Still only twenty three years old BASHY made a phenomenal impact, sparking a avalanche of interest and enthusiasm that’s steadily and somewhat vigorously begun to break down the doors of the mainstream media and industry at large.
Without the support of any major label and strictly through independent means BASHY has managed to capture the imagination of the nations youth in a relatively short space of time. In the last eighteen months he’s gone from driving a bus to becoming the face and voice of a generation.
From the release of his first two mixtapes ‘Ur Mum Volume One’ & ‘The Chupa Chups Mixtape – Assorted Flavours’, he knew he was onto something, BASHY explains….
“it was crazy! we sold 1000 in our first week! By the second week we’d sold another 1000, by the end of the month we where at 3,000 sold! This is without any major distribution support. Just making friends take 100, then someone rings you up like ‘can I get 50’, ‘100’, ‘200’, ‘Have you got 500’…”
So where did it all start? Well his lyrical sparing fist began in the playground of his local Kensal Rise comprehensive, where at the age of 14, the confident youngster battled the older kids in the school who in his own words he ‘destroyed’.
This soon got his peers talking and the word spread beyond the gates of the playground and into his local community. He soon found himself in demand at local clubs and parties where he earned yet more stripes battling other hood hero’s of the time.
Word continued to spread and soon reached MAJOR ACE, a member of one of Grime's forbearing groups PAY AS YOU GO, who gave Bashy his number and told him to call him.
“so I phoned…” Recalls Bashy…“but he used to ring me out, voice mail, voice mail, voice mail…I used to bang his phone week in week out religiously when I was 16, I just kept phoning him, but he was big then so I didn’t care, he was like Jay-Z ta man…anyway one day he picked up and say’s ‘who’s this?? So I said ‘you told me to call you, I want to come on radio’ so he’s like ‘meet me at’….”
Soon after he put the phone down he was making the long trip across the capital to East London joining the vibrant pirate scene that was erupting at that time. From that point he began to build a name broadcasting himself across the airwaves alongside other aspiring talents of the time such as KANO, DIZZIE RASCAL, DIRTY GOODZ, WILEY & MORE FIRE [LETHAL BIZZLE].
BASHY first gained recognition for his quick wit and one liners that where part of the many publicised clashes that made up his early career. But he’s always been much more than that…
“I’m a street, social, commentator I talk about LIFE, I talk about what’s going on things that people can relate to, ‘How to Pick a Wifey’, ‘Black Boys’, ‘4 o’clock in the morning’, Death Is Just a Page Away’, ‘if You Met God What Would You Ask Him’…”
All delivered with a clarity, confidence and dexterous word play that ruthlessly commands the unsuspecting listeners attention.
No more was this felt then with the release of the aforementioned 2007/08 anthem ‘BLACK BOYS’. It was this track that propelled BASHY into the nations consciousness, catching the imagination of a country in turmoil.
With reports of shootings and stabbing popping up, on what seemed to be every other news bulleting and with the media continually focusing on the lack of role models in certain communities, it felt that the nations inner city youth needed a reminder that they had a number of positive figureheads they COULD look to.
“I wanted to pay tribute and congratulate a lot of the achievers in our community. The media try and suggest that we don’t have role models, but there’s loads and I’ve put some of them on this track”.
Still making an immense amount of noise after its release the remix’s further added fuel to the fire.
BASHY created UK music history in getting some of the countries brightest stars to come together, at a point when the scene was gripped by a culture of division, to share their views on the subject.
Contributions from NOLAY, SKINNYMAN, TY, BIG NARSTIE, TINIE TEMPAH, WRETCH 32, CHIPMUNK, SWISS, MIKE GLC, J2K, SKEPTA, SINCERE, AKALA & SCORCHER helped turn ‘BLACK BOYS’ from a great record into a movement, a slice of social commentary that’s sparked debate not only in the inner-city playground’s and forums but university lecture halls and political debating circles alike.
On the last count the original video version of BLACK BOYS had almost ONE MILLION views on YOU TUBE alone!!
There’s more than one very polished side to Ashley Thomas, He’s an extremely articulate and educated young black man. Another to emerge from the illustrious BRIT SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS following in the footsteps of previous graduates that have gone on to make huge waves in entertainment, music and film.
“what people don’t know about me is that I’m not some rapper trying to be an actor, I was actually into acting first. I got an A* at GCSE drama and before that I was going to Theatre Arts from the age of five and more recently I was at Brit School. But because the music thing took off first that’s what people see me as”
In fact get prepared to see a lot more of BASHY outside the booth! He recently held the lead role in the sold out play ‘Mind Blowing Decisions’ at the famous HACKNEY EMPIRE then later on in the year he hit the SADLERS WELLS THEATRE where he stared in ‘Marcus The Sadist’. Both are to go national in the not too distant future.
Never one to limit his clearly vast array of talents, BASHY soon found himself at the hear t of another hugely successful project – ADULTHOOD.
