Kanye West

Lyrics

[Intro: Shirley Bassey]
Diamonds are forever
They are all I need to please me
They can stimulate and tease me
They won't leave in the night
I've no fear that they might desert me

[Chorus: Kanye West & Shirley Bassey]
Diamonds are forever
Forever, forever (Throw your diamonds in the sky if you feel the vibe)
Diamonds are forever
Forever, forever (The Roc is still alive every time I rhyme)
(Forever) Forever ever? Forever ever?
Ever, ever? Ever, ever? Ever, ever?
(And ever) Ever, ever? Ever, ever?
[Verse 1: Kanye West]
Good mornin', this ain't Vietnam, still
People lose hands, legs, arms, for real
Little was known of Sierra Leone
And how it connect to the diamonds we own
When I speak of diamonds in this song
I ain't talkin' about the ones that be glowin', I'm talkin' about Roc-a-Fella, my home
My chain, these ain't conflict diamonds
Is they, Jacob? Don't lie to me, mane
See, a part of me sayin' keep shinin'
How when I know what a blood diamond is?
Though it's thousands of miles away
Sierra Leone connect to what we go through today
Over here it's a drug trade, we die from drugs
Over there they die from what we buy from drugs
The diamonds, the chains, the bracelets, the charmses
I thought my Jesus piece was so harmless
'Til I seen a picture of a shorty armless
And here's the conflict
It's in a black person soul to rock that gold
Spend your whole life tryna get that ice
On a Polo rugby, it look so nice
How can somethin' so wrong make me feel so right?
Right? 'Fore I beat myself up like Ike
You can still throw your Roc-a-Fella diamond tonight, because
[Chorus: Kanye West & Shirley Bassey]
Diamonds are forever
Forever, forever (Throw your diamonds in the sky if you feel the vibe)
Diamonds are forever
Forever, forever (The Roc is still alive every time I rhyme)
(Forever) Forever ever? Forever ever?
Ever, ever? Ever, ever? Ever, ever?
(And ever) Ever, ever? Ever, ever?
[Verse 2: Kanye West & JAY-Z]
Uh
People askin' me is I'm gon' give my chain back (Uh)
That'll be the same day I give the game back (Uh)
You know the next question, dawg, "Yo, where Dame at?" (Uh)
This track the Indian dance that bring our rain back (Woo)
"What's up with you and Jay, man? Are y'all okay, man?"

[Verse 3: JAY-Z]
Yup
I got it from here, 'Ye, damn
The chain remains, the gang is intact (Uh-huh)
The name is mine, I'll take blame for that
The pressure's on, but guess who ain't gon' crack?
Haha, pardon me, I had to laugh at that
How could you falter when you're the Rock of Gibraltar?
I had to get off the boat so I could walk on water
This ain't no tall order, this is nothin' to me
Difficult takes a day, impossible takes a week
I do this in my sleep, I sold kilos of coke (So?)
I'm guessin' I can sell CDs
I'm not a businessman, I'm a business, man
Let me handle my business, damn
Kanyeez you got me, Freeway then Foxy
YG's, Teairra Mari, Peedi watch me
Bleek could be one hit away his whole career
As long as I'm alive he's a millionaire
And even if I die he's in my will somewhere
So he could just kick back and chill somewhere, oh yeah
He don't even have to write rhymes
The Dynasty like my money: last three lifetimes
Shirley Bassey's in the rear, sayin' exactly
What I been sayin' practically my whole career
The diamond is forever, I've been minin' this forever
Now the Louis Vuitton Don's timin' couldn't be better
People lined up to see the Titanic sinkin'
Instead we rose up from the ash like a phoenix
If you're waitin' for the end of the Dynasty sign
It would seem like forever is a mighty long time (Ha)
[Outro: Jay-Z]
I'm Young, bitches!
Hahahahaha
Good night!
[Produced by Kanye West, Devo Springsteen and Jon Brion]

Have you ever wondered about the true cost behind the glimmering diamond jewelry you see in stores? Kanye West's hit song, Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Remix), sheds light on the controversial issue of conflict diamonds. Released in 2005 as a single from Kanye's album Late Registration, this remix features rap icon JAY-Z and a sample from the James Bond theme song, Diamonds are Forever, by Shirley Bassey.

About Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Remix)

Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Remix) by Kanye West (Ft. JAY-Z) is a powerful track that delves into the darker side of diamond mining and consumerism. The lyrics speak of the conflict diamonds, which have been heavily mined and used to finance armed conflicts in Sierra Leone and other African countries. Kanye uses the remix of his original song to bring more attention to this issue. It comes as no surprise given his career is often shaped by his thoughts on social issues.

JAY-Z's verses on the track are more focused on his talent, success, and status in the music industry. Despite the glaring contrast in the content of their verses, both artists put in fantastic performances, complementing each other's styles and creating an incredible dynamic flow.

The track features a sample from Shirley Bassey's Diamonds are Forever, and it kicks off with a vivid, cinematic intro that further ignites the imagination of the listener. This intro leads to an intense beat that sets the tone for both Kanye's and JAY-Z's verses. The production on the track is also impeccable. The samples are perfectly woven into the background that they almost come off as an afterthought. The high-pitched choir vox that occasionally come in further complement the duo's flows, creating a captivating sound.

The concept behind Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Remix) is not entirely new. Still, Kanye's artistic touch and ability to make social issues a focal point in his music so vividly is, without a doubt, a significant part of what made the song such a massive hit. Unlike most songs on topics like this, Kanye's unique sound and style attracted an audience beyond the usual rap fans, ultimately leading to it becoming a mainstream sensation.

Describing the conflict that arose out of the mining of diamonds in Sierra Leone and other African countries, West’s verses are both a political statement and a display of his skills as an artist and lyricist. It left many listeners pondering the environmental and human cost behind the diamonds we see today.

JAY-Z's verse is not a political statement, as Kanye's verses are. Instead, he focuses on his success and his record label, giving listeners a glimpse of who he is as an artist and a businessman. This contrasting style and thematic approach between the two rappers is evident in the way they perform and their backgrounds. It’s worth noting that JAY-Z at this point was already a powerful figure both in rap and in the business world, having established himself as the CEO of Roc-A-Fella Records.

Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Remix) is a perfect example of how some of the most significant tracks are not just defined by great beats, exceptional choruses, or the artists involved. It shows how powerful a message-driven track can be with thoughtful lyrics and excellent production, all while still entertaining and engaging the audience.

In summary, Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Remix) is a masterpiece that chronicles the harsh reality behind the diamond industry. Beyond the message, the track boasts of exceptional production and flawless performances by the two rappers, Kanye West and JAY-Z. It tells a dark story while still being entertaining and engaging to its listeners, and most importantly, it highlights the power of music in creating awareness of social issues today.

• Release Date: August 30, 2005
• Artist: Kanye West