Diamonds from Sierra Leone
Kanye West (feat. Jay-Z) Lyrics

(Diamonds are forever)
The theme of the song is about the value of diamonds, which lasts forever.

Throw your diamonds in the sky if you feel the vibe
If you feel the vibe, throw your diamonds in the sky as a symbol of the value of diamonds, which lasts forever.

The Roc is still alive every time I rhyme
Every time I rhyme, the Jay-Z's Roc-a-Fella record label is still successful and alive.

(Forever)
The success and value of diamonds and Roc-a-Fella record label last forever.

Good mornin', this ain't Vietnam still
Even though it's not Vietnam, people still lose their limbs and body parts due to diamond conflicts.

People lose hands, legs, arms, for real
People really lose their body parts and suffer due to diamond conflicts.

Little was known of Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone was not commonly known about and understood, particularly about its role in diamond conflicts.

And how it connect to the diamonds we own
This line suggests that the diamonds that people own may have a connection to diamond conflicts in Sierra Leone.

When I speak of diamonds in this song
The diamond that is referred to in this song is not the kind that glows but rather the real-life impact of diamond conflicts.

I ain't talkin' about the ones that be glowin'
The surface value of diamonds that look pretty to the eye is not what is being referred to in this song.

I'm talkin' about Roc-a-Fella, my home
The true value that Kanye West associates with is with Roc-a-Fella, his record label home.

My chain, these ain't conflict diamonds
Kanye suggests that the diamond he's bought for his chain isn't a conflict diamond, meaning it hasn't been traced to unethical and violent practices.

Is they Jacob? Don't lie to me, man
Kanye asks if the diamond is from a trusted source, the jeweler Jacob, who is known for providing good quality diamonds in the industry.

See, a part of me sayin' "Keep shining"
Kanye is tempted to keep his shiny diamond as a symbol of his wealth and success.

How? When I know what a blood diamond is
But he also knows of the impact of diamond conflicts and how they're used to fuel wars and violence.

Though it's thousands of miles away
Even though the conflicts and suffering from diamond conflicts took place in Sierra Leone, it still has a global impact.

Sierra Leone connects to what we go through today
The diamond conflicts in Sierra Leone resonate with what's happening around the world, particularly the social justice movements and the fight against systemic oppression.

Over here it's a drug trade, we die from drugs
Similarly, over here, in the US, drugs are a form of violence that is a cause of death for many.

Over there they die from what we buy from drugs
While over there, in countries like Colombia, people die from the drug trade that has been fueled by the demand for drugs in the US.

The diamonds, the chains, the bracelets, the charmses
These accessories, including diamonds, chains, bracelets, and charms, are symbols of wealth and power that can be bought using the money from drug conflicts and other forms of systemic oppression.

I thought my Jesus-piece was so harmless
Kanye thought that his diamond-encrusted Jesus piece was just a harmless part of his accessories collection.

Til I seen a picture of a shorty armless
Until he saw a picture of a child who lost an arm due to diamond conflicts in Sierra Leone, which made him realize the real impact of diamond conflicts.

And here's the conflict
This line represents the inner conflict Kanye experiences between his desire to show off his wealth and his understanding of the impact of his actions.

It's in a black person soul to rock that gold
Kanye points out that black people have a love for jewelry and accessories that represent wealth, which may come from a history of poverty and racism.

Spend your whole life trying to get that ice
People spend their entire lives trying to obtain expensive accessories such as diamonds, which can represent a status symbol in society.

Bought a Polo rugby, it looks so nice
Kanye buys expensive clothes brands such as Polo because they represent a certain status in society that showcases his wealth.

How can somethin' so wrong make me feel so right?
This line represents the conflict that Kanye experiences between his desire to showcase his wealth and the impact it may have on people who are less fortunate.

Right? 'Fore I beat myself up like Ike
Kanye compares beating himself up to the physical abuse Ike Turner inflicted upon Tina Turner in their relationship.

You can still throw your Roc-a-Fella diamond tonight
Kanye reassures listeners that even though they understand the impact of diamonds now, they can still throw their Roc-a-Fella diamonds in the sky to represent their success and value.

People asking me "Is I'm gon' give my chain back?"
People are asking Kanye if he will give up his chain now that he understands the impact of diamond conflicts in Sierra Leone.

That'll be the same day I give the game back
Kanye won't give up his chain, Roc-a-Fella, or his success because it represents his value and overall business success.

You know the next question dog, "Yo where Dame at?"
Kanye knows that people will always be asking him about Damon Dash, the co-founder of Roc-a-Fella, who is no longer involved with the label.

This track the Indian dance that brings our rain back
This track represents an Indian dance that celebrates the value of diamonds and the success of Roc-a-Fella, bringing them back to life after understanding the impact of diamond conflicts.

