KeNJi
Fort Minor (Productos KeNJi MaX) Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

“My father came from Japan in 1905. He was fifteen when he immigrated from Japan. He worked until he was able to buy – to actually build a store.”

Let me tell you the story in the form of a dream
I don't know why I have to tell it but I know what it means
Close your eyes and just picture the scene / as I paint it for you
It was World War II when this man named Kenji woke up
Ken was not a soldier / he was just a man with a family
Who owned a store in LA / that day

He crawled out of bed like he always did
Bacon and eggs with wife and kids / he lived on the
Second floor of a little store he ran
He moved to L.A from Japan
They called him “Immigrant” / in Japanese
He'd say he was called "iisei" / that meant
First Generation In The United States
When everyone was afraid of the Germans / afraid of the “Japs”
But most of all afraid of a homeland attack
And that morning when Ken went out on the doormat
His world went black 'cause
Right there / front page news
Three weeks before 1942
"Pearl Harbor's been bombed and “The Japs Are Coming"
Pictures of soldiers dying and running
Ken knew what it would lead to
Just like he guessed / the President said,
The “evil Japanese” in our home country will be locked away
They gave Ken a couple of days
To get his whole life packed in two bags
Just two bags
Couldn't even pack his clothes
Some folks didn't even have a suitcase
To pack anything in
So two trash bags was all they gave them
When the kids asked mom / where are we going
Nobody even knew what to say to them
Ken didn't want to lie
He said the US is looking for spies
So we have to live in a place called Manzanar
Where a lot of Japanese people are
Stop it / don't look at the gunmen
You don't wanna get the soldiers wondering
If you gonna run or not 'cause if you run then you might get shot
Other than that / try not to think about it
Try not to worry 'bout it being so crowded
'Cause someday we'll get out / someday / someday.

”Yeah, soon as war broke out, the F.B.I came and… they just come to the house and, you have to come. All the Japanese have to go. They took Mr. Ni, the people couldn't understand, why did they have to take him because he's just an innocent laborer…”

So now they're in a town with soldiers surrounding them
Every day every night / looked down at them
From watchtowers up on the wall
Ken couldn't really hate them at all
They were just doing their job and
He wasn't gonna make any problems
He had a little garden / vegetables and fruits that he gave to the troops
In a basket his wife made
But in the back of his mind he wanted his families life saved
Prisoners of war in their own damn country
What for?
And time passed in the prison town / he wondered
If he'd live it down when they were free
The only way out was joining the army / and supposedly
Some men went out for the army / signed on
And ended up flying to Japan with a bomb
That 15 kiloton blast put an end to the war pretty fast
Two cities were blown to bits
The end of the war came quick
And Ken got out
Big hopes of a normal life with his kids and his wife / but
When they got back to their home / and
What they saw made him feel so alone
These people had trashed every room
Smashed in the windows and bashed in the doors
Written on the walls and the floor:
"Japs not welcome anymore"
And Kenji dropped both of his bags at his sides and just stood outside
He looked at his wife without words to say
She looked back at him wiped the tears away
And said Someday we'll be okay / someday
Now the names have been changed but the story's true
My family was locked up back in '42
My family was there
Where it was dark and damp
And they called it an internment camp

”When we first got back from camp, it was pretty bad”
“I remember my husband said, ‘Oh, we're going to stay ‘till last.' Then my husband died before they closed the camp”

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Fort Minor (Productos KeNJi MaX)'s song KeNJi tell the story of a Japanese man named Kenji and his family who lived in Los Angeles during World War II. Kenji, who was an immigrant, owned a store and lived on the second floor of the building with his wife and children. When news of the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the Japanese threat reached America, Kenji and his family were forced to relocate to an internment camp called Manzanar. Kenji was resilient throughout his experience of discrimination and oppression, understanding that the soldiers guarding the camp were simply doing their jobs. Even when they were finally released, they went back home to find everything destroyed, with hateful messages written on the walls. The lyrics are a powerful commentary on America's internment of Japanese-Americans during the war, and the lingering effects of racism and prejudice.

Line by Line Meaning

Let me tell you the story in the form of a dream
The singer is about to tell the story of Kenji and his family through a dream-like sequence.

I don't know why I have to tell it but I know what it means
The singer feels compelled to share the story of Kenji's experience during World War II because it holds a deeper significance.

Close your eyes and just picture the scene / as I paint it for you
The singer invites the listener to imagine Kenji's story as he describes it in detail.

It was World War II when this man named Kenji woke up
The story takes place during World War II and centers on a man named Kenji.

Ken was not a soldier / he was just a man with a family / Who owned a store in LA / that day
Kenji was a civilian living in LA who owned a store and had a family.

He crawled out of bed like he always did / Bacon and eggs with wife and kids / he lived on the / Second floor of a little store he ran
Kenji woke up and had breakfast with his family in their living quarters above their store.

He moved to L.A from Japan / They called him “Immigrant” / in Japanese / He'd say he was called "iisei" / that meant / First Generation In The United States
Kenji was an immigrant from Japan and a first-generation Japanese-American, or "iisei."

When everyone was afraid of the Germans / afraid of the “Japs” / But most of all afraid of a homeland attack
During World War II, people in the US were afraid of the Germans and the Japanese but were most worried about a possible attack on American soil.

