This One

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a stark picture of historical revisionism and a looming conflict, questioning who can be warned when truth inevitably surfaces. The repeated assertion, "Dem can't do nothing 'bout this one," acts as a defiant shield against forces that seek to control or suppress. It suggests an unstoppable force, a truth or movement that is beyond the reach of established powers. The core tension lies in the struggle against deception and oppression, urging listeners to resist manipulation. The narrator invokes figures like Malcolm X, Garvey, and Martin Luther King Jr., alongside spiritual leaders, as examples of those who "strive and free your life." This historical and spiritual lineage underscores a call to critical thinking, warning against blindly accepting media narratives: "Don't just believe everything you see on the t.v." The repeated phrase "don't put your mind to waste" emphasizes the preciousness of individual thought in the face of pervasive propaganda. The most striking craft element is the ambiguous yet powerful declaration, "This is the one that is this one." This repetition, especially as it shifts from "Dem can't do nothing" to "I am the one" and "We are the one," transforms the abstract "this one" into a tangible, collective identity. It suggests that "this one" is not merely an event, but a state of being, a realization, or a unified movement that cannot be undone. The phrase "Each blow a the right one" further solidifies this sense of righteous, inevitable progress, where every action taken against oppression carries inherent validity and weight. Ultimately, the lyrics resonate because they tap into a deep-seated feeling of resistance against unseen forces. The unwavering repetition of "Dem can't do nothing 'bout this one" combined with the empowering shift in perspective from "Dem" to "I" and "We" creates a powerful anthem of self-determination. It’s a declaration that the truth, once recognized and embraced by a collective, possesses an inherent power that no external force can ultimately defeat, making "this one" an unassailable force of change.