First, let me start by saying that this article is not meant to offend anyone who likes the song or to offend the artist, but I think it is important to interpret the lyrics and what they mean to Native people.

This is not the only song out there that claims to be "Native-inspired" in some shape or form, there have been countless others (i.e. Seminole Wind by John Anderson, Natives by Blink 182, Half Breed by Cher, Indians by Anthrax, etc.). Each one has their own take and their own issues.

However, I want to focus on Masego's "Navajo." As a young Navajo woman, I had to see what this song was about for obvious reasons.

I first saw the song shared by someone's Instagram story and they seemed to like it. I found it on Spotify and listened to it, then... I came to a conclusion - Native womxn are still objectified and Native people are still seen as "less" in some sense.

From my perspective, the song has a very nice beat that is catchy. It has a very chill vibe that is complemented by lyrics that sync with the beat perfectly. The vocals are beautiful and provide a nice echo that makes it difficult to stop listening to.

YET, the lyrics... these lyrics are what I have a problem with. Maybe I'm overexaggerating this whole thing, but this uneasy feeling still sits in my stomach and I can't seem to shake it every time I have come across the song.

The song opens with "I love you" on repeat so that gave me the impression that the artist wanted a Navajo girlfriend or was in love with a Navajo, but then it says "until I..." and drifts into the first verse which is below:

"I know you see it, girl
This ain't sitting real good in my soul
Everywhere this little girl goes
She pick up another obstacle
She was my heart
I don't know the tribe or the fall
But by default she don't think of me"

That's the first verse and when I first heard it, I was like...

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UNTIL the hook went like this...

I thought she was an Indian (Navajo)
She be slangin' thangs like a simian (Now I know)
All my life I wanted me an Indian (There She Go)
Now she's far away