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

When Rock Belonged To Michelob

When Rock Belonged To MichelobSong Writing

Michelob commercials generated hits for Eric Clapton, Genesis and Steve Winwood in the '80s, even as some of these rockers were fighting alcoholism.

"Stairway To Heaven" Lawsuit: A Timeline

"Stairway To Heaven" Lawsuit: A TimelineSong Writing

Untangling the events that led to the "Stairway To Heaven" lawsuit.

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.

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Charles Fox

Charles FoxSongwriter Interviews

After studying in Paris with a famous composition teacher, Charles became the most successful writer of TV theme songs.

Elton John

Elton JohnFact or Fiction

Does he have beef with Gaga? Is he Sean Lennon's godfather? See if you can tell fact from fiction in the Elton John edition.