I'm Not Racist

Joyner Lucas

About I'm Not Racist

"I'm Not Racist" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Joyner Lucas, released on November 28, 2017 by Atlantic Records. It is controversial for rapping about race and society and depicts a heated discussion about race relations from the perspective of a white man and a black man. Lucas has said that the song's lyrics represent the uncomfortable race talk that people shy away from.


Year:
2017
6:48
15,065 
#116

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

With all due respect
I don't have pity for you black niggas, that's the way I feel
Screamin' "Black Lives Matter"
All the black guys rather be deadbeats than pay your bills
Yellin' "nigga this" and "nigga that"
Call everybody "nigga" and get a nigga mad
As soon as I say "nigga" then everyone react
And wanna swing at me and call me racist 'cause I ain't black
Well pound that then
Talkin' about slavery like you was around back then
Like you was pickin' cotton off the fuckin' ground back then
Like you was on the plantation gettin' down back then
Aight, look
I see a black man aimin' his gun
But I'd rather see a black man claimin' his son
And I don't mean just for one day and you done
I mean, you still trapped in a rut
And I work my ass off and I pay my taxes for what?
So you can keep livin' off free government assistance?
Food stamps for your children, but you're still tryna sell 'em
For some weed and some liquor or a fuckin' babysitter
While you party on the road 'cause you ain't got no fuckin' goals?
You already late
You motherfuckas needa get your damn priorities straight
Wait, it's like you're proud to be fake
But you lazy as f*ck and you'd rather sell drugs
Than get a job and be straight, and then you turn around and complain
About the poverty rate? F*ck outta my face!
You can't escape problems
You can pray for some change but can't break a dollar
Got nobody else to blame, so you blame Donald
"They f*ck the world with a Make America Great condom"
My voice been back
I'm not racist, my sister's boyfriend's black
I'm not racist, my sister-in-law's baby cousin Tracy
Got a brother and his girlfriend's black
My head's in the cloud
Heard there's not enough jobs for all the men in your house
Maybe we should build a wall to keep the Mexicans out
Or maybe we should send 'em all to the ghetto for now
I'm not racist and I never lie
But I think there's a disconnect between your culture and mine
I worship the Einsteins, study the Steve Jobs
But you ride 2Pac's dick like he was a fuckin' god, oh my god
And all you care about is rappin'
And stuntin' and bein' ratchet, and that's the nigga within you
Music rotting your brain and slowly start to convince you
Then you let your kids listen and then the cycle continues
Blame it all on the menu, blame it on those drinks
Blame it on everybody except for your own race
Blame it on white privileges, blame it on white kids
And just blame it on white citizens, same with the vice president
Bunch of class clowns
Niggas kneelin' on the field, that's a flag down
How dare you try to make demands for this money?
You gon' show us some respect, you gon' stand for this country, n*gger!
I'm not racist
I'm just prepared for this type of war
I heard Eminem's rap at the awards, who's he fightin' for?
Y'all can take that motherfucker, too, he ain't white no more
It's like you wanna be so famous
You'll do anything for attention and a little payment
I can't take you nowhere without people pointin' fingers
Pants hangin' off your ass, you ain't got no home trainin'?
Put your fuckin' pants up, nigga! Put that suit back on!
Take that du-rag off! Take that gold out your mouth!
Quit the pitiful stuff
And then maybe police would stop killin' you fucks
Yo, what the f*ck? I'm not racist
It's like we livin' in the same buildin' but split into two floors
I'm not racist
But there's two sides to every story, I wish that I knew yours
I wish that I knew yours
I'm not racist, I swear

