Alshafaq El Bey - Kamala Ain't Us
The 2024 presidential election is the new "DeathRow/Bad Boy" feud from the 90's, with clear sides being formed. In his song "Kamala Harris Ain't Us," produced by Mvadbeatz, Alshafaq El-Bey boldly critiques Kamala Harris and expresses disappointment in Democrat leaders for not addressing the challenges of the Black community.
El-Bey critiques not just one person, but also the political climate and issues of identity within the community known as "A.D.O.S." (American Descendants of Slavery). The artist, Alshafaq El-Bey, identifies as a "Moorish Scientist" and prefers terms like "Moor," "Berber," or "Melanated" over the adjective "Black." He only uses "Black" once to quote Kamala Harris discussing reparations for Freedmen with theGrio: "..so I’m not gonna sit here and say I’m gonna do something that’s only gonna benefit Black people... NOOO!"
El-Bey questions Harris's authenticity using cultural and historical references, such as Malcolm X's “Wolf/Fox” analogy of politicians neglecting the Black community, to suggest that she isn't speaking for them in which he said: "The White conservatives aren't friends of the Negro either, but they at least don't try to hide it. They are like wolves.. they show their teeth in a snarl that keeps the Negro always aware of where he stands with them. But the White liberals are foxes, who also show their teeth to the Negro but pretend that they are smiling. The White liberals are more dangerous than the conservatives.. they lure the Negro, and as the Negro runs from the growling wolf, he flees into the open jaws of the 'smiling' fox. The job of the Negro civil rights leader is to make the Negro forget that the wolf and the fox both belong to the same family."
Malcolm X's influential words were spoken in 1963, but the political landscape hasn't changed. According to this song, Kamala Harris and Barack Obama are now seen as proxies for the 'leaders' Malcolm X mentioned.
The "Bathtub greens" and "crypto and trees" punchlines expose Harris's shallow attempts to connect with Black culture. Alshafaq criticizes her past actions, such as her criminal justice policies, as hypocritical for using her identity for political gain while harming Black people like "Jamal Trulove" and "Cheree Peoples". Mentioning of Willie Brown reveal Harris's ambition and willingness to do whatever it takes to reach the top, regardless of morality.
Kamala Harris and Willie Brown had an affair in the mid-1990's, causing public interest and scrutiny due to Willie being married to Blanche Brown at the time.
It has also been reported that Willie Brown gifted Kamala Harris a BMW and lavished her with trips to Paris and the Academy Awards during his affair. Brown himself has admitted giving her the car, and it was mentioned in relation to their relationship and his influence on her early career. In 1994, he appointed Kamala Harris to a $72,000/year position on the California Medical Assistance Commission as his term as Speaker of the California State Assembly concluded. Brown also introduced Kamala Harris to billionaire businessman Donald Trump, who donated $55,000 to her campaign for California attorney general. Brown was 30 years older than Harris.
El-Bey's mention of "The Coldest Winter Ever" deepens the narrative, connecting it to the theme of women pursuing power through sexuality. The 1999 novel by Sister Souljah tells the story of Winter Santiaga, daughter of a Brooklyn drug lord, exploring themes of power and betrayal. While not directly connected to Kamala Harris's rise to power, Alshafaq draws parallels in terms of women using sexual cunning and navigating complex landscapes.
Under his previous stage name "G. Twilight", El-Bey has discussed the effects of the C.I.A. sponsored crack epidemic and the "1994 Crime Bill", written by Joe Biden and signed into law by Bill Clinton, the rise of the prison industrial complex and school-to-prison pipeline for Black males in urban areas.
This blend of stories and critique calls for real representation and accountability. El-Bey's lyrics urge African-American audiences to demand policies that truly benefit their communities.
#KamalaAintUs #AlshafaqElBey
Do not forget to support the artists & labels by buying the records.
Please contact me if you have any important questions or would like to solve a problem. @pakatheplug