Wesley's Theory

About this song

The title may be a nod to actor Wesley Snipes, who was involved in a tax fraud case during the 2000s and served a three-year jail sentence from 2010 to 2013. The U.S. Government said Snipes was using a tax protester theory to try to avoid his charges.

What it's about

The song sets up the album's theme of racist American institutions, shaped by white supremacy, profiting from Black creators. The first verse shows a young Kendrick led astray by money, while the second is told from the view of Uncle Sam, a personification of the U.S. Government and White America, who tries to charm him.

Fun facts

• Samples “Every Nigger Is a Star by Boris Gardiner”.
• Sampled in 4 other songs, like “2010s: A Brief Recap of My Favourite Albums by Galactic Hole”.
• Covered once, including “Wesley's Theory by Spectre (Rapper)”.
• Written by Boris Gardiner, Flippa, Flying Lotus, George Clinton, Kendrick Lamar and Thundercat.
• Produced by Flippa, Flying Lotus, Pop Wansel, Sounwave and Thundercat.