Dedication (song)

"Dedication"
Single by Nipsey Hussle featuring Kendrick Lamar
from the album Victory Lap
Released	February 13, 2018
Genre	West Coast hip hop
Length	4:05
Label	All Money In No Money Out Atlantic
Songwriter(s)	Ermias Asghedom Kendrick Duckworth Larrance Dopson Alexandria Dopson Axel Morgan John Groover, Jr. Lamar Edwards Michael Cox, Jr. Ralo Stylez
Producer(s)	Mike & Keys Rance MyGuyMars AxlFolie Stylez
Nipsey Hussle singles chronology
"Last Time That I Checc'd" (2018) "Dedication" (2018) "Mary Jane" (2018)
Kendrick Lamar singles chronology
"Pray for Me" (2018) "Dedication" (2018) "Tints" (2018)

"Dedication" is a song by American rapper Nipsey Hussle, released on February 13, 2018 as the third single from his only studio album Victory Lap (2018). The song features American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was produced by Mike & Keys, Rance and Mars of 1500 or Nothin', Ralo Stylez and Axl Folie.

Background

Nipsey Hussle premiered the song on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 radio show. He said, "I think that record sums up the marathon and the idea of Victory Lap. I think that in three minutes, [I] hit every point that I want to represent musically and just as an artist."^[1]

He revealed he told his team to send his record "Keys 2 The City 2" to Kendrick Lamar, but instead they sent "Dedication" to Lamar. Hussle did not know that until Lamar told him about it when they met at the premiere of the film All Eyez on Me.^[2] Hussle stated:

I'm like damn I ain't even send that. But he sent it back and when I heard the verse I was really inspired. I felt like he killed it. He talked about something that happened the night of the Pac premiere. If you really listen to his verse, he's talking about me, Snoop Dogg, Top Dawg, and himself. We really had a convo. We had a conversation about just L.A. streets and about how the time might be right right now for us to really try to use our influence to evolve how we exist. From Bloods and Crips, just the tribalism that's going on out there. We were just wondering, we just had an honest convo like what y'all think? Is it time for us to really start that narrative off? And he speaks about that in his verse.^[2]

Composition

The song sees the rappers reflecting on the role of dedication, hard work and patience in their successes, over synth production that is reminiscent of West Coast hip hop and gangsta rap.^[3][4][5] Nipsey Hussle raps about working to bring unity in the streets, while Kendrick Lamar details his rise to success in his career.^[4][6][7]

Charts

Chart (2019)	Peak position
US Billboard Hot 100[8]	93
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[9]	33

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[10]	Platinum	1,000,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. Wallace, Riley (February 13, 2018). "Nipsey Hussle Debuts Kendrick Lamar Collaboration on Beats 1". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on November 24, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
2. Fresh, Mikey (February 13, 2018). "Nipsey Hussle And Kendrick Lamar Show The Youth What "Dedication" Brings". Vibe. Archived from the original on June 21, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
3. DeVille, Chris (February 13, 2018). "Nipsey Hussle – "Dedication" (Feat. Kendrick Lamar)". Stereogum. Archived from the original on April 2, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
4. Mojica, Nick (February 13, 2018). "Nipsey Hussle and Kendrick Lamar Show Hard Work Pays Off on New Song "Dedication"". XXL. Archived from the original on September 12, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
5. Witmer, Phil (February 13, 2018). "Nipsey Hussle and Kendrick Lamar's "Dedication" Is LA to the Core". Vice. Archived from the original on April 2, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
6. Lamarre, Carl (2018-02-13). "Nipsey Hu$$le Recruits Kendrick Lamar for His Soulful Track 'Dedication': Listen". Billboard.
7. "New Music: Nipsey Hussle feat. Kendrick Lamar – 'Dedication'". Rap-Up. February 13, 2018. Archived from the original on September 26, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
8. "Nipsey Hussle Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
9. "Nipsey Hussle Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
10. "American single certifications – Nipsey Hussle – Dedication". Recording Industry Association of America.