Whether it be in the classroom or the home, Ameer is constantly reminded of his skin color and how it will affect him throughout his life. He felt like his future as a victim had been predetermined due to his race. Dom, on the other hand, ignores the expectations for black men in order to make money and promote his own success.
The song is all about rising up past these struggles and defying society’s expectation of what you can achieve.
FIGHT
BROCKHAMPTON Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My father learned how to solve problems with guns
And when I grew up I learned what racism was
And what teaching it does
And like my teachers would say
"Little black boys have a place in the world"
Like hanging from trees
Or dead in the street like I seen on TV
All them boys they killed, they looked just like me
Not like Brandon or Chandler, but Malik and Kareem
I was born with a target, and it stuck to my skin
And I learned in social studies I was one of them men
Who were locked in the chains, but not locked in the pen
But I'm bigger than that, I'm the beginning and end
I'm the sun and the moon
I'm the light and the dark
I am life in the tomb
I'm the pharaoh and slave
Gentrifying my spirit
It's like a knife in the womb
Refuse to act like a parrot
Or to dance like a monkey
See your stance is apparent
That's why I'm here for the money
Don't care to cater to Mary
Y'all fetishizing my spirit
I see your culture's dependent
On what you didn't inherent
Won't let my world be attempted
I'm staying distant
Who gonna be the reason why I get high
Who gonna be the reason why I turn over
Who gonna be the gunner that I don't trust
Who gonna be the gunner that get they ass whooped
Who gonna be the reason why I get high
Who gonna be the reason why I turn over
Who gonna be the gunner that I don't trust
Who gonna be the gunner that get they ass whooped
Who gonna be the reason why I get high
Who gonna be the reason why I turn over
Who gonna be the gunner that I don't trust
Who gonna be the gunner that get they ass whooped
Who gonna be the reason why I get high
Who gonna be the reason why I turn over
Who gonna be the gunner that I don't trust
Who gonna be the gunner that get they ass whooped
Bum, bum, beat 'em, I would never wanna be 'em
If I catch 'em slipping they gon' have to meet the eagle
Bum, bum, beat 'em, treat these niggas how I see 'em
I don't need you either, send you right back where I seen ya
Bum, bum, beat 'em, I would never wanna be 'em
If I catch 'em slipping they gon' have to meet the eagle
Bum, bum, beat 'em, treat these niggas how I see 'em
I don't need you either, send you right back where I seen ya
In the game, in the game, in the game, in the game (bloodsucka!)
In the game, in the game, in the game, in the game (bloodsucka!)
Running thangs, running, run, running, run, running thangs (bloodsucka!)
Running thangs, running, run, running, run, running thangs
In the game, in the game, in the game, in the, in the
In the game, in the game, in the game, running thangs
Running thangs, running, run, running, run, running, run
Running thangs, running, run, running, run, running thangs, running thangs
The lyrics to BROCKHAMPTON's song "FIGHT" explore themes of identity, racism, and self-empowerment. The opening lines reveal the singer's complicated relationship with their male role models, who are drug dealers and thugs. They also touch upon the influence of their father, who taught them to solve problems with guns. Growing up, the singer becomes aware of racism and its damaging effects, as they witness black boys like themselves being killed and marginalized. The mention of names like Malik and Kareem emphasizes the racial profiling and discrimination that they experience.
Despite the challenges they face, the singer refuses to be defined by their circumstances and rejects the narrative imposed upon them. They feel like a target, but also recognize their own strength and resilience. The lyrics highlight a simultaneous duality within them, where they embody both light and dark, pharaoh and slave. They refuse to conform to societal expectations, seeing through the fetishization and appropriation of their culture. The singer asserts their independence and refuses to let anyone attempt to shape their world, choosing to stay distant.
The chorus asks the question of who will be the reason for their vices and self-destructive behaviors, as well as the source of their trust issues. The repetition reflects the struggle to find stability and support amidst a complex and challenging environment. It also speaks to the internal battles they face, grappling with their own vulnerabilities and the influence of external factors.
In the final section, the lyrics take on a more aggressive tone, with the singer expressing their readiness to confront those who pose a threat. The repeated phrase "Bum, bum, beat 'em" suggests a confrontational attitude towards those who doubt and underestimate them. The mention of the eagle symbolizes their determination to protect themselves and reclaim power. Overall, "FIGHT" is a powerful anthem that explores the journey of self-discovery, resilience, and defiance against societal expectations and discrimination.
