Song Meaning

The lyrics of "We Matter" confront the harsh realities of being Black in America, opening with a powerful declaration of self-worth against a backdrop of systemic oppression. The repeated phrase "My people, We Matter" serves as an anthem, a defiant assertion of existence and value in a society that often denies it. This initial statement is immediately contextualized by the stark admission, "It's hard being black in America," setting a tone of urgent grievance and weariness. The narrator expresses deep frustration with law enforcement, noting the constant threat of violence and the feeling of being perpetually targeted, leading to a pivotal shift from peaceful protest to a readiness for more forceful action. The lyrics articulate a collective exhaustion with injustice, a sentiment that fuels the drive for change. The central tension arises from the profound disconnect between the Black community and those in power, who "don't really understand us." The repeated chorus, "They be killing with our hands up," paints a visceral image of vulnerability met with lethal force, highlighting the tragic irony of being targeted while attempting to comply or protest. This imagery underscores the feeling of being hunted, described as "animals" by "racist people." The lyrics express a desperate need for a "miracle" and a fundamental change in a system designed to "condemn minorities," where Black lives are explicitly not a priority. This creates a powerful emotional plea for recognition and justice. A striking element of the craft is the stark contrast drawn between the community's desire for peace and the forced necessity of confrontation. Phrases like "Did it with peace / Now we gotta be violent" and "I ain't going down without a fight" reveal a painful evolution born out of repeated trauma and unmet pleas for basic human dignity. The lyrics employ potent metaphors, likening the oppressors to a "virus" and the oppressed to the "antidote," positioning the fight for equality as a necessary cure. The repeated plea, "Please don't take my life away from me," coupled with the echo of "I-can't-breathe," powerfully grounds the abstract struggle in immediate, life-or-death stakes. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their raw, unvarnished honesty and their direct address of systemic injustice. By centering the narrative on the lived experience of being "singled out and treated cold," the song creates an undeniable emotional resonance. The repeated declarations of "We Matter" and the urgent calls to be heard and felt transform weariness into a powerful demand for recognition. The lyrics don't just describe a problem; they embody the pain, frustration, and unwavering resolve of a community fighting for its right to exist and thrive, making a profound statement about survival and resistance.

Tribe Mafia - Pop, Dancehall

We Matter

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Duration: 4:24

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[Intro] My people, We Matter My people, My people We Matter, My people (it's hard being black in America) My people, We Matter My people, My people We Matter, My people It's hard being black in America God is the one that's protecting us Tired of cops, they be killing us Ready to shoot when they seeing us Protest with our voice And we done be silеnt Did it with peace Now we gotta bе violent Messed the city up Didn't wanna riot [Music] [Pre hook + Verse] They be killing with our hands up Go head' and stand up In the air with your fist up We gon' do it till they feel us Do it till they understand us Cause' they don't really understand us We fighting back cause we fed up And we ain't stopping til' they hear us [Verse] Dashawn Daniels Racist people just being hysterical We need some change In need of a miracle We are the targets They hunt us like animals We know its war We doing it like Hannibal They just scared we gonna reach our pinnacle Y'all like the virus and we are the antidote I hope you feeling all my words its tangible Feeling like we singled out and treated cold White folks got all the authority System was made condemning minorities Black folk are not a priority We making history Writing the story [Chorus] They be killing with our hands up Go head' and stand up In the air with your fist up We gon' do it till they feel us Do it till they understand us Cause' they don't really understand us We fighting back cause we fed up And we ain't stopping til' they hear us They be killing with our hands up Go head' and stand up In the air with your fist up We gon' do it till they feel us Do it till they understand us Cause' they don't really understand us We fighting back cause we fed up And we ain't stopping til' they hear us [Verse] Chinasa Broxton I refuse, I refuse Can't be silent anymore We been hurt and abuse Now it's time to draw the score We have had enough (Had enough) Of the pain (Of the pain) All the suffering you caused Got a list (Got a list) Of the names (Of the names) Out of all the lives we lost When will everybody recognize We been slaved, oppressed and victimized My skin not weapon or a crime Someone really has to draw line "I-can't-breathe" Please don't take my life away from me Please don't shoot me I don't wanna die But I ain't going down without a fight But I gotta stand for what's right Gotta change the system it's a lie (Oh, oh, oh) Don't try to silence me Let's stop the suffering Toxic traits of a master race Less talk more unity [Chorus] They be killing with our hands up Go head' and stand up In the air with your fist up We gon' do it till they feel us Do it till they understand us Cause' they don't really understand us We fighting back cause we fed up And we ain't stopping til' they hear us They be killing with our hands up Go head' and stand up In the air with your fist up We gon' do it till they feel us Do it till they understand us Cause' they don't really understand us We fighting back cause we fed up And we ain't stopping til' they hear us [Choir and Music Fade Out] Mr. Rey

Credits

Writers: Tribe Mafia
Carlos Dashawn Moore
Chinasa Broxton Okorocha

We Matter

We Matter

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Credits