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Wong Blog 8

Donald Grover’s song “This is America” was a controversial song addressing the issue of gun violence in the United States. More specifically, it brought to light the issue of mass shootings and racial discrimination against African Americans. Although asked about the meaning behind the song, Grover refused to comment any further than the song being “a song for people to play on the fourth of July” (IndieWire). The message of the song along with the music video is clear, which may be the reason why Grover chooses not to elaborate on it further. Even though Grover refuses to comment further, I don’t believe listeners “added their own political purpose to it”. The song was made to have political purpose. Even without Grover explicitly saying it, we see this in the lyrics and video very clearly. “This is America” would be part of the musical genre of trap music. Trap music itself is more popular than political.

The first part of the song is very carefree. Then there is a juxtaposition after the main intro which is revealing a more serious problem in contrast to the “carefree” and “nice sounding” beginnings. The beginning of the song repeats:

We just want the money (yeah)
Money just for you (ooh)
I know you wanna party (yeah)
Party just for free (yeah)
Girl, you got me dancin’ (girl, you got me dancin’)
Dance and shake the frame (ooh)

Then after the intro, the song repeats these phrases in a more serious tone:

This is America
Don’t catch you slippin’ now
Don’t catch you slippin’ now
Look what I’m whippin’ now
This is America (woo)
Don’t catch you slippin’ now
Don’t catch you slippin’ now
Look what I’m whippin’ now

One musical characteristic of the piece that make it a useful tool for political protest would be catchy beat. This is useful for any kind of political protest because it is memorable and danceable too. While the song holds a grave message, the beat makes it easy for people to listen to.