Tight Rope Lyrics

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About

Genius Annotation

In this track from 2009’s Us, Brother Ali addresses three different teenage characters, one per verse, who are united in having to “live in two worlds.”

Verse one concerns young Somalian immigrants to Minnesota who are torn between their parent’s culture and the American one they have to live in.

The second verse addresses the child of divorced parents, who has to negotiate the two households and watch his parents build new families that don’t include him.

Verse three is about a boy who is terrified to tell his conservative Christian family that he is gay. This piece is notable for being one of the only mainstream-ish rap songs with an explicitly anti-homophobic message.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

Credits
Produced By
Written By
Mixing Engineer
Engineer
Release Date
September 22, 2009
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