Eminem

Lyrics

[Intro]
America! Ha ha ha! We love you
How many people are proud to be citizens
Of this beautiful country of ours, the stripes and the stars
For the rights that men have died for to protect?
The women and men who have broke their necks
For the freedom of speech the United States government has sworn to uphold… or so we're told
(Yo, I want everybody to listen to the words of this song)

[Verse 1]
I never would've dreamed in a million years I'd see
So many motherfuckin' people who feel like me
Who share the same views and the same exact beliefs
It's like a fuckin' army marchin' in back of me
So many lives I touched, so much anger aimed
In no particular direction, just sprays and sprays
And straight through your radio waves, it plays and plays
'Til it stays stuck in your head for days and days
Who would've thought standin' in this mirror, bleachin' my hair
With some peroxide, reachin' for a t-shirt to wear
That I would catapult to the forefront of rap like this?
How could I predict my words would have an impact like this?
I must've struck a chord with somebody up in the office
'Cause Congress keep tellin' me I ain't causin' nothin' but problems
And now they're sayin' I'm in trouble with the government
I'm lovin' it, I shoveled shit all my life, and now I'm dumpin' it on
[Chorus]
White America! I could be one of your kids
White America! Little Eric looks just like this
White America! Erica loves my shit
I go to TRL, look how many hugs I get! (Yah!)
White America! I could be one of your kids
White America! Little Eric looks just like this
White America! Erica loves my shit
I go to TRL, look how many hugs I get!

[Verse 2]
Look at these eyes, baby blue, baby just like yourself
If they were brown, Shady'd lose, Shady sits on the shelf
But Shady's cute, Shady knew Shady's dimples would help
Make ladies swoon, baby (Ooh, baby!) — Look at my sales!
Let's do the math: If I was black, I would've sold half
I ain't have to graduate from Lincoln High School to know that
But I could rap, so fuck school, I'm too cool to go back
Give me the mic! Show me where the fuckin' studio's at
When I was underground, no one gave a fuck I was white
No labels wanted to sign me, almost gave up, I was like
"Fuck it," until I met Dre, the only one to look past
Gave me a chance and I lit a fire up under his ass
Helped him get back to the top, every fan black that I got
Was prob'ly his in exchange for every white fan that he's got
Like damn, we just swapped: sittin' back lookin' at shit, wow
I'm like my skin is it startin' to work to my benefit now? It's—
[Chorus]
White America! I could be one of your kids
White America! Little Eric looks just like this
White America! Erica loves my shit
I go to TRL, look how many hugs I get! (Yah!)
White America! I could be one of your kids
White America! Little Eric looks just like this
White America! Erica loves my shit
I go to TRL, look how many hugs I get!

[Verse 3]
See, the problem is I speak to suburban kids
Who otherwise would've never knew these words exist
Whose moms prob'ly would've never gave two squirts of piss
'Til I created so much motherfuckin' turbulence
Straight out the tube, right into your livin' rooms I came
And kids flipped when they knew I was produced by Dre
That's all it took, and they were instantly hooked right in
And they connected with me too, because I looked like them
That's why they put my lyrics up under this microscope
Searchin' with a fine tooth comb, it's like this rope
Waitin' to choke, tightenin' around my throat
Watchin' me while I write this, like, "I don't like this note!"
All I hear is: lyrics, lyrics, constant controversy
Sponsors workin' 'round the clock to try to stop my concerts early
Surely hip-hop was never a problem in Harlem, only in Boston
After it bothered the fathers of daughters startin' to blossom
So now I'm catchin' the flak from these activists when they raggin'
Actin' like I'm the first rapper to smack a bitch or say "faggot", shit
Just look at me like I'm your closest pal
The poster child, the motherfuckin' spokesman now, for—
[Chorus]
White America! I could be one of your kids
White America! Little Eric looks just like this
White America! Erica loves my shit
I go to TRL, look how many hugs I get! (Yah!)
White America! I could be one of your kids
White America! Little Eric looks just like this
White America! Erica loves my shit
I go to TRL, look how many hugs I get!

