Badder Den Dem
Burro Banton Lyrics
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BADDER DEN DEM. (16 TIMES)
ME BORN BADDER DEN DEM AN GROW RUFFER DEN DEM
ALL DEM A GWAN AN MOVE KNO SAY ME SET DA TREND
ME DRESS WICKEDER DEN DEM SLICKER DEN DEM
ME A THE LEAF ME A THE ROOT ME A THE BRANCH & THE STEM
Wah tek dem da banton a true born legend
Enter the business in. 75 & that was way back wen
Wap dem wit ribibi bah skeng
WHEN BEENIE & BOUNTY WAS JUS CHILDREN
IF YA THINK A LYE GO ASK THE GENEREAL SKENG
I USE TO DJ STEREO MARS FROM 10 TILL 10
VOLCANO JARO TILL THE NEEDLE IT BEND
I’m the Governor General so me don’t beg friend
Dem tek the banton me never tek nothing from dem
Im the standard recommend highest grade of the blend
start rd a walk pen with Ricky ten around grants pen hey hey eh eh eh
BADDER DEN DEM. (16 TIMES)
ME BORN BADDER DEN DEM AN GROW RUFFER DEN DEM
ALL DEM A GWAN AN MOVE KNO SAY ME SET DA TREND
ME DRESS WICKEDER DEN DEM SLICKER DEN DEM
ME A THE LEAF ME A THE ROOT ME A THE BRANCH & THE STEM
Stand up like Daniel in the lion den
Walk alone so me don’t walk with friend
Anyboy me know like me no chat up to dem
Gal me no rate can’t be my gal friend
Machine me know borrow
Machine me no lend
Me lock the Glock ,da 10 fi safe of children
War obstacle barrier an problem
If a clot violate u know him get condem
ME BORN BADDER DEN DEM AN GROW RUFFER DEN DEM
ALL DEM A GWAN AN MOVE KNO SAY ME SET DA TREND
ME DRESS WICKEDER DEN DEM SLICKER DEN DEM
ME A THE LEAF ME A THE ROOT ME A THE BRANCH & THE STEM
From da day me born me a gangster for dem
Some talkin out dem face dem is no problem
Stand up at the road & peep ova my fence
Like him wan tek da stripe out my pants leg
Jah jah by my side sellasie is my confidence
Me earning all da dollar accumulating cents
so Hyping up demselves & dem don’t have no cents
Me rule the lane the streets an the providence
ME BORN BADDER DEN DEM AN GROW RUFFER DEN DEM
ALL DEM A GWAN AN MOVE KNO SAY ME SET DA TREND
ME DRESS WICKEDER DEN DEM SLICKER DEN DEM
ME A THE LEAF ME A THE ROOT ME A THE BRANCH & THE STEM
Wah tek dem da banton a true born legend
Enter the business in. 75 & that was way back wen
Wap dem wit ribibi bah skeng
WHEN BEENIE & BOUNTY WAS JUS CHILDREN
IF YA THINK A LYE GO ASK THE GENEREAL SKENG
I USE TO DJ STEREO MARS FROM 10 TILL 10
VOLCANO JARO TILL THE NEEDLE IT BEND
I’m the Governor General so me don’t beg friend
Dem tek the banton me never tek nothing from dem
Im the standard recommend highest grade of the blend
start rd a walk pen with Ricky ten around grants pen hey hey eh eh eh
ME BORN BADDER DEN DEM AN GROW RUFFER DEN DEM
ALL DEM A GWAN AN MOVE KNO SAY ME SET DA TREND
ME DRESS WICKEDER DEN DEM SLICKER DEN DEM
ME A THE LEAF ME A THE ROOT ME A THE BRANCH & THE STEM
ME BORN BADDER DEN DEM AN GROW RUFFER DEN DEM
ALL DEM A GWAN AN MOVE KNO SAY ME SET DA TREND
ME DRESS WICKEDER DEN DEM SLICKER DEN DEM
ME A THE LEAF ME A THE ROOT ME A THE BRANCH & THE STEM
The song "Badder Dan Dem" by Burro Banton is a proud declaration of his superiority above all other MCs in the dancehall scene. He boasts that he was born "badder dan dem" (better than them) and grew up "ruffer dan dem" (more rugged than them). He claims to have set the trend in style and fashion, dressing "wickeder dan dem" (more wicked than them) with a unique sense of individuality as the "leaf, root, branch, and stem" of dancehall.
