Money Trees

“Money Trees” is the fifth track from the 2012 album “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City”, which was infamous and critically acclaimed American rapper Kendrick Lamar’s second studio album.

The track features American rapper Jay Rock (real name Johnny Reed McKinzie Jr) who sings the third verse in the song. “Money Trees” follows that storyline of the album “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City”, that centres around a character named “K.Dot”. Lamar refreshes the listener’s minds with a story so far, with K.Dot sleeping with love interest Sherane and then telling his friends about the event, as well as assessing his hometown (Compton California) after his uncle was shot. The track also heavily focuses on the immortalisation of an individual post their death, stating in the hook: “But the one in front of the gun lives forever”. Lamar actually performed “Money Trees” at President Barack Obama’s Fourth of July BBQ back in July 2016.

On the 28th August 2013, American director Taj Stanberry stated that himself, Lamar and Rock had begun to shoot a music video for “Money Trees”. However, a music video was never released. Lamar’s official YouTube channel did not have an upload for the audio, but a channel titled “music” uploaded the track to YouTube in October 2012. As of May 2019, it has over 51 million views.

Release Date: 22nd October 2012

Songwriter/s: Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, Dacoury Natche, Mutale Simfukwe, Johnny McKinzie, Victoria Legrand & Alex Scally

Producer/s: DJ Dahi

Label/s: Top Dawg, Aftermath, Interscope Records

Chart Rankings & Certifications: The track went to #19 in the US Billboard “Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles” chart and #35 on the US Billboard “Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs”.