Rapper Joanlee released a music video for his single “I Am” featuring singer April Nhem. The song off Joanlee’s “Under The Radar” album recounts the rappers struggles in the music industry because the color of his skin. Here’s a message from the artist about his track:
“This song & video is very deep to me. It’s about my journey from how I started doing music, everything in between, and to where “I Am” now. “I Am” Joanlee”
He’s overcoming the struggle to make his name in the music game. If people don’t believe in him, he’s just gonna have to do it on his own. Smash Hitta on the beats.
Listen to more Joanlee: My Fresh, Too Late, WTF, I’m Good, and Get Familiar.
I Am by Joanlee x April Nhem (contains explicit lyrics)
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Lyrics to I Am by Joanlee x April Nhem
HOOK:
The lights, the cameras
The people are watching
But nobody knows
What it took to get here
I’m overcoming the struggle
Oh, oooh, oh, ooooh, oh-ohhh
Oh, ooooh, oh-ohhh
Oh, ooooh, oh-ohhh
I’m overcoming the struggle
Oh, oooh, oh, ooooh, oh-ohhh
Oh, ooooh, oh-ohhh
I’m overcoming them…
VERSE 1:
Now, now, now, now, now I know you ain’t talking
Just know you won’t stop me
I’ve grown to keep watching, for those who be blocking
So, I went ahead & made up my mind, and I invested my time
Said I’ll be damned if I keep thinking it twice
Ain’t gon please ’em all, yeah I know that
But you can never hold back
I’m in the booth, when the homies asking, “Where all the hoes at?”
Started from “Anaheim & Rose”, to all these studios
See you wouldn’t know the sh*t I went thru to even get this close
HOOK:
The lights, (the lights), the cameras, (the cameras)
The people are watching, (yeah they’re watching)
But nobody knows (nobody knows)
What it took to get here (ugh)
I’m overcoming the struggle, (I Am)
Oh, oooh, oh, ooooh, oh-ohhh (I Am)
Oh, ooooh, oh-ohhh (I Am)
Oh, ooooh, oh-ohhh
I’m overcoming the struggle, (I Am)
Oh, oooh, oh, ooooh, oh-ohhh (I Am)
Oh, ooooh, oh-ohhh (I Am)
I’m overcoming them…
VERSE 2:
Yo what you know about
Doing all these showcases and have the whole place just in shock!
You killing ’em, they’re feelin’ him, but you’re the only Asian
Saying that I’m tryna be black, “Yo what the f*ck is that?!”
This ain’t an act, this who “I Am”, so yall can kiss my ass!
Never knew music had racism, but they had hate for him
Just cuz of my skin, they didn’t think I could relate to ’em
My parents survived a war, came to the states to give me more
Was poor, made it this far, so what you hating for?
HOOK:
The lights, (the lights), the cameras, (the cameras)
The people are watching, (yeah they’re watching)
But nobody knows (nobody knows)
What it took to get here (ugh)
I’m overcoming the struggle, (I Am)
Oh, oooh, oh, ooooh, oh-ohhh (I Am)
Oh, ooooh, oh-ohhh (I Am)
Oh, ooooh, oh-ohhh
I’m overcoming the struggle, (I Am)
Oh, oooh, oh, ooooh, oh-ohhh (I Am)
Oh, ooooh, oh-ohhh (I Am)
I’m overcoming them…
VERSE 3:
Was about to sign on a Major offer, took up everything “he” brought up
“I’m on!” bout to pack up and get gone out to “Atlanta”
But a year passed and nothing progressed, the sh*t just lagged
It didn’t last, depressed as hell, so then I came back
And told myself on my flight back home
That I’m gon’ have to do it on my own
Write all my songs and record ’em on
Whatever equipment I came across
So after, years of all that, and all the fall backs
I’m still here, paying my dues just to prove that
HOOK:
The lights, (the lights), the cameras, (the cameras)
The people are watching, (yeah they’re watching)
But nobody knows (nobody knows)
What it took to get here (ugh)
I’m overcoming the struggle, (I Am)
Oh, oooh, oh, ooooh, oh-ohhh (I Am)
Oh, ooooh, oh-ohhh (I Am)
Oh, ooooh, oh-ohhh
I’m overcoming the struggle, (I Am)
Oh, oooh, oh, ooooh, oh-ohhh (I Am)
Oh, ooooh, oh-ohhh (I Am)
I’m overcoming them.