black man time
I-Roy Lyrics

I’m a black man,
The singer identifies himself as a black man.

What, what, what,
Expression of frustration and emphasis.

I guess you guess it,
The listener can likely infer what the singer is going to say next.

I need some justice,
The artist needs justice to be served.

After 400 years,
A reference to the 400 years of oppression experienced by black people in America since slavery.

I believe it’s absolutely clear,
The singer is convinced that the need for justice is obvious.

You oppress me,
The singer is being oppressed by someone (likely a white person).

Hey,
Expression of urgency, attention-grabbing.

You subjugated me,
The artist is being subjugated by someone (likely a white person).

You devastated me,
The artist has been devastated (emotionally, physically, or otherwise) by someone (likely a white person).

You almost broke me,
The singer has been pushed to the limit by someone (likely a white person).

I’m a black man,
The artist reiterates his identity as a black man.

Doing the best, I can,
Despite difficulties, the singer is doing everything he can to persevere.

Black,
Shortened form of the singer's identity as a black man.

Ooooh, black,
Emphasis on the singer's blackness, possibly referencing cultural pride.

Yeah, I’m black,
The artist again emphasizes his black identity.

That’s right,
Confirmation of something previously stated or implied.

I guess you guess it,
The listener can likely infer what the singer is going to say next.

After Jim Crow,
A reference to the Jim Crow laws which enforced racial segregation and discrimination in the US.

You thought we didn’t know,
The artist is aware of the attempt to hide or obscure the reality of inequality and discrimination in society.

You had no plans for me,
The artist believes that those in power have no intention of improving the lives of black people.

No space for me,
The artist is not afforded an equal place in society to that of white people.

No life for me,
The singer's life is negatively affected by systemic racism and inequality.

Just, white supremacy,
The root of the artist's difficulties is white supremacy, a societal structure that prioritizes white people and oppresses people of color.

Black,
Shortened form of the singer's identity as a black man.

Ooooh, black,
Emphasis on the singer's blackness, possibly referencing cultural pride.

I said I’m doing the best I can,
Reiteration that the singer is doing everything within their power to overcome oppression.

Oh yeah, here we go,
Getting fired up and ready to continue the struggle for justice.

Blow Danny,
Unclear meaning, possibly referencing a person or event significant to the artist.

Black,
Shortened form of the singer's identity as a black man.

Black,
Shortened form of the singer's identity as a black man.

Black,
Shortened form of the artist's identity as a black man.

Black,
Shortened form of the artist's identity as a black man.