Immigrants (We Get The Job Done) (feat. Snow Tha Product, Riz MC & Residente)
K'NAAN
The Struggle and Triumph of Immigrants in Song
The song "Immigrants (We Get The Job Done)" by K'NAAN, featuring Snow Tha Product, Riz MC, and Residente, is a powerful anthem that addresses the immigrant experience in the United States. The song opens with a spoken word that highlights the paradox of a nation built by immigrants where the term 'immigrant' has become pejorative. This introduction sets the stage for a narrative that both celebrates the contributions of immigrants and critiques the systemic challenges they face.
The lyrics vividly depict the hardships and resilience of immigrants, who often take on multiple jobs and live in cramped conditions to make ends meet. The song uses metaphors like 'sailing on graves' to describe the perilous journey many undertake in search of freedom and opportunity, only to be met with exploitation and marginalization. The repeated refrain 'Immigrants, we get the job done' serves as a defiant response to the negative stereotypes, asserting the indispensable role immigrants play in the fabric of American society.
The song also touches on themes of racial and economic injustice, with lines that call out the exploitation of immigrant labor and the hypocrisy of a system that benefits from their work without offering fair recognition or rights. The collaborative nature of the track, featuring artists from diverse backgrounds, underscores the message of unity and shared struggle among immigrant communities. The song ends on an unresolved note, 'Not yet,' suggesting that while progress has been made, the fight for true freedom and equality is ongoing.