The song "Shadow Business" by Jedi Mind Tricks sheds light on the exploitation and mistreatment of workers, particularly in sweatshops and prison labor. The lyrics emphasize the brutal conditions and injustices faced by these workers, particularly in China and American prisons. The samples used in the song highlight the shocking realities of factory workers in American Samoa, where they endure high temperatures and poor living conditions. The song also addresses the use of slave labor, hidden behind the term "slave labor" in contemporary society, where workers are not prosecuted because their cheap labor is crucial for the economy. The lyrics describe the deplorable conditions faced by workers, such as exposure to contamination and disease, sex discrimination, and restrictions on their activities. The workers are depicted as barely surviving, working long hours with little pay, inadequate meals, and limited sleep. Their human rights are stripped away, reducing their value to a mere three cents per hour. The second verse of the song focuses on the use of prison labor, where 1.6 million incarcerated individuals are essentially trapped in a new form of slavery. They work for major corporations, generating substantial profits while being paid a mere twenty cents per hour. The lyrics depict the hypocrisy of the justice system, which locks up individuals for petty crimes and exploits them for cheap labor. The song also criticizes the incompetence of human rights inspectors and the indifference of society to these issues. The lyrics point out that slavery is not illegal if it is carried out in the context of a prison sentence, effectively justifying the exploitation of prisoners. Overall, "Shadow Business" highlights the harsh realities of sweatshops and prison labor, exposing the inhumane treatment and lack of rights faced by these workers. The song aims to raise awareness about these issues and shed light on the hidden side of the global economy.
