Fuck Your Ethnicity
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
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As we stand on our neighborhood corner
Know that this fire that's burning represents the passion you have
Listen, Keisha, Tammy, come up front
I recognize all of you, every creed and color
With that being said, fuck your ethnicity, you understand that?
We gon' talk about a lot of shit that concerns you, all of you
Now everybody throw your hands up high
If you don't give a fuck throw your hands up high
Throw your hands up high
Now I don't give a fuck if you
Black, white, Asian, Hispanic, goddamn it
That don't mean shit to me
Fuck your ethnicity nigga
Fire burning inside my eyes, this the music that saved my life
Y'all be calling it hip hop, I be calling it hypnotize
Yeah, hypnotize, trapped my body but freed my mind
What the fuck are you fighting for? Ain't nobody gon' win that war
My details be retail, man I got so much in store
Racism is still alive, yellow tape and colored lines
Fuck that, nigga look at that line, it's so diverse
They getting off work and that wanna see Kendrick
Everybody can't drive Benzs, and I been there, so I make it my business
To give 'em my full attention, ten-hut, man I gotta get my wind up
Man I gotta get down with God cause I got my sins up, ooh
Matter of fact, don't mistake me for no fucking rapper
They sit backstage and hide behind the fucking cameras
I mosh pit, had a microphone, I tossed it
Had a brain, then I lost it, I'm out of my mind
So don't you mind how much the cost it, penny for my thoughts
Everybody please hold up your wallets
Yeah man, I'm the mailman, can't you tell man?
Going postal, never freeze up when I approach you
That's star-struck, and roast you, oh my, HiiiPoWeR
Now I don't give a fuck if you
Black, white, Asian, Hispanic, goddamn it
That don't mean shit to me
Fuck your ethnicity nigga
I'm tired of y'all, cause everybody lied to y'all
Do you believe it? Recognize them false achievements
It's treason and I'm Tylenol, I knock out when you knock it off
Knock of the doors of opportunity, I'm too involved
I'm no activist, I'm no Einstein, before calculus I was kicking in math
Dropping that science like an alchemist, and I be kicking that ass
Lyrically I'm UFC
If a UFO had came for me I'ma come back with the head of alien
Don't alienate my dreams, get it right, get a life
I got two, that's a metaphor for the big shit I do
Boy, TMI, TSA, man I'm fly
Put wings on my back, that a plane or angel? Both
Like a pilot with a halo, whoa, gross
I don't mean nothing, so many things come through
Them, him, her, you, hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
I'm just a messenger
Yeah I know life's a bitch, get the best of her
Put them threes up, they notice that we up
HiiiPoWeR, and the power, and the people
And if they don't believe us, they'll die
Wizard
Now I don't give a fuck if you
Black, white, Asian, Hispanic, goddamn it
That don't mean shit to me
Fuck your ethnicity nigga
The opening lines of Kendrick Lamar's song "Fuck Your Ethnicity" address the crowd gathered on the street corner. Lamar asserts that fire burning is the same passion that each person in the crowd has. He acknowledges diversity present among the crowd and then claims, "Fuck your ethnicity." The lyrics indicate that the song speaks to the audience in a way that overcomes racial barriers. Lamar goes on to pose several questions about why people are fighting with each other, and why they are not trying to unite in power. The rapper discusses multiple themes like overcoming obstacles, striving for success, and fighting racism.
Lamar also refers to himself as a messenger in the song. He recognizes that life can be difficult and tries to encourage people to focus on the good they can do instead of dwelling on their struggles. The song presents a motivational and inspirational tone that encourages people to pursue their dreams, no matter their ethnicity.
Line by Line Meaning
Gather round, I'm glad everybody came out tonight
I'm happy everyone's here
As we stand on our neighborhood corner
We're in our neighborhood
Know that this fire that's burning represents the passion you have
The fire represents your passion
Listen, Keisha, Tammy, come up front
I want Keisha and Tammy to come up front
I recognize all of you, every creed and color
I see everyone, regardless of race or ethnicity
With that being said, fuck your ethnicity, you understand that?
