God Bless Amerika

Album: I Am Not A Human Being II (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song finds Wayne pairing social commentary, in which he declares how his unholy country needs God's blessing, with rhymes about his own life which he concludes by asking "Will I die or go to jail today?"
  • The song's music video was shot in Wayne's hometown of New Orleans. Backstage footage revealed the rapper dancing across the Star-Spangled Banner, presumably as an act of complaint about his country's policies, which outraged American patriots. Normally flags are burned in protest but many felt that Wayne's flag desecration was disrespectful to his nation.

    Wayne responded to the controversy by stating that he didn't step on the flag on purpose. "It's a scene in a video where the flag drops behind me," he explained "and after it drops it's just there as I perform."
  • Wayne explained the song's meaning in a Facebook post. "In most people eyes including my own who were raised in that environment, the Hood is the only America they know and the only America I knew growing up," he said. "I was fortunate from my God giving talents to escape the Hood and see the other beautiful places this country has to offer but most people who are born in that environment don't get that chance. That's their view of their America. That was Dwayne M Carter from Hollygrove, New Orleans view of America. That's who I'm speaking for in this song."

Comments: 2

  • Brooklyn Billz from Port Harcourt NigeriaI love this track more than any of lil wayne's music
  • Clement Limuka from South Sudan, JubaThe song is so touching.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Guy Clark

Guy ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett are just a few of the artists who have looked to Clark for insightful, intelligent songs.

Rupert Hine

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.