With all disrespect
I don't really like you white motherfuckers, that's just where I'm at
Screaming "All Lives Matter"
Is a protest to my protest, what kind of shit is that?
And that's one war you'll never win
The power in the word "nigga" is a different sin
We shouldn't say it but we do, and that just what it is
But that don't mean that you can say it just 'cause you got nigga friends
Nigga, that word was originated for you to keep us under
And when we use it, we know that's just how we greet each other
And when you use it, we know there's a double meaning under
And even if I wasn't picking cotton physically
That don't mean I'm not affected by the history
My grandmama was a slave, that shit gets to me
And you ain't got no motherfucking sympathy, you pussy nigga!
I'm sorry you can never feel my life
Tryna have faith, but I never felt alright
It's hard to elevate when this country's ran by whites
Judging me by my skin color and my blackness
Tryna find a job but ain't nobody call me back yet
Now I gotta sell drugs to put food in my cabinet
You crackers ain't slick, this is all a part of your tactics
Don't talk about no motherfucking taxes, when I ain't making no dough
You think you know everything but you don't
You wanna copy our slang and everything that we know
Try to steal black culture and then make it your own, whoa
F*ck, I'm exhausted
I can't even drive without the cops tryna start shit
I'm tired of the systematic racism bullshit
All you do is false shit, this the shit that I'm force fed
And you don't know shit about my people, that's what bothers you
You don't know about no fried chicken and no barbeque
You don't know about the two-step or no loose change
You don't know about no 2 Chainz or no Kool-Aid, you don't know!
And even though Barack was half as black
You hated president Obama, I know that's a fact
You couldn't wait to get him out and put a cracker back
And then you gave us Donald Trump and now it's payback for that
I'm not racist, I never lied
But I know there's a disconnect between your culture and mine
Yeah, I praise 2Pac like he was a fuckin' god
He was fighting for his life way before he fuckin' died, nigga, die nigga!
And all you care about is money and power
And being ugly and that's the cracker within you
Hatred all in your brain, it slowly start to convince you
And then you teach it to your children until the cycle continue
Blame it on Puerto Rico, blame it on OJ
Blame it on everybody, except for your own race
Blame it on black niggas and blame it on black citizens
Aim at the black businesses, I ain't saying I'm innocent
But, I might be any day now
Treatin' everybody how you want and any way how
I swear North Korea 'bout to bomb us any day now
And now I'm duckin' everytime I hear a fuckin' plane now, shit
You know I make a lot of sense but you just can't admit it
When Eminem went against Trump, that was the illest
'Cause even though he's white, he let us know he standin' with us
I'm not racist, but I cry a lot
You don't know what it's like to be in a frying pot
You don't know what it's like to mind your business
And get stopped by the cops and not know if you 'bout to die or not
You worry 'bout your life, so you take mine
I love you but I fuckin' hate you at the same time
I wish we could trade shoes or we could change lives
So we could understand each other more but that'd take time
I'm not racist
It's like we livin' in the same buildin' but splittin' the both sides
I'm not racist
But there's two sides to every story and now you know mine

Can't erase the scars with a bandage
I'm hopin' maybe we can come to an understandin'
Agree to disagree, we could have an understandin'
I'm not racist

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!


Joyner Lucas

Gary Maurice "Joyner" Lucas, Jr. (born August 17, 1988) is an American poet, singer, rapper and songwriter from Worcester, Massachusetts currently signed to Atlantic Records. He gained widespread exposure and critical acclaim after the release of his single "Ross Capicchioni" in 2015. In 2017, he released his fourth mixtape (and first on a major label). more »

6 fans

Written by: Alexander Toth, David Kraft, Joyner Lucas, Tim Wilke

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Concerning Lyrics
"I'm Not Racist" by Joyner Lucas is a controversial song that tackles the issue of race in America from both white and black perspectives, giving a voice to the often unheard sentiment on both sides of the fence.
Video Directed by the Artist
Lucas himself directed the music video for "I'm Not Racist," which depicts a heated discussion between a white man wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat and a young black man.
Viral Success
The "I'm Not Racist" music video went viral on social media within hours of its release in November 2017, largely due to the alarming nature of its content.
Award Nominations
The provocative music video was nominated for a Grammy Award under the category of 'Best Music Video' at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.
Powerful Imagery
The video wraps up with the two men hugging, a powerful visual representation of the need for dialogues between races to promote understanding and unity.
Scathing Social Commentary
The lyrics of "I'm Not Racist" open with a white man expressing the prejudices and stereotypes often associated with black people. The second verse voices the response of the black man, reflecting upon racial bias, systemic oppression and criticism of the white man's perspective.
Unconventional Format
The song does not contain a traditional chorus which is common in most songs. Instead, it has extended verses that dive deep into racial issues from different viewpoints.
Triggered Conversations
"I'm Not Racist" triggered a wave of online debates on race relations due to its direct and confrontational lyrics.
Mixed Reception
While some listeners appreciated the song's bold approach to the subject of race, others criticized it for painting a simplified picture of America's deeply-rooted racial complexities.
Intention Behind the Song
Lucas made clear in interviews that the intention behind "I'm Not Racist" was to spark much-needed open conversations about race and prejudice in America.
Contrarian Approach
While most artists take a side on socio-political issues, Lucas stands out by purposely showcasing both sides of the argument in a stark fashion.
Independent Artist Success
Despite not being signed to a major label at the time, Lucas had a significant impact with this song, demonstrating the power of contemporary independent artists.

Discuss the I'm Not Racist Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "I'm Not Racist Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/1405393/Joyner+Lucas/I%27m+Not+Racist>.

    Missing lyrics by Joyner Lucas?

    Know any other songs by Joyner Lucas? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    I'm Not Racist

    135.8M
    3.2M     211.3K

    Album

    I'm Not Racist

    • #1
      I'm Not Racist

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Who wrote a majority of Rush's songs?
    A Everyone wrote the same amount of songs.
    B Neil Peart
    C Alex Lifeson
    D Geddy Lee

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Joyner Lucas tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!