Line by Line Meaning
My male role models drug dealers and thugs
The people I looked up to as male role models were involved in illegal activities and violence.
My father learned how to solve problems with guns
My father believed that using guns was a solution to his problems.
And when I grew up I learned what racism was
As I got older, I experienced and understood the concept of racism.
And what teaching it does
I realized the harmful impact that teaching racism has on society.
And like my teachers would say
Similar to what my teachers used to tell me,
"Little black boys have a place in the world"
"Black boys have their own position and role in society"
Like hanging from trees
Such as being victims of lynching
Or dead in the street like I seen on TV
Or being killed and left on the streets, as I have witnessed on television.
All them boys they killed, they looked just like me
The victims of these killings were young boys who shared my same appearance.
Not like Brandon or Chandler, but Malik and Kareem
They were not given names like Brandon or Chandler, but rather names associated with the African American community.
I was born with a target, and it stuck to my skin
From the moment I was born, I faced discrimination and became a target for hate due to my skin color.
And I learned in social studies I was one of them men
Through my education in social studies, I discovered that I belong to the group of individuals who face oppression and discrimination.
Who were locked in the chains, but not locked in the pen
Although we were not physically imprisoned, we were still bound by societal restrictions and prejudices.
But I'm bigger than that, I'm the beginning and end
However, I refuse to be defined by these limitations. I am greater and encompass much more than what society tries to confine me to.
I'm the sun and the moon
I represent both power and illumination
I'm the light and the dark
I embody both positivity and darkness
I am life in the tomb
I bring life even in seemingly lifeless situations
I'm the pharaoh and slave
I am both a ruler, symbolizing strength, and a victim to oppression
Gentrifying my spirit
My essence is being slowly eroded and replaced by a more palatable version for others
It's like a knife in the womb
This process is painful and damaging, similar to the feeling of being stabbed in the womb
Refuse to act like a parrot
I will not blindly repeat and imitate what others say
Or to dance like a monkey
I refuse to entertain and amuse others by conforming to their expectations
See your stance is apparent
It is evident that your perspective and beliefs are clear
That's why I'm here for the money
I am driven to succeed financially as a result of your shallow perspective
Don't care to cater to Mary
I have no interest in tending to or pandering to those who are superficial
Y'all fetishizing my spirit
You are objectifying and glorifying certain aspects of my identity and culture
I see your culture's dependent
I recognize that your culture relies heavily on appropriating and exploiting other cultures
On what you didn't inherent
Your culture is built on elements that were not originally yours
Won't let my world be attempted
I will not allow my world and existence to be threatened or undermined
I'm staying distant
I am choosing to keep myself separate and detached from such influences
Who gonna be the reason why I get high
Who will be the cause behind my need to escape through substance abuse
Who gonna be the reason why I turn over
Who will be the person I can trust to confide in and seek support from
Who gonna be the gunner that I don't trust
Who will be the individual who may harm or betray me, creating a lack of trust
Who gonna be the gunner that get they ass whooped
Who will be the person who incurs consequences for their actions
Bum, bum, beat 'em, I would never wanna be 'em
In a confrontation, I would never want to be like the person I oppose
If I catch 'em slipping they gon' have to meet the eagle
If I find them off-guard and vulnerable, they will face the consequences of their actions
Treat these niggas how I see 'em
I will confront and handle these individuals based on my perception of them
I don't need you either, send you right back where I seen ya
I don't require your presence in my life, and I will make sure you return to where I first encountered you
In the game, in the game, in the game, in the game (bloodsucka!)
Participating in this system, being part of this environment and competition
Running thangs, running, run, running, run, running thangs (bloodsucka!)
Taking control and leading, constantly moving forward and progressing
Running thangs, running, run, running, run, running thangs
Taking charge, managing and directing, consistently pushing forward
Running thangs, running, run, running, run, running, run
Continuing to be active and take charge, never slowing down
Running thangs, running, run, running, run, running thangs, running thangs
Maintaining control and influence, persistently overseeing and managing
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Merlyn Wood, Ian Simpson, Dom McLennon, Ameer Vann
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind