Exhibit E

Song Meaning

KRS-One unpacks a historical paradox, challenging the narrative of emancipation. He immediately zeroes in on Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, highlighting the specific wording: "all slaves in armed rebellion." This isn't a blanket freeing, but a conditional one, tied to conflict. The core tension arises from KRS-One's assertion that the "African is not a slave" in a fundamental sense. He argues that this framing ignores a rich, advanced history predating the current era, suggesting that the label of "slave" is imposed and reductive. The lyrics imply that the act of freeing someone who is inherently defined as a slave by the emancipator perpetuates a power dynamic. The most striking point is the interpretation of Lincoln's decree as ultimately reinforcing the idea of perpetual enslavement. The line, "you were born a slave, you'll always be a slave, and all I will ever see you as is a slave, and I free you," is a powerful indictment. It suggests the freedom granted is from a state of being that the decree itself seems to solidify in the eyes of the decree-maker. This lyrical dissection is effective because it forces a re-examination of a foundational American historical event. By focusing on the precise language and its implied meaning, KRS-One creates a moment of critical realization for the listener, questioning the very nature of the freedom offered and the perspective of those granting it.