Lucas received widespread exposure and critical acclaim after the release of his single "Ross Capicchioni" in 2015. In June 2017, he released his fourth mixtape, 508-507-2209, which was his first on a major label. On November 28, 2017, Lucas released his single "I'm Not Racist", which quickly went viral, gaining him further attention and praise. The video was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Music Video at the 61st Grammy Awards. Lucas was formerly signed to Atlantic Records, until he announced his departure from the label in December 2018.
Since 2016, Lucas has also become known for remixing popular hip hop songs like "Gucci Gang" by Lil Pump, "Bank Account" by 21 Savage, "DNA" by Kendrick Lamar and many others. In October 2018, he announced his debut studio album ADHD, which was released on March 27, 2020. He began rapping at the age of 10, and attended South High Community School in Worcester.
Gary Maurice Lucas, Jr. was born on August 17, 1988, in Worcester, Massachusetts to a black father and a white mother. He began rapping at the age of 10, and attended South High Community School in Worcester.
Joyner Lucas first started rapping under the name G-Storm, but by 2007 had changed his stage name to Future Joyner and started working with his cousin Cyrus tha Great, forming a group called Film Skool Rejekts. That year they released Workprint: The Greatest Mixtape of All Time. Lucas released his first solo mixtape, titled Listen to Me, in 2011.[citation needed] After rapper Future came to prominence, Lucas dropped the "Future" from his name and continued as Joyner Lucas. He released his first mixtape under this new moniker in 2013, titled LFO's (Low Frequency Oscillators). His next mixtape, Along Came Joyner, was released on April 5, 2015. This mixtape contained his critically acclaimed "Ross Capicchioni". Following the success of the song, Lucas was featured in the 2015 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher. Originally intended to appear in the online-only cypher, he was later promoted to rap as part of the live broadcast cyphers based on the strength of his initial performance.
Lucas signed to Atlantic Records on September 21, 2016. Lucas went on to release a project titled 508-507-2209 on June 16, 2017, with Atlantic Records. The mixtape charted at #7 on the Heatseekers Albums chart on Billboard and contained the singles "I'm Sorry", "Ultrasound", "Just Like You" and "Winter Blues". Ever since 2016, Lucas has also become known for remixing popular hip hop songs.
On November 28, 2017, Lucas released the single "I'm Not Racist" via his YouTube channel. The music video quickly went viral and gained critical acclaim. The controversial song is about race and society, and race relations from the perspectives of a white man and a black man. The video was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Music Video at the 61st Grammy Awards, but lost to Childish Gambino's "This Is America". Lucas and Chris Brown announced a collaborative project titled Angels & Demons on February 25, 2018, with the project's first single "Stranger Things" releasing the following day. On April 1, 2018, Lucas released the single "Frozen", a song focused on different forms of reckless driving. The second single from the Angels and Demons collaborative mixtape, "I Don't Die", was released on May 2.
On July 31, 2018, Lucas announced that he was forced to cancel appearances in the Australian and European legs of his I'm Kind of a Big Deal tour due to hoarseness and laryngitis. A month later, Lucas was featured on "Lucky You" from Eminem's tenth album, Kamikaze. The song debuted at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Lucas' first top 10 entry on the chart. On October 12, 2018, Lucas announced that he would be releasing his debut studio album entitled ADHD. He also announced a single from the album that would be released the following Wednesday. The song, entitled "I Love", was released as the lead single from ADHD, which was released on March 27, 2020. It was preceded by nine singles from October 2018 to March 2020, the time before release.
On August 17, 2020, Lucas announced the release date of his debut EP, Evolution. It was released on October 23, 2020. It was preceded by two singles, "Snitch" and "Fall Slowly" featuring Ashanti.
Lucas has cited several artists as influences in his music, but he cites Eminem as his biggest musical influence. He also revealed he was influenced by Will Smith in his song "Will", which he would release a remix of featuring Will Smith himself on May 15, 2020. He cites Jay-Z as one of his influences too.
