The song premiered on Saturday Night Live in May 2013, with West performing it in front of a projected backdrop. He has since performed the song live on various occasions, including at the Glastonbury Festival and the Billboard Music Awards in 2015. It was universally praised by music critics and ranked by numerous sites, including Rolling Stone and NME, as one of the best tracks of 2013. The song's accompanying music video was directed by Nick Knight and features computer-generated imagery of West, with interactive options including "screen grabbing" and adjusting the speed of his vocals. The video was released in July 2013 and has received positive reviews from critics.
Although West initially said Yeezus would have no singles, “Black Skinhead“ became the first single released from the album. It was serviced to contemporary hit radio stations in the United Kingdom one day after the album's release. On July 2, 2013, the single was sent to urban contemporary radio stations in the United States. The song charted in the United States, the United Kingdom, Scotland, Ireland, France, Canada, Belgium and Australia in 2013 and 2014. It has since been certified platinum in the United States, the United Kingdom and Denmark. American singer Jack White covered the song in June 2014. A remix featuring Miley Cyrus, recorded shortly after the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, leaked online in January 2016.
The song's title uses "skinhead", which originated as a description of a 1960s British working-class male subculture whose members often had closely cropped hair. It revolved around fashion and music and went on to inspire the punk rock scene. Despite attracting young males across the political spectrum, the term had come to be popularly associated with neo-Nazis at the time of single's release. Travis Scott said of his initial reaction to the song: "I jumped off the stairs onto the couch. I was going HAM. That was when I heard the 'na na na na' part for the first time, I lost my fucking mind. That's some soccer anthem-type shit." According to co-producer Mike Dean, the song was almost left off Yeezus for sounding "too much like a soccer song." In November 2013, co-writer Lupe Fiasco still felt unsure what the song was supposed to be about. He described it as "a lot of emotional, a lot of this, a lot of cliché, a lot of kinda stuff balled in together, and it's just supposed to be presented as a package and you digest it."
After its release as a single in the United States, "Black Skinhead" entered charts in North America. The track debuted at number 69 on the US Billboard Hot 100. In the same week as its Hot 100 debut, the track also entered at number 21 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. On the Canadian Hot 100, the song reached number 66.
The track charted in several countries worldwide. After being released as a single in the United Kingdom on June 19, 2013, the song debuted at number 48 on the UK Singles Chart and eventually peaked at number 34. It remained there for a total of 16 weeks and ranked as the 197th best-selling single of 2013 in the United Kingdom. In Scotland, the track also reached the top 40, charting at number 31 on the Scottish Singles Chart. The track reached number 55 on the Irish Singles Chart and charted at number 58 and 59 on the ARIA Singles Chart and the Belgium Ultratip Flanders chart respectively. Its lowest chart position was in France at number 105 on the SNEP chart.
On October 17, 2014, “Black Skinhead“ was certified Platinum in Denmark, and in the United States by the RIAA on October 13, 2015. “Black Skinhead“ went Platinum in the United Kingdom on November 23, 2018.
As of 2017, “Black Skinhead“ is the 89th best-selling hip-hop song of all-time in the UK.
Black Skinhead
Kanye West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My leather black jeans on
My by any means on
Pardon, I'm getting my scream on
Enter the kingdom
But watch who you bring home
They see a black man with a white woman
At the top floor they gone come to kill King KongMiddle America packed in
Came to see me in my black skin
Number one question they asking
Fuck every question you asking
If I don't get ran out by Catholics
Here come some conservative Baptists
Claiming I'm overreacting
Like them black kids in Chiraq bitch
Four in the morning, and I'm zoning
They say I'm possessed, it's an omen
I keep it 300, like the Romans
300 bitches, where's the Trojans?
Baby we living in the moment
I've been a menace for the longest
But I ain't finished, I'm devoted
And you know it, and you know it
So follow me up cause this shit's about to go (down)
I'm doing 500, I'm outta control (now)
But there's nowhere to go (now)
And there's no way to slow (down)
If I knew what I knew in the past
I would've been blacked out on your ass
Four in the morning, and I'm zoning
I keep it 300, like the Romans
300 bitches, where's the Trojans?
Baby, we living in the moment
I've been a menace for the longest
But I ain't finished, I'm devoted
And you know it, and you know it
Stop all that coon shit
Early morning cartoon shit
This is that goon shit
Fuck up your whole afternoon shit
I'm aware I'm a wolf
Soon as the moon hit
I'm aware I'm a king
Back out the tomb bitch
Black out the room, bitch
Stop all that coon shit
These niggas ain't doin' shit
Them niggas ain't doing shit
Come on homie what happened
You niggas ain't breathing you gasping
These niggas ain't ready for action
Ready-ready for action
Four in the morning, and I'm zoning
I think I'm possessed, it's an omen
I keep it 300 like the Romans
300 bitches, where the Trojans?
Baby, we livin' in the moment
I've been a menace for the longest
But I ain't finished, I'm devoted
And you know it, and you know it
So follow me up cause this shit's about to go (down)
I'm doing 500, I'm outta control (now)
But there's nowhere to go (now)
And there's no way to slow (down)
If I knew what I knew in the past
I would've been blacked out on your ass
God, God, God, God
God, God, God, God
God, God, God, God
Kanye West’s “Black Skinhead” is a powerful social commentary on race, fame, and culture in America. The song is basically a celebration of his triumph and defiance against his critics and haters – he is proud of his heritage and is determined not to let anyone bring him down or make him feel ashamed of who he is. The lyrics of the song talk about how he is confident in his blackness and that he is not going to apologize for it, even if people don't understand it.