Banton takes a trip down memory lane, recalling his days at Stereo Mars and playing at sound systems like Jaro and Volcano. He declares that he is the "Governor General" and doesn't need to beg for friends, as his reputation speaks for itself. Banton asserts that he didn't take anything from anyone, and instead, others took from him. He concludes that he is the standard, setting the bar for the highest quality of lyrical delivery and performance.
Line by Line Meaning
ME BORN BADDER DEN DEM AN GROW RUFFER DEN DEM
I was born tougher and rougher than anyone else, and I grew up to be even more bad and dangerous than them.
ALL DEM A GWAN AN MOVE KNO SAY ME SET DA TREND
Everyone tries to copy me, because they know I'm the one setting the trend.
ME DRESS WICKEDER DEN DEM SLICKER DEN DEM
I dress in a more wicked and stylish way than anyone else, I'm always one step ahead.
ME A THE LEAF ME A THE ROOT ME A THE BRANCH & THE STEM
I am the foundation, the source, and the essence of everything in this industry, from the beginning to the end.
Wah tek dem da banton a true born legend
Those who imitate the great Burro Banton are just acknowledging my status as a true born legend.
Enter the business in. 75 & that was way back wen
I started my career in 1975, a long time ago when the industry was very different.
Wap dem wit ribibi bah skeng
I hit them with powerful rhymes and energetic beats, leaving them in awe.
WHEN BEENIE & BOUNTY WAS JUS CHILDREN
I was already established in the music industry when Beenie Man and Bounty Killer were just children.
IF YA THINK A LYE GO ASK THE GENEREAL SKENG
If you think I'm lying, just ask the general who knows the truth.
I USE TO DJ STEREO MARS FROM 10 TILL 10
I used to be a DJ on Stereo Mars, playing non-stop from 10am to 10pm.
VOLCANO JARO TILL THE NEEDLE IT BEND
I also played on other sound systems like Volcano and Jaro until the needle broke from overuse.
I’m the Governor General so me don’t beg friend
I'm the leader of the pack, so I don't need anyone to help me out.
Dem tek the banton me never tek nothing from dem
They try to imitate me, but I don't imitate anyone else.
Im the standard recommend highest grade of the blend
I am the standard that everyone else follows, the highest quality of music in this industry.
Stand up like Daniel in the lion den
I stand up to any challenge like Daniel did in the lion's den, fearless and unbreakable.
Walk alone so me don’t walk with friend
I walk alone, I don't need friends because I am capable of handling anything by myself.
Anyboy me know like me no chat up to dem
I don't waste my time talking to people I don't respect.
Gal me no rate can’t be my gal friend
I don't value women who don't share my values, they can't be my friends.
Machine me know borrow Machine me no lend
I don't rely on anyone else, I'm self-sufficient and don't owe anyone anything.
Me lock the Glock ,da 10 fi safe of children
I keep my gun locked up and out of reach, to keep children safe and away from harm.
War obstacle barrier an problem
I can overcome any obstacle, barrier or problem that comes my way.
If a clot violate u know him get condem
If someone disrespects me, they know they'll face the consequences for their actions.
From da day me born me a gangster for dem
I was born a gangster, a tough and fearless fighter who's not afraid to take on anyone.
Some talkin out dem face dem is no problem
I don't care about people talking behind my back, it doesn't affect me in any way.
Stand up at the road & peep ova my fence
I'm always alert, keeping an eye out for anyone who might try to cross me.
Like him wan tek da stripe out my pants leg
Like someone who wants to take away my dignity, my pride and my power.
Jah jah by my side sellasie is my confidence
I draw my strength and confidence from my faith in Jah Rastafari and the teachings of Haile Selassie.
Me earning all da dollar accumulating cents
I work hard and earn my money one cent at a time, accumulating wealth through dedication and perseverance.
so Hyping up demselves & dem don’t have no cents
Others may talk big, but they don't have the same level of dedication and work ethic as me.