[Outro]
So to the parents of America, I am the Derringer
Aimed at little Erica to attack her character
The ringleader of this circus of worthless pawns
Sent to lead the march right up to the steps of Congress
And piss on the lawns of the White House
To burn the *galf*​​ and replace it with a Parental Advisory sticker
To spit liquor in the faces of this democracy of hypocrisy
Fuck you, Ms. Cheney! Fuck you, Tipper Gore!
Fuck you with the freest of speech this Divided States of Embarrassment will allow me to have! Fuck you!
Ha ha ha, I'm just playin', America
You know I love you

Eminem's "White America" is a reflective and introspective song that brings to light the contradictions in the social fabric of the United States. As one of the most controversial and successful rappers in the history of the genre, Eminem has had his fair share of criticism and support from various quarters. Written in the aftermath of the Congressional hearings and censorship of his lyrics, the song delves deep into the artist's psyche, and his place as a white rapper in a field dominated by African Americans.

About White America

White America is a track from Eminem's fourth studio album, The Eminem Show, released in 2002. The song was directly inspired by the backlash and censorship that the rapper faced after his previous two albums, The Slim Shady LP and The Marshall Mathers LP. The music video for the track features Eminem rapping while standing on top of the United States Capitol Building.

In the song White America, Eminem does not hold back in critiquing the United States of America's social structure. The rapper primarily discusses the issue of censorship and freedom of speech, particularly in the entertainment industry. He believed that his lyrics were targeted because of the way the media and the establishment portrayed him as a white rapper, who was also popular among suburban kids.

Eminem felt that the media was whitewashing him and that his music was censored because white audiences consumed it. He highlights the fact that his skin color played a crucial role in his fame and success, despite the fact that hip hop was originally created by African Americans. The song is an introspective look at Eminem's rise to fame and success, and his place as a white man in a field dominated by African Americans.

The song is not just a commentary on the United States' social structure; it also highlights the hypocrisy of the people who criticized Eminem's lyrics. He believes that these people were the same ones who did not pay attention to rap before, and his music just created a convenient scapegoat for them to vent their fears and anxieties about their children's future. The song is a brutal critique of hypocrisy and the dangers of censorship in a democracy.

Eminem's Legacy

Eminem's White America is a consummate reflection of the rapper's artistry, reflecting his ability to create thought-provoking and controversial music. The track's intricate lyrical structure, the combination of political commentary, and Eminem's unique style of delivery made it one of his most celebrated songs.

Moreover, the track helped bring to the limelight the issue of censorship and the importance of freedom of speech in the United States. Eminem's experiences with censorship and the establishment's criticism helped pave the way for hip hop artists, who were previously marginalized, to assert their dominance and claim their space in the entertainment industry.

Eminem's influence on the music genre, particularly on white rappers, cannot be understated. He broke all kinds of records during his career, became the best-selling hip hop artist of all time, and achieved levels of success and influence that were previously unimaginable. The song White America's legacy and Eminem's artistry overall continue to inspire generations of music lovers, rappers, and social commentators.

Conclusion

White America is a powerful and controversial song that highlights the contradictions in the United States' social fabric. The track is an essential reflection of Eminem's experiences as a rapper in a field dominated by African Americans, and how his success was perceived by critics and the media.

The song's significance goes far beyond Eminem and hip hop music, reflecting the importance of freedom of speech and the danger of censorship in a democracy. It underscores the need to have open discussions about race, ethnicity, and identity, and the role of art and music in shaping society and culture.

White America is a shining example of Eminem's artistry and his ability to create music that resonates with people across the globe. As one of the best-selling hip hop artists of all time, Eminem's influence continues to inspire generations of music lovers, rappers, and social commentators, making him a legend in his own right.

• Release Date: May 26, 2002
• Artist: Eminem