keep it up and this effort will definitely pay off

[@1nterzept661]

I think the reason why Pride is important is how it’s the middle point of both the Wickedness and Weakness route of the album. It’s the point where he begins to reflect on whether he should show his weakness and be “Humble” or does he become wicked and demand the “Loyalty” of others.

[@Fe4rCreamyy]

PRIDE is my fav song on the album and thanks for braking ir down i already know smt but thanks keep it up

[@Maxdhq2]

I don’t know what it is about this song but I’ve listened to DAMN so many times, every time I get stuck on this song, it makes me get chills hearing the “sick venom” line and I have no idea why it affects me like this. Great video man you made me feel how I do when I listen it.

[@drxzi1]

It’s the way he says it I think, the sick venom sounds really sharp and haunting it’s hard to describe

[@ineedsleep09]

I could watch you explain every song ever made with no breaks, instant sub

[@drxzi1]

Glad to hear that, working on the next one now!

[@Woah-Thats-Crazy]

This helped me understand this song so much better, thank you so much!! 💗

[@chasebackup2260]

“Love gonna get you killed,but prides gonna be the death of me and you” real

[@banozzg]

At <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="214">3:34</a> I think there could be another meaning on verses "I don't trust people-, I don't love people-, I put my faith in-" is that it isn't necessarily that Kendrick chooses money over God but he could be talking about his own success, as in he only trust his own "lyrics" (Could be hands/ expertise) to bring him his success (Band) rather than relying on other people (I don't love people enough to put my faith in man).

[@RealGruYT]

Great video i now have a perfect understanding of my fav kendrick song

[@awolmel281]

This made me self reflect on my actions in life and how I treated others. My pride can be set aside for love to rise again.

[@ahuk]

Such a piece of art.

[@maloguegueniat5081]

very underrated video. the view you have on this song and the meaning behind it is very unique

[@yaboimatteo7706]

Wow. What a breakdown. Didn't expect to see things I didn't think about but this opemee up so many new layers to the project. All I can say...... Damn

[@thunderplus1]

This gave me a new perspective on this track. Good job.

[@drxzi1]

Thanks!

[@Sal-zs1ob]

I like to think the same way he calls out those in power making a world filled with lies, he does the same when he talks about what he would do in a perfect world. He’s no different at making hopeful promises that we know won’t be realized, further adding to the themes of pride.

[@drxzi1]

Interesting thought!

[@AlexHernandez-bv5qz]

ONLY 500 FOLLOWERS?! Glad to say I was here from the start bro 🙌🙌

[@drxzi1]

I only had about 150 when this video came out, thanks for following 🙏

[@Zooukz]

Aye man you killed this. Great job keep shit going.

[@TheBaritonoAssoluto]

I love this! Please do the rest of the album, like the message in Lust and Fear!

[@bloodline9090]

Dude keep this up great video, gave me some great insight on my life and others around me, made me think of pride in general, thanks for opening my eyes❤

[@drxzi1]

I am keeping it up next video is in production its taking longer than anticipated but it will 100% be out by the end of the week

[@tjplayswarzone4996]

My absolute favorite song

[@GIADALAZ]

This video is so well made, keep it up

[@katiaorgiana4135]

You're so good. thank you for analyzing

[@drxzi1]

No, thank you for watching!

[@satanm8c40]

Very few people are as intelligent and self aware as Kendrick To be so self aware to know your own flaws in such detail and actively do good but understand no one is perfect But to also use that and make it into a piece of perfect poetry is beautiful

[@umbela5646]

Im not exagerating when i say that i feel like crying when that "'yawn" plays on the first seconds of the song. God bless kendrick, because, damn

[@NotixedAlarm125]

I love the biblical references in the song

[@lordofpizza117]

This song taught me how to articulate my emotions and this video helped with understanding the song more W video

[@neokhosana]

Fave song along with Duckworth, FEAR and FEEL❤😩

[@Maria-nl1xi]

my brother just got into kendrick so im def sending it to him bc its so good!!! i really enjoyed ur vid, the editing was really clean and personally i dont mind waiting a while for the next video if this is the quality :)

[@drxzi1]

Thanks! Yeah with these videos it’s tough to work on them consistently i’ve started probably about 3 different ones but I was forcing it to try and get one out, but I don’t want to have bad analysis. I’m really hoping the get another one out by the end of the week though

[@qr-footage]

This was an absolutely insane video, this easily deserves way more likes. Be ambitious and do not stop until you have found your true happiness. God bless❤

[@hyy678]

