New Slaves by Kanye West (2013)

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New Kanye West New Slaves

New Slaves is a song released in 2013 as a single from album Yeezus by American hip hop artist Kanye West. The lyrics talks segregation, slavery, and racism in general, as well as materialism and streotypes of African American in the U.S.

The song received critical acclaim from music critics. In 2013, New Slave charted in several countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States, it is also nominated at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Rap Song. [1]

Key Lyrics

My mama was raised in the era when

Clean water was only served to the fairer skin

Doin' clothes, you woulda thought I had help

But they wasn't satisfied unless I picked the cotton myself

You see it's broke nigga racism

That's that "Don't touch anything in the store"

And it's rich nigga racism

That's that "Come in, please buy more"

"What you want, a Bentley? Fur coat? A diamond chain?

All you blacks want all the same things"

Used to only be niggas, now everybody playin'

Spendin' everything on Alexander Wang

New slaves [2]

Black Empowerment

New Slaves shows West’s concern for people, as at one time Black people were enslaved in the United States. Through this song, the American hip hop artist tells of the enslavement of Black people coming in different forms, especially in terms of institutionalized racism. The first verse begins with the time where his mother was raised in the segregation era. It is the time where Black people systematically separated from Whites as the privileged class. This systemic racism has persisted throughout the years. The first verse begins with the time where his mother was raised in the segregation era. It is the time where Black people systematically separated from Whites as the privileged class. This systemic racism has persisted throughout the years. Though he is being a “rich ni--a” does not mean that West is free from prejudice. He compares how the wealthy ni--a is treated in what for instance a trendy store as opposed to the broke ones. Black people without money will not shop at certain locations, in contrast with the rich one they will be encouraged to buy a whole bunch, yet pricey items. It is said that “all… Blacks want the same thing.” To sum up, people of all races are slaves to riches. [3]

References

  1. New Slaves. wikipedia.org. Retrieved January 28, 2021
  2. New Slaves Kanye West. genius.com. Retrieved January 28, 2021
  3. Kanye West’s “New Slaves” Lyrics Meaning. January 16, 2020. songmeaningsandfacts.com. Retrieved January 28, 2021