"What Has America Done" (also known as What Has America Done 4 Me or just simply America) is single by Consequence featuring Chuck D as well as backing vocals from The WRLDFMS Tony Williams and Wé Ani with production done by Trap Money Benny and Consequence himself dating back to the DONDA: WITH CHILD sessions in 2020.[1]
Production[]
The song samples "America, America, America" by the Leroi Jones Young Spirit House Movers and Shakers.
Background[]
The song initially started out as a freestyle for another unreleased song titled "City of Lost Angels" and had been chopped up and put over a different beat by Dem Jointz.[2] One of the earliest known versions of the song is a reference recorded by artist Consequence.[3]
The last known version of the song under Kanye's ownership was dated November 24, 2020 where a guitar was added to the beat.[4] From that point on, the song was not worked on again.
Amidst the Donda 2 sessions in 2022, the song was given to Consequence for his album. The beat had been heavily reworked.[5] In 2023, artists The World Famous Tony Williams and Chuck D recorded for the song.[6]
Lyrics[]
[Intro: Chuck D]
What has America done?
[Verse 1: Consequence]
My country, tis of thee, sweet land of Liberty
Same land where they lynchin’ me, for over more then four centuries
The plantations where they sent for me, plan for me was penitentiaries
Psychological injuries, but still we rise to be kings and queens
But what has America done for me, besides take the swag and the sauce?
What has America done for me, besides make me kiss the ass of my boss?
What has America done for me? Taught me profit and loss?
Had me runnin’ from the cop on the horse, just so I could cop me the Porsche?
What has America done for me? Showed me Snow White with the Dwarfs?
In real life, my parents got divorced
Yeah, my roof’s the same as Black Thought's
See, we had the tracks when they bought beats
I’m at the blackboard with more to teach
Behind the backboard with them floor seats
To ‘bout to be the only black with a board seat
So what has America done for me? Taught me the words to the Spangled Banner?
But I saw what’s the trap when I came to Atlanta
And what has America done for you?
The land of opportunities and W’s
Or you catchin’ L’s and they snubbin’ you
And that’s enough reason to see you dragged
Yet we pledge allegiance to this flag
[Interlude: Chuck D]
Killing
And the helicopters still hovering like buzzards
We feel robbed
We throw our hands in the air, to the world
What has America done?
[Chorus: The WRLDFMS Tony WIlliams, Wé Ani & Chuck D]
What has America done to my people?
What has America done?
What has America done, what has America done?
What has America done to my people?
What has America done?
What has America done, what has America done?
[Verse 2: Consequence]
America was built on the backs of slaves, and those black slaves they back and graves
Just without the accolades, or half the pay for the cash they made
They put they maid on the Aunt Jemima box
Broke up homes that had a mom and pop
So ain't no time for diving for a dumbass Sambo
Mary had a lamb but left her man for a Lambo
So what has America done for me, made everything black and white?
Sat me in the bookings for half the night, then put me on parole 'til I'm lackin', right?
And what has America done for me?
Show me that democracy got a Siamese twin named hypocrisy
But since I'm a genius like Socrates, I went out and sold people soccer tees
And at the end of working's a capitalism
And when you add that to when I rap with a rhythm, of course they're coming back with the venom
So what has America done for me, put the goal line further?
Accused me of murder? Fed me French fries and burgers?
Gave me high blood pressure? Took my resource and treasures?
Raped our women and mommies? Made us dope fiends and zombies?
Who say the gon' clean up, but just can't shake off the lean cup
And what has America done for you?
The land of opportunity and W's
[Chorus: The WRLDFMS Tony WIlliams, Wé Ani & Chuck D]
What has America done to my people?
What has America done?
What has America done, what has America done?
What has America done to my people?
What has America done?
What has America done, what has America done?
[Outro: Chuck D]
Know the consequence
Know the consequences
And the ancestors can't rest
Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers
We throw our hands in the air to the world
To let them all know what America has done
References[]
- ↑ https://krakenfiles.com/view/4YOlomBHc7/file.html
- ↑ https://plwcse.top/f/fd43f94360cc8f4830a67f821e9e39b1
- ↑ https://krakenfiles.com/view/yvvcFyaULp/file.html
- ↑ https://krakenfiles.com/view/KtrgnEqzdp/file.html
- ↑ https://plwcse.top/f/8ff32398207735f8f94145ff0f85a373
- ↑ https://plwcse.top/f/69316fb130cb9c13b42a28633f8a9532