Watanabe, a protégé of Comme des Garçons designer Rei Kawakubo, is best known for his work with CDG as well as his own eponymous clothing brand.
The song features Kanye’s “Go2DaMoon” collaborator Playboi Carti, marking the duo’s second collaboration. This track is one of two collaborations with Carti on "Donda", the other being “Off the Grid”.
Prior to "Donda", Kanye shared a now-deleted photo to Instagram of himself and Carti recording together at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, presumably working on this track.
The song is produced by Digital Nas, who produced Carti’s early tracks “Run It” and “Lil Boy,” and marks the first collaboration between Kanye and Digital Nas.
“Junya” debuted at #15 on the Rolling Stone’s Top 100 Songs Chart during the week ending September 2, 2021.
During the week ending September 11, “Junya” debuted at #16 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.
Junya
Kanye West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Junya Watanabe on my wri' (wri')
Tell 'em this, did he miss?
Junya Watanabe on my, mmh
I can't really see, where did I miss? (Mmh, mmh)
Ex-strippers (mmh, mmh)
New killers (mmh, mmh)
This on Donda (mmh, mmh)
On my mama (mmh, mmh)
Made a promise (mmh)
Junya Watanabe on my wri'
Junya Watanabe on my wri'
Tell 'em this, did he miss?
Junya Watanabe on my, mmh
I can't really see, where did I miss? (Mmh)
Junya Watanabe on my wri' (mmh, mmh)
Junya Watanabe on my
All summer (mmh, mmh)
All summer (mmh, mmh)
.45 gunners (mmh, mmh)
In pajamas (mmh, mmh)
They piranhas (mmh, mmh)
Buy out the store in hours like we planned it
Junya Watanabe on my wri'
Junya Watanabe on my wri'
Tell 'em this, did he miss?
Junya Watanabe on my, mmh
I can't really see, where did I miss? (Mmh)
Junya Watanabe on my wri'
For five summers, hold up, uh
For five summers, hold up
For five summers, hold up, uh
For five summers, hold up, uh
We took over, hold up, uh
We took over, hold up
We took over, hold up
We took over, hold up
Born in Atlanta (mmh, mmh)
Not Montana (mmh, mmh)
'Scuse my manners (mmh, mmh)
I got standards
Uh, yeah, 'scuse my manners (mmh, mmh)
I got standards (mmh, mmh)
I got status (mmh, mmh)
You don't want static (mmh, mmh)
See more comments (mmh, mmh)
Than I see commas (mmh, mmh)
They going dummy (mmh, mmh)
We going Donda (mmh, mmh)
Let me be honest (mmh, mmh)
Let me be honest (mmh, mmh)
I won with the bucks, boy
Let me Giannis (mmh, mmh)
I won with the bucks, boy (mmh)
The spirit is on us (mmh, mmh)
The spirit of Donda
God's time can't fit on a wrist
Junya wanna have me on my wri', wri', wri', wri'
Move out of the way of my release (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Tryna get me off my Qs and Ps (yeah, yeah, watch it)
Why can't losers never lose in peace? (Yeah, yeah, watch it)
Ain't nobody 'round me losing sleep
Better find God 'fore he find me
Tell the Devil good night, go to sleep
In "Junya" by Kanye West, the rapper references Japanese fashion designer Junya Watanabe and how he has his name on his wrist. He asks, "Tell 'em this, did he miss?" implying that he is one of the few people who has something as prestigious as this designer's name on his wrist. Throughout the song, he talks about his success and how he has made promises to himself to get to where he is. He also raps about how he and his team have taken over and that they're going "to buy out the store in hours like we planned it."
West references his own success and the price he has paid to get to where he is now. He talks about "ex-strippers" and "new killers," people who he seems to have associated with in the past. He also mentions "piranhas" and "gunners" who are ready to buy out stores with him. The American rapper also mentions his successful basketball bet on the NBA team Milwaukee Bucks, comparing himself to one of the team's popular players, Giannis Antetokounmpo. Finally, West's reference to God and the Devil is a reminder that he believes that his rise to fame and his subsequent success has been guided by a higher power.