Joyner Lucas shares a son named Joyner Messiah Lucas (born February 20, 2016) with Carmen Julissa Ayala, whom he had an off and on romantic relationship with. Lucas tells the story of his son's conception in his song "Forever" on his mixtape 508-507-2209. Joyner Messiah Lucas is loved and adored by his father and referenced in many of his songs. He has also made cameos in his father's music videos. Most recently he played Will Smith's son Jaden Smith in the video of "Will".
Lucas has revealed that the title of his album ADHD comes from the fact that he was diagnosed with ADHD as a child. He explained that people surrounding him, including his own parents, made him feel like he was not normal and treated him differently as a result. Eventually, he would act out and get sent to an alternative school after expulsion.
Feuds
Logic
According to Lucas, when he was on Tech N9ne's tour bus, he heard some records from Tech's album The Storm. Lucas expressed interest on collaborating with Logic on the song "Sriracha" and felt that he could add to the display of fast-flow rapping, and Tech acquiesced. Logic was originally slated to be the only feature on "Sriracha", but when he spent over six months to deliver his verse, Lucas hopped on the track to offer his own. Joyner stated that when they got the record back, he could tell that Logic was not "too happy" about him being on the track once he heard it. On his remix of Future's "Mask Off", Joyner, unhappy by the work Logic turned in after taking nearly half a year to edit his verse, directly addressed the disappointing display. Both he and Tech N9ne were upset with Logic for not emulating the style of quick flow on the song.
After Logic's hit song "1-800-273-8255" peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, Joyner Lucas immediately took offense and argued that the track was named in order to bring direct competition to his project, 508-507-2209. In a later interview, he called Logic "corny" and in another incident, he said that he thinks that Logic "can rap" but feels like "he tries to prove that he's black too much for me." With both Logic's single and Lucas' mixtape dealing with the issue of mental health representation and resource allocation, Lucas was careful to not slam the track too hard.
When Logic dropped his song "Yuck" from his mixtape Bobby Tarantino II in March 2018, the veiled diss inside the song was quickly spotted by Lucas and his fans, despite Logic saying that there was no diss in the song. Seemingly nonplussed by the insult, Lucas dared Logic to call him out directly on Twitter. That same month, Joyner took aim at Logic's song "44 More" and his album Everybody on his remix of BlocBoy JB's "Look Alive".
In 2019, the two rappers ended their feud, which was revealed when Logic made a guest appearance on Joyner Lucas' song "ISIS", the third single from ADHD. Lucas kept the name of the collaborator a secret until he released the song.
Hopsin
In September 2018, when a fan asked Los Angeles rapper Hopsin on Twitter who would win in a rap battle between him and Joyner Lucas, Hopsin replied, "That's a dumb question that I'm sure you already know the answer to." Not long after, Lucas commented, "Hold up. @Hopsin wtf is that supposed to mean???" In his response, Hopsin stated that he would "b[r]eak his soul" and also dissed Logic in the comment. This dispute would prove to be short-lived, when in less than two days Hopsin shared a screenshot of a FaceTime call with Lucas, indicating that they finally made peace, but still wanted people to consider who would beat the other in a rap battle. While the majority favored Hopsin, Lucas was adamant without arguing.
Tory Lanez
Joyner Lucas' feud with Canadian recording artist Tory Lanez began over matters similar to his beef with Hopsin. On November 19, 2018, Lanez claimed that he was a better rapper than Joyner Lucas on an Instagram Live session. Incredulous, Lucas immediately responded by inviting Lanez to a battle rapping challenge and telling him to let the public decide who is better. The next day, Lanez dropped a freestyle over Eminem's "Lucky You", of which Lucas made a guest appearance on. In less than 24 hours, Joyner responded with his freestyle over "Litty" by Meek Mill featuring Tory Lanez, also targeting rapper Trippie Redd, who joined Tory's Instagram Live and slandered Joyner's name as well. Shortly after, Lanez retaliated with his own freestyle of "Litty", titled "Litty Again", taking shots at Joyner's collaboration with Eminem. Lucas' answer song was a freestyle of Kodak Black's "Zeze". On the track, he mentions Tory's being accused of plagiarism in 2016, when listeners noticed that the ending of Lanez's song "4am Flex" was similar to Kendrick Lamar's "The Art of Peer Pressure". Joyner also accuses him of copying rapper Don Q's flow on his 2017 Funkmaster Flex freestyle. On November 23, Tory posted on Instagram a video of him declaring victory in the feud and celebrating. Displeased, Lucas reposted the video with his own comment, with a reference to Lanez as a singer.
