‘Money Trees’ deals with issues Lamar finds living in an oppressed area of society, regarding how he identifies himself outside the paradigm of violence he lives within. There is also the issue of authenticity and how Lamar views his hip-hop heritage.
There is an interesting dichotomy in some of Lamar’s work that indicates a loyalty and pride in where he comes from, without condoning the inherent violence and crime. This is expressed in the first verse with seemingly contradictory lines. “Home invasion was persuasive, From nine to five I know it’s vacant, ya bish/Dreams of living life like rappers do, Back when condom wrappers wasn’t cool.” This line offers pieces of heritage that are negative, involving crime and misogynistic bad sex ed. This is followed at the end of the verse with, “You looking like an easy come up, ya bish/ A silver spoon I know you come from, ya bish, And that’s a lifestyle we never knew.” While this is aimed at people putting on an urban act, it reveals a sense of pride in coming from a difficult situation.
There is also a tension on Lamar from different sides in society. He is presented with two options for survival, working with the unfavorable oppressive government, “What else is a thug to do, When you eatin’ cheese from the government”, or falling in the violence and crime all around him, “Them serpents lurking, blood Bitches selling pussy, niggas selling drugs, but it’s all good.” The title, Money Trees, seems to be Lamar’s option out of such a dire situation. As Lamar states, “Money trees is the perfect place for shade,” and there is some acknowledgement that the only reprieve from the scorching violence of an oppressive situation is by means of capital. Ultimately this puts Lamar in a situation where obtaining wealth may compromise his heritage, but he rationalized this in the chorus, “Everybody gon’ respect the shooter, but the one in front of the gun lives forever.”
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