King James by Anderson .Paak Lyrics Meaning – Exploring the Rallying Cry for Unity and Social Justice

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Anderson .Paak's King James at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

We’ve been through it all, though it could be worse
We’ve been moved around in a state of alert
There’s nothing new or sharp about the cutting edge
If they build a wall, let’s jump the fence
I’m over this

Cold stares can never put the fear in me
What we built here is godly
They can’t gentrify the heart of kings
Let’s just not talk about it
If I make a move, you’re coming with me

What about the love? (Coming with me)
What about the labor? (Coming with me)
What about the seeds? (It’s coming with me)
The people that you came with (Coming with me)
What about the love? (Coming with me)
What about the labor? (Coming with me)
What about the seeds? (It’s coming with me)
The people that you came with coming with me (Ya coming with me)

Hey
(Okay now) Hey now
(Just don’t stay now) Uh, can’t stay now
(Let’s go shake down) Until we get what we need (Oh yeah)
(Okay now) I’m okay now
(Just don’t stay now) Yeah, can’t hold me down
(Let’s gon’ shake down) And let it fall like the leaves, I want it all

We couldn’t stand to see our children shot dead in the streets
But when I finally took a knee
Them crackers took me out the league
Now I’m not much for games
But I play for keeps
And we salute King James for using his chains
To create some equal opportunities

Cold stares can never put the fear in me
There’s a movement we’ve been groovin’ on
You can move or stay your ass to sleep
Let’s just not talk about it
Everything they tried to hide
We’re taking back for yours and mine

What about the love? (Coming with me)
What about the labor? (Coming with me)
What about the seeds? (It’s coming with me)
The people that you came with (Coming with me)
What about the love? (Coming with me)
What about the labor? (Coming with me)
What about the seeds? (It’s coming with me)
The people that you came with coming with me (Ya coming with me)

What about the love
What about the seeds (It’s coming with me)
What about the love (Coming with me)
What about the seeds (Coming with me)
The people that you came with, ya coming with me

Okay now
Just don’t stay now
Let’s go shake down (Shake, shake, shake, shake)
Okay now
Just don’t stay now
Let’s go shake down (Shake, shake, shake, shake)

Anderson .Paak has established himself as an alchemist of genre, blending elements from soul, R&B, hip hop, and funk to create a sound that is as infectious as it is socially conscious. In his track ‘King James’ from the album ‘Ventura,’ .Paak delivers more than just rhythm and melody; he relays a powerful message. It’s a song that resonates with the vibrations of resistance, the spirit of community, and the legacy of leaders who’ve fought for equality.

Yet, within its catchy hooks and grooves, ‘King James’ carries layers of meaning that invite listeners to delve into the complexities of America’s sociopolitical landscape. The song pays tribute to figures like LeBron James while addressing broader issues such as systemic racism, injustice, and the power of solidarity. Understanding the profundity of ‘King James’ requires a deep dive into its lyrics, coded language, and .Paak’s vision of rallying for change.

From Courts to Cultural Commentary: Basketball as a Beacon

At first glance, the title ‘King James’ appears to spotlight basketball icon LeBron James, but Anderson .Paak uses sports as a springboard for broader discussion. He cleverly juxtaposes the adulation of a sports hero with the disregard for the black community’s plight, encapsulated in the lines ‘But when I finally took a knee / Them crackers took me out the league.’ This reference to Colin Kaepernick’s protest illuminates how the platform of professional athletes can be both influential and contentious.

The hook’s repetition of ‘coming with me’ serves as a rally call, inviting listeners to join in the action, to become part of a movement that stands for something much larger than themselves. .Paak isn’t just singing about individual achievements; he’s urging collective efforts to ‘jump the fence’ overcoming the barriers erected by those in power.

The Unyielding Pulse of Resistance Against Gentrification

Anderson .Paak’s assertion ‘They can’t gentrify the heart of kings’ is a bold statement of resilience against the forces of gentrification. It’s a declaration that the essence of a community and its leaders cannot be eroded by outward changes. Gentrification here is a metaphor for cultural and social displacement, and .Paak reassures that the spirit of a people cannot be whitewashed.

This track turns the frustration into determination and the feeling of being undercut into empowerment. Though the landscape may shift around them, individuals like ‘King James’ use their stature to foster equality and opportunity, becoming unshakeable monuments amidst the social turbulence.

Harmonizing Struggle and Triumph in the Quest for a Better Tomorrow

The duality of celebrating victories while acknowledging ongoing battles is a recurring theme in ‘King James.’ .Paak doesn’t shy away from the raw and painful history of ‘our children shot dead in the streets,’ yet he simultaneously uplifts the listener by recognizing those creating ‘equal opportunities.’

It’s a song that seesaws between reality’s harshness and the belief in progress. The inclusive ‘we’ that peppers the lyrics implies a communal journey, where triumph isn’t the sum of individual victories but the progress of the collective.

Unveiling the Hidden Resistance: ‘Let’s not just talk about it’

Beneath the opulent layers of soul and funk, ‘King James’ bears a hidden depth. When .Paak states ‘Let’s just not talk about it,’ it’s an invitation to look past mere discussion to the work being done silently. The unseen labor—the love, the seeds—is where the true revolution lies. It’s an acknowledgment of the tireless, often unnoticed, contributions that fuel the movement.

The song challenges the listener to identify what’s not being said openly and to recognize the quiet acts of defiance and strength that form the backbone of any struggle for equity.

Memorable Lines that Echo the Sentiments of a Generation

‘If they build a wall, let’s jump the fence’ and ‘We salute King James for using his chains / To create some equal opportunities’ are just a couple of lines that distill the essence of ‘King James.’ They encapsulate resistance, unity, tributes to leadership, and the idea of turning constraints into tools for liberation.

These lines lodge themselves into the collective consciousness, becoming rallying cries and reminders that the true meaning of strength is found in solidarity and the continuous fight for justice.