The end of this rivalry was made public on August 8, 2019, when Joyner Lucas and Tory Lanez collaborated on their remix of "Suge" by DaBaby.
The Grammy Awards are held annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Joyner has two Grammy nominations altogether; one for Best Music Video for āIām Not Racistā and one for Best Rap Song for āLucky Youā by Eminem.
I'm Not Racist
JOYNER LUCAS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't have pity for you black niggas, that's the way I feel
Screamin' "Black Lives Matter"
All the black guys rather be deadbeats than pay your bills
Yellin' "nigga this" and "nigga that"
Call everybody "nigga" and get a nigga mad
As soon as I say "nigga" then everyone react
And wanna swing at me and call me racist 'cause I ain't black
Talkin' about slavery like you was around back then
Like you was pickin' cotton off the fuckin' ground back then
Like you was on the plantation gettin' down back then
Aight, look
I see a black man aimin' his gun
But I'd rather see a black man claimin' his son
And I don't mean just for one day and you done
I mean, you still trapped in a rut
And I work my ass off and I pay my taxes for what?
So you can keep livin' off free government assistance?
Food stamps for your children, but you're still tryna sell 'em
For some weed and some liquor or a fuckin' babysitter
While you party on the road 'cause you ain't got no fuckin' goals?
You already late
You motherfuckas needa get your damn priorities straight
Wait, it's like you're proud to be fake
But you lazy as fuck and you'd rather sell drugs
Than get a job and be straight, and then you turn around and complain
About the poverty rate? Fuck outta my face!
You can't escape problems
You can pray for some change but can't break a dollar
Got nobody else to blame, so you blame Donald
"They fuck the world with a Make America Great condom"
My voice been back
I'm not racist, my sister's boyfriend's black
I'm not racist, my sister-in-law's baby cousin Tracy
Got a brother and his girlfriend's black
My head's in the cloud
Heard there's not enough jobs for all the men in your house
Maybe we should build a wall to keep the Mexicans out
Or maybe we should send 'em all to the ghetto for now
I'm not racist and I never lie
But I think there's a disconnect between your culture and mine
I worship the Einsteins, study the Steve Jobs
But you ride 2Pac's dick like he was a fuckin' god, oh my god
And all you care about is rappin'
And stuntin' and bein' ratchet, and that's the nigga within you
Music rotting your brain and slowly start to convince you
Then you let your kids listen and then the cycle continues
Blame it all on the menu, blame it on those drinks
Blame it on everybody except for your own race
Blame it on white privileges, blame it on white kids
And just blame it on white citizens, same with the vice president
Bunch of class clowns
Niggas kneelin' on the field, that's a flag down
How dare you try to make demands for this money?
You gon' show us some respect, you gon' stand for this country, nigger!
I'm not racist
I'm just prepared for this type of war
I heard Eminem's rap at the awards, who's he fightin' for?
Y'all can take that motherfucker, too, he ain't white no more
It's like you wanna be so famous
You'll do anything for attention and a little payment
I can't take you nowhere without people pointin' fingers
Pants hangin' off your ass, you ain't got no home trainin'?
Put your fuckin' pants up, nigga! Put that suit back on!
Take that du-rag off! Take that gold out your mouth!
Quit the pitiful stuff
And then maybe police would stop killin' you fucks
Yo, what the fuck? I'm not racist
It's like we livin' in the same buildin' but split into two floors
I'm not racist
But there's two sides to every story, I wish that I knew yours
I wish that I knew yours
I'm not racist, I swear
With all disrespect
I don't really like you white motherfuckers, that's just where I'm at
Screaming "All Lives Matter"
Is a protest to my protest, what kind of shit is that?
