Iconic

Album: Rebel Heart (2015)
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Songfacts®:

  • Mike Tyson (yes, that Mike Tyson!) introduces this song with a boastful spoken word segment. Speaking to Rolling Stone about his contribution, Tyson revealed his curious inspiration. "When I did it, I think about being some guy like [Benito] Mussolini and they're really arrogant, but you try to come from a positive perspective and be uplifting," he said. "You watch Mussolini on television — even though we don't understand what he's saying — he is so mesmerizing. I look at myself in that way."

    "I know people may say, 'This guy's a fascist' and all this stuff, but man, you can take positivity from watching him," Tyson added. "No wonder why Hitler was attracted to him. This guy's a hypnotic figure. There's so much pride behind what he's saying. I'm not even Italian and I feel the pride he's projecting. He had that street swag; he was doing this stuff with his hands and moving his head before it was even hip-hop."
  • The song also features a guest spot from Chance the Rapper, who spits rhymes about pursuing your dreams and not being boxed in.

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