There is a Woman in Somalia.
A brief analysis on poverty, privilege, and religion in "Pearls" by Sade and "How Much A Dollar Cost" by Kendrick Lamar.
The treatment of people of color — under the guise of religion — has been historically violent and torturous. Many people refer to people in poverty and people of color as animals. Especially in the time of war and genocide. And specifically in Africa and the Middle East.
Matthew 7:6 (NKJV) — “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.”
My favorite type of music feels like poetry. Songs I have to savor and take my time to digest. Lyrics that I have to spend time analyzing after hearing the song on repeat in order to make sense of the story it’s telling.
“Pearls” by Sade is a haunting song about famine, poverty, religion, and deprivation. Throughout the song, there is a violin playing lowly in the background and the musical elements of the song contributes to its angelic feeling. The song tells the story of a woman in Somalia “searching for pearls on the roadside”. The song implies that the woman (and her daughter) are experiencing extreme poverty and famine.
It is implied that this woman is searching for grains of rice on the side of the road. The woman is beyond grateful for these grains of rice and worships whomever she worships for them.
“There is a woman in Somalia / Searching for pearls on the roadside / There’s a force stronger than nature / Keeps her will alive… Each grain carefully wrapped up / Pearls for her little girl / Hallelujah / Hallelujah.” - Sade (Pearls)
Another analogy Sade uses throughout the song is the annoying discomfort of brand-new shoes in comparison to the Somalian woman’s lifestyle. “She lives a life she didn’t choose / And it hurts like brand-new shoes.” It, again, amplifies the careless comfort people have without a second thought.
Within “Pearls", Sade amplifies the life of these people in poverty and shows empathy and consideration for the woman in poverty. A grain of rice in this Somalian woman’s life is worth as much as a pearl in Sade’s life.
In “How Much A Dollar Costs” by Kendrick Lamar, he is telling the story of running into a homeless man at the gas station in South Africa. During this interaction the homeless man asks him for a dollar and (out of selfishness) Lamar refuses.
The song is brash, bold, and argumentative.
Throughout the song, Lamar continuously questions himself on how much a dollar costs. In multiple albums and songs, Lamar questions his own humility. In "Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers", he talks about feeling undeserving of his status because of his own flaws. In this song, he discusses his lack of empathy towards people in poverty (similar to how he was before becoming a rapper). Continuously asking himself the question of “how much a dollar really cost” causes a revelation within himself.
“And I’m insensitive, and I lack empathy / He looked at me and said ‘Your potential is bittersweet’ / I looked at him and said ‘Every nickel is mines to keep’” - Kendrick Lamar (How Much A Dollar Cost)
At the beginning of the song, Lamar also hints at the fact that this humble man is God before it is revealed at the end. A dollar to this homeless man means the world; to Lamar it means nothing. In the end, the dollar costs him a place in Heaven.
“Have you ever opened up Exodus 14? / A humble man is all we ever need.” … “… ‘I’ll tell you just how much a dollar cost / The price of having a spot in Heaven, embrace your loss — / I am God’” - Kendrick Lamar (How Much A Dollar Cost)
With the knowledge and realization of his selfishness and greed, he repents at the end. Asking God what does he need to do, other than pray and recognize his sins to repent.
Both songs teach a similar, valuable lesson: never underestimate your privilege. Your comfort and casualty could be someone else’s dream. Your voice is more amplified than theirs and its important that you use it to help — not harm — the people being oppressed.
Thanks for reading.
Yulani S.
Beautiful. This hit me in the gut. Kendrick's lyricism is sensational, but so beautiful of you to see thread through these three references and paint a picture of what we can take for granted. Thank you!