J notes that whites (the “devils” here) doubt the truth and logic of his black nationalist and Afrocentric outlook, but that these are ways of thinking that the oppressor simply can’t understand

The sparse beat of this song had a direct antecedent. Ice explains in Brian Coleman’s book:

I came up with the concept [for the song] and [Audio Two’s] “Top Billin'” was a big record at the time, so Afrika was like, “We need to do a beat something like that.” So we did that beat and I used a similar rhyme flow

“The crossroads” was an important image to Professor X, as he explained in Coleman’s book:

The “crossroads” I mention…was very important to us. We wanted to give recognition to all those who didn’t know where they were at in life. It was the point in their lives where they were trying to get clear. We were drawing a picture where you were at so you could make decisions. And decisions start at the crossroads, and you’re protected there

This short monologue contains most of Professor X’s meme ideas:

• His catchphrase (er, catchword) “vanglorious”

• A reference to the red, black, and green colors of the Pan-African flag

• The “protected…with a key” idea

• Signing off with his signature insult, “sissy”

The only thing missing is the image of the crossroads, but that comes in at the end of the song

Many radical black movements have also advocated for strict vegetarianism. Most famously, the Uhuru movement-affiliated dead prez rapped about it on their song “Be Healthy”

Going back even further, the Rastafari movement, which dates back to the 1930’s, advocates for a natural, vegetarian diet they call “ital”. Mihlawdhd Faristzaddi’s book Itations Of Jamaica and I Rastafari: The First Itation explains:

It is reasoned that the foods which we eat are the bearers of natural energies which are converted into physical forces and used by the material body in its daily functions. Many Rastafarians advocae the use of wholistic, non-processed foods of Mother Earth which they call “Ital”, from the words “natural” and “vital”. Wholesome, earth born foods, fruits and juices are prepared in Ital ways or eaten raw for the most beneficial nourishment. Adherance to this “Itality” in one’s diet is reasoned to be more helpful to the physical body and its natural functions than are the mass produced, mass marketed “supermarket” foods full of chemicals, additives, artificial flavoring and preservatives which Western society consumes as it’s [sic] “daily bread”

This line was used in Ice Cube’s “When Will They Shoot?” and many other vocals in this song have been sampled for other songs

A reference, of course, to the then in full swing AIDS epidemic

Rhyme Syndicate was the name of Ice’s record label and crew. The crew, which would go on to release a compilation album in 1990, included Everlast (later of House of Pain), W.C. (of the severely under-rated W.C. and the Maad Circle), Coolio, Lord Finesse (later a mainstay of the Diggin' in the Crates Crew), Divine Styler, Hen G, Evil E, Donald D, Bilal Bashir, DJ Battlecat, and more

“Jimbrowski” was then-current slang for the male member, with “Jimmy” being a euphemism for penis and “Jimmy hat” meaning ‘condom’.

The term Jimbrowski was made famous in this Jungle Brothers song