"I hope my black skin don't dirt this white tuxedo"

[DANJ!]

Why ask the question if you just gonna disregard every answer?

For all the "Jay dumbed down" talk, a song like this shouldn't go over anyone's head since everyone apparently listens to music for mental stimulation... and yet it does. I'd hate to see what'd happen if the wording was more complex.

Sometimes, you can immerse yourself so much in complexity that you overthink everything and simplicity flies right over your head. The dualities.

 

[R.E.N. Spells Ren]

Just so I'm not crazy, we all agree Skin can't really dirty a Tux. Therefor it's obvious it was a metaphor for a larger context and theme of what the song is about. The same waters they are riding are ones their ancestors were brought on slave ships on. To think that's a "Self Hating" line is a reach when you listen to the full song and what Frank and Jay is saying. I think the line is creative when looking how Black Skin is viewed not just in the U.S. but around the world. The song is deep. Pharrell killed the beat. "Oceans" is basically a Slavery/Oppression Allegory in song form.

Yes it's obvious that his dark skin can't dirt a tux....it's obviously a metaphor. I don't know why you are even asking that?

Cuz it sounds like self hate...like he hopes he doesn't ruin these good white folks lives/cultures/community.

...I shoulda added "...with his blackness"

 

[R.E.N. Spells Ren]

OK why don't you suggest a better version of that lyric that will still reflect the duality :camellaugh: I'm listening

Easy, switch "I hope..." to "They hope"

 

[VladTheImpaler]

if a black person walks into a club and they dj plays that song...would there be a metaphor/irony/similie/excuse/etc that follows the song?

if that is needed then you should choose a better club to go to where the people are not so ignorant

 

[obarth]

if a black person walks into a club and they dj plays that song...would there be a metaphor/irony/similie/excuse/etc that follows the song?

What answer were you looking for to this hypothetical, poorly worded question?

 

[Ken Piffey Jr.]

I'm pretty sure it was him dealing with the insecurity of being a black man at a fancy event surrounded by white people (you can call it self-hate). But the most important part is that he says fukk it. I'm sure it's an emotion that a lot of successful rappers/singers from the hood can relate to - white or black. The feeling of being from the bottom and being insecure about belonging at the top.