Credits
PERFORMING ARTISTS
Nipsey Hussle
Vocals
Kendrick Lamar
Vocals
Alexandria Dopson
Background Vocals
Eric Choice
Keyboards
Garren Edwards
Background Vocals
RaloStylez
Programming
Mike & Keys
Programming
Rance
Programming
Axlfolie
Programming
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Alexandria Dopson
Songwriter
Axel Morgan
Songwriter
Ermias Asghedom
Songwriter
John Groover
Songwriter
Kendrick Duckworth
Songwriter
Lamar Edwards
Songwriter
Larrance Dopson
Songwriter
Michael Cox, Jr.
Songwriter
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Ermias Asghedom
Executive Producer
MyGuyMars
Producer
Matt Schaeffer
Recording Engineer
RaloStylez
Recording Engineer
Adam Aderbraun
Executive Producer
Samiel Asgehdom
Executive Producer
Stephen Donelson
Executive Producer
Steven “Steve-O” Carless
Executive Producer
Dave Kutch
Mastering Engineer
Derek "MixedByAli" Ali
Mixing Engineer
Mike & Keys
Producer
Rance
Producer
Axlfolie
Producer
Cyrus Massoud Taghipour
Assistant Mixing Engineer
Garnett Flynn
Engineer
P. Diddy
Executive Producer
Tyler Page
Assistant Mixing Engineer
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Look, my **** this is dedication, this is anti-hesitation
This a real **** celebration
This a Dime Blocc declaration
59th and 5th Ave, granny house with vanilla wafers
This the remedy, the separation
2Pac of my generation, blue pill in the fuckin' Matrix
Red rose in the gray pavement
Young black **** trapped and he can't change it
Know he a genius, he just can't claim it
'Cause they left him no platforms to explain it
He frustrated so he get faded
But deep down inside, he know you can't fade him
How long should I stay dedicated?
How long till opportunity meet preparation?
I need some real **** reparations
'Fore I run up in your bank just for recreation
[Chorus]
Dedication, hard work plus patience
The sum of all my sacrifice, I'm done waitin'
I'm done waitin', told you that I wasn't playin'
Now you hear what I been sayin'
Dedication
It's dedication, look
[Verse 2]
I spent my whole life thinkin' out the box
Boxin' homies three-on-one, got DP'ed but I ain't drop
Chirp on me, here I come, brrt, spin around the block
They blurped on me, said I ran a stop sign but that's a lie
I spent my whole life starin' at the stage
Playin' Sega, Daddy smokin' sherm, Mama playin' spades
Catchin' vapors, Grandma said I'd get some Jordans for my grades
That's my baby, when she died my heart broke a hundred ways
I spent my whole life tryna make it, tryna chase it
The cycle of a black man divided, tryna break it
You take a loss? Shit, don't cry about it, just embrace it
Minor setback for major comeback, that's my favorite
My **** L said, "You do a song with Nip, K. Dot, he a better Crip"
I said, "He a man first, you hear the words out his lips
About flourishing from the streets to Black businesses?"
Level four, yard livin', given to false imprisonment
Listen close, my ****
It's bigger than deuces and fours, my ****
Since elementary we close, my ****, yeah, straight like that
I give you the game, go back to the turf and give it right back
For generations we been dealt bad hands with bad plans
Prove your dedication by hoppin' out Grand Am's
I'm at the premiere politickin' with Top, Nip, and Snoop
Damn, Pac watchin' the way we grew from dedication
[Bridge]
If it ain't congratulate then it look like hate
If it ain't congratulate then it look like what, Nipsey?
Hol' up
[Verse 3]
Look
This ain't entertainment, it's for **** on the slave ship
These songs just the spirituals I swam against them waves with
Ended up on shore to they amazement
Now I hope the example I set's not contagious
Lock us behind gates but can't tame us
Used to be, "Stay safe," now it's, "Stay dangerous"
'Cause ain't no point in playin' defense, ****
That's why I dove off the deep end, ****, without a life jacket
Couple mill', tour the world, dawg, my life crackin'
Cook the books, bring it back so it's no taxes
Royalties, publishing, plus I own masters
I'll be damned if I slave for some white crackers
I was mappin' this out, I hit the heist backwards
Hoppin' out the eighty-five in Reebok Classics
Ran a couple marathons just to get established
To make it happen, you got to have it
[Chorus]
Dedication, hard work plus patience
The sum of all my sacrifice, I'm done waitin'
I'm done waitin', told you that I wasn't playin'
Now you hear what I been sayin'
Dedication
It's dedication
Written by: Alexandria Dopson, Axel Morgan, Ermias Asghedom, J Lewis, John Groover, Kendrick Duckworth, Lamar Edwards, Larrance Dopson, Malik Cox, Michael Cox, Jr.