And that morning when Ken went out on the doormat / His world went black 'cause / Right there / front page news / Three weeks before 1942 / "Pearl Harbor's been bombed and “The Japs Are Coming" / Pictures of soldiers dying and running
Kenji saw the news of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor on his doormat, and it caused him to feel a sense of dread and fear.

Ken knew what it would lead to / Just like he guessed / the President said, / The “evil Japanese” in our home country will be locked away
Kenji realized that the US response to the bombing would be to imprison Japanese Americans, as he had anticipated.

They gave Ken a couple of days / To get his whole life packed in two bags / Just two bags / Couldn't even pack his clothes
Kenji was given a few days to pack his belongings before being forced to leave his home, but could only bring two bags and couldn't even pack all of his clothes.

Some folks didn't even have a suitcase / To pack anything in / So two trash bags was all they gave them / When the kids asked mom / where are we going / Nobody even knew what to say to them / Ken didn't want to lie / He said the US is looking for spies / So we have to live in a place called Manzanar / Where a lot of Japanese people are
Many Japanese-Americans didn't have suitcases and were given only trash bags to pack their belongings. Kenji told his family that they were going to live in a camp called Manzanar because the government suspected Japanese-Americans of being spies.

Stop it / don't look at the gunmen / You don't wanna get the soldiers wondering / If you gonna run or not 'cause if you run then you might get shot / Other than that / try not to think about it
Kenji tells his family to avoid looking at the armed guards at the camp and to try not to draw attention to themselves in order to avoid being shot.

Try not to worry 'bout it being so crowded / 'Cause someday we'll get out / someday / someday.
Kenji tells his family not to worry about the overcrowding in the camp because he believes they will someday be released.

Yeah, soon as war broke out, the F.B.I came and… they just come to the house and, you have to come. All the Japanese have to go. They took Mr. Ni, the people couldn't understand, why did they have to take him because he's just an innocent laborer…
Another person recalls how the FBI came to their home during the war and took a Japanese-American laborer away with no explanation.

So now they're in a town with soldiers surrounding them / Every day every night / looked down at them / From watchtowers up on the wall / Ken couldn't really hate them at all / They were just doing their job
Kenji and his family are living in a camp surrounded by armed soldiers who watch them from watchtowers. While Kenji doesn't harbor any resentment towards the soldiers, he recognizes that they are just doing their jobs.

And he wasn't gonna make any problems / He had a little garden / vegetables and fruits that he gave to the troops / In a basket his wife made / But in the back of his mind he wanted his families life saved
Kenji tries to avoid causing trouble in the camp and even grows a garden to give vegetables and fruits to the troops. However, his main concern is the safety and well-being of his family.

Prisoners of war in their own damn country / What for?
Kenji recognizes the absurdity of being imprisoned as a Japanese-American during the war while living in his own country.

And time passed in the prison town / he wondered / If he'd live it down when they were free
Kenji wonders if he will be able to move past the horror of being imprisoned when his family is eventually released.

The only way out was joining the army / and supposedly / Some men went out for the army / signed on / And ended up flying to Japan with a bomb / That 15 kiloton blast put an end to the war pretty fast / Two cities were blown to bits / The end of the war came quick / And Ken got out
The only way for Japanese-Americans to leave the camps was to join the army, and some ended up fighting against Japan. Kenji was eventually released when the war ended after the atomic bomb was dropped on two Japanese cities.

Big hopes of a normal life with his kids and his wife / but / When they got back to their home / And what they saw made him feel so alone / These people had trashed every room / Smashed in the windows and bashed in the doors / Written on the walls and the floor: / "Japs not welcome anymore"
Kenji and his family hoped to return to a normal life after leaving the camp, but found that their home had been vandalized and defaced with the message "Japs not welcome anymore."

And Kenji dropped both of his bags at his sides and just stood outside / He looked at his wife without words to say / She looked back at him wiped the tears away / And said Someday we'll be okay / someday
Kenji is devastated by the state of his home but is comforted by his wife, who reassures him that things will get better someday.

Now the names have been changed but the story's true / My family was locked up back in '42 / My family was there / Where it was dark and damp / And they called it an internment camp
The singer reveals that the story is based on true events that happened to their family and that they were also imprisoned in an internment camp during the war.

When we first got back from camp, it was pretty bad / I remember my husband said, ‘Oh, we're going to stay ‘till last.' Then my husband died before they closed the camp
Another person recounts their experience of returning home after being released from camp and how their husband died before they could leave the camp permanently.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MIKE SHINODA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

