Kanye West 'New Slaves' Controversial Song Accurate to African American Struggle? [VIDEO]
In Kanye West's song New Slaves the rapper makes bold claims about the plight of African Americans, which may be shockingly accurate.
In New Slaves, West raps, "Meanwhile the DEA / Teamed up with the CCA / They tryna lock n-----s up / They tryna make new slaves / See that's that private owned prison." According to a Thursday report by The Daily Beast, West's lyrics may not be an exaggeration.
That there are more African Americans imprisoned, on probation or on parole than there were slaves in the mid-1800s, according to the report. Additionally, as of only nine years ago, there are more black men who cannot vote due to a criminal record than in 1870, when they weren't even allowed to vote at all.
In a lot of American urban areas, blacks are often labeled "felons for life," the report said. In Chicago, up to 80 percent of African American men are either prisoners or felons. It's a shocking statistic, one that makes West's comparisons in New Slaves to slavery and lynching seem relevant.
West repeatedly sings, "I see the blood on the leaves" in New Slaves, making reference to Billie Holiday's song Strange Fruit, which describes African Americans being lynched in grave detail. After the lyrics West raps "[They] want me to stay at ease," essentially implying that the powers that be want African Americans to remain docile and okay with being treated unfairly.
West samples Nina Simone's version of Strange Fruit at another point on his new album Yeezus, in the song Blood on the Leaves. It remains to be seen if West's lyrics will cause any change, but he has already brought about discussion about race issues.
The rapper premiered New Slaves in May on the finale of Saturday Night Live. Watch it here:
