Money Trees

Album: Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Lamar explained the meaning of this Good Kid, M.A.A.d City cut to Complex magazine: "That's about temptation," he said. "After the ride of going on 'The Art of Peer Pressure,' you listen to that, and that was the mind state of thinking everything is about a dollar. That's where we were at the time. Everything was about money. We didn't care about nothing else truthfully."
  • The track features Lamar's Top Dawg Entertainment labelmate Jay Rock whose verse is also about how the desire for success provides the motivation for hustling. "Honestly, he was like already done with the album [before I got on it]," said Jay Rock to Complex. "When I heard it that was one of my favorite records. Every time he played it, I'm like, 'Run it back.' He was keeping the album real personal, he didn't want that many features. Not even from us. When bro get in his zone, he gets in his zone. He's so into his craft. He don't do it intentionally.
    "He just so happened to hit me," continued Jay Rock, "like, 'I want you to do a verse for 'Money Trees.' I was honored so I took my time with it, wrote it down, and finished it up. When he heard it he was like 'Man, you took it to the next level.'"
  • This was voted #1 Rap Song of 2012 in a poll run by Rap Genius. The website said: "'Money Trees' is a smart, strong outing by the new West Coast idol. Jay Rock also spits with ferocity and together they have the top rap record of 2012. The Rap Genius community has always loved KDot. And what's not to love."
  • Jay Rock recorded a follow-up to this song, "Money Trees Deuce," which was released as the first single from his 2015 studio album, 90059.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Concert Disasters

Concert DisastersFact or Fiction

Ozzy biting a dove? Alice Cooper causing mayhem with a chicken? Creed so bad they were sued? See if you can spot the real concert mishaps.

Mac Powell of Third Day

Mac Powell of Third DaySongwriter Interviews

The Third Day frontman talks about some of the classic songs he wrote with the band, and what changed for his solo country album.

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"They're Playing My Song

It wasn't her biggest hit as a songwriter (that would be "Bette Davis Eyes"), but "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" had a family connection for Jackie.

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin Popoff

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin PopoffSong Writing

A talk with Martin Popoff about his latest book on Rush and how he assessed the thousands of albums he reviewed.