Ice-T started in 1982 out with other West Coast rap pioneers such as Kid Frost, DJ Flash, and The Egyptian Lover with Electro recordings. Later on, he changed his style and was the first West Coast rapper to be accepted by the East Coast. 6 'n The Mornin is sometimes seen as the track that triggered the whole gangster rap movement. It was produced by The Unknown DJ, who produced electro funk tracks before and went on to produce Compton's Most Wanted. The song was inspired by Schoolly D's "P.S.K. What Does It Mean?" and became itself the inspiration for Eazy-E and N.W.A's Boyz-N-The-Hood. Ice-T went on to work with Afrika Islam, the man behind the beats on 1987's Rhyme Pays, 1988's Power and 1989's The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech... Just Watch What You Say.
He also is a star in Law in Order: Special Victims Unit.
In 1992 he created the crossover band Body Count with 4 other black musicians.
Racewar
Ice-T Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah
Check this out: now I'm black
But black people trip
'Cause white people like me
White people like me
What's the fuck up
Are you my friend?
Hell no, you're a racist
You say you got one black friend, so you're in
Sorry homie, no win
Check the facts
Mexicans are still gettin' pushed to the back
Puerto-Ricans gettin' dissed the same
Won't speak on the Indians, shit's insane
Fuck John Wayne
I don't hate whites
I just got a death wish for muthafuckas that ain't right
You got black skin
Still you gotta show and prove, friend
Back to the facts
What about Australia?
A fuckin' failure
The Aboriginal people are black
So they got jacked
You ask me about free speech and the Riots?
So what's in store?
I'm talkin' bout a race war
(Get yourself together)
(Open your eyes
Get wise)
(Put your brain in gear)
Race war
People gettin' killed in the street
Blood on your feet, the ends don't meet
And who they gonna blame it on, me?
Try the media
Try the PD
Try your TV
Try your quest for wealth
Anybody but yourself
But once the bullets start flyin'
People start dyin'
It's all because we're lyin'
History books that teach hate
A kid has no escape
From the racist fate
And pretty soon South Africa
Will stop chillin'
And start killin'
Race war
Race war
Race war
Race war
Race war
Race war
Race war
Race war
Every night I pray
That people get this shit together one day
But this country ain't with it
America was founded on that racist shit
I judge the devil by his deeds
It's usually connected to the size of his greed
And keep the hope
Even though they'd love to give a nigga like me the rope
And when this shit hits
There's gonna be a lotta white kids rollin' with the Africans
You can't sweat skin
'Cause there be a lot of blacks is down with the Republicans
This shit don't have to happen
That's why a brother like me's still rappin'
Just treat each other right
Either that, or you're lookin' for a sure fight
Fuck the police
We already know they ain't about no fuckin' peace
You want to know what I think's in store?
Justice or a race war
(Get yourself together)
(Open your eyes
Get wise)
Race war
(Get yourself together)
(Open your eyes
Get wise)
(Put your brain in gear)
Race war
(Get yourself together)
(Open your eyes
Get wise)
(Put your brain in gear)
Race war
(Get yourself together)
(Open your eyes
Get wise)
(Put your brain in gear)
Korean people live down in the hood
A little mis-fuckin'-understood
Orientals were slaves too
Word to this fuckin' red white and blue
People from Iran ain't never did shit to us
So why the distrust?
The system want to keep us at each other's throats
While we're payin' the tax notes
'Cause bein' black ain't no fuckin' minority
It's the fuckin' majority
So they gotta make us hate each other
Word, check the brothers
Mexicans black
Jamaicans black
Iranians black
Indians black
Hawaiians black
Puerto-Ricans black
Eskimos black
South-Americans black
Orientals black
Yeah, that's right
The Klan says everything's black that ain't white
So we gotta get our facts straight
'Cause the shit they teach in school is pure hate
Sometimes I don't know for sure
If somebody want a race war
(Get yourself together)
(Open your eyes
Get wise)
Race war
(Get yourself together)
(Open your eyes
Get wise)
(Put your brain in gear)
Race war
(Get yourself together)
(Open your eyes
Get wise)
(Put your brain in gear)
Race war
(Get yourself together)
(Open your eyes
Get wise)
(Put your brain in gear)
Who wants a race war?