NOEL CLARK, director and star of the ADULTHOOD film first encountered BASHY when he was passed a copy of his earlier mixtapes which contained samples from his previous KIDULTHOOD film.
Noel was so impressed by what he heard his thoughts soon drifted from copyright protection onto thinking how to get this amazing talent involved in the follow up.
BASHY was soon asked to submit a track to be included on the soundtrack, he delivered KIDULTOOD TO ADULTHOOD. Noel was so impressed by his efforts he chose the track as the lead single and asked BASHY to act as assistant music supervisor for the entire project!!
The movie went onto gross MILLIONS at the box office and secure a place in the UK movie charts for weeks to follow.
KIDULTHOOD TO ADULTHOOD also enjoyed success hitting just under THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION plays on YOU TUBE in only two months. The track really set the mood for the film and even entered the NATIONAL CHART for two weeks inside the top one hundred.
All this has meant BASHY has been in HUGE demand this year cramming an increasingly large number of shows into his weekly schedule.
Through out the last twelve months he has been asked to speak and perform at a number of seminal events including the MARTIN LUTHER KING TRIBUTE at The Grand Ball Room Hall of the ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL along side Martin Luther King Jr himself, the MARCUS GARVEY tribute at the Windrush Square [Brixton] and as part of the CAPITAL OF CULTURE celebrations earlier in the year up in Liverpool with DAMON ALBARN.
BASHY was also recently asked to go to Mali as part of the groundbreaking ROOTS TO ROUTES project which paired him with DURRTY GOODZ, AKALA, KELE LE ROCK and LADY LYKEZ alongside the cream of African talent to create an album project and tour.
The group recently showcased the production infront of 40,000 at the RISE FESTIVAL in London’s Finsbury Park and 80,000 at the LOVE MUSIC HATE RACISM event in Victoria Park along side Damon Albarn again.
Having impressed Albarn so much BASHY will be heading to Nigeria later in the year with him and Africa Express to the shrine in Lagos to celebrate the life and music of the legendary FELA KUTI.
Other highlights include a rousing performance at this years much talked about GLASTONBURY on the BBC INTRODUCING stage as well as destroying the RAMPAGE BBC 1XTRA sound system at the historic Notting Hill Carnival. So good was his performance that they decided to simulcast it on RADIO ONE, something that had never previously been done before!!
All this and with out releasing an album!!?! Oh did I not mention the highly anticipated debut ‘CATCH ME IF YOU CAN’ is due out in 2009!
The UK music scene just stepped up a gear and it looks like BASHY’s in the drivers seat!!
He is rumoured to drive the 114 bus in north west.
White Flag
Bashy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I ain't lost and this ain't shipwrecked
I feel small in this big wide world
A mummy ain't said 'Honey, I shrunk the kids' yet
I ain't Jesus but I'm walkin' on water
There's no bombs here, there's no walkers
I can break out of jail with a lighter
So is there any point in making laws, blud
I nearly suffocated when I touched the shore
No rain, condoms it poured and up the road
You'll never guess who I saw
Uh, uh, uh, it's K-A
Look, skip on the beat like Ali in the gym
Honey I'm home this is where I wanna live
Just found it like Nemo on the d-low
I don't know if it's greener, but it's green though
On the other side of the fence, bind to the ends
No fence, no stress, no rent, no superficial shit, this real flow
Where the women look hot, but the beach cold
And the speech goes like, hi little lady
Sex on the beach, wanna try for a baby
Word in the village, I'm a little bit crazy
Swag up on a hundred degrees, no eighty
Look, if heaven had a V-I-P, uh, this is it, white sand, blue sea
But I don't know who they are and I'm damn sure they don't know me
But I come in peace
Cool, white flag, white flag
No war
No guns
No Corps
Just life
Just love
No hype
Just fun
No ties
Just me and my mind
Just me and my wife
But tell me if I'm dreamin'
'Cause I don't wanna wake up 'til the evenin'
And I don't wanna be left sleepin'
From all the diseases that I breathe in
Look, respect the island, no stealin'
And don't bring religion here, no three kings
It's great and we ain't leavin'
We come on in peace, sing
White flag?
White flag
In Bashy's song White Flag, he describes his desire to escape to a peaceful place where there is no conflict, violence, or stress. He acknowledges that the world is a big place and he feels small in it, but he is not a castaway or a survivor. He feels relaxed, free, and at home in this place which he describes as a paradise with white sand and blue sea. Bashy raps about breaking out of jail with a lighter and questions whether there is any point in making laws. He urges people to respect the island and not bring religion there. There is no war, no guns, no corporations, just life, love, and fun. He concludes the chorus by waving a white flag, which is a symbol of surrender, peace, and hope.
One possible interpretation of this song is that Bashy is expressing his frustration with the chaos and hardships of the world