And that's one war you'll never win
The power in the word "nigga" is a different sin
We shouldn't say it but we do, and that just what it is
But that don't mean that you can say it just 'cause you got nigga friends
Nigga, that word was originated for you to keep us under
And when we use it, we know that's just how we greet each other
And when you use it, we know there's a double meaning under
And even if I wasn't picking cotton physically
That don't mean I'm not affected by the history
My grandmama was a slave, that shit gets to me
And you ain't got no motherfucking sympathy, you pussy nigga!
I'm sorry you can never feel my life
Tryna have faith, but I never felt alright
It's hard to elevate when this country's ran by whites
Judging me by my skin color and my blackness
Tryna find a job but ain't nobody call me back yet
Now I gotta sell drugs to put food in my cabinet
You crackers ain't slick, this is all a part of your tactics
Don't talk about no motherfucking taxes, when I ain't making no dough
You think you know everything but you don't
You wanna copy our slang and everything that we know
Try to steal black culture and then make it your own, whoa
Fuck, I'm exhausted
I can't even drive without the cops tryna start shit
I'm tired of the systematic racism bullshit
All you do is false shit, this the shit that I'm force fed
And you don't know shit about my people, that's what bothers you
You don't know about no fried chicken and no barbeque
You don't know about the two-step or no loose change
You don't know about no 2 Chainz or no Kool-Aid, you don't know!
And even though Barack was half as black
You hated president Obama, I know that's a fact
You couldn't wait to get him out and put a cracker back
And then you gave us Donald Trump and now it's payback for that
I'm not racist, I never lied
But I know there's a disconnect between your culture and mine
Yeah, I praise 2Pac like he was a fuckin' god
He was fighting for his life way before he fuckin' died, nigga, die nigga!
And all you care about is money and power
And being ugly and that's the cracker within you
Hatred all in your brain, it slowly start to convince you
And then you teach it to your children until the cycle continue
Blame it on Puerto Rico, blame it on OJ
Blame it on everybody, except for your own race
Blame it on black niggas and blame it on black citizens
Aim at the black businesses, I ain't saying I'm innocent
But, I might be any day now
Treatin' everybody how you want and any way how
I swear North Korea 'bout to bomb us any day now
And now I'm duckin' everytime I hear a fuckin' plane now, shit
You know I make a lot of sense but you just can't admit it
When Eminem went against Trump, that was the illest
'Cause even though he's white, he let us know he standin' with us
I'm not racist, but I cry a lot
You don't know what it's like to be in a frying pot
You don't know what it's like to mind your business
And get stopped by the cops and not know if you 'bout to die or not
You worry 'bout your life, so you take mine
I love you but I fuckin' hate you at the same time
I wish we could trade shoes or we could change lives
So we could understand each other more but that'd take time
I'm not racist
It's like we livin' in the same buildin' but splittin' the both sides
I'm not racist
But there's two sides to every story and now you know mine
Can't erase the scars with a bandage
I'm hopin' maybe we can come to an understandin'
Agree to disagree, we could have an understandin'
I'm not racist
The song "I'm Not Racist" by Joyner Lucas is a powerful and thought-provoking commentary on race relations in America. The song is divided into two parts, with each part representing a different perspective on the issue of racism. The first part is from the perspective of a white man, while the second part is from the perspective of a black man. The two perspectives are presented in a dialogue format, with each part addressing the other's perspective and challenging each other's beliefs.
In the first part of the song, the white man expresses his frustration with black culture and black people who he believes are lazy and refuse to take responsibility for their own lives. He argues that black people rely too heavily on government assistance and choose to engage in criminal behavior rather than working hard and making something of themselves.
In the second part of the song, the black man responds to the white man's perspective by sharing his own experiences of systemic racism and discrimination. He explains that black people are forced to face barriers that white people do not, and that their lives are more difficult as a result. He also pushes back against the notion that black culture is something to be ashamed of, arguing that it is a valuable part of American society.
Throughout the song, the two perspectives clash and challenge one another, creating a powerful commentary on the complex and sometimes painful issue of race in America.
