Blacker The Berry
Field Mob Lyrics

I remember as a kid back.. in the days
Recalling childhood memories

I got picked on kicked at... shit on spit at
Being bullied and humiliated

Get gone get back (gone Smoke) get away
Trying to escape the bullying

Havin a dark pigmentation was hard then to make friends
Experiencing social exclusion due to skin color

Felt like God didn't take his time with me
Feeling inadequate and undeserving

He musta made me late night tired and sleepy
Feeling like a poorly crafted creation

Cause life wasn't easy they dogged me
Facing continuous challenges and obstacles

Said that I was so dark the bet I could sweat coffee
Encountering racist remarks and stereotypes

And peepee sweet tea and spit oil
Further examples of racial prejudice and hostility

Say when ashy I lotion down in Armor All
Using unconventional methods to cope with skin problems

Made me feel like a loser really lame
Struggling with low self-esteem and feelings of inferiority

Because of my complexion nobody would include me in games
Experiencing discrimination and ostracism

Not even tag never "it" nobody would touch me
Being completely isolated and alone

Nope no girlfriends cause shawties thought I was ugly
Suffering from romantic rejection and devaluation

Through all the jokes and laughs pokes and stabs blows and jabs
Enduring various forms of physical and emotional abuse

Hopin sad mopin mad before the scabs nobody told me that...
Feeling hopeless and desperate without supportive guidance or advice

The blacker the berry the sweeter the juice
Celebrating and appreciating Black identity and resilience

I say the darker the flesh then the deeper the roots
Asserting the richness and strength of Black heritage and ancestry

(this song is to all the dark skinned)
Addressing and advocating for the empowerment of Dark-skinned individuals

I ain't have Marvin Gaye to sing to me
Lamenting the lack of positive role models and cultural representation

And make me feel like black was the thing to be
Desiring validation and affirmation of Blackness

Until Big Daddy Kane I was so glad he came
Finding comfort and inspiration through a Black musical artist

Made me feel good about bein black again cause
Reclaiming Black pride and self-worth

We was at the bottom of the market
Referencing the systemic oppression and marginalization of Black people

(Al B.) made (Sure) it was a problem to be dark skinned
Highlighting the perpetuation of colorism and prejudice within the music industry

Until (Wesley Sniped) him
Identifying the role of influential Black celebrities in subverting colorism

In with the darkies out with the light skinned
Reflecting on the evolution of color preferences and biases

Now we got Tyrese Taye and Tyson
Recognizing the success and visibility of Dark-skinned Black celebrities

Mekhi Phife in every movie ya likin
Acknowledging the talent and versatility of a Dark-skinned actor

Blade he remind me of a modern day Panther
Elevating the representation of a Dark-skinned superhero

While Batman (hides behind a mask) like a (Klansman)
Contrasting the visibility and identity of fictional heroes

We have to achieve... ('Caine's killin us)
Calling for collective action and resistance against systemic oppression

Like it killed the second son of Adam and Eve
Drawing a religious allusion to the effects of oppression

Ya palm is white and spread fist still black and tightly now
Emphasizing the symbolic significance of the Black Power salute

Slappin five was cool but rather ya ball ya fist and give me pound
Valuing cultural authenticity and pride over assimilation

Tiger Woods say he ain't black... whatever
Critiquing the denial and erasure of Black identity by successful individuals

They say Michael Jackson ain't white... whatever
Commenting on the complexity and fluidity of racial identity

And Venus and Serena done beat mo white girls
Challenging the stereotypes and prejudices surrounding Black athletic ability

Than O.J. and Rick James put together
Ironically contrasting the sports achievements of Black individuals with their cultural legacies

Now Michael Vick's the new black hero
Analyzing the impact and portrayal of Black athletes in the media

Bet John Madden ain't see it comin
Sarcastically referring to a white football commentator's surprise at Black success

(saw a quarterback as a negro)
Exposing the covert and implicit racism within the sports industry

Jordan he can't hide it he look like an African Tribal leader
Comparing a Black athlete's physical appearance to stereotypical tribal images

If you can lighten him then you can brighten me up
Recognizing the pervasive and damaging effects of colorism

Now don't get me wrong and think I'm prejudiced
Clarifying the message and purpose of the song

Listenin to this song.. I'm not racist
Rejecting the accusation of bigotry or intolerance

As a matter of fact shout out to Jamie Lori and Chad
Acknowledging the presence and friendship of white individuals in the artist's life

My white friends from Lee County to Bladecliff
Recognizing the diversity and inclusivity of his social circle

Just bein dark is it what's like bein white in the audience
Introducing the concept of privilege by comparing Blackness to Whiteness in different social settings

At a black comedy show I
Drawing on the artist's personal experiences of racial humor and stereotyping

Was guaranteed to get cracked on and joked out
Describing the painful and mocking experience of being ridiculed based on race

Now this ugly duckling is a swan I know now
Celebrating personal growth and self-discovery despite societal obstacles

It's the F-be-I
Ending the song on a note of defiance and criticism towards systemic oppression