Black Zombie
Nas Lyrics


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Uh, yo, you believe when they say we ain't shit, we can't grow?
All we are is dope dealers, and gangstas and hoes?
And you believe when they be telling you lie, all on the media?
They make the world look crazy to keep you inside?
Why you listen when the teachers at school
Know you a young single parent out struggling, they think you a fool
Give your kids bad grades and put 'em in dumber classes
Killing shorty future, I wonder how do we last it?
Underground in they casket, ancestors turning
I'm learning something every day, there is no Lazarus
Words like God is Greek or Latin
So if you study Egypt, you'll see the truth written by the masters
My niggas is chilling, getting high, relaxing
Envisioning, owning shit, yo it can happen
What do we own? Not enough land, not enough homes
Not enough banks, to give my brother a loan
What do we own? The skin on our backs, we run and we ask
For reparations, then they hit us with tax
And insurance if we live to be old, what about now?
So stop being controlled, we black zombies

Walking talking dead, though we think we're living (black zombies)
We just copy-cat, following the system (black zombies)
Walking talking dead, though we think we're living (black zombies)
We just copy-cat, following the system (black zombies)

Ayo, we trapped in our own brain, fuck behind bars
We've already gone insane
We've already gave up, cut our own heads offs
Stab our own backs and dream too much
Without fulfilling reality, too greedy and
Can't have one or two chains, we need three of them
Can't have one or two guns without squeezing 'em
On our own people and, fuck black leaders
'Cause whites ain't got none leading them, the rhythm is cosmic
Nas is divinity, the deity's prophet
Let's all get down and get up
Victims walking 'round with Down's Syndrome, all stuck
Fainting, shouting, catching Holy Ghost in church
Scared to do it for ourselves 'less we see somebody doing it first
We begged, we prayed, petitioned and demonstrated
Just to make another generation, black zombies

Walking talking dead, though we think we're living (black zombies)
We just copy-cat, following the system (black zombies)
Walking talking dead, though we think we're living (black zombies)
We just copy-cat, following the system (black zombies)

You scared to be yourself, 'cause you in a trance
Feel free, hear the music and dance
If you cared what they think, why wear what they wear, just for you
Dumb niggas with long beards like they Arabs or Jews
Or from Israel, Bismillah al rahman al rahim
Islam's a beautiful thing
And Christian and Rastafari, helps us to bring
Peace against the darkness, which is ungodly
So what's the black man's true religion, who should we follow?
Use your own intuition, you are tomorrow
That's the sound of the beast
I'm a Columbia record slave, so get paid
Control your own destiny, you are a genius
Don't let it happen to you like it did to me, I was a black zombie

Walking talking dead, though we think we're living (black zombies)
We just copy-cat, following the system (black zombies)
Walking talking dead, though we think we're living (black zombies)
We just copy-cat, following the system (black zombies)

Wake up! Black zombies in a spell for more than fo'hundred years
Ghetto niggas won't have it no mo', can I get a witness?
Why listen to somebody else tell you how to do it




When you can do it yourself, it's all in you, do it, do it
Do it niggas, come on, uh, peace

Overall Meaning

In Nas's song "Black Zombie," the rapper questions and challenges the negative perceptions and stereotypes that society has attached to Black people. He opens the song by questioning whether society believes that Black people cannot grow and are limited to being dope dealers, gangsters, and prostitutes. He then proceeds to criticize the media for making the world look crazy to keep people inside and suggests that people should stop believing everything they hear and should learn to think for themselves.


Nas then questions the education system and how it fails young single parents by giving their kids bad grades and putting them in less advanced classes, which limits their future potential. He also highlights the lack of ownership in Black communities, specifically land, homes, and banks, that impede financial progress. Instead of being motivated to make positive changes, Black people have become "Black Zombies," who are trapped in their own minds and living in a cycle of copy-catting and following the system. They have lost sight of their own intuition, and instead of walking towards progress, they follow someone else's lead.


Nas's biggest message in "Black Zombie" is that Black people should stop being controlled and start controlling their own lives. He encourages listeners to wake up and start taking responsibility for their destinies, not to repeat the same mistakes that he did in his life. In the end, the song is a call to action, urging Black people to stop living like "Black Zombies" and start working towards a better future.


Line by Line Meaning

Uh, yo, you believe when they say we ain't shit, we can't grow?
Expressing disbelief at the notion that black people are incapable of progressing.


All we are is dope dealers, and gangstas and hoes?
Challenging the stereotype that black people are only involved in negative behaviors.


And you believe when they be telling you lie, all on the media?
Wondering why people trust the media, which can be biased or untruthful.


They make the world look crazy to keep you inside?
Posing the idea that exaggerated portrayals of the world are meant to limit people's experiences and keep them from seeking outside information.


Why you listen when the teachers at school
Questioning why students give authority to their teachers, who may not understand the struggles of being a young single parent.


Know you a young single parent out struggling, they think you a fool
Suggesting that teachers underestimate their students who may be struggling with difficult home situations.


Give your kids bad grades and put 'em in dumber classes
Implying that teachers unfairly stereotype students who are struggling, without trying to understand their unique circumstances.


Killing shorty future, I wonder how do we last it?
Lamenting the damaging effects of the educational system on young students' futures.


Underground in they casket, ancestors turning
Reflecting on the hardship and struggle of the ancestors who died before seeing significant progress in the black community.


I'm learning something every day, there is no Lazarus
Acknowledging that the quest for knowledge is ongoing and that there is no magic solution to the systemic problems faced by black people.


Words like God is Greek or Latin
Reminding the listener that many religious concepts are rooted in ancient cultures and languages.


So if you study Egypt, you'll see the truth written by the masters
Encouraging exploration of ancient Egyptian culture, which can illuminate truths about religion and history.


