How Much A Dollar Cost

(album: To Pimp A Butterfly - 2015)

[Kendrick Lamar:]
How much a dollar really cost?
The question is detrimental, paralyzing my thoughts
Parasites in my stomach keep me with a gut feeling, y'all
Gotta see how I'm chilling once I park this luxury car
Hopping out feeling big as Mutombo
"20 on pump 6," dirty Marcellus called me Dumbo
Twenty years ago, can't forget
Now I can lend him a 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 leery
Walked out the gas station
A homeless man with a semi-tan complexion
Asked me for ten Rand, stressing about dry land
Deep water, powder blue skies that crack open
A piece of crack that he wanted, I knew he was smoking
He begged and pleaded
Asked me to feed him twice, I didn't believe it
Told him, "Beat it"
Contributing 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
Nothing less, nothing more"
I told him I ain't have it and closed my door
Tell me, how much a dollar cost?

[James Fauntleroy:]
It's more to feed your mind
Water, sun and love, the one you love
All you need, the air you breathe

[Kendrick Lamar:]
He's staring at me in disbelief
My temper is building, he's staring at me, I grab my key
He's staring at me, I started the car, then I tried to leave
And something 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 asking me for a favor
He's staring at me, his eyes followed me with no laser
He's staring at me, I notice that his stare is contagious
'Cause now I'm staring back at him, feeling some type of disrespect
If I could throw a bat at him, it'd be aiming at his neck
I never understood someone begging for goods
Asking for handouts, taking it if they could
And this particular person just had it down pat
Staring 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?

[James Fauntleroy:]
It's more to feed your mind
Water, sun and love, the one you love
All you need, the air you breathe

[Kendrick Lamar:]
Guilt tripping and feeling resentment
I never met a transient that demanded attention
They got me frustrated, indecisive and power tripping
Sour emotions got me looking 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'ma tell you like I told the last bum
Crumbs and pennies, I need all of mines
And I recognize this type of panhandling all the time
I got better judgment, I know when nigga's hustling, keep in mind
When I was struggling, I did compromise, now I comprehend
I smell Grandpa's old medicine, reeking from your skin
Moonshine and gin, nigga you're babbling, your words ain't flattering
I'm imagining Denzel but looking at O'Neal
Kazaam is sad thrills, your gimmick is mediocre
The jig is up, I seen you from a mile away losing 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 looking 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, embrace your loss—I am God"

[Ronald Isley:]
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