stephanie turner

6y↑6

I am hearing this for the first time Today it just popped on my YouTube playlist

And i am just speechless

Just wow to hear a song with this much emotion

I don't cry much but this song differently made me shed a tear

Its just so enmointal

Love you Mike. 💖💖💖

Adnan ahmed

1y↑8

My father, came from Japan, in 1905
He was fifteen when he, immigrated from Japan
He, he, he worked until he was able to buy
To actually build a store"
Let me tell you a story in the form of a dream
I don't know why I have to tell it, but I know what it means
Close your eyes, just picture the scene
As I paint it for you
It was World War II
When this man named Kenji woke up
Ken was not a soldier, he was just a man
With a family who owned a store in L.A
That day, he crawled out of bed like he always did
Bacon and eggs with wife and kids
He lived on the second floor of a little store he ran
He moved to L.A. from Japan
They called him immigrant, in Japanese
He'd say he was called "issei"
That meant first generation
In the United States when
Everybody was afraid of the Germans, afraid of the Japs
But most of all, afraid of a homeland attack
And that morning, when Ken went out on the doormat
His world went black, 'cause
Right there, front page news
Three weeks before 1942
Pearl Harbor's been bombed and "The Japs are Coming"
Pictures of soldiers dying and running
Ken knew what it would lead to
And just like he guessed, the president said
"The evil Japanese in our home country
Would be locked away"
They gave Ken a couple of days
To get his whole life packed in two bags
Just two bags, he couldn't even pack his clothes
And some folks didn't even have a suitcase
To pack anything in
So two trash bags, is all they gave them
And when the kids asked mom, "Where are we going?"
Nobody even knew what to say to them
Ken didn't wanna lie
He said, "The U.S. is looking for spies
So, we have to live in a place called Manzanar
Where a lot of Japanese people are"
Stop it, don't look at the gunmen
You don't wanna get the soldiers wondering
If you're gonna run or not
'Cause if you run, then you might get shot
Other than that, try not to think about it
Try not to worry 'bout it being so crowded
'Cause someday, we'll get out
Someday, someday
"Yeah, soon as war broke out, the FBI came and
They just come through the house and, you have to come
All the Japanese have to go
They took Mr. Ni, the people couldn't understand
Why they had to take him because he's an innocent laborer"
So now, they're in a town with soldiers surrounding them
Every day, every night, looked down at them
From watchtowers up on the wall
Ken couldn't really hate them, at all
They were just doing their job
And he wasn't gonna make any problems
He had a little garden
Vegetables and fruits that he gave to the troops
In a basket his wife made
But in the back of his mind, he wanted his family's life saved
Prisoners of war in their own damn country, what for?
And time passed in the prison town
He wondered if he'd live it down
If and when they were free
The only way out was joining the Army, and supposedly
Some men went out for the army, signed on
And ended up flying to Japan with a bomb
That fifteen kiloton blast
Put an end to the war pretty fast
Two cities were blown to bits
The end of the war came quick
And Ken got out, big hopes of a normal life
With his kids and his wife, but
Then they got back to the home
And what they saw made him feel so alone
These people had trashed every room
Smashed in the windows and bashed in the doors
Written on the walls and the floor
"Japs not welcome, anymore!"
And Kenji dropped both of his bags at his sides
And just stood outside
He looked at his wife without words to say
She looked back at him wiping tears away
And said someday, we'll be okay, someday
Now, the names have been changed, but the story is true
My family was locked up, back in '42
My family was there, where it was dark and damp
And they called it an internment camp
When we first got back from camp, uh
It was pretty, pretty bad
I-I remember, my husband said
Oh we're gonna stay 'til last
Then my husband died, before they closed the camp

All comments from YouTube:

AbdulKhujliwal786

49w↑49

Michael Shinoda is so damn underrated, it's unreal how he's so overlooked.

RaPmanTim

23w↑1

Matthew Williams

8y↑1.6K

At the beginning of the year, my teacher gave out a syllabus that listed Mike Shinoda as one of the poets/authors that we would be dealing with. I spent the rest of the year anxiously awaiting the day we would read a work from him. Never expecting to be brought to tears the day he finally showed us. A few days ago, he showed us this song while talking about Japanese internment during World War II. This song should be shown in every classroom.

Syed Hasnain Ali

8y↑189

You got a great teacher.

Ibel Thorns

7y↑37

Matthew Williams your lucky

ItzChaos

7y↑52

Isaac McDaniel how is it fake? history covers everything. Crusaders to modern day culture. for one thing, my history teacher Ms Dixon went over this song as being a great poetic summary of what Japanese Americans went through during the 1940s. teachers use modern day examples to teach history, because a lot of kids tend to get bored, reading a history book for an hour every day.

Gavin Gaming

7y↑10

Isaac McDaniel How is it fake? I know it happened.

BatTub

7y↑5

Gavin Gaming Shinoda already told it about his grandfather's side and their experiences in war...

41 More Replies...

stewiebhoy89

9y↑2.5K

It's so refreshing to hear a rap song that isn't about doing drugs, money, claiming to be a criminal and objectifying women but instead is a moving story about how poorly ordinary Japanese Americans were treated during WWII ...there needs to be more rap songs like this, it's the reason I like Fort Minor (aside from being a big Linkin Park fan)

Antonio De Medeiros

9y↑27

I agree!

The Toasted Strudeler

9y↑26

Some of my family were Nisei, one of the Japanese men in my family fought in the 442nd Battalion and my great-grandpa served in the Wehrmacht during World War 2 as well, meanwhile my Uncle served in the Navy and survived Pearl Harbor (I have a messed up family, ha!).

Jan Majchrzak

9y↑7

+stewiebhoy89 Fort Minor is great! I agree with you and i'm a Linkin Park fan, too. And Imagine Dragons. These are three best bands EVER!!!

Nicolas Kharik

8y↑45

+stewiebhoy89 There's tons of rap out there like this man. Just gotta look for it, most of it isn't getting radio play bc it's too complex, simplicity sells.

KayNineLP

8y↑16

+stewiebhoy89 Your comment is more generic than my $3 Homebrand milk.

61 More Replies...

Lexi B.

4y↑341

it seriously takes a lot of skill to put together a rap like this, the way he made everything rhyme, while still telling this story in order, AND having it make sense. while STILL having flow and making a good track, that’s crazy bro. underrated genius.

