Keisha's Song (Her Pain)

Album: Section.80 (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Section.80 is a concept album that revolves around the life of Tammy and Keisha and explains the personal hardships in their lives. This song, which tells the tragic story of the prostitute Keisha's demise was recorded by Kendrick Lamar for his little sister, as a warning to never become a hooker.
  • The cut was inspired by a real 17-year-old girl that Lamar knew. The teenage prostitute was his friend's younger sister, and right after he saw her standing on a block selling her body, he went home and wrote the song.

Comments: 1

  • Silva Tiaan from Nelspruit South AfricaKendrick is genius. The hope, dedication and aspirations that I have. They're all from his music. I pray he lives long cause really need his music!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Joe Jackson

Joe JacksonSongwriter Interviews

Joe talks about the challenges of of making a Duke Ellington tribute album, and tells the stories behind some of his hits.

80s Music Quiz 1

80s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

MTV, a popular TV theme song and Madonna all show up in this '80s music quiz.

Country Song Titles

Country Song TitlesFact or Fiction

Country songs with titles so bizarre they can't possibly be real... or can they?

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.