Analysis giving me goosebumps

[@TiloDroid]

Thank you for the video! I really like your analysis and I want to add on a few of my thoughts. When Kendrick mentions "Last Time" in verse one, I think it refers to his last big studio album TPAB. You mentioned the album later but I think it comes up on more places. "This time I might put you down" means to me that last time he lifted us (the listener) up with TPAB, being very motivational, hopeful and uplifting but "This Time" in DAMN. he drags us down to darker places and truths he has dealt with. In verse two, he talks about "The Bed I Laid" which once again refers to TPAB. He blames himself for the hope he portrayed and thinks he can't live up to the hope now. "Point[ing] The Finger" can literally refer to the TPAB poem where he advocates for unification among black people against a common "enemy". He criticizes himself that he has to point out such a dichotomy just to "Make A Point". The "Indigenous Disposition" refers to how black people where brought to America during the slave trade. In TPAB, he likes to claim his place, calling himself "King Kunta" aka the King of the Slaves. After "Picking Cotton" and "Making America Rich" as explained in For Free?, he feels entitled to his wealth and status he built up. However, all that work feels out of place like a "Disposition" to him on DAMN. On some other songs like "YAH." and "FEAR." he claims himself to be an Israelite, which implies not only that he is cursed or damned but also that he doesn't belong in America. When Kendrick mentions "The Walls", I also look back at "These Walls" from TPAB. I believe that their meaning in this song refers to the sexual implications mentioned on TPAB, especially with the following line about "Hurt Becom[ing] Repetition". To me it seems that he is talking about broken relationships and meaningless sex which "The Love Almost Lost That". Once again thank you for your video, it really helped me to think about the song myself. I would like to add from an editing standpoint that it might be helpful to have some of the important text on screen for longer, but otherwise it was quite easy to follow your points and argumentation, keep up the good work!

[@drxzi1]

Thanks for the comment! I agree with a lot of what you said, and many of the things you brought up are very intelligent and make a lot of sense. This was the first “breakdown” video I made, so since I’ve grown quite a bit when it comes to analyzing things along with the editing. At some point I want to make a video on TPAB, but it will probably take me a while to make that video 👍

[@TiloDroid]

@@drxzi1 Sounds great! I would love to hear your opinions on TPAB!

[@misters1897]

bro this was one of the best analysises ive ever seen in my life i whould like to see you doing one about instotutionalized

[@drxzi1]

Noted!

[@Luvr_x-rk7sr]

this style of video is so cool! keep it up man

[@SirTrogan]

My Man ! I taught you were in the millions becuse of the quality of your videos, but you are just 1000?!?! Man how can you not be ín the millions, you worth more! (Sorry for my bad english, im from hungary😢)

[@drxzi1]

Thanks!

[@TheStoneTheBuilderRefused]

I love this song so much

[@Kelbonobo]

This was amazing bro keep it up

[@drxzi1]

Appreciate it, I will, just have been dealing with some writers block as of late but the next video will be very soon!

[@dark7337]

there are many reasons why DAMN. is my fav kdot album. and PRIDE is one of those reasons

[@peepininmywindow5170]

One of the things I enjoy in this album, which directly lead to MM&TBS is how clearly we hear him struggling, and at times arguing with his subconscious. Even in Pride, you can hear how the song begins as a fully internal struggle that’s fully nihilistic, and as the song goes his flow/thought become much clearer as he’s began to accept and weigh the consequences. The album really turned from this song on, it’s immaculate the way the back half of this album plays.

[@Emresvision]

since it's release I have been waiting for a analysis of this song

[@Mist-i3h]

This is crazy kendrick 🐐

[@Ah_yep]

At the beginning of the album he asks is it wickedness or is it weakness in blood. But I feel that in this song it is a turning point with instead of wickedness it is flashiness and instead of weakness it is happiness

[@Bob-oe2dp]

How is this not more popular, anyway I would love to see more Kendrick stuff im a big fan of his so this video did me good 👍

[@SimonSquires-v9k]

I think fear is for sure the most important when it comes to the albums story and topics, the whole album until this song is Kendrick’s fear and feeling of being cursed being built up so fear can deliver the message of what he’s feeling.

[@drxzi1]

That's fair, it was mostly for the title tbh lmao

[@ashhh7995]

Love your thing brother.

[@pankakaegot]

Please make more videos like this this was awesome

[@GooberHours]

this is amazing content keep up the great stuff love what you are putting out!

[@ramendahomie]

This is an amazing breakdown bro. 💪🏽