“urban” means music from urban areas, i.e. the streets. which is where jazz originated, but you don’t see jazz represented on BET.

he understands the dissatisfaction with the industry, and the lack of attention for artists that speak on real shit like this song, but doesn’t necessarily believe that we/he need the fame. the love is enough.

many men growing up in inner-city Britain, particularly North London, where Akala hails from, have few options. they often gangs and/or drug dealing, and sooner or later end up behind bars. Akala implies that his avoidance of this fate is largely due to fortune.

the word “nigger” is what eased the conscience of the oppressors, convincing themselves that black people were somehow less human, and thus it was morally conscionable to kill and enslave them.

while Akala talks about some deep, pervasive, and damning issues regarding society, hip hop, and the black community, in reality this is borne out of a hope that he can effect positive change through his words and music. in that sense, he is very much the opposite of bitter.

unless society finds a way to solve the social issues that he talks about in this song, then it’s a ticking time bomb.

the use of “nigga”, subtly ingraining the consensus that black people were subhumans, is what allowed the consciences of white slave masters to deal with their actions during slavery.

Akala rejects that the word “nigga” can be reclaimed by black people, presumably feeling it should die a quiet death.