Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Akintoye moved to Vaughan, Ontario, Canada at age nine, experiencing what he called a "little culture shock". His father, a fan of West Coast hip-hop, would often sing the infant Akintoye to sleep with The Notorious B.I.G.'s "One More Chance". As a child, Akintoye sang in choir, took piano and flute lessons, and rapped and recorded videos, but was not initially passionate about music. At age ten, he volunteered to perform Drake's verse in the Young Artists for Haiti version of K'naan's "Wavin' Flag" for a middle school end-of-year concert, which sparked his desire to pursue rapping.
Akintoye attended McMaster University in Hamilton. He later said he was "dealing with a lot of anxiety" in university and used songwriting to "make sense of things and maintain my sanity."
Akintoye's influences as a rapper include Joey Badass, J. Cole, Chief Keef, and Kendrick Lamar, who "drew from their trauma using metaphors and poetry", and 1990s New York rapper Big L, whom Akintoye called "so ahead of his time" and "one of the first people to craft stories from beginning to end for all his songs, all while maintaining a terrific technical skill set."
BEAT IT
Akintoye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the shoes I been filling been dead stock
Pinpoint aim, I done digested greats
Blew the soul off the place, when I read dot
These waters too murky dog
I sense somethin′ in it tryin' to hurt me dog
That′s the plight of men living in a land locked state
Big body, still float so I dread not
Once or twice hold the light to see, it's easy
Please believe me, see the seeds, they see like Stevie
Locked in a squalor, staying alive a bitch, when you live like BG
Playing a lot of shit, for the audience
I'm flossing bitch, they bite the wave
I bite my tongue, the life is won
When vices run and hide
This the place where decisiveness comes to die
Hang on with Tyson grip (Bite this bitch)
Leaving niggas twice as sick (I like this shit)
Y′all outclassed
And with really no effort, I been going professor
(These niggas think I might submit)
So I beat ′em and beat 'em
I be in the business of being the biggest to be him, lil′ bitch
I beat 'em and beat ′em
I be in the business of being the biggest to be him, lil' bitch
Beat it lil′ bitch (huh), Beat it lil' bitch (huh), Beat it lil' bitch
Beat it lil′ bitch (huh), Beat it lil′ bitch (huh), Beat it lil' bitch
Beat it lil′ bitch (huh), Beat it lil' bitch (huh), Beat it lil′ bitch
Beat it lil' bitch (huh), Beat it lil′ bitch (huh), Beat it lil' bitch
Show me a criminal smoother than I (Bitch you a lie)
Don't even try
You see a symbol of passion, I see niggas lacking
I needed a reason to slide
Don′t need the heat on my side, niggas is scared of the vibes
Look in my eyes
We going up like Caribbean niggas the week queen Elizabeth died
Hang on with Tyson grip (Bite this bitch)
Leaving niggas twice as sick (I like this shit)
Y′all outclassed
And with really no effort, I been going professor
(These niggas think I might submit)
So I beat 'em and beat ′em
I be in the business of being the biggest to be him, lil' bitch
I beat ′em and beat 'em
I be in the business of being the biggest to be him, lil′ bitch
Beat it lil' bitch (huh), Beat it lil' bitch (huh), Beat it lil′ bitch
Beat it lil′ bitch (huh), Beat it lil' bitch (huh), Beat it lil′ bitch
Beat it lil' bitch (huh), Beat it lil′ bitch (huh), Beat it lil' bitch
Beat it lil′ bitch (huh), Beat it lil' bitch (huh), Beat it lil' bitch
In the song "Beat It" by Akintoye, the lyrics convey a message of confidence, resilience, and a determination to overcome obstacles.
In the first verse, the line "Send me something more than a head nod" suggests that the artist craves genuine recognition and acknowledgment for their talent. They feel that they have been filling the shoes of others who have been forgotten, symbolized by the mention of "dead stock" shoes. They have absorbed and learned from the greatness of those who came before them, yet they still manage to leave a lasting impact on the music scene, blowing the soul off the place. Despite the challenges and uncertainty they face, they hold onto their willpower, remaining unfazed ("big body, still float") and fearless ("dread not").