We're gonna lose
The lyrics of Ice-T's song Racewar are a commentary on the racial tensions that exist in America, where people of different racial backgrounds are still viewed with suspicion by each other. The song points out that while white people may like Ice-T, they still discriminate against other black people. The song makes it clear that this racial divide is fueled by hatred and ignorance, rather than any legitimate reason. Ice-T asks white people if they are really his friend even though they act racist against other black people.
He goes on to criticize the treatment of Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and Indians, and highlights Australia's mistreatment of Aboriginal people. The song points out that history books teach hate and that even children are not immune to the racist fate that society imposes on them. He warns of a race war that will result in senseless violence, which could have been avoided if people treated each other with respect.
The song also acknowledges that people of different racial backgrounds have been brought together in the same communities and that it is time for unity, rather than division. He warns that the system wants to keep people at each other's throats to distract them from their real problems, but that instead of fighting each other, people should come together and fight against the injustices of the system.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
Expressing acknowledgement or agreement
Check this out: now I'm black
I have come to realize my identity as a black person
But black people trip
However, black people tend to have issues with me
'Cause white people like me
Because white people are fond of me
White people like me
White people find me likable
But don't like them
But they do not feel the same way towards other black people
What's the fuck up
What is the problem here
Are you my friend?
Are you genuinely my friend
Hell no, you're a racist
No, you are a racist individual
You say you got one black friend, so you're in
You claim to have one black friend, thus believing you are not racist
Sorry homie, no win
I'm sorry, but that is not enough
Check the facts
Let's examine the evidence
Mexicans are still gettin' pushed to the back
Mexicans are still facing discrimination and being marginalized
Puerto-Ricans gettin' dissed the same
Puerto Ricans are also being disrespected in similar ways
Won't speak on the Indians, shit's insane
The mistreatment of Native Americans is too disturbing to even discuss
Fuck John Wayne
I strongly dislike John Wayne
I don't hate whites
I do not harbor hatred towards white people
I just got a death wish for muthafuckas that ain't right
I simply have a desire for those who are unjust to face repercussions
You got black skin
Despite having black skin
Still you gotta show and prove, friend
You still have to demonstrate and validate yourself, my friend
What about Australia?
Let's consider the situation in Australia
A fuckin' failure
It is a complete and utter failure
The Aboriginal people are black
The Indigenous Australian people are of black descent
So they got jacked
They have been unjustly exploited and oppressed
You ask me about free speech and the Riots?
If you inquire about the concept of free speech and ongoing riots
So what's in store?
What can we expect to happen
I'm talkin' bout a race war
I am referring to the possibility of a race-based conflict
(Get yourself together)
Regain composure or improve your mental state
(Open your eyes
Be aware and perceptive
Get wise)
Gain wisdom or understanding
(Put your brain in gear)
Think critically and logically
Race war
A conflict centered around race
People gettin' killed in the street
Individuals are being murdered in public
Blood on your feet, the ends don't meet
The situation is chaotic and unsustainable
And who they gonna blame it on, me?
And who will they accuse the violence on, me?