Don't let your race define you
We gon' talk about a lot of shit that concerns you, all of you
We're going to talk about things that affect us all
Now everybody throw your hands up high
Put your hands up
If you don't give a fuck throw your hands up high
If you don't care, put your hands up
Now I don't give a fuck if you
I don't care if you're
Black, white, Asian, Hispanic, goddamn it
Black, white, Asian, Hispanic, it doesn't matter
That don't mean shit to me
Your race doesn't matter to me
Fuck your ethnicity nigga
Don't let your race define you
Fire burning inside my eyes, this the music that saved my life
The music helped me when I was in a dark place
Y'all be calling it hip hop, I be calling it hypnotize
Hip hop is powerful and mesmerizing
What the fuck are you fighting for? Ain't nobody gon' win that war
Why are you even fighting? Nobody wins wars
My details be retail, man I got so much in store
I have so much to offer
Racism is still alive, yellow tape and colored lines
Racism still exists
Fuck that, nigga look at that line, it's so diverse
Look at how diverse the crowd is
They getting off work and that wanna see Kendrick
They came to see me after work
Everybody can't drive Benzs, and I been there, so I make it my business
Not everyone has a fancy car, and I understand that
To give 'em my full attention, ten-hut, man I gotta get my wind up
I'm going to give them my full attention
Man I gotta get down with God cause I got my sins up, ooh
I need to ask for forgiveness
Matter of fact, don't mistake me for no fucking rapper
I'm more than just a rapper
They sit backstage and hide behind the fucking cameras
Some rappers hide behind cameras
I mosh pit, had a microphone, I tossed it
I used to perform in mosh pits
Had a brain, then I lost it, I'm out of my mind
I lost my mind
So don't you mind how much the cost it, penny for my thoughts
My thoughts are priceless
Everybody please hold up your wallets
I'm not asking for your money
Yeah man, I'm the mailman, can't you tell man?
I'm like a mailman, delivering messages
Going postal, never freeze up when I approach you
I don't hesitate to talk to people
That's star-struck, and roast you, oh my, HiiiPoWeR
I'm powerful enough to roast people
I'm tired of y'all, cause everybody lied to y'all
I'm tired of people lying to us
Do you believe it? Recognize them false achievements
Question what you're told and find the truth
It's treason and I'm Tylenol, I knock out when you knock it off
The lies make me sick
Knock of the doors of opportunity, I'm too involved
I'm always looking for new opportunities
I'm no activist, I'm no Einstein, before calculus I was kicking in math
I'm not an activist or a genius, I was just good at math
Dropping that science like an alchemist, and I be kicking that ass
I'm sharing knowledge like an alchemist
Lyrically I'm UFC
I'm powerful with my lyrics
If a UFO had came for me I'ma come back with the head of alien
I'm not afraid of anything, even aliens
Don't alienate my dreams, get it right, get a life
Don't discourage my dreams
I got two, that's a metaphor for the big shit I do
I have a lot going on
Boy, TMI, TSA, man I'm fly
I'm successful
Put wings on my back, that a plane or angel? Both
I'm heavenly
Like a pilot with a halo, whoa, gross
I'm like a pilot with a halo, it's impressive
I don't mean nothing, so many things come through
I don't know everything
Them, him, her, you, hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
There's a lot to think about
I'm just a messenger
I'm just delivering a message
Yeah I know life's a bitch, get the best of her
Life is hard
Put them threes up, they notice that we up
Let's celebrate our success
HiiiPoWeR, and the power, and the people
We have power
And if they don't believe us, they'll die
If people don't believe in us, they'll miss out
Wizard
We have power
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: UNKNOWN WRITER, AUTHOR UNKNOWN COMPOSER, KENDRICK DUCKWORTH, KENDRICK LAMAR, WRITER UNKNOWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@calebw3353
"Fire burning inside my eyes/This the music that saved my life/ Y'all be calling it Hip-Hop/ I be calling it hypnotize"
Hell of a way to start an album
@Motoplugg
One of my favorite lines
@Mac2095
This album was my intro back into music and the start of my love of the new era of hip-hop after the 90s shit, when I was depressed and looking for some new soundtrack to put myself out to.
This song and album re-sparked that love of music and literally saved my life and gave me a new identity… I shout this line whenever I can and would get this tatted over everything if I could. Thank you Kendrick 🙏🏻
@Themo2005
"yeah hypnotize, trapped my body but freed my mind"
@jaredriffel2429
It’s like Kendrick wrote this song knowing that the future would need him and his lyricism
@jaedonfields798
Facts I immediately thought about this song the second this world came to shit
@dgage7776
Trump should make an executive order that forces everyone to listen to this album in its entirety
@dgage7776
@DIV1NITALyou've seriously destroyed my paradigm, yes
@arthurmorganx9465
Where’s he been! I need some historical fire from his
@moderndayentertainment5812
I feel like he was sent to Earth to provide peace against the evil in the rap game. He’s similar to Tupac in that regard