The second verse highlights the artist's self-assurance and authenticity. They emphasize that they shine brighter than others who try to imitate or follow trends ("Playing a lot of shit for the audience, I'm flossing bitch, they bite the wave"). While others may conform, the artist remains true to themselves and their art, even if it means facing criticism. They understand that life can be difficult ("locked in a squalor, staying alive a bitch"), but they keep pushing forward, refusing to let their determination die.
The repeated phrase "Beat it lil' bitch" throughout the song serves as a defiant mantra, symbolizing the artist's refusal to be held back or intimidated. It represents their ambition to rise above their adversaries and become the top in their field. They see themselves as being in the business of becoming the biggest and best version of themselves, unapologetically stepping into their power and leaving a mark.
Overall, the lyrics portray Akintoye as a fearless and resilient artist who is determined to succeed on their own terms. They refuse to let the challenges of the industry or the opinions of others hinder their progress. Through their bold and confident expression, they assert their place in the music scene and assertively declare their intentions to overcome any obstacles in their path.
Line by Line Meaning
Send me something more than a head nod
Provide me with meaningful communication rather than shallow gestures
All the shoes I been filling been dead stock
I have been following in the footsteps of those who achieved nothing significant
Pinpoint aim, I done digested greats
I have studied and understood the works of great artists
Blew the soul off the place, when I read dot
I had a profound impact on the atmosphere when I performed
These waters too murky dog
The situation or environment is unclear and problematic
I sense something in it trying to hurt me dog
I feel there is a malicious intent directed towards me
That's the plight of men living in a landlocked state
This is the struggle faced by individuals trapped in a limited and restrictive environment
Big body, still float so I dread not
Despite the challenges, I remain confident and unfazed
Once or twice hold the light to see, it's easy
Occasionally, I expose the truth and it becomes evident
Please believe me, see the seeds, they see like Stevie
Trust in my words, as they contain wisdom and perception similar to Stevie Wonder
Locked in a squalor, staying alive a bitch when you live like BG
Being trapped in poverty is a constant struggle for survival
Playing a lot of shit for the audience
Performing various types of music to entertain the crowd
I'm flossing bitch, they bite the wave
I am confidently showcasing my success, and others imitate my style
I bite my tongue, the life is won
I restrain myself from speaking out, as it brings me success
When vices run and hide
When bad habits and temptations are no longer prevalent
This the place where decisiveness comes to die
In this situation, people lack the ability to make firm decisions
Hang on with Tyson grip (Bite this bitch)
Hold on tightly, using a strong grip (Grab this opportunity)
Leaving niggas twice as sick (I like this shit)
Making others envious or upset because of my success
Y'all outclassed
You are clearly inferior in skill or talent
And with really no effort, I been going professor
I effortlessly display expertise and knowledge
(These niggas think I might submit)
(These individuals believe I might surrender or give in)
So I beat 'em and beat 'em
I consistently defeat my opponents
I be in the business of being the biggest to be him, lil' bitch
I strive to be the greatest, surpassing all others
Beat it lil' bitch (huh), Beat it lil' bitch (huh), Beat it lil' bitch
Leave or get lost, insignificant person
Show me a criminal smoother than I (Bitch you a lie)
Prove to me that there is someone more skilled at illegal activities than me (You are lying)
Don't even try
It's not even worth attempting
You see a symbol of passion, I see niggas lacking
You perceive my enthusiasm, but I notice the absence of drive in others
I needed a reason to slide
I required justification to engage in risky behavior
Don't need the heat on my side, niggas is scared of the vibes
I don't need support or backup from dangerous individuals because people fear my presence
Look in my eyes
Observe my demeanor and character
We going up like Caribbean niggas the week Queen Elizabeth died
We are experiencing a rise in success and prominence similar to Caribbean people after the death of Queen Elizabeth
Writer(s): Akintoye Asalu, Dan Vucko
Contributed by Hunter P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.