Because I'm Black
J.d. Smooth Lyrics

This ain't a normal encounter (Nah)
This situation is not the average encounter.

I need you putting your hands up (Yeah)
I need you to raise your hands.

I need you doing the dances (Yeah)
I need you to dance.

I need you raising the glasses (Yeah)
I need you to raise your glasses.

It could have been a whole casket
I could have been killed.

But, God got me here for a reason (Yeah)
But, I was spared for a reason.

The homeless is outside and freezing (Dang)
The homeless are outside, suffering from the cold.

They lock us up to get the fees in
They imprison us to profit.

They assume that I'm on the deep end (Wooo)
They stereotype and assume that I am unstable.

I can't submit to no leashes (Nah)
I refuse to submit to any form of control.

They want us to pledge our allegiance (Yeah)
They expect us to pledge our loyalty.

They parasites like some leeches (Yeah)
They parasitically leech off of us.

They hope that you don't know the business
They desire for you to remain unaware of their motives.

I'm bout' to be in the Guinness (Yeah)
I am about to break a record.

I done exposed the whole lineage (Yeah)
I have revealed the entire history.

Now, my name in they mouth like a dentist
Now, they constantly talk about me.

You ain't know (Woo)
You were not aware.

I done went viral (Yeah)
I have become popular online.

Handling cops on the camera (Yeah)
Recording interactions with police officers.

Looking like Black Lives Matter (Ya, ya)
Supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.

They done got rattled (Woo)
They have become afraid or shaken up.

I know they wanna take me down
I know they want to harm me or end my success.

But, I know they see crown (Yeah)
But, I know they see my power or worth.

How this happen in my town (Woo)
I am questioning how this could happen in my community.

Yeah, what I did, why they mad at me (Yeah)
I am wondering why people are angry with me.

They treat me badly (Huh)
They mistreat me.

Cause I'm black (Ya)
Because of my race.

And, it's wack (And, it's wack)
And, it is wrong or unacceptable.

Matter fact (Ya)
In fact.

Bought a tech (Woo)
Acquired a firearm.

It's in the back
It's in the trunk or hidden.

Say ya prayers
Pray for protection or guidance.

Give respect (Yuh)
Show respect to others.

It's not a test (Woo)
This is not a drill.

Ya messin' with the best (Woo, woo, woo)
You are challenging the best.

Uh, I just don't think that they get it (Uh)
I believe they do not understand the situation.

I flip it and make it a lyric
I turn my experiences into a song lyric.

I keep it positive
I maintain a positive attitude.

They need to hear it (Ya)
They need to hear the message in my music.

Got that cross on me and I stay near it
I have a cross on me for protection and stay near it.

They see the smoke out here
They see the problems and chaos happening in the community.

I'm bout' to clear it (Woo)
I am about to fix it or make it better.

Father, Son, Holy Spirit
A reference to the Holy Trinity in Christianity.

I got the power, no longer fear it (Nah)
I have the strength and confidence to overcome obstacles.

I ball like De Beers (Yup)
I am successful and wealthy.

You know that I'm serious (Yeah)
You know that I am not joking.

I make an assist
I help others achieve success.

Went and got rich (Ya)
I became wealthy through hard work and determination.

Get ya hands off our black women
Stop hurting or oppressing Black women.

Before we wet you up like a baptism
Before we retaliate with violence.

I'm opposed to the fascism (Hey)
I am against fascism and oppression.

And, it's loud, got the gas in em (Woo)
It's chaotic and out of control, with protests and violence.

Melanin in my plasma (Yeah, Yeah,Yeah)
A reference to his Black identity and heritage.