Line by Line Meaning
Junya Watanabe on my wri'
Kanye West has a watch designed by the Japanese designer Junya Watanabe on his wrist
Tell 'em this, did he miss?
Kanye is asking someone if they think he missed something, referring to his fashion choice
Junya Watanabe on my, mmh
Kanye repeats the mention of the Junya Watanabe watch, emphasizing its importance
I can't really see, where did I miss? (Mmh, mmh)
Kanye is unsure if he missed something with his fashion choice and is seeking approval
Ex-strippers (mmh, mmh)
Kanye is now talking about ex-strippers, possibly referencing his recent divorce and the women involved
New killers (mmh, mmh)
Kanye speaks of new killers, alluding to his association with dangerous people
Chi' n- tell 'em (mmh, mmh)
Kanye is possibly calling out to someone to relay his message
This on Donda (mmh, mmh)
Kanye refers to his new album Donda, possibly indicating that his new music has helped him transition from his past experiences
On my mama (mmh, mmh)
Kanye swears on his mother's name, indicating the sincerity of his words
Made a promise (mmh)
Kanye exclaims that he has made a promise, possibly indicating a new beginning in his life
All summer (mmh, mmh)
Kanye now talks about his summer experiences
.45 gunners (mmh, mmh)
Kanye talks about people who carry firearms
In pajamas (mmh, mmh)
Kanye alludes to the idea of people staying in their pajamas all day during the summer
They piranhas (mmh, mmh)
Kanye uses the metaphor of piranhas to describe the dangerous people around him
Buy out the store in hours like we planned it
Kanye boasts about his success and ability to buy out stores in record times
For five summers, hold up, uh
Kanye continues to reflect on his summer experiences and how they have affected him for the past five years
Born in Atlanta (mmh, mmh)
Kanye talks about his birthplace, demonstrating pride in his origins
Not Montana (mmh, mmh)
Kanye contrasts his birthplace with the state of Montana, indicating that he is proud of where he is from
'Scuse my manners (mmh, mmh)
Kanye apologizes for any perceived rudeness
I got standards (mmh, mmh)
Kanye emphasizes that he has high standards
You don't want static (mmh, mmh)
Kanye suggests that those who do not meet his standards will face the consequences, emphasizing his power
See more comments (mmh, mmh)
Kanye refers to the numerous comments made about him on social media and elsewhere
Than I see commas (mmh, mmh)
Kanye sees more comments about him than he sees commas in written text
They going dummy (mmh, mmh)
Kanye speaks about people who are foolish or doing crazy things
We going Donda (mmh, mmh)
Kanye emphasizes again how he is moving forward with his new album Donda
Let me be honest (mmh, mmh)
Kanye prefaces a statement that he feels is particularly honest
I won with the bucks, boy
Kanye recounts his recent success and relates it to the achievements of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who won a championship with the Milwaukee Bucks
Let me Giannis (mmh, mmh)
Kanye uses Giannis Antetokounmpo's name as a verb to describe his own achievements
The spirit is on us (mmh, mmh)
Kanye references a spiritual presence that is guiding him
The spirit of Donda
Kanye refers once more to his new album Donda and how it has brought about positive changes in his life
God's time can't fit on a wrist
Kanye reflects on how it is impossible to capture the essence of time or God's will in physical objects like watches
Junya wanna have me on my wri', wri', wri', wri'
Kanye references his Junya Watanabe watch again, repeating the line in a playful way
Move out of the way of my release (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Kanye warns people to move aside and make way for his creative expression, which he calls a 'release'
Tryna get me off my Qs and Ps (yeah, yeah, watch it)
Kanye suggests that people are trying to distract him or prevent him from being his best self
Why can't losers never lose in peace? (Yeah, yeah, watch it)
Kanye reflects on how some people who are unsuccessful always seem to create drama or cause trouble
Ain't nobody 'round me losing sleep
Kanye implies that he is not losing sleep over these people or their drama, indicating a sense of detachment or indifference
Better find God 'fore he find me
Kanye warns people to focus on finding God in their lives before God takes notice of them
Tell the Devil good night, go to sleep
Kanye suggests people ignore the devil's influence and go to sleep, indicating that they will be able to rest peacefully only after freeing themselves from negative influences
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Walsh, Jordan Terrell Carter, Kanye Omari West, Mark Carl Stolinski Williams, Nasir Harold Pemberton, Raul Ignacio Cubina, Rennard L. East, Roark Bailey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@omomorohmon2860
Chorus: Kanye West]
Junya Watanabe on my wri', wri'
Junya Watanabe on my wri', wri'
Tell 'em this, did he miss?
