Material, Success and History (1)
All Falls Down - Kanye West
A commentary of current African-American and hip-hop culture, the track âAll Falls Downâ from Kanye Westâs 2004 debut album is littered with references connecting back to the mistreatment of his ancestors. He relates these cultural and historical issues to the remaining influences that still exist today. The song focuses on examining societyâs actions and insecurities, primarily in the black community.
There are a myriad of deeply rooted insinuations in lines such asÂ
âWe buy our way out of jail, but we canât buy freedomâ,Â
West encapsulates a lot of social issues with a seemingly small statement. Following even the abolishment of slavery, the majority of the black community still suffer an impending feeling lacking of true freedom. Additionally he speaks to the criminal tendencies of those who can afford their way out of prison, regardless of their success or status.
After an ethnic disconnect, and being taken from their homeland amongst the slave trade era, came an identity and cultural crisis. West speaks to the materialistic approach that has been adopted by the black community as a position of status / success in lieu of they cultural history.Â
âWe shine because they hate us, floss cause they degrade us
We trying to buy back our 40 acres
And for that paper, look how low weâll stoop
Even if you in a Benz, you still a nigga in a coupe (coop)â
West makes a comparison between the inherent consumerism culture as trying to make their way in the American world, and to buy back (literally) what was lost after the disconnect of slavery. The last line of this stanza has been intentionally left as a homonym (coupe/coop). The use of coop can be taken to represent the remnant caged feeling of those is his demographic.
Through âAll Falls Downâ West has simultaneously given an in-depth commentary on the importance of social status in the modern Black society, as well as its roots and beginnings in the aftermath of the slavery and segregation cultures they came from.

