Try the media
Perhaps the media is to blame
Try the PD
Maybe the police department
Try your TV
Consider the influence of television
Try your quest for wealth
Reflect on society's obsession with material gain
Anybody but yourself
Blaming anyone except oneself
But once the bullets start flyin'
But when the gunfire erupts
People start dyin'
Lives are lost
It's all because we're lyin'
It is solely due to our deceitful nature
History books that teach hate
Educational materials that promote hatred
A kid has no escape
A child has no way to avoid it
From the racist fate
From the destiny of racism
And pretty soon South Africa
In the near future, South Africa
Will stop chillin'
Will cease to be peaceful
And start killin'
And engage in acts of violence
Every night I pray
Each night, I offer my prayers
That people get this shit together one day
That people will unite and resolve these issues one day
But this country ain't with it
However, this nation is not moving in that direction
America was founded on that racist shit
America's foundation is rooted in racism
I judge the devil by his deeds
I assess the devil based on his actions
It's usually connected to the size of his greed
Typically linked to his insatiable greed
And keep the hope
And maintain hope
Even though they'd love to give a nigga like me the rope
Despite their desire to see someone like me harmed
And when this shit hits
And when this chaos arises
There's gonna be a lotta white kids rollin' with the Africans
Many white individuals will stand in solidarity with African people
You can't sweat skin
Racial differences should not cause friction
'Cause there be a lot of blacks is down with the Republicans
Because there are many black individuals who support the Republican Party
This shit don't have to happen
This conflict does not need to occur
That's why a brother like me's still rappin'
That is why someone like me is still rapping
Just treat each other right
Simply treat one another with respect
Either that, or you're lookin' for a sure fight
Otherwise, you are seeking a definite conflict
Fuck the police
I hold deep disdain for the police
We already know they ain't about no fuckin' peace
We are well aware that they do not prioritize peace
You want to know what I think's in store?
Do you want to hear my prediction?
Justice or a race war
Either justice or a race-based conflict
(Get yourself together)
Regain composure or improve your mental state
(Open your eyes
Be aware and perceptive
Get wise)
Gain wisdom or understanding
(Put your brain in gear)
Think critically and logically
Korean people live down in the hood
Korean individuals reside in disadvantaged neighborhoods
A little mis-fuckin'-understood
They are often misunderstood
Orientals were slaves too
People of Asian descent were also enslaved
Word to this fuckin' red white and blue
Acknowledging the patriotic symbolism
People from Iran ain't never did shit to us
Individuals from Iran have never harmed us
So why the distrust?
So why the lack of trust?
The system want to keep us at each other's throats
The system aims to keep us in conflict with one another
While we're payin' the tax notes
Meanwhile, we are paying taxes
'Cause bein' black ain't no fuckin' minority
Being black is not a small or insignificant group
It's the fuckin' majority
It represents a significant portion of the population
So they gotta make us hate each other
Therefore, they attempt to fuel animosity between us
Word, check the brothers
Indeed, analyze the situation facing the black community
Mexicans black
Mexicans are black
Jamaicans black
Jamaicans are black
Iranians black
Iranians are black
Indians black
Indians are black
Hawaiians black
Hawaiians are black
Puerto-Ricans black
Puerto Ricans are black
Eskimos black
Eskimos are black
South-Americans black
South Americans are black
Orientals black
People from Asia are black
Yeah, that's right
Yes, that is correct
The Klan says everything's black that ain't white
The Ku Klux Klan holds the belief that anything not white is black
So we gotta get our facts straight
Therefore, we need to ensure we have accurate information
'Cause the shit they teach in school is pure hate
Because the content taught in schools is filled with hateful ideas
Sometimes I don't know for sure
At times, I am unsure
If somebody want a race war
If someone truly desires a race-based conflict
Who wants a race war?
Who actually desires a race-based conflict
We're gonna lose
We are going to experience defeat
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ALPHONSO HENDERSON, TRACY LAUREN MARROW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Kingjamu120
Ice T is a very witty...highly skilled...well rounded emcee!!
@d0nkeytr0nXBL
T knew ✊🏼
@yOGlo
Real raw rap 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥😤😤💯💯
@fayazmalik2215
Still raw as shit in 2019
@jacquieyorke369
Bought the cd years ago thank fuck x
@origamibulldoser1618
Almost 30 years later... And to think the debate back then was whether or not this man should be able to speak his mind.
@origamibulldoser1618
@Daniel Williamson I don't know how you read that out of the lyrics.
@Starburst7641
Well Democrats are the only ones trying to shut down free speech atm
@origamibulldoser1618
@Starburst7641 With Trump sending the army and covert operatives into cities to shut down and subvert the riots, I don't think this is really the time to attack democrats over falling short. Not saying you're wrong, just that the timing is unfortunate for your argument.
@Jacks-Revenge
Everyone should speak