Jack Cravford

3y↑10

the thing is, not all words are rhymed together, but i don't mind it. that storytelling is a lot more important. learning about history, with awesome bass and nervous keyboard sample. How Shinoda also is expressing his words, he is breathing, making pauses between lines and words. it feels soooo... confused, and vulnerable. :c

Matt Dziegiel

3y↑2

And the cultural / historical fucking substance it brings today 💯

Lexi B.

3y↑2

Matt Dziegiel real art is timeless

chozen0018

3y↑1

Its like he has every verse. Every line in his head before they even begin. I messed that up.but it's one of their songs lol

Lexi B.

3y↑4

@chozen0018 "because he writes every note and he writes every line, and I've seen him at work when that light goes on in his mind, it's like a design is written in his head every time" - remember the name | fort minor

7 More Replies...

Lunatic Leone

2y↑69

2022 and this song still hits as hard as ever, songs like these never lose their meaning.

Silvershock

8y↑1.7K

Oh man, rap with emotion. I dig this.

Hayden Weaver

8y↑18

I_Am_Sauce I love rap/ hip hop emotional songs

Marco Vidal

8y↑6

I_Am_Sauce Look up "skin" by chino xl, you won't be disappointed if you're looking for emotions

AdrienShadow

7y↑21

I miss old rap songs like this, new generation rap is crap and all about sex, drug and pornographies. Eminem is one of the last rappers making real old school raps where these dirty things were insignificant. Most of all, rest in peace Tupac and other legendary rappers that died.

Silvershock

7y↑1

MarvelTheThor Montages I agree with you, dear sir.

Lucas Hunter

7y↑3

MarvelTheThor Montages Kendrick?

14 More Replies...

Akane

3y↑93

I’ve been thinking about this song a lot lately. Back in college in Hawaii, we had a speaker from the 442nd Infantry who fought for America during WWII as a Japanese American and as a JA myself who had uncles and grandparents in the camps, I listened to this song on my way home and bawled my eyes out. During these difficult times, my mind keeps coming back to this song that spoke to me years ago and still gets to me today. Thank you for making this song and representing a dark period of history that tends to get glossed over. My family split up after the war and they NEVER spoke about it because as Americans, they just wanted to move on. This song makes me feel more connected to my family history so again, a million thanks.

David J

2y↑7

Sorry about what happened to your relatives brother. 🙏🏿

metanoia

2y↑5

Beautiful comment. Sorry your family lived through that, bless the ones who lived and the ones who died.

Nic0R

51w↑3

and now me and other ukranians live in this( it's a lottery, whether a bomb falls on our head or not (

Dan Morhaim

7y↑205

This is the only song that has ever actually made me cry. Calling this a song doesn't even do it justice. This is poetry.

Wauney

7y↑1

Dan Morhaim idk about crying but this song is definitely sad asf

Suprite

7y↑3

Well then you havent heard of Dance with the devil by immortal technique then

Mary Fieldew

Listen to How Could You Leave Us by NF

Abhik Bhaduri

3y↑2

Pure postmodern poetry

Tim Muraoka

2y↑1

“They told us the camps were there for our protection. But if that was the case, why were the guns pointed inward instead of outward?” - A former internee from Manzanar

chris Edmonds

8y↑516

The most powerful aspect about this song is the fact that the Kenji respected the soldiers holding them in the internment camp. It takes a lot to forgive someone, but even though it was hard, he gave the soldiers fruit and vegetables. Us Americans could learn from this... But we won't...

Jackson Leinfelder

6y↑16

chris Edmonds True, we never learn from anything.

Global Elite

6y↑13

Thats not true. Not all people are bad including Americans

Matthew

5y↑7

As an American, I can say with a strong passion that we did learn from this. I don't know what they were thinking back then but it must've been pretty scary considering the Japanese took over almost the whole Pacific and we were getting immigrants left and right. I'm not excusing what we did but with the situation I can understand why.

اسف على الاساءة نبهني لأمسح

5y↑10

The Japanese had reparations from the government so y'all did learn :-)

Legitpenguins69

5y↑14

Im really curious what most of the guards thought of the internees. Did they think they were legitimately spies or did they just feel sorry for them but had to do it because they didnt have a choice? This is a good reason why its important to remember history or else it WILL repeat itself and it may be you on inside the barbed wire fence.

21 More Replies...

Benjamin K

2y↑18

My family is Pennsylvania German, not Japanese at all, but this song still means a ton to me. My family officially immigrated to PA from Germany back in 1820 (and we're still here today,) but some of us were here earlier and fought in the Revolution. We'd been here effectively for a century when WW1 broke out, and many of us were Union veterans of the Civil War (lots of German immigrants and PA Germans were) but regardless, we were suspects in both World Wars.

Our heritage was suppressed and damn near destroyed by governmental anti-German propaganda campaigns, particularly in WW1, that targeted us as "Huns" and "Baby-Eaters," and our language is now nearly dead as a result of that shame and suppression. Many of us had to change our names too.

I'm proud to be the first of my family in at least 75 years to speak German again, and do so without any shame. The erasure and shunning of our immigrant heritages in this country during wartime is old news, sadly. Ask your Russian-American neighbors and co-workers today how they're feeling...

At least today, there are more of us who have learned from our history (and I say this with complete childish optimism 🙄,) and can see it and can call it out now. Don't ever lose your humanity for ANY reason, people.