"What's up with you and Jay, man?
People are asking Kanye about his relationship with Jay-Z.

Are y'all okay man?"
People are concerned about the state of their relationship.

Yup, I got it from here 'Ye, damn
Kanye reassures people that their relationship is fine, and he's got it from here when it comes to the song and Roc-a-Fella success.

The chain remains, the gang is intact
Kanye confirms that Roc-a-Fella is still successful, and its record label home is still valuable and secure.

The name is mine, I'll take blame for that
Kanye takes responsibility for the success and value of Roc-a-Fella that he's achieved and contributed to over the years.

The pressure's on, but guess who ain't gonna crack?
Even though there's pressure on him to be successful and maintain the value of Roc-a-Fella, Kanye won't crack under the pressure.

Haha, pardon me, I had to laugh at that
Kanye laughs at the idea of him cracking under the pressure because he's confident in his abilities and success.

How could you falter when you're the Rock of Gibraltar?
Kanye questions how he could falter when he's strong and sturdy like the Rock of Gibraltar.

I had to get off the boat so I could walk on water
Kanye had to take risks and make unconventional choices to achieve his level of success, similar to the way Jesus was able to walk on water.

This ain't no tall order, this is nothing to me
Kanye considers his success and maintaining the value of Roc-a-Fella to be an easy and small task.

Difficult takes a day, impossible takes a week
Kanye believes that difficult tasks only take a day to complete, and impossible ones might take a week, indicating his confidence in his abilities.

I do this in my sleep
Kanye is so confident in his ability that he can do this task with ease, even in his sleep.

I sold kilos of coke, I'm guessin' I can sell CDs
Kanye compares his experience selling drugs to selling CDs now, indicating that he has the skills to sell anything and make it successful.

I'm not a businessman, I'm a business, man!
Kanye sees himself as a brand and a business entity rather than just a person who creates music.

Let me handle my business, damn
Kanye is confident in his abilities and wants to handle his business himself.

Kanyeez you got me, Freeway then Foxy
Kanye is reminding people of some of the artists signed to Roc-a-Fella and how his business savvy has helped them in their careers.

YG's, Teairra Mari, Peedi watch me
Kanye is mentioning some of the newer artists on Roc-a-Fella and suggesting how he's helping to elevate their careers too.

Bleek could be one hit away his whole career
Kanye suggests that Memphis Bleek, a Roc-a-Fella artist, could be one hit away from his career being over or becoming a millionaire.

As long as I'm alive he's a millionaire
Kanye reassures Memphis Bleek that as long as he is alive, he'll be a millionaire and have a successful career.

And even if I die he's in my will somewhere
Kanye assures Memphis Bleek that even if he dies, he's still looking out for him and wanting to ensure his success.

So he could just kick back and chill somewhere
Kanye wants Memphis Bleek to be comfortable and able to enjoy his success, knowing that he has his back.

Oh yeah, he don't even have to write rhymes
Kanye's success and business savvy is so strong that Memphis Bleek doesn't even have to write rhymes anymore to be successful and make money.

The Dynasty like my money, last 3 lifetimes
Kanye is bragging about the success and value of Roc-a-Fella, suggesting that its money will last for the next three generations to come.

Shirley Bassey's in the rear saying exactly
Kanye is referencing singer Shirley Bassey, who sang the James Bond theme song "Diamonds Are Forever," to suggest the lasting value and success of diamonds.

What I've been saying practically my whole career
Kanye has been praising the value of diamonds and business success throughout his career.

A diamond is forever, I've been minin' this forever
Kanye has been mining the value and success of diamonds, just like Shirley Bassey's song suggests, throughout his entire career.

Now the Louis Vuitton Don's timin' couldn't be better
Kanye is suggesting that now is the perfect time for him to be showcasing his success and wealth, which is represented by brands like Louis Vuitton.

People lined up to see the Titanic sinkin'
Kanye is comparing the anticipation for the end of the Roc-a-Fella Dynasty to people lining up to see the Titanic sinking.

Instead we rose up from the ash like a phoenix
Kanye is suggesting that Roc-a-Fella and its artists rose from the ashes and are still thriving and successful.

If you're waitin' for the end of the Dynasty sign
If you're waiting for Roc-a-Fella to end or fail, it's not going to happen according to Kanye.

It would seem like forever is a mighty long time
The success and value of Roc-a-Fella will last forever and seem like an eternity, according to Kanye.

(I'm Young, bitches)
This line represents Kanye's youth and energy to be successful and make valuable contributions to the music industry.

Good night!
Kanye ends the song on a high note, still rapping with confidence and success, despite the deeper meaning behind the lyrics.