How Much A Dollar Cost Lyrics - To Pimp A Butterfly - 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 

20 years ago, can't forget 

Now I can lend all my 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 slurry 

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 

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It's more to feed your mind 

Water, sun and love, the one you love 

All you need, the air you breathe 

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" 

Photos 

It's more to feed your mind 

Water, sun and love, the one you love 

All you need, the air you breathe 

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'mma 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 judgement, I know when nigga'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, nigga 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 'imburse your loss, I am God" 

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