Kendrick Lamar’s “6:16 In LA”: What’s That Sample?

Kendrick Lamar‘s “6:16 In LA” is layered, from double entendres to the Easter Eggs from “Euphoria.” So much so, that the sample becomes a part of the song’s storytelling—you know how Kendrick gets.

The track’s bones are comprised of Al Green’s “What a Wonderful Thing Love Is,” looping the track around the 00:31 mark.

Soundwave and Jack Antonoff, Taylor Swift’s producer, crafted a beat around the sample consisting of a thumping 808, drums, and a few lowkey synthesizers to fill the song out. The result is a soulful, nearly 4-minute takedown with Kendrick Lamar doubling-down on his hate for Drake. 

Green’s vocal performance can be heard pitched down and looped at the legend, singing, “Oh, what a wonderful thing love is,” before being chopped up. 

But wait, there’s more! If you listen closely to the chopped-up sample, the new vocal performance sounds like Al Green is saying “boy wonder,” as in Boi-1da—one of Drake’s producers. This may or may not be the case, but knowing Kendrick’s track record of hidden messages and symbolism, there is a chance. And it would be relevant to the song’s theme of deceit and backtabbing in the OVO Sound camp. 

During an interview with Music Business Worldwide, the Kingston, Jamaica producer spoke about the misconception that he was an in-house producer for Drake’s label. He rejected the label and said he was more than that as an artist. “I’m not really involved in that side of things,” he said in 2020. “You know, a lot of people put it that way, that I’m an in-house producer, but I’m not…I do my thing, I’m here and there, but that side of stuff, with OVO, I don’t really know what’s going on with that.” 

And K. Dot mentioned later in “6:16 In LA” that there were “A hundred ni**as that you got on salary/And twenty of ’em want you as a casualty/And one of them is actually next to you/And two of them is practically tired of your lifestyle.” Coincidence? It should be noted that Boi-1da has also recently produced for Drake on his For All The Dogs record. Which songs? Well, “All The Parties” and the infamous “First Person Shooter.” For what it’s worth, the producer has also recently worked with Kendrick Lamar on Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.

Listen to “6:16 In LA” again and tell us whether you hear “Boi-1da.” Could it be possible that Boi-1da is one of the moles? Only time will tell.

Additionally, Al Green’s “What a Wonderful Thing Love Is” appears to be strategically used, as the song also has ties to Drake’s family. Drizzy’s father, Dennis Graham, is a former musician. It was Dennis’ cousin, Teenie Hodges, Drake’s uncle, who helped contribute to the song. The late Teenie was one of Al Green’s trusted songwriters, and on “What a Wonderful Thing Love Is,” he showcased his talents on the guitar. K. Dot weaponized one of Drake’s family heirlooms against him, as faint guitar chords can be heard in the chopped sample. 

Al Green’s “What a Wonderful Thing Love Is” was included in his album, I’m Still In Love With You, released in October 1972. The album peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart and No. 4 on the Billboard 200.