In the song, West talks about his black skin being questioned and scrutinized by mainstream society, saying that they only want him when he is a novelty and not as a human. He feels like he is being hunted, and he is wary when he enters certain spaces because of the color of his skin. He also mentions the perception of black men who are with white women, saying that this can cause them to be perceived as a threat to not only some people around him but also the society at large.
Furthermore, he talks about how he continues to strive for success amidst opposition and the cynicism of others. He uses various sound effects such as a snarling dog to portray his aggressive nature and to showcase his alpha male status. The song's music video is similar to this, showcasing a radical, almost futuristic version of modern black culture. Overall, Black Skinhead is a brilliant expression of Kanye West's pride in his African-American heritage.
Line by Line Meaning
For my theme song
This song represents who I am and what I stand for.
My leather black jeans on
I'm dressed to impress and make a statement with my fashion.
My by any means on
I'm going to achieve my goals no matter what obstacles come my way.
Pardon, I'm getting my scream on
I'm passionate about what I'm saying and I want to make sure everyone hears me loud and clear.
Enter the kingdom
I'm entering a world where I am the king and I have power and control.
But watch who you bring home
Be careful who you associate with because it could have negative consequences for you.
They see a black man with a white woman
Interracial relationships can be controversial and stir up negative reactions.
At the top floor they gonna come to kill King Kong
People may feel threatened by a powerful black man and try to take him down.
Middle America packed in, came to see me in my black skin
People from all different backgrounds come to see me perform and celebrate black culture.
Number one question they asking, fuck every question you asking
I don't care about people's questions or opinions, I'm going to do what I want and be proud of my black identity.
If I don't get ran out by Catholics, here come some conservative Baptists
Religious groups may not agree with my music or message and try to discredit me.
Claiming I'm overreacting, like them black kids in Chiraq bitch
People may try to dismiss my concerns or issues as an overreaction and use derogatory language towards me and others in similar situations.
Four in the morning, and I'm zoning
I'm lost in my thoughts and focusing on my music and message.
They say I'm possessed, it's an omen
My passion and drive is so intense that people may see it as abnormal or supernatural.
I keep it 300, like the Romans
I'm strong and powerful like the ancient Roman empire and I'm going to keep pushing forward.
300 bitches, where's the Trojans?
I have many women in my life, but where are the men who can challenge me?
Baby we living in the moment
We need to enjoy life and not worry about the past or future.
I've been a menace for the longest
I have a reputation for causing trouble and disrupting the status quo.
But I ain't finished, I'm devoted
I'm not done with my mission, I'm committed to making a change.
And you know it, and you know it
Everyone knows that I am driven and passionate about my message.
Stop all that coon shit
Stop acting like a stereotype or doing things that reinforce negative stereotypes about black people.
Early morning cartoon shit
I don't have time for childish or insignificant things, I'm focused on my music and message.
This is that goon shit
My music is tough and aggressive, and I'm not afraid to speak my mind and take action.
Fuck up your whole afternoon shit
My music is so powerful that it can disrupt your day and make you think about what I'm saying.
I'm aware I'm a wolf, soon as the moon hit
I am a predator and I am always ready to strike and make my presence known.
I'm aware I'm a king, back out the tomb bitch
I am a powerful figure and I have risen from the ashes to take my place on the throne.
Black out the room, bitch
I am so powerful and commanding that I can make the room go dark just by entering it.
These niggas ain't doin' shit
Other rappers and people in the industry aren't doing anything important or impactful.
Come on homie what happened
I'm calling out other rappers for not making a change and being complacent with the status quo.
You niggas ain't breathing you gasping
Other rappers are struggling to keep up with me and my message.
These niggas ain't ready for action, ready-ready for action
Other rappers aren't ready to make a change and take action to improve the world.
God, God, God, God!
I am invoking a higher power to bless and protect me as I continue my mission to change the world.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, The Administration MP, Inc., THE ADMINISTRATION MP INC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cydell Charles Young, Kanye Omari West, Derrick Watkins, Elon Rutberg, Malik Yusef El Shabazz Jones, Wasalu Jaco, Christo Guillaume Homem, Michael Dean, Thomas Bangalter, Noah D. Goldstein, Derek Watkins, Guy Manuel Homem Christo, Kanye West, Mike Dean, S
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ridwaan Ahmed
Www.SongsPKFull.In
@isaac_759
lol just imagine standing up to the flag and saying
"Four in the morning, and I'm zoning
They say I'm possessed, it's an omen
I keep it 300, like the Romans
300 bitches, where's the Trojans?
Baby we living in the moment
I've been a menace for the longest
But I ain't finished, I'm devoted
And you know it, and you know it"
@joshzahner5617
Listening to this on the toilet is the most intense experience I’ve been through
@sluggishkitten
BAHBAHAHAA
@LAMONTSTRIBLING
Me right now
@amogh7815
I’m literally doing that
@carmen5984
Im on the toilet listening this lmaoooo
@elcardio7477
Ahha im doing exactly the same rn. Love from Italy ahahahaha
@aaaaannndddyyy
2013 wasn’t ready for this album.
@humanman9950
I keep it three huned like da romans
@invisiblesun9803
@@masterofdisguise9564 ok mr. fantano fanboy