Sunshine
Pusha T Lyrics

I say hey, sunshine
The singer greets the idea of optimism and positivity.

Oh how the day can be so long
The singer acknowledges that the day can feel daunting and never-ending.

America, you need a miracle
The singer suggests that the problems in America need a massive and transformative change.

Beyond spiritual
The artist implies that the change needed goes beyond spirituality or religion.

I need a realer view
The artist wants a more truthful and honest perspective on the issues affecting America.

I hold a mirror to it
The singer aims to show others the reality of these issues, as if holding up a mirror to society.

These ain't new problems, they just old ways
The singer believes that the issues in America have been present for a long time, and are rooted in the past.

I see one time turn sunshine into Freddie Gray
The artist describes how the joy and happiness of life can quickly turn into tragedy, as seen with the death of Freddie Gray.

Just another nigga dead, just another nigga dead
The artist laments the frequency and lack of importance placed on black lives lost to police brutality.

Send another to the FEDs, send another to the FEDs
The artist critiques the way the criminal justice system disproportionately affects black people, leading them to be sent to federal prison in higher numbers.

Not guilty, still I'm filthy
The singer acknowledges that although they may not have committed a crime, the unjust criminal justice system still labels them unfairly.

In FOX eyes, we the dark side
The artist criticizes the biased portrayal of black people in conservative media like Fox News.

So they tell you lies
The singer believes that these news outlets are not truthful about the reality of life for black people in America.

Through a TV, C-N-B-C
The singer mentions the media outlet CNBC as an example of what perpetuates problematic narratives about black people.

C-N-N, Don Lemon, no Kweli when you meet me
The singer suggests that even CNN and its anchor Don Lemon, who is black, only scratch the surface of the true complexity of issues like racism and police brutality in America. The singer references Talib Kweli, a rapper known for his social justice activism in contrast to Lemon.

In order to be me
The artist suggests that to truly understand the experiences of a black person in America, one must see things from their perspective.

You gotta see what Chief Keef see
The artist suggests that Chief Keef, a rapper known for his songs about growing up in Chicago's high-crime areas, presents a perspective that is important to understanding black experiences in America.

Brenda's baby next door to the candy lady
The singer paints a picture of the tight-knit community in low-income neighborhoods, where neighbors know each other's names and look out for one another.

Same project as Candy Man where they still doing hand-in-hands
The singer describes life in low-income public housing, where drug dealing is still a common means of income.

Sunday to Sunday, pastor only want one day
The artist criticizes the limited involvement of religious institutions in addressing issues like poverty and racism in black communities.

Grandma praying someday
The artist recognizes the desire for a better future held by the older generation, particularly grandmothers.

But God can't hear it over gun play
The artist suggests that the violence and chaos in poor neighborhoods is so loud and prevalent that the hope for a better future is lost.

Still a target, but the badge is the new noose
The singer argues that black people feel threatened and at risk from police officers, who are supposed to protect and serve, but instead act like a noose continually squeezing tighter.

Yeah, we all see it, but cellphones ain't enough proof
The artist criticizes the way that police officers accused of brutality will not face repercussions unless there is indisputable proof, which is hard to capture on cell phone cameras alone.

So we still lose
The singer laments the lack of justice and accountability for police brutality against black people.

I don't got no march in me, I can't turn the other cheek
The singer is not willing to be passive and complacent in the face of injustice.

While they testing your patience, they just testing my reach
The singer suggests that powers that be are hoping to placate the masses, while the artist fights for real change.

Funeral flowers, every 28 hours
The artist dramatically asserts that a black person is killed every 28 hours in the United States.

Being laid over ours
The artist implies that too many funerals of black people are happening in too many communities in America.

Sworn to protect and serve, but who really got the power?
The singer suggests that police officers, who swear to protect and serve, actually abuse their power and authority over black people.

Looking over their allowances
The singer implies that there are some people with too much power and authority over black people in America who go unchecked.

Building prisons where the mountains is
The artist critiques the way the prison system in America is used as a way to continue to oppress black people by disproportionately locking them up.

Laptops is for the county kids
Here, the artist implies that the children of the wealthy or well-connected have access to technology like laptops, whereas kids in poorer communities do not.

Metal detectors is where ours is
The artist describes the reality of public school environments in low-income neighborhoods, where metal detectors are used to ensure weapons are not brought in.

They'll never re-write this, like they re-wrote history
The singer suggests that the history of black people in America will never be told from their perspective, as evidenced by the way it has been rewritten in the past to maintain a white supremacist narrative.

The fact that the Statue of Liberty was black is a goddamn mystery
The artist alludes to the fact that many historical narratives have been whitewashed or altered to fit a certain narrative, and wonders why the true history of one of America's most iconic symbols, the Statue of Liberty, has never been fully told.

And so it goes, every truth don't get told
The singer asserts that there are still many stories and truths that have gone untold or erased throughout history.

All these cops get cleared, and lives are stole
The singer critiques the way that police officers accused of brutality are often cleared of any wrongdoing, despite the fact that lives are being lost.

Every goose don't lay gold
The singer suggests that not everything looks or is as perfect as it is portrayed to be.

Just another nigga dead, just another nigga dead
The artist laments the frequent and seemingly dismissive way black lives are treated in America.

Send another to the FEDs, send another to the FEDs
The artist critiques the disproportionate sentencing of black people to federal prison.

They call in the National Guard
The singer references the military group that is sometimes called in to respond to protests or unrest, often resulting in further conflict between civilians and law enforcement.

Public Enemy, I am Chuck D
Here, the singer references the hip-hop group Public Enemy, and likens themselves to the leader of that group, Chuck D, who is known for speaking out against racism and systems of oppression.

Flavor Flav in Louis V, but I'm Huey P
The artist references fellow Public Enemy member Flavor Flav and his famous necklace, then likens themselves to Huey P. Newton, co-founder of the Black Panther Party, who was known for both his fashion sense and political activism.

The new elite, it's either you or me
The artist suggests that there is a new group of people with power and privilege, and that the status quo must be disrupted in order for oppressed communities to gain power.

Let the sunshine, cause their dark clouds try to ruin me
The artist embraces the idea of hope and positivity in the face of oppression, despite attempts to discourage or dishearten them.

It's more and more and more than Baltimore
The singer recognizes that the issues faced by black people in America go beyond one city, like Baltimore, but instead are reflective of a larger systemic problem.

From shore to shore, oh lord
The artist suggests that this is not a small problem, but rather a pervasive issue that affects the entire country.

Patience torn, patience gone, oh lord
The singer notes that it's difficult to remain patient with a system that seems to be actively working against black people.