2026 Competition Entry:
Human Just Like Me by Zahmu Sankofa
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Lyrics
Who the hell do you think you are
When you ain’t made no heavens and you ain’t made no stars
How dare you tell anyone who to love, or who to be
We walk in love, and that’s our power
We fight fear, and we won’t cower
We don’t need your permission to determine our position
Now you might not want to listen,
But you can’t stop me from being free
You’re human just like me
What gives you the right to tell me who to be
I am that I am, who I am, because I am
And you don’t have to like it, or even give a damn
I don’t want to be you
You don’t want to be me
So live your life and just let me be
But if you walk in love, and you come in peace
We can save the world together, we can make everything better
and be free
Everyone wants to be free
and live a life as beautiful as it can be
So, while you dance, live, love is free
Open up your eyes and see
You’re a human just like me
We find in our spirit, the pathway we’ll seek
Self-evolution the solution in a world so full of need
We all show up on the earth, how we’re meant to be
And if somebody’s afraid of us then they’ll just see that
We walk in love and that is our power
We’ll fight fear and we won’t cower
We don’t need your permission to determine our position
Now you might not want to listen,
But you can’t stop us from being free
Because you’re human just like me
What gives you the right to tell me who to be
I am that I am, who I am, because I am
And you don’t have to like it, or even give a damn
I don’t want to be you
You don’t want to be me
Live your life and just let me be
But if you walk in love, and you come in peace
We can save the world together, we can make everything better
and be free
Everyone wants to be free
and live a life as beautiful as it can be
So, while you dance, live, love is free
Open up your eyes and see
You’re a human just like me
If I wanna snap, snap, snap, snap
I can do that, that, that, that
I don’t care what some people say
I talk to God everyday
Just trust what’s inside your heart that leads you to love and peace
Cause my heart wants to say HALLELUJAH (Hallelujah)
Oh you might want to say (Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo)
You might want to say (Shalom, Shalom, Shalom, Shalom)
You might want to say (Allahu Akbar)
You might want to say (Namaste, Namaste)
Say Amen and Ase
We’re all human, all human
and we’re here to stay
If we walk in love, and we come in peace
We can save the world
If you’re walking in love and I’m walking in love,
we don’t have to be like each other
If you give me respect and I give you respect,
we can be sisters and be brothers
So let’s dance, live, love…and be free
You’re human just like me
When you ain’t made no heavens and you ain’t made no stars
How dare you tell anyone who to love, or who to be
We walk in love, and that’s our power
We fight fear, and we won’t cower
We don’t need your permission to determine our position
Now you might not want to listen,
But you can’t stop me from being free
You’re human just like me
What gives you the right to tell me who to be
I am that I am, who I am, because I am
And you don’t have to like it, or even give a damn
I don’t want to be you
You don’t want to be me
So live your life and just let me be
But if you walk in love, and you come in peace
We can save the world together, we can make everything better
and be free
Everyone wants to be free
and live a life as beautiful as it can be
So, while you dance, live, love is free
Open up your eyes and see
You’re a human just like me
We find in our spirit, the pathway we’ll seek
Self-evolution the solution in a world so full of need
We all show up on the earth, how we’re meant to be
And if somebody’s afraid of us then they’ll just see that
We walk in love and that is our power
We’ll fight fear and we won’t cower
We don’t need your permission to determine our position
Now you might not want to listen,
But you can’t stop us from being free
Because you’re human just like me
What gives you the right to tell me who to be
I am that I am, who I am, because I am
And you don’t have to like it, or even give a damn
I don’t want to be you
You don’t want to be me
Live your life and just let me be
But if you walk in love, and you come in peace
We can save the world together, we can make everything better
and be free
Everyone wants to be free
and live a life as beautiful as it can be
So, while you dance, live, love is free
Open up your eyes and see
You’re a human just like me
If I wanna snap, snap, snap, snap
I can do that, that, that, that
I don’t care what some people say
I talk to God everyday
Just trust what’s inside your heart that leads you to love and peace
Cause my heart wants to say HALLELUJAH (Hallelujah)
Oh you might want to say (Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo)
You might want to say (Shalom, Shalom, Shalom, Shalom)
You might want to say (Allahu Akbar)
You might want to say (Namaste, Namaste)
Say Amen and Ase
We’re all human, all human
and we’re here to stay
If we walk in love, and we come in peace
We can save the world
If you’re walking in love and I’m walking in love,
we don’t have to be like each other
If you give me respect and I give you respect,
we can be sisters and be brothers
So let’s dance, live, love…and be free
You’re human just like me
Author
Bio
Zahmu Sankofa is a Philadelphia-born artist whose music and message have resonated with audiences around the world. His journey began at the prestigious Masterman School, where at just 11 years old, he became a member of the world-renowned Philadelphia Boys Choir. Performing on iconic stages such as the White House and Carnegie Hall, and touring internationally throughout Russia and Scandinavia, Zahmu’s early exposure to global audiences helped shape a powerful and far-reaching musical vision.
A graduate of Overbrook High School with a concentration in music, Zahmu continued to sharpen his creative and communication skills at West Chester University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication with a minor in Music. He later received a Master’s degree in Education from Cheyney University, further strengthening his commitment to both artistry and purpose.
An accomplished songwriter, performer, and cultural contributor, Zahmu has written commercial jingles for Burt’s Bees and achieved national recognition as the producer of HBO’s Black History anthem and campaign, “More Than A Month.” He is also celebrated as the creator of one of the first contemporary songs honoring the holiday of Kwanzaa, “It’s Kwanzaa Time,” a work that continues to inspire across generations.
With a career that spans live performance, television appearances, and film, Zahmu Sankofa stands at the intersection of music, culture, and education. Driven by a calling to uplift, inspire, and connect, he uses his voice and artistry to reach audiences worldwide, leaving a lasting impression wherever his music is heard.
A graduate of Overbrook High School with a concentration in music, Zahmu continued to sharpen his creative and communication skills at West Chester University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication with a minor in Music. He later received a Master’s degree in Education from Cheyney University, further strengthening his commitment to both artistry and purpose.
An accomplished songwriter, performer, and cultural contributor, Zahmu has written commercial jingles for Burt’s Bees and achieved national recognition as the producer of HBO’s Black History anthem and campaign, “More Than A Month.” He is also celebrated as the creator of one of the first contemporary songs honoring the holiday of Kwanzaa, “It’s Kwanzaa Time,” a work that continues to inspire across generations.
With a career that spans live performance, television appearances, and film, Zahmu Sankofa stands at the intersection of music, culture, and education. Driven by a calling to uplift, inspire, and connect, he uses his voice and artistry to reach audiences worldwide, leaving a lasting impression wherever his music is heard.
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