[sorry if old comment]

4y↑24

This still makes my throat well up, all these years later. It's just such a good song! I can enjoy it with my brain totally turned off as well, which allows all the real emotions to get the jump on me, I swear. Right when I'm vulnerable and not thinking, not dissociating enough to catch myself before I become overwhelmed and start shedding tears - the physical response. (Not talking about literal sobbing, as I have no personal connection to the subject matter.) This music makes a personal connection, however, and he does such a good job at humanizing the situation. Idk, I feel it right in my empathy...his pain is is translated so perfectly, it slaps me across the face making my eyes sting.

(Clarification: I'm not implying that I consider this subject literally more depressing, than all of the atrocities throughout history that I haven't cried over, (even including other situations during World War 2). It's this song and how the story is communicated.)

Just, damn...(I think) Mike did such a good job with this song.

Sorry for dumping this rant here haha but I had to get it out somewhere. It's almost noon and I got shit to do, I can't afford to cry all day, I have to see!

LWL Productions

4y↑28

Showed my US History class this back in high school. I remembered everyone just being dead quiet like they were entranced and shook from what they heard.

It was a powerful memory

Arsalan Shahla

3y↑25

This song is a rapping and songwriting masterclass. This is the epitome of timeless rap. It's incredibly powerful and moving and gives me a lump every time.

PoXAzraelis

10y↑57

I'm not much into rap...at all... but this had one hell of a message in it that I can respect and share.

FarFed

10y↑156

The way she says "Then my husband died..." is striking and sudden. Not surprised that line was chosen as a fitting end.

FarFed

10y↑2

***** Sure. There are plenty of things many of us wouldn't know about. But why judge someone on the basis of one comment on one particular song? Keeping things in context does help.

Sean Lee

10y↑17

***** First off, Fort Minor is Mike Shinoda alone, not them, get your facts right. And he was just rapping about his own grandfather (and family), can't a guy rap about his family's history and their point of view? Calling someone ignorant when you haven't even thought about it from his (plus his family's) perspective is the real ignorant.

aprx

MrScoobySnacks23 *too
lol

1 More Replies...

Beast03

2y↑16

The most tragic thing about what Kenji and others like him had to go through, is that at large, people didn't know how badly they were treated, or even in some cases that they were treated poorly at all until after the fact. The notion that people are still treated this way at all makes me feel sick to my stomach.

FreehandElm

6y↑11

Literally one of the most powerful songs in history. This is the only song I’ve ever listened to in my entire life that has had the power to bring me to tears

George Feldkamp

4y↑46

Shinodas flow is so underappreciated

perjazzy

11y↑9

Mike Shinoda has been one of my favorite musicians since I was 15 and I'm 25 now. The lyrics he writes have probably saved more lives than we'll ever know.

D Mac

2y↑11

This song always makes me cry especially knowing that it's a true story about his family. The people speaking are his relatives that lived through it.

Min Thang

2y↑16

We respect Mike for knowing history and his families past

Levi

10y↑2.6K

war doesn't have victors, only survivors

Dr Gore

10y↑36

yes but i suppose in some strange twisted way those who are still alive are the victors cause the ones who are dead...well they cant win anything anymore

Mystery Spice

10y↑26

Dr.Gore There are only pyrrhic victories in any war, just as there is no such things as good guys and bad guys in a war, only two opposing forces with their own reasons (even though those reasons are often twisted and warped as well)

aleksander pruitt

10y↑5

Dr.Gore *facepalm*

Dr Gore

10y↑16

many things are twisted in this strange messed up world that we are thrown into as children.do you expect the mind of man to be any different?

Levi

10y↑1

"we"

53 More Replies...

AnimeScenesJPN

1y↑6

Most underrated song ever made, brings me to tears every time

Doctor Kira

4y↑41

Sure, this is a good storytelling song, but it's also one of the few good songs that directly relates to the artist who writes and performs or records it.

Mach VI

7y↑398

Mike Shinoda knows true hip hop.

Kevin Zhang

4y↑4

Yeah, I think he raps too

MM

4y↑7

@Kevin Zhang hes the kinkin park rapper checkout hybrid theory

patriotic mysigenic rappist )

@Kevin Zhang its obvious! You dont even listened the Linkin Park most famous songs, IN THE END? MIKE RAPS TWO VERSES ON THIS SONG, and Fort Minor is a MIKE preject.

Udo Zöcklein

2y↑6

i know every word of this song... by heart.
and yet, everytime i hear this song, it feels like my first time.
everytime i get goosebumps, sometimes i'm close to tears.
this hits hard on another level. high quality rap and story telling.
high quality showcase of how the world can be.

Joveen Gomez

2y↑6

Coming back to this. With everything that’s going on in the world, this song is proof of how brutal, war is on the innocent. Thank you Mike for a song that’s relevant forever!

Luna Moona

4y↑17

I used to listen to this a few years ago. I was too young to understand the power of this song. Listening to it now, I’m crying. It’s so hard to hear about people suffering because of injustice in the world. It happens all the time. History is repeating itself. Older generations aren’t preparing us for the future. They’re preparing us for the past. It’s important to read the signs and know what’s coming in order to find a way to prevent more heart ache. Stay safe, everyone. Know that you’re all loved. Never feel like you don’t matter because of your race, religion, or background. 🤍🖤🤍🖤

Dashen Govender

4y↑6

Every song that Shinoda writes has a big story to tell. Full respect!✊

patriotic mysigenic rappist )

2y↑1

If this be a Chester song everyone will talking about this and "hOW aMAzInG cHEsTER iS", but when is a Mike song (and its better than anything that Chester do) no one talks about Mike talent himself, just about how bealtiul is the song.

