Who Am I
Big Daddy Kane Lyrics

A black man from the motherland Speakin a language today most people don't understand Where no one could bother me Cause I had freedom, justice, and equality But then one day it was tooken away And I was shipped to the U.S.A. A young brother, made into a slave To harvest the midlands and clean the chittlins Given a new name, new religion No freedom to vote, not even to make a decision I saw my peoples, sold raped and took out The rest of that stuff that Alex Haley talks about They said I'm not from Asia I'm from Africa And all the blacks there now are just scavengers That's the way my mind was poisoned To believe that in America blacks are inferior A weak mind and a body of swine Only adds up to being - deaf dumb and blind Illiterate to who where what and why So I ask myself: who am I?
I was born in Africa, where I had liberty and justice, and no one could bother me. But then, I was taken to the U.S.A. where I was made into a slave with no freedom to vote or make decisions. I saw my African people being sold and raped. Through lies, I was convinced that black people in America are inferior, which made me feel deaf, dumb, and blind, and question: who am I?

A native New Yorker on the streets Known for rockin' rhymes to real rough beats That I found in the attic, noisy with static A sound that made me, a hip-hop fanatic I made a few songs that sold OK Never top twenty or plenty airplay I came out hardcore, flexin' cock diesel Saw a little cash, and pop goes the weasel I had to make that change and rearrange My whole rap format, no hardcore rap So now all the pop charts I rule Over New Kids on the Block and Paula Abdul, huh I thought I made it, then my song faded And none of the black stations ever have played it I tried to blame it on MTV And say, "Damn, they cold played me for Young MC" But when you get down to it, I'm the real blame Because I wanted the fame Money is not only the root of all evil It's also the destruction of black people, so Conjunction junction, what's your function? Bein' a scout, or sellin' out? Look in the mirror at yourself, eye to eye And say: who am I?
As a New Yorker, I used to make popular hardcore rap music, but due to a desire for fame and money, I switched to non-hardcore rap, which became extremely popular on pop charts. However, the lack of exposure on black radio stations made me blame everything but myself until I realized my desire for money and fame was the root cause. Money not only causes moral degradation but also destroys black people. Therefore, I left a message to ask ourselves and others, are we scouts, or are we sellouts?

A solid change, have to rearrange this strange Feelin' I'm feelin', so appealin' I am having to deal with Time to forget the myth, of bein' black and a woman Can't get ahead, walkin' on a thread, a tightrope Can't cope, don't be a dope, have a little bit of hope Runnin' your scope on affairs You have to be aware, don't flare up Let your cup runneth over I'm not Irish, don't need a donut to fill up my dish Nor two mango wish to wish on a star, they're so far Anyway I'm thinkin' about today, not tomorrow I'm not a follower of anyone My time has come, it's already here My message is clear Like the women of long ago, I am also here Also to show, I have the courage Have the strength, I'm for equal opportunity No matter the life, length of time Show me a sign, should I rely on a Subliminal message, should I question What would seem to be, life's told me? Yes indeed, so let me speak
As a black woman, I have to change strange feelings and attitudes and forget myths about black women not being able to get ahead. I need to have hope and be aware of what's going on without flaring up. I don't need a doorman to fill up my dish or wishes that are too far away. I have to think about today instead of tomorrow, and I am not a follower. As a woman of courage and strength, I advocate for equality and seek a sign that will help me question subliminal messages, and seek what appears to be impossible. So let me speak.

And that's comin' from the daughter of Malcolm X So black women put it in your texts So you can never let, opportunity pass you by Or even ask yourself, who am I?
My message of strength and hope for black women comes from the daughter of Malcolm X. Black women must put this message in their faiths to never let an opportunity pass them by or question who they are.