Line by Line Meaning
With all due respect
I'm about to say something disrespectful
I don't have pity for you black niggas, that's the way I feel
I lack empathy for black people, and I am unapologetic about it
Screamin' "Black Lives Matter"
Mocking the Black Lives Matter movement
All the black guys rather be deadbeats than pay your bills
Stereotyping black men as lazy and irresponsible
Yellin' "nigga this" and "nigga that"
Criticizing the casual and frequent use of the N-word among black people
Call everybody "nigga" and get a nigga mad
Claiming that the use of the N-word by non-black people causes anger and offense
As soon as I say "nigga" then everyone react
Asserting that when he uses the N-word, he is accused of racism
And wanna swing at me and call me racist 'cause I ain't black
Facing hostility and accusations of racism for being white
Well pound that then
I don't care about your reactions
Talkin' about slavery like you was around back then
Mocking black people for discussing the history of slavery
Like you was pickin' cotton off the fuckin' ground back then
Belittling the experiences of black ancestors as slaves
Like you was on the plantation gettin' down back then
Dismissing the struggles and oppression faced by black people during slavery
Aight, look
Listen up
I see a black man aimin' his gun
Referring to the stereotype of black men as violent criminals
But I'd rather see a black man claimin' his son
Encouraging black men to be responsible fathers
And I don't mean just for one day and you done
Emphasizing the need for consistent parental involvement
I mean, you still trapped in a rut
Highlighting the challenges and struggles faced by black individuals
And I work my ass off and I pay my taxes for what?
Questioning the purpose and value of paying taxes
So you can keep livin' off free government assistance?
Accusing black individuals of relying on welfare and assistance programs
Food stamps for your children, but you're still tryna sell 'em
Accusing black parents of selling their food stamps
For some weed and some liquor or a fuckin' babysitter
Implying that black parents prioritize vices over taking care of their children
While you party on the road 'cause you ain't got no fuckin' goals?
Suggesting that black individuals lack ambition and direction
You already late
You're behind or lacking progress
You motherfuckas needa get your damn priorities straight
Urge for black individuals to focus on what truly matters
Wait, it's like you're proud to be fake
Accusing black individuals of embracing a false identity
But you lazy as fuck and you'd rather sell drugs
Labeling black individuals as lazy and engaging in illegal activities
Than get a job and be straight, and then you turn around and complain
Criticizing black individuals for complaining about their circumstances while avoiding legal employment
About the poverty rate? Fuck outta my face!
Dismissing concerns about poverty and inequality
You can't escape problems
Suggesting that black individuals cannot overcome their problems
You can pray for some change but can't break a dollar
Implying that black individuals rely on prayer without taking action to improve their situation
Got nobody else to blame, so you blame Donald
Accusing black individuals of blaming their problems on Donald Trump
"They fuck the world with a Make America Great condom"
Expressing displeasure with the policies and actions of the Trump administration
My voice been back
My viewpoint has been presented
I'm not racist, my sister's boyfriend's black
Claiming not to be racist due to having a black person in the family
I'm not racist, my sister-in-law's baby cousin Tracy
Justifying the lack of racism based on extended family connections
Got a brother and his girlfriend's black
Referencing a personal relationship with a black person to argue against being racist
My head's in the cloud
Being oblivious or detached from reality
Heard there's not enough jobs for all the men in your house
Alluding to the stereotype of multiple fatherless black households
Maybe we should build a wall to keep the Mexicans out
Advocating for anti-immigration measures
Or maybe we should send 'em all to the ghetto for now
Proposing segregation or isolation of minority communities
I'm not racist and I never lie
Denying racism and asserting truthfulness
But I think there's a disconnect between your culture and mine
Acknowledging a lack of understanding or differences between cultures
I worship the Einsteins, study the Steve Jobs
Valuing the achievements and contributions of white individuals
But you ride 2Pac's dick like he was a fuckin' god, oh my god
Mocking black individuals for idolizing 2Pac and suggesting it is unwarranted
And all you care about is rappin'
Belittling black individuals' aspirations and interests
And stuntin' and bein' ratchet, and that's the nigga within you
Associating negative traits and behaviors with black identity
Music rotting your brain and slowly start to convince you
Claiming that black music has a negative influence
Then you let your kids listen and then the cycle continues
Blaming black parents for influencing their children with negative music
Blame it all on the menu, blame it on those drinks
Attributing societal problems to external factors rather than taking responsibility
Blame it on everybody except for your own race
Accusing black individuals of blaming others instead of taking accountability
Blame it on white privileges, blame it on white kids
Rejecting the concept of white privilege and placing blame on white people
And just blame it on white citizens, same with the vice president
Criticizing white citizens and political figures for societal problems
Bunch of class clowns
Dismissing any objections or arguments as insignificant or foolish
Niggas kneelin' on the field, that's a flag down
Criticizing black athletes for protesting racial inequality by kneeling during the national anthem
How dare you try to make demands for this money?