My niggas is chilling, getting high, relaxing
Describing a slice of life for some African Americans who partake in recreational drugs as an escape from hardship.


Envisioning, owning shit, yo it can happen
Encouraging African Americans to aspire to own and control their own businesses and assets.


What do we own? Not enough land, not enough homes
Explaining the lack of ownership that African Americans experience, which limits their ability to create wealth and generational change.


Not enough banks, to give my brother a loan
Pointing out the systemic issues of discrimination that keep African Americans from accessing banking and loans.


And insurance if we live to be old, what about now?
Questioning the priorities of the insurance industry, which focuses on the future rather than the present needs of African Americans.


So stop being controlled, we black zombies
Urging African Americans to stop following the status quo and to take control of their own lives in order to avoid being viewed as lifeless and submissive.


Walking talking dead, though we think we're living (black zombies)
Comparing African Americans to zombies because they are controlled and manipulated by the system and may not realize their full potential.


We just copy-cat, following the system (black zombies)
Explaining that African Americans tend to emulate the dominant culture, even if it goes against their own interests.


Ayo, we trapped in our own brain, fuck behind bars
Suggesting that African Americans are limited mentally and by societal systems, which trap them in a cycle of poverty and oppression.


We've already gone insane
Pointing out that African Americans may feel powerless in the face of pervasive discrimination.


We've already gave up, cut our own heads offs
Lamenting that African Americans may feel defeated and give up on their dreams and aspirations.


Stab our own backs and dream too much
Implying that African Americans can hurt themselves by being complacent and dreaming without taking action.


Without fulfilling reality, too greedy and
Suggesting that African Americans may be too focused on material possessions rather than social progress.


Can't have one or two chains, we need three of them
Highlighting the societal pressure on African Americans to have flashy possessions as a symbol of success.


Can't have one or two guns without squeezing 'em
Noting the cultural glorification of violence in the African American community.


On our own people and, fuck black leaders
Expressing a distrust of black leadership, implying that they may not serve the interests of the broader community.


'Cause whites ain't got none leading them, the rhythm is cosmic
Noting the lack of leadership from the white community, while also acknowledging the potential for African Americans to be guided by a cosmic or spiritual force.


Nas is divinity, the deity's prophet
Describing Nas as a prophetic figure with a divine understanding of the African American experience.


Let's all get down and get up
Encouraging African Americans to resist complacency and take action to change their circumstances.


Victims walking 'round with Down's Syndrome, all stuck
Comparing African Americans to people with Down syndrome, who may be viewed as stuck or limited by their condition.


Fainting, shouting, catching Holy Ghost in church
Pointing out the emotional nature of African American religious services, which can be a source of solace but may not address systemic issues.


Scared to do it for ourselves 'less we see somebody doing it first
Noting the lack of initiative in the African American community, and the tendency to wait for someone else to take action before following suit.


We begged, we prayed, petitioned and demonstrated
Highlighting the long history of African Americans fighting for civil rights through peaceful means.


Just to make another generation, black zombies
Expressing frustration that despite past progress, African Americans continue to be seen as lifeless and controlled by the dominant culture.


You scared to be yourself, 'cause you in a trance
Noting the fear that African Americans feel in expressing their true identity because they have been trapped by societal norms and expectations.


Feel free, hear the music and dance
Encouraging African Americans to embrace their identity and to take joy in their culture and creativity without fearing judgment.


If you cared what they think, why wear what they wear, just for you
Noting the self-defeating tendency for African Americans to dress and act in ways that please others rather than being true to themselves.


Dumb niggas with long beards like they Arabs or Jews
Critiquing African Americans for adopting radical religious identities, which may be paradoxical or not represent their true beliefs.


Or from Israel, Bismillah al rahman al rahim
Highlighting the complex religious identities African Americans may adopt without fully understanding the cultures from which they originate.


Islam's a beautiful thing
Praising Islam as a religion, which may offer a sense of spiritual fulfillment to African Americans.


And Christian and Rastafari, helps us to bring
Acknowledging the diverse religious traditions that may serve to uplift and inspire African Americans.


Peace against the darkness, which is ungodly
Describing the role of religion in guiding African Americans to peace and positive action against systemic oppression.


So what's the black man's true religion, who should we follow?
Questioning which religious tradition African Americans should embrace, and whether there is a universal truth or a need to create a new spiritual path.


Use your own intuition, you are tomorrow
Encouraging African Americans to trust their own judgment and to create their own path forward.


That's the sound of the beast
Describing the oppressive and power-seeking nature of society, which can limit the potential of African Americans and others.


I'm a Columbia record slave, so get paid
Acknowledging the capitalist system that controls the music industry and his own career, and noting the need to make money in order to survive.


Control your own destiny, you are a genius
Encouraging African Americans to take control of their own future and to recognize their innate intelligence and creativity.


Don't let it happen to you like it did to me, I was a black zombie
Sharing a personal experience of feeling trapped by societal expectations and urging the listener to avoid the same fate.


Wake up! Black zombies in a spell for more than fo'hundred years
Expressing the pressing need for African Americans to shed the mindset of control and oppression that has been pervasive for centuries.


Ghetto niggas won't have it no mo', can I get a witness?
Celebrating the growing sense of empowerment and resistance among African American communities.


Why listen to somebody else tell you how to do it
Urging African Americans to reject the authority of others and to take control of their own lives.


When you can do it yourself, it's all in you, do it, do it
Encouraging African Americans to embrace their own abilities and to take affirmative action without relying on external guidance or permission.


Do it niggas, come on, uh, peace
Urging African Americans to take action and to continue fighting for progress in their communities.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Nasir Jones, Tommie Spearman

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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