Me rule the lane the streets an the providence
I am the kingpin, the one who controls everything in this business, from the streets to the highest levels of industry.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Donovan spaulding, bobby konders
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Patrick Magalhães
Badder Than Dem
Burro Banton
Now dis is di original Burro Banton
Badda dan dem
Badda dan dem
Badda dan dem
Badda dan dem
Badda dan dem
Badda dan dem
Badda dan dem
Badda dan dem
Badda dan dem
Badda dan dem
Badda dan dem
Badda dan dem
Badda dan dem
Badda dan dem
Badda dan dem
Badda dan dem
Mi born badda dan dem, an go rougher dan dem
All dem a move an a gwaan u kno ah mi set di trend
Mi ban quicker dan dem, mi dress slicker dan dem
Mi ah di leaf, mi ah di root, mi ah di branch, mi ah di stem
Wah test dem, di banton a tru born legend
Enter di bidnezz '75 an dat was way back when
Wuk dem! Wipipipi bamskeng
When beenie and bounty dem was just children
If you tink a lie, go ask the general skeng
Mi used to dj stereo mars from ten till ten
Volcano, 'jaro until di needle it bend
Ahm di govonor general dat mean seh me nuh beg fren
Dem tek mi banton, mi neva tek nutten fi dem
Am di standard recommended highest grade of di blend
Start round a walk to pen with ricky ten dem round a grants pen
Badda dan dem, an go rougher dan dem
All dem a move an a gwaan u kno ah mi set di trend
Mi ban quicker dan dem, mi dress slicker dan dem
Mi ah di leaf, mi ah di root, mi ah di branch, mi ah di stem
Mi stan up like daniel inna di lion den,
Walk alone, dat means de mi nuh walk wit fren
Any bwoy mi nuh like, me nuh chat up to dem,
Gyal mi no rate cyaan be mi gal fren
Machine me nuh borrow, machine me nuh lend
Me lock di glock an massive ten fi sake ah children
War, obstacle, barriers and problems,
If a clat violate u kno am get condem
Call mi badda dan dem, and go rougher dan dem
All dem a move an a gwaan u kno ah mi set di trend
Mi ban quicker dan dem, mi dress slicker dan dem
Mi ah di leaf, mi ah di root, mi ah di branch, mi ah di stem
From di day mi born seh mi a gangsta fi dem
Some tackin out dem face and dem is no problem,
Stand up outta road and dem a peep over me fence
Like dem waan take di stripes outta me pants leg
Jah jah ah mi guide, selassi ah mi confidence
Mi earnin all di dollars, dem accumilating cents
Hyping up demselfs, an dem dont have no sense
Ah mi rule di lane, di streets and di providence
Mi badda dan dem, an go rougher dan dem
All dem a move an a gwaan u kno ah mi set di trend
Mi ban quicker dan dem, mi dress slicker dan dem
Mi ah di leaf, mi ah di root, mi ah di branch, mi ah di stem
Wah test dem, di banton a tru born legend
Enter di bidnezz '75 an dat was way back when
Wuk dem! Wipipipi bamskeng
When beenie and bounty dem was just children
If you tink a lie, go ask the general skeng
Mi used to dj stereo mars from ten till ten
Volcano, 'jaro until di needle it bend
Ahm di govonor general dat mean seh me nuh beg fren
Dem tek mi banton, mi neva tek nutten fi dem
Am di standard recommended highest grade of di blend
Start round a walk to pen with ricky ten dem round a grants pen
Badda dan dem, an go rougher dan dem
All dem a move an a gwaan u kno ah mi set di trend
Mi ban quicker dan dem, dress slicker dan dem
Mi ah di leaf, mi ah di root, mi ah di branch, mi ah di stem
Badda dan dem, an go rougher dan dem
Sergio Ramirez Films
Whenever this song came on, it was time to drive the Cavalcade on the sidewalk
Dizastermaster
Sergio Ramirez Films yes
Ryan Momtahan
More like a Mammoth Patriot
Big Bad Zeus
@Ryan Momtahan more like a taxi cabbie
A fat NPC
BADDERDANDEM
BADDERDANDEM
BADDERDANDEM
BADDERDANDEM
BADDERDANDEM
BADDERDANDEM
BADDERDANDEM
BADDERDANDEM
BADDERDANDEM
BADDERDANDEM
BADDERDANDEM
BADDERDANDEM
BADDERDANDEM
BADDERDANDEM
BADDERDANDEM
BADDERDANDEM
nubbyknob
I hated this song in 2008. Now I appreciate it as crucial GTAIV track. Such a powerful voice!
Jordan Franklin
You ain't rode round liberty city till u slap this 👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾
captain downtown
This should be Jamaica’s national anthem
Ihsan Seblani
Totally agree
BorderlineODB93
The official anthem of everything