Questioning the legitimacy of black individuals demanding change and justice
You gon' show us some respect, you gon' stand for this country, nigger!
Demanding that black individuals show patriotism and respect for the country
I'm not racist
Reiterating the denial of racism
I'm just prepared for this type of war
Claiming to be ready for the battle of ideas and ideologies
I heard Eminem's rap at the awards, who's he fightin' for?
Questioning the motives and intentions of Eminem's political rap
Y'all can take that motherfucker, too, he ain't white no more
Dismissing Eminem's significance and relevance to the white community
It's like you wanna be so famous
Accusing black individuals of seeking fame and attention
You'll do anything for attention and a little payment
Suggesting that black individuals are willing to compromise their integrity for personal gain
I can't take you nowhere without people pointin' fingers
Expressing frustration with the negative stereotypes associated with black people
Pants hangin' off your ass, you ain't got no home trainin'?
Mocking black youth for their fashion choices and behavior
Put your fuckin' pants up, nigga! Put that suit back on!
Demanding black individuals conform to perceived respectable standards
Take that du-rag off! Take that gold out your mouth!
Rejecting cultural expressions and symbols associated with black identity
Quit the pitiful stuff
Stop engaging in behavior deemed as negative or inferior
And then maybe police would stop killin' you fucks
Suggesting that conforming to societal norms would prevent police brutality
Yo, what the fuck? I'm not racist
Expressing confusion and denial regarding accusations of racism
It's like we livin' in the same buildin' but split into two floors
Highlighting racial divisions and disparities within society
I'm not racist
Reiterating the denial of racism
But there's two sides to every story, I wish that I knew yours
Acknowledging the existence of different perspectives and desiring understanding
I wish that I knew yours
Desiring insight into the experiences and thoughts of black individuals
I'm not racist, I swear
Reaffirming the denial of racism
Can't erase the scars with a bandage
Acknowledging that societal wounds cannot be easily healed or repaired
I'm hopin' maybe we can come to an understandin'
Expressing a desire for mutual understanding and reconciliation
Agree to disagree, we could have an understandin'
Suggesting that differing opinions can coexist amicably
I'm not racist
Reiterating the denial of racism
Lyrics Ā© BMG Rights Management, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alexander Toth, David Kraft, Joyner Lucas, Tim Wilke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@blingoty
"Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn't matter which color does the hating. It's just plain wrong."
~ Muhammad Ali
@akagrimreaper6702
And race. Ppl are being racist towards asians now.
@akagrimreaper6702
rolls corona virus ...
@imrolls
@@akagrimreaper6702 not really it's origin is from China so it's not racist. But if people are really just being racist to Asians currently then that's fucked up
@imrolls
@random strawberry220 can you send me the article or something I haven't saw this recently
@honeyhahn
Literally has never had anything to do with skin color. It's the way people act.
@imjoemama6316
Just realized that Joyner Lucas is talking to himself for 7 minutes
@Delsin42
6 mins and 55 secs to be precise but hey who asked me?
@deltawashere7645
I just realized neither of them are Joyner lucas
@caitlinadams4974
@@deltawashere7645 same