Morning Of America
Blue Scholars Lyrics

On and On like the song go
The trials and tribulations in life seem to persist incessantly like a repeating tune

I wonder if we took the wrong road
One questions whether their choices have led them to where they are meant to be

And it seems like so long ago
The past appears to be distant, almost irrelevant

But you know where to go if you ever come home
If all is lost, there exists a haven to return to

I was born in the morning of America
The artist was born in the United States in a time of change and promise

Torn between mourning the loss
The artist is conflicted between grief and acceptance

And celebrating the dawn
At the same time, the artist recognizes the hope that comes with a new beginning

Majored in Reaganomics, hip hop and comics
The artist's interests are varied, ranging from politics to entertainment

Fist locked around dollars
Money and material wealth is clung to tightly

Fuck a stock market
The artist's disdain for the stock market is evident

Prince was chart toppin'
The musician Prince was at the height of his popularity

Purple Rain fallin'
Referencing the title track from Prince's album, the artist comments on the influence of Prince's music in their own era

Writer's gettin' up and down the Berlin Wall
Writers from across the globe were using the Berlin Wall as a canvas for their art

Before the Iron Curtain call and People Power One
The fall of the Iron Curtain was imminent, and events like the EDSA Revolution in the Philippines were occurring

Chillin' up in military housing having fun
Despite their living conditions, there were moments of joy and pleasure

With the little we got, got Optimus for Christmas
With limited resources, the artist's family still found ways to celebrate and provide

Over time to pay principal with interest
The burden of debt was a reality that the artist's family faced

Moms and Pops still ill equipped as new immigrants
The artist's family was still struggling to adjust to life in the United States

And navigate 1986 with three kids
The difficulties of raising a family in the midst of financial hardship and cultural displacement were overwhelming

Plus expecting one more, far from the Huxtables
Contrasting their own reality to the popular television show, 'The Cosby Show', the artist recognizes the stark differences in their own life

That's why I'm still comfortable while sleeping on the floor
Despite their struggles, the artist has found a sense of contentment and resilience

Twenty Three years gone, still 1984
Despite the passing of years, the artist feels stuck in a time of political turmoil

Still fighting more undeclared wars
The United States was still engaging in conflicts despite no formal declarations of war

Caught 'em shipping arms to Iran for Nicaraguan Contras
Referencing the Iran-Contra affair scandal in which the US secretly sold arms to Iran to free hostages and fund Nicaraguan Contras

A cold war getting hotter,
The Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union was increasing in intensity

Now what's going on?
The artist questions the direction in which the world is headed

It's no more Marvin to sing us the song,
Marvin Gaye, a prominent singer and artist known for his social commentary, was no longer alive to provide a voice for the people

I think something's gone wrong
The artist senses that the world is in trouble and headed in the wrong direction

Now, nothing beats the sound of a Posmix cassette
The artist fondly recalls the unique sound of a mixtape

Bumpin' in the system of your hooptie stock deck
The artist remembers listening to music in a rundown car

8-bit systems and kung-fu flicks
The artist enjoyed the classic video games of the time and martial arts films

I rock like Herbie Hancock with prosthetic limbs
The artist compares their own music to that of the jazz legend Herbie Hancock, suggesting a similar level of innovation and experimentation

Who killed Vincent Chin?
The artist references a hate crime against a Chinese-American man in Michigan during the 1980s

Was it them? Was it us?
The artist questions who is responsible for the hate and violence that marginalized groups experience

Not giving it enough of a fuck to stand up
The apathy and inaction of society in response to hate crimes is criticized

Not more than 12 months after Lennon got shot
Referencing the tragic death of musician John Lennon

Bob died same year, Mumia got locked
In the same year, musician Bob Marley passed away while journalist and activist Mumia Abu-Jamal was imprisoned

The school of the Americas put heads to sleep
The artist references the controversial training school for Latin American military personnel, known for human rights abuses

Like Ted DiBiase, the Million Dollar Dream
A reference to professional wrestler Ted DiBiase and his signature finishing move

Jesus Freaks all believe to leave
A disdain for religious zealots is expressed

On these streets, will they please just leave us be
The artist wishes for the freedom to live and be without the judgement and intrusion of others

Mix tapes of Fat Boys and Run DMC
The artist mentions classic hip-hop groups from the era

Too Short, BDP and EPMD
More classic hip-hop acts are referenced

Watch more Nickelodeon than MTV
The artist preferred the family-oriented Nickelodeon channel over the more adult-centric MTV

Eventually every week it was Fab Five Freddy
The artist recalls the MTV show 'Yo! MTV Raps' and its host, Fab Five Freddy

Now everybody born about '87 up
Referencing those born after 1987, the artist addresses a new generation

Got a VH1 version of "The Years We Came Up"
A reference to the popular nostalgia show on network VH1, which primarily focuses on the late 1990s and 2000s

But VH1 never played hip-hop at all
The artist criticizes the lack of representation for hip-hop on VH1

How the fuck they be the ones giving hip hop awards y'all?
The artist questions VH1's credibility in presenting awards for hip-hop music when they have historically neglected the genre

Reflections and questions and not enough answers
The artist recognizes the complexity and difficulty in grappling with the problems of the world

The rise of gang banging was the death of the Panthers
The artist notes the destructive nature of gangs and the decline of the Black Panther movement

Short shorts, tube socks, cities to boondocks
The artist references different styles and locations in the United States

Everywhere somebody trying to moon walk
The phenomenon of Michael Jackson's moonwalk move had taken the world by storm

Rock Steady crew, jams with Steve Pool
More hip-hop groups and figures are referenced

Site beyond sight, yo, I pulled roots
The artist expresses their new knowledge and awareness of past injustices and oppression

Like Super Mario 2, a bowl full of Cheerios
The artist recalls the simple pleasures and joys of childhood

Looking back "Just Say No" was not enough
The artist acknowledges the failure of the Reagan-era anti-drug campaign

To sweep dust under the carpet when the visitors came
The artist recognizes the tendency of society to hide its problems and shortcomings

Cities became, temporary wealth manifested and changed
The artist notices the transient and unstable nature of wealth and economic prosperity in urban areas

M.J. became chosen
The artist acknowledges the massive popularity and influence of Michael Jackson in this era

"Free Mandela" was the slogan of the moment
The struggle to free Nelson Mandela from prison in South Africa was of great importance and significance

To the mobile DJs with the pompadour fades
Acknowledging the style of a certain type of DJ from the time

Rockin' Debbie Deb Stevie B. all day
More classic hip-hop and dance acts are referenced

When I hear music, I can't wait to rock
The artist expresses their love of music and its ability to inspire and energize them

New shoes, nothing less than some fresh hightops
A new pair of shoes is a symbol of pride and accomplishment

And things happen for a reason, they say
The artist contemplates the idea of fate and destiny

But I say there's a reason things happen
The artist declares their belief in personal agency and free will

And it wasn't all good way back in the day
Contrary to popular nostalgia, the artist recognizes the hardships and struggles of the past

Struggled then, struggle now, still standing
Despite the difficulties faced in the past and present, the artist is still moving forward and persevering

(repeat)
Repetition of the chorus emphasizes its message of resilience and hope