Junya Watanabe on my, mmh
I can't really see, where did I miss? (Mmh, mmh)
[Verse 1: Kanye West]
Ex-strippers (Mmh, mmh)
New killers (Mmh, mmh), Chi' ** tell 'em (Mmh, mmh)
This on Donda (Mmh, mmh), on my mama (Mmh, mmh)
Made a promise (Mmh)
[Chorus: Kanye West]
Junya Watanabe on my wri'
Junya Watanabe on my wri'
Tell 'em this, did he miss? (Wri')
Junya Watanabe on my, mmh
I can't really see, where did I miss? (Mmh)
Junya Watanabe on my wri' (Mmh, mmh)
Junya Watanabe on my—
[Verse 2: Kanye West]
All summer (Mmh, mmh), all summer (Mmh, mmh)
.45 gunners (Mmh, mmh), in pajamas (Mmh, mmh)
They piranhas (Mmh, mmh)
Buy out the store in hours like we planned itChorus: Kanye West]
Junya Watanabe on my wri'
Junya Watanabe on my wri'
Tell 'em this, did he miss?
Junya Watanabe on my, mmh
I can't really see, where did I miss? (Mmh)
Junya Watanabe on my wri'
[Verse 3: Playboi Carti & Kanye West]
For five summers, hold up, uh
For five summers, hold up
For five summers, hold up, uh
For five summers, hold up, uh
We took over, hold up, uh
We took over, hold up
We took over, hold up
We took over, hold up
Born in Atlanta (Mmh, mmh)
Not Montana (Mmh, mmh)
'Scuse my manners (Mmh, mmh)
I got standards
Uh, yeah, 'scuse my manners (Mmh, mmh)
I got standards (Mmh, mmh)
I got status (Mmh, mmh)
You don't want static (Mmh, mmh)Verse 4: Kanye West & Playboi Carti]
See more comments (Mmh, mmh)
Than I see commas (Mmh, mmh)
They going dummy (Mmh, mmh)
We going Donda (Mmh, mmh)
Let me be honest (Mmh, mmh)
Let me be honest (Mmh, mmh)
I won with the bucks, boy
Let me Giannis (Mmh, mmh)
I won with the bucks, boy (Mm, mm)
The spirit is on us (Mmh, mmh)
The spirit of Donda
God's time can't fit on a wrist
Junya wanna have me on my— ( Wri', wri', wri')
Move out of the way of my release (Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Tryna get me off my Qs and Ps (Yeah, yeah, yeah, watch it)
Why can't losers never lose in peace? (Yeah, yeah, watch it)
Ain't nobody 'round me losing sleep
Better find God 'fore He find me
Tell the Devil good night, go to sleep
@tot3mpted
“why can’t losers never lose in peace” is my fav line
@jeremiahedwards2962
The last few bars of the song are aimed at Drake and I love them
@staigenerator2949
DRAKE 💀💀🥱
@angeldustfairy
I run with the bucks boy let me Giannis
@ryanbarney254
Ain't nobody 'round me losin' sleep.
@ryanbarney254
@@jeremiahedwards2962 better find God 'fore he find me.
@PatoNani18
Actually the most underappreciated song of the album already. Shit sounds simple but it goes hard af. It deserves a fire ass music video.
@devent7098
this song gets skipped before 10 secs everytime
@brazilianbastard3992
Jail too
@lebolebonana7222
I wanna see Kanye dancing😩