About the song
A story for this song hasn’t been added yet.
Words from the artist’s archive
CULTURALLY CODED lyrics
Artist-supplied lyric sheet, matched by title. The sheet may differ from this released performance. Production notes and alternate promotional cuts are omitted.
Read the lyric sheet
Intro
(808s rumble low, steel pan echoes, faint patois chatter in background) Mama voice in my head like a bassline steady, From yard to island block, love sharp and heavy, Culturally coded, can’t hide the design, Five flags in my blood, still the same punchline.
Verse 1
Jamaican mama say, “Pickney, move yuh foot dem off di chair!” Wooden spoon swing like dancehall air, Haitian mama in Kreyòl, “Ou pa wè mwen ap pale?” (you don’t see I’m talking?) Plantain frying, side-eye shocking, Dominican mama, “Oye, recoge tu cuarto, ahora,” Chancla in the hand like folklore aura, Cuban mama say, “Mijo, que te pasa? Ven acá,” Frijoles on the stove, love wrapped in a scar.
Chorus
Culturally coded, we all got the same script, From Kingston to Port-au-Prince, the same trip, From Havana to Santo Domingo, still the same quip, Mama’s voice cut deep like a bass drop flip. Culturally coded, you already know, One glare, one phrase, every island gon’ show, It’s love in the heat, discipline in the flow, Mama got the hook before the beat even go.
Verse 2
Trini mama say, “Eh-eh, yuh mad or what?” Pelau bubbling, seasoning hot, Jamaican mama shout, “Yuh tink mi born yesterday?” Look cut sharp like sun at midday, Haitian mama whisper, “Tande byen, pa fè sa ankò,” (listen well, don’t do that again) Eyes say more than her words could pour, Dominican mama, “Tú no eres hombre todavía,” Every syllable a rhythm, no trivia.
Bridge
Five islands, five tongues, one mother’s hand, Same sandals, same stare, same high demand, No matter the patois, Spanish, or Kreyòl spin, Mama always win—start to fin’. Steel pan melts into conga roll, Bongos sync with the trap drum soul, Culture layered like pastelón, Mama’s love tough like the backbone bone.
Chorus
Culturally coded, we all got the same script, From Kingston to Port-au-Prince, the same trip, From Havana to Santo Domingo, still the same quip, Mama’s voice cut deep like a bass drop flip. Culturally coded, you already know, One glare, one phrase, every island gon’ show, It’s love in the heat, discipline in the flow, Mama got the hook before the beat even go.
Outro
(Trap beat fades under waves and market noise) Five flags, one stare, Five kitchens, same air, You could change the island, but the love still there, Mama’s code—every island share.
Inside the recording
Mama voice in my head like a bassline steady, From yard to island block, love sharp and heavy,
Culturally coded, we all got the same script, From Kingston to Port-au-Prince, the same trip,
Five flags, one stare, Five kitchens, same air,
Excerpts from artist-supplied lyric files matched by title. Lyric sheets may differ from the released performance.