Diamonds (From Sierra Leone)
2005 · Roc-A-Fella B0004940-11 · Atlanta, Georgia
- Artist
- Kanye West
- Title
- Diamonds (From Sierra Leone)
- Release
- Diamonds From Sierra Leone
- Year
- 2005
- Label
- Roc-A-Fella # B0004940-11
- Format
- Single
- Language
- English
- Country
- Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Genre
- Hip Hop · Experimental Hip Hop · Pop Rap · Hip Hop
- Primary theme
- Post-War
Annotation
Hip hop "Good mornin', this ain't Vietnam, still / People lose hands, legs, arms, for real / Little was known of Sierra Leone / And how it connect to the diamonds we own / When I speak of diamonds in this song / I ain't talkin' about the ones that be glowin'"
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Annotation — Rap / Hip Hop Songs
Kanye West, associated with Experimental Hip Hop and Pop Rap, born on 8 June 1977 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Having sold 160+ million records and winning many Grammy and other music awards, he is one of the more prominent and successful Hip Hop artists. (1) Several songs referenced Vietnam: "Get By" (2003) (with Mos Def, JAY-Z, Talib Kweli, and Busta Rhymes), "Diamonds (From Sierra Leone)" (2005), "Eyez Closed" (2011) (with Snoop Dogg and John Legend), and "Power" (2010) (with JAY-Z and Swizz Beatz).The song "Diamonds (From Sierra Leone)" (Roc-A-Fella Records # B0004940-11) - it featured on his second album, "Late Registration" (2005) - is protest song focused on blood diamonds, mined in war zones, in this case, Sierra Leone. He compared the conflict to the Vietnam War, including a play on the popular 1987 film Good Morning, Vietnam, based around the rebellious radio broadcaster Adrian Cronauer, who began each show with "Good Morning Vietnam": "good mornin', this ain't Vietnam, still, people lose hands, legs, arms, for real".
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
About the artist
Kanye West, associated with Experimental Hip Hop and Pop Rap, born on 8 June 1977 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Having sold 160+ million records and winning many Grammy and other music awards, he is one of the more prominent and successful Hip Hop artists. (1).
Themes
Anti-War · Sierra Leone · Good Morning, Vietnam · Film · Vietnam Analogy