Artificial Intelligence
Not Allen Iverson
“I wrote this record while thirty thousand feet in the air”"I wrote this record while thirty thousand feet in the air
Stewardess complimenting me on my nappy hair
If I can fukk her in front of all of these passengers
They'll probably think I'm a terrorist, eat my asparagus"
Can someone break down these lines for me? I always found it off-putting and corny and ruined an otherwise great song for me
Am I missing some entendre or word play?
• Literal meaning: The artist is writing the song while flying on a plane, 30,000 feet above the ground.
• Deeper meaning: Being physically above the world can symbolize distance or perspective. It could also represent a mental or emotional high — being in a different “zone” or headspace creatively.
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“Stewardess complimenting me on my nappy hair”
• “Nappy hair”: A term often used to describe the natural, tightly coiled hair texture common among Black people. It has historically carried negative connotations but has also been reclaimed as a badge of pride and identity.
• Compliment from the stewardess: This challenges stereotypes — a flight attendant (possibly someone outside his culture) giving a compliment on a feature that society often tries to devalue.
• Layered message: There’s a subtle nod to the shifting perceptions of Black beauty and pride in one’s natural identity, especially in a space (air travel) often associated with status and decorum.
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“If I can fukk her in front of all of these passengers”
• Loving her publicly: This line may refer to showing affection for a Black woman openly, unapologetically — in a public, majority-white space.
• Implication: There’s risk in visibility. Public affection might draw judgment or scrutiny, especially when tied to racial dynamics.
• Broader context: It touches on how Black love is sometimes politicized — simply existing openly becomes a radical act.
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“They’ll probably think I’m a terrorist, eat my asparagus”
• Juxtaposition: The absurdity of the line makes a strong point.
• “They’ll probably think I’m a terrorist”: The artist is calling out how racial profiling can occur just based on appearance or behavior — how love or boldness from a Black man might be perceived as threatening.
• “Eat my asparagus”: A mundane, peaceful action — something you do when you’re just minding your business. This contrast shows how innocent acts can be misinterpreted through a lens of prejudice.
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In summary:
This verse captures the tension between self-expression and societal perception.
• It’s about Black identity (nappy hair),
• Black love and visibility,
• And how these are viewed in predominantly white or institutional spaces (like airplanes).
• The final lines cleverly illustrate how everyday actions are politicized when you’re a person of color — even something as harmless as eating vegetables can be seen as threatening in a racially biased context.
