Made in America
Jay-Z / Kanye West Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

And he'll bring out the, out the darkness

Sweet King Martin, sweet Queen Coretta
Sweet Brother Malcolm, sweet Queen Betty
Sweet Mother Mary, sweet Father Joseph, sweet Jesus

We made it in America, sweet baby Jesus, ooh
Oh sweet baby Jesus, we made it in America

Sweet baby Jesus, ooh, oh sweet baby Jesus
We made it in America

I told my mama I was on the come up
She said "You going to school I'll give you a summer"
Then she met NO I.D, and gave me his number
Ten years later she driving a Hummer
Niggas hustle every day for a beat from Ye
What I do? Turn around gave them beats to Jay
And I'm rapping on the beats they was supposed to buy
I guess I'm getting high off my own supply
Downtown mixing fabrics trying to find the magic
Started a little blog just to get some traffic
Old folks'll tell you not to play in traffic uh
A million hits and the web crashes, damn!
South Park had 'em all laughing
Now all my niggas designing and we all swaggin'
Ignore the critics just to say we did it
This ain't no fashion show, motherfucker, we live it

Sweet King Martin, sweet Queen Coretta
Sweet Brother Malcolm, sweet Queen Betty
Sweet Mother Mary, sweet Father Joseph, sweet Jesus

We made it in America, sweet baby Jesus, ooh
Oh sweet baby Jesus, we made it in America

Sweet baby Jesus, ooh, oh sweet baby Jesus,
We made it in America

I pledge allegiance, uh, to my Grandma
For that banana pudding, our piece of Americana
Our apple pie was supplied through Arm and Hammer
Straight out the kitchen, shh don't wake Nana
Built a republic, that still stands
I'm trying to lead a nation, to leave to my little mans
Or my daughter, so I'm boiling this water
The scales was lopsided, I'm just restoring order
Hold up, here comes grandma, what's up YaYa?
What's that smell? Oh I'm just boiling some aqua
No papa, bad Santa
The streets raised me, pardon my bad manners
I got my liberty, chopping grams up
Street justice, I pray God understand us
I pledge allegiance to all the scramblers
This is the Star Spangled Banner

Sweet King Martin, sweet Queen Coretta
Sweet Brother Malcolm, sweet Queen Betty
Sweet Mother Mary, sweet Father Joseph, sweet Jesus

We made it in America, sweet baby Jesus, ooh
Oh sweet baby Jesus, we made it in America

Sweet baby Jesus, ooh, oh sweet baby Jesus,
We made it in America yes we did

Sweet baby Jesus, ooh, oh sweet baby Jesus,
We made it in America





Sweet baby Jesus, ooh, oh sweet baby Jesus,
We made it in America yes we did

Overall Meaning

In the first verse of "Made in America," Jay-Z and Kanye West pay tribute to several seminal figures in American history, including civil rights activists Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X and religious icons Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The lyrics suggest that these figures represent the "light" that can emerge from the "darkness," a message that resonates with the broader themes of hope, perseverance, and overcoming adversity that are central to the song.


The second verse transitions to a more personal narrative, with Jay-Z recounting his journey from humble beginnings to becoming an influential figure in the music industry. He credits his success to his mother's encouragement, his serendipitous meeting with producer NO ID, and his collaboration with fellow rapper Kanye West. The lyrics also touch on broader themes of creativity, innovation, and the power of the internet to democratize access to cultural production.


Overall, "Made in America" is a poignant reflection on the American dream, and how individual achievement is often intertwined with the larger social and cultural context. The Christian and African American undertones of the lyrics further deepen the themes of resilience and triumph against cultural and historical adversity.


Line by Line Meaning

And he'll bring out the, out the darkness
The hardships we face will eventually come to an end, leading to a brighter future.


Sweet King Martin, sweet Queen Coretta Sweet Brother Malcolm, sweet Queen Betty Sweet Mother Mary, sweet Father Joseph, sweet Jesus
Honoring influential figures in African American history and religious figures that have helped shape the culture of America.


We made it in America, sweet baby Jesus, ooh Oh sweet baby Jesus, we made it in America Sweet baby Jesus, ooh, oh sweet baby Jesus, We made it in America
Celebrating the success and achievements made by African Americans in the United States, and attributing that success to faith and perseverance.


I told my mama I was on the come up She said "you going to school I'll give you a summer" Then she met NO ID and gave me his number Ten years later she driving a Hummer
The artist overcame the odds and succeeded in the music industry despite initial skepticism from family and friends.


Niggas hustle every day for a beat from Ye What I do? Turn around gave them beats to Jay And I'm rapping on the beat they was supposed to buy I guess I'm getting high off my own supply
The artist found success in the music industry by collaborating with other successful artists, and created his own unique style that made him stand out.


Downtown mixing fabrics trying to find the magic Started a little blog just to get some traffic Old folks'll tell you not to play in traffic uh A million hits and the web crashes, damn! South Park had 'em all laughing Now all my niggas designing and we all swaggin' Ignore the critics just to say we did it This ain't no fashion show, motherfucker, we live it
The singer started from humble beginnings, experimenting with different styles before finally finding the perfect formula for success. He faced criticism along the way, but ultimately turned his passion into a career.


I pledge allegiance, uh, to my Grandma For that banana pudding, our piece of Americana Our apple pie was supplied through Arm and Hammer Straight out the kitchen, shh don't wake Nana!
The singer reminisces about the delicious homemade foods that represent a part of traditional American culture that has been passed down through generations.


Built a republic, that still stands I'm trying to lead a nation, to leave to my little man's Or my daughter, so I'm boiling this water The scales was lopsided, I'm just restoring order
The artist is proud of America's ability to withstand the test of time, and is committed to ensuring a better future for the next generation.


Hold up, here comes grandma, what's up YaYa? What's that smell? Oh I'm just boiling some aqua No papa, bad Santa The streets raised me, pardon my bad manners
The artist reflects on his upbringing and the struggles he faced growing up in a rough neighborhood, but acknowledges the positive impact his family had on his life.


I got my liberty, chopping grams up Street justice, I pray God understand us I pledge allegiance to all the scramblers This is the Star Spangled Banner
The artist acknowledges the harsh reality of his past, but celebrates his current freedom and success. He also pays tribute to all those who have overcome difficult circumstances.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Christopher Breaux, Shawn C. Carter, Mike Dean, Shama E. Joseph, Kanye Omari West

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@MrWest676

Bro I swear nowadays this album doesn’t get that much appreciation

@TyWerks

As a black man who is in to history this song is so poetic. For those of us who are succesful damn we made it fr

@FloydFloyd-ot5eo

🎶🎶 If we can make it here we can make it anywhere 🎶🎶

@kabiirkhan530

can you do a analysis of this song for me i need it for tomorrow

@solomonshabeenzu5184

I'm on the "come up"!💯

@sumstuff6956

⁠@@FloydFloyd-ot5eowhat the most least racist place on earth ok brah😂 🤡 the oppressed black man in America tho🤡

@MrBrian714

This is the last song I heard before my brother passed away. 10 years ago today 😢 brings back memories

@zslime6766

sorry for ur loss man i send you love.

@charlestarrant8733

🙏🏼🙏🏼 Sorry for your Loss

@Tyrone5556

Bro why do the most underrated songs gotta be so great 😭

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