The Axiom of Chronos

10y↑54

the world needs more songs like this.

Yifu Lei

3y↑10

I first had this CD when I was 18, thanks to a good friend. I'm from a small city in China. This kind of music was super rare. Now 15 years have passed I still listen to it now and then. Great music

K D

28w

This song deserves to be in a museum as an installation, an artistic masterpiece. Been listening to this song since it came out, you are amazing Mike, a true artist in all forms..Love you bro

Govind Gopal

4y↑13

You know I'm surprised more people aren't listening to this. Fort minor has some of the best hip hop I've ever listened to.

vjm3

7y↑55

Just to let you know, Mike, this song is the first instance of me becoming aware of the Japanese Internment in the US during World War 2. It wasn't through highschool, or even most of college. It was here with you.

Thank you.

Szymon

2y↑6

love this song, so emotional, so real, this is what rap is all about!

NerotheHuman

7y↑7

This is why I love Fort Minor. I only heard this song 2 days ago and its really sticking with me, a powerful song by a criminally underrated artist

Sarah Anderson

9y↑169

When I hear this, I can paint the scene of Kenji's world. How is must of been to see what was happening. A twist of betrayal and sorrow... And not knowing why. Innocent Japanese Americans being taken away from everything they worked and lived for.
It's tragic, yet it's true.
As being from the United States of America, I realize that our country isn't as lovely and great as we say we are. We have done so many wrongs to other countries, their people, etc.
But then again, our world has never been perfect... I wish it was....

TeaMMatE11

7y↑17

"What makes America the greatest country in the wor-"

"America is NOT the greatest country in the world, professor THAT IS MY ANSWER."

-The Newsroom.

Deshaunte Banjoko

4y↑2

Yeah....that has never happened to any other ethnic group in America........

Doctor Kira

4y↑4

@Deshaunte Banjoko except for Hispanics who are experiencing something exactly like this at this very moment and point in time.

Deshaunte Banjoko

@Doctor Kira sure, as if my people haven't suffered more. Think what you want

oenophilia

@Hodif ? Actually, most people in the internment camps were American citizens, born in the USA.

1 More Replies...

Damien

1y↑3

Mike Shinoda is a very underrated lyricist. But this song alone shows that not only can he string words together, but can tell a story with those words.

Chris

6y↑22

Using this song in my history lesson tomorrow. We just started working with Pearl Harbor. The feels man.... I hope my students can connect with the message.

Owen Graziano

2y↑2

I know it’s a teacher’s job to teach but I have nothing but respect for you for showing your kids the ugly side of our history. We talk about the US like we’re the good guys of the world and in some ways we are but our government has committed atrocities just like any other country. I have friends who are teachers and I’m beyond proud of those who expose their students to the truth, both good and bad.

Belinda Stemmene

5y↑5

This is a prime example as to why I admire Mike SHINODA work,whether he's solo,Linkin Park or fort minor,what he writes about is real.This song is very deep and raw.I never knew more than two fort minor songs when they were out,the more I listen the more I like,I'm a huge Linkin Park fan,it's unfortunate Chester is gone.I've listened to his newer solo songs and I love them all,again it's about real life and so many of his songs solo or band get me thru my darkest moments,while I'm not old enough to have experienced this horrific time this song is talking about,I feel I understand it on a deeper level now.

Bhishek Thakur

5y↑1

I'm a huge fan of Shinoda's work.
He is one of the best out there.
#legend

Krazychrisbmx

1y↑4

My American history teacher played this in class and it’s so good. Love the meaning behind it.

Sebastian P

6y↑1

I am honestly proud someone is reminding us of our past. No matter how old this song seems to me it always hits a chord.

Reaversynth

2y↑6

I found this song on one of my mom's old CDs that likely pre-dates me, and this track really caught me off guard. Since I was practically raised on Linkin Park, hearing Fort Minor went without saying, but until a few days ago, Remember The Name was THE only song I knew by them.
And until listening to this track, I had previously never even heard tell of an internment camp, nor any of the prejudice towards ethnic groups throughout the USA's history, and definitely not during WW2.
Thinking about it now, it seems fairly obvious there would have been extreme racial tension during such a time, but these things were never told to me by any person I spoke to, and most definitely not in any form of school, which should logically be the #1 source of information on this country.
This piece of art is masterfully crafted, teaching both the story of Mike's family and of the Japanese in America overall, keeping with rhyme over the perfect backing track for such a song.

I still cannot get the thought out of my head that history is being erased, at least partially. How could struggle like this happen within the country I call home, to the people I call my neighbors and friends, and I not learn about it from any source, except from a song released before I was born?
It's an unsettling thought, for sure.

Karen Umemoto

2y↑4

As an educator, I love love love musicians spreading knowledge to the masses!

BrianMichael Benjamin

2y↑4

I have an adopted brother that's full Japanese and even though he never had to know this pain, I surely feel it, thanks to the genius writer of this song.

1halo1fan1

2y↑23

With everything happening now with Russia, I’m hoping people will think of this song the same way I do. It’s important to not give into fear. To not repeat our past mistakes.

TheUnthinkable

2y↑1

I do hope that will not be the case. Japanese Americans were good workers and very hard working people during the war. The US government just needed to divert the heat to Asian Americans (of Japanese descent in particular) due to bombing of the Pearl Harbor.

4 7

i hope so.

Mr. Van der Kruk

5y↑6

This still brings shivers down my spine.

Shawn Thompson

The names have been changed
But the story is true
My family was locked up back in 42
My family was there
Where it was dark and damp

And they called it
An Internment Camp

THE ETERNAL PHOENIX PΔNTHΣΘN

2y↑10

Mike Shinoda is one of the greatest rappers of ALL TIME!!! (In My Opinion)

patriotic mysigenic rappist )

2y↑1

No doubt, Kenji, Hard Way, Forgotten (demo), Esaul (Linkin Park), Fiends (Xero), Dialate (Linkin Park), High Voltage (Linkin Park), Nobody Listen (Linkin Park), The Untitled (In The End demo), By Myself (Linkin Park), and much more masterpieces.
If this be a Chester song everyone will talking about this and "hOW aMAzInG cHEsTER iS", but when is a Mike song (and its better than anything that Chester do) no one talks about Mike talent himself, just about how beatiful is the song.
Chester is overrated

Lucas Barca

1y↑1

@patriotic mysigenic rappist ) chester isn't overrated. Mike is underrated. Dont talk bad about chester. They are a the best duo and without the other, they never would have got so famous

stephanie turner

6y↑6

Kimberly Wu

11y↑1

I actually found this song in Pandora. I usually skip many songs but this was amazing. The message was amazing, as well. So whoever wrote/composed this song, good job.

Igor Lobkovenko

This is a very accurate and thoughtful piece of music I love Mike Shinoda

XitZH

1y↑2

It’s great to revisit this song / album. Same goes with linkin park

Such a great song. I lived in China for a decade and this band was popular even the songs were on the KTV (karaoke) use to love singing them with my colleagues after work in China. Back in the early 2000’s

TheTazzman11

11y↑1

Man...this song has a deep meaning. Why can't all cultures get along? Why are people so war-happy? I have a lot of respect for Fort Minor for doing this.

Moris Camporesi

4y↑3

This is to this day one of my favourite FM,MS songs.. it's so well written, facceted and personal.

Alia SFamily

2y↑58

I am a Russian who lives abroad, this whole situation just reminded me of this song.
When you wake up every day and know that the whole world hates you and wish you the worst life, but you also feel guilt on your own.

Flume

2y↑12

In America atm there’s a heavy amount of Russian erasure going on that’s bizarre, not playing songs or movies with them mentioned, or Russian dishes served. As if any of that has to do with todays Russian army and government. I made a joke about it the other day by referring to something as an [Eastern European] nesting doll. No one else liked it but that kind of weirdness captures the vibe.

Benjamin K

2y↑7

My family is Pennsylvania German; we officially immigrated to PA from Germany back in 1820, but some of us were here earlier and fought in the Revolution. We'd been here effectively for a century when WW1 broke out, but regardless, we were suspects in both wars. Our heritage was damn near destroyed by governmental anti-German propaganda campaigns, and our language is now nearly dead. I'm the first of my family in at least 75 years to speak German again. The erasure and shunning of our immigrant heritages in this country during wartime is old news, sadly. At least there are more of us now who can see it and can call it out. Don't ever lose your humanity for ANY reason.

JRald2016

1y↑2

Ayo I just want you to know that you need to stay strong and I wish you the best. . The unfortunate truth is that most people only look at the big picture . Most people will look at a race or ethnic group and judge them based on what their government or country is doing. It's obvious that the majority of people have nothing to do with and have no power over what their country does. Due to my job, I meet many russians who have fled russia and ukraine because either they are in fear or are against what russia is doing in ukraine right now. Deep down, I know that those poeple feel the same way that the rest of us do, which is why I always make sure to treat them like anyone else. Regardless of where you're from, we are all the same. we all have morals. I'm sure you hate what is happening and wish that it never happened. War doesn't need to happen in this day and age. People shouldn't need to die needlessly. I keep updated on the whole situation, and I honestly hope that it comes to a quick end. This world and its people need peace, not violence. Anyways, I hope for nothing but the best for you and I hope you know that you are not alone. I'm sure there or many many people that feel the way you do. Stay strong

1 More Replies...

jevinday

3y↑2

My father got me this album for my birthday because he knew how much I loved Linkin Park and I fell in love with it. Years later, when I was a senior in high school, my history teacher played this song when teaching us about the Japaneze internment camps during WWII. I was very proud of Mr. Evans that day hahaha

Geoff L.

Love this song Mike. Thanks for an awesome album of artwork. You are the man and pushed the boundaries of hip-hop with songs like these. I will jam this album until I'm gone and know it will continue for those who feel like they're drowning from oppression and expectations...Thank you. FORT MINOR! Ryu, Tak, and Mike.

Javewave

3y↑5

I'm glad I knew fort minor for the past like, 5 years and I need a song to be delivered in a presentation in a form of a speech. This one's perfect, thank you fort minor

Rogue Spiegel

It's been so many years, but when that bass drops and when those backing choir vocals start, I still get chills. Fucking brilliant!

Dat Dank Bloke

6y↑2

When I saw this live I had goosebumps for the whole song, it's such a chilling story

Shmoo06

10y↑3

This song just randomly came on my pandora, and it's just amazing. So many chills.

ChicknCZ

2y↑2

Crazy this is true story. So well put together. Must have been really hard for your family Mike.

cheapskatepanic

3y↑1

Amazing song I discovered recently. Brought tears in my eyes at it should. Very well done.

Adnan ahmed

1y↑8

Cornetto MSc

24w

I never realised how much lyric there actually is… it really just effortlessly paints a story/picture in your head and sucks you right in…

Hakim Hayashi

2y↑3

When I was in junior high, listened this for the first time. Moved but didn’t feel it deeply. Now I’m a Japanese immigrant Issei in Europe going through the same situation, dairy based discrimination without a war. I now feel Kenji in me, I have nothing but to make my day better for the future!

Paulo Lirio (Correaphysique)

2y↑6

This is history family of Mike Shinoda (Michael Kenji Shinoda) incrible exemple of superation in times war! Excelent Mike. I am brazilian 🇧🇷

TheShockChicky

Salve

Emily Sorcha

6y↑23

One of the only rap songs about history with a genuine message, very rare

Devrim devasadır kalbin aynasıdır.

Emily O'Riordan absoltely

Scott Harris

2y↑2

Not being rude but you need to listen to more rap.

Brian Hart

There are many

Stephen Ramos

11y↑1

This is what rap should be, story telling, poetry in motion, it should have narrative and meaning.

Rogue

This is still my number one favorite by Fort Minor. Just something about it makes it seems new to me every time I hear it.

Paradise

Such an amazing song, really shows how not everything is perfect. I dream one day everyone can live in harmony.

skobie1kanobie

7y↑1

Man I hope fort minor gives us another album someday, The first one is so perfect

Kylie Rose

6y↑2

I remember listening to this in 2012 and I still love it now so many years later

Aaron Machado

6y↑5

As a Japanese American who family fought in ww2 this song hits home and I remember my reading teacher (white lady) heard my family story and decided to change the course enough to were we learnt about Japanese Americans and I remember breaking down crying

Cameron Phillips

6y↑5

This track really is a masterpiece. It's so horrifying what we did to our own people out of fear and hatred. Rowher Relocation Facility is only a few hours drive from where I live. 110,000 Japanese Americans had to survive that place. It's heartbreaking.

Ken Keneki

5y↑1

Mike keep it up bro. Love the music and lyrics. Wish all you the best in LP hope yall doing well. I miss Chester too. Just want to say to y'all keep you head up and just do what y'all do best.

Cece

6y↑1

Goosebumps all over again! ❤️

sytestorm

10y↑1

Goosebumps through the whole song.

literally stingy

6y↑3

The best, and the deepest piece of music ever created, change my mind!

Giea

10y↑9

I love this song. Always have - and hey Fort Minor, Mike Shinoda - I'm sharing this story for a school project, I want to honor Kenji. Thanks for this song.

Thirzy

2y↑1

every time I listen to this song I remember the same scenes perfectly the same every time I can watch it on the tv in black and white in my mind. its crazy how vivid this song describes the scenes

Brett Davidson

11y↑1

Same with atmosphere, always paints a picture in your mind. different style of rap but tells a true story. both are great artists.

mirror

27w

one of the best hip hop records of all time in my opinion

Squashylemon

50w

My grandfather fought in the pacific as as doctor and started the first hospital where I live and I never got to meet him but, from what I heard he had no anger towards the Japanese. Rest in Piece grandpa you were an amazing man.

Burhan Ghadiali

I have massive respect for mike this guy raps on a level no one can match

Nap

8y↑6

It's great when people state problems to make people aware and the song is catchy with it.

Love Music

Man this is real hip hop. No autotune and the live perf. are with instruments and power. ❤😍

Soul X

This gives me goosebumps every time I hear it!

Pankeka

Every time i hear this I'm always so close to shedding a tear

Dinco422

4y↑1

This is a fucking audio-book in the most awesome way possible. Much respect after all these years I listen to it on repeat!

Alester Padua

It's 2018 and still listening to it. I love songs with great stories in it.

Ender Wolf

8y↑368

My 8th grade history teacher: a frail elderly woman played this. Surprised us that she would play this but she said it'd teach us about the Japanese internment

D'oh Bo

6y↑8

Ender Wolf nice

Epic_Awesomeness

5y↑11

that's awesome omg

Stanford Leeham

5y↑4

Ender wolf like japanese professional... I dont know

Terra Hatvol

3y↑3

That’s actually frickin awesome. I wish I could show this to my family for educational reasons (cuz discussion) but they loathe rap and won’t have anything to do with it.

ᴼⁿᵉˢʰᵒᵗ

Legendary blessem

Marko Čenić

Storytelling at its finest. Shinoda is damn underrated. This man seriously need some attention.

DragonGaming

man when you really listening to this song this really gets to you because you know this song is real

Douglas Araujo

2y↑1

A base desse som é "monstra".

Brian

10y

This is such a catchy, awesome song.

Jesse The Bogan

This hits all the heart strings

Jonny O

8y↑317

This is like the only song I know that is entirely about history.

grant moore

7y↑3

Jonathan Opkis and its a rap!

Ross Gunther

Jonathan Opkis US history by Flipsyde

Penggao LI

7y↑2

uh, you shall try ChthoniC, if you understand chinese (some of their songs have English version), they picture the history of the native taiwaness in an impressive way. As a Chinese (from the mainland), I admire theirs music (especially the trilogy of war) sincerely, though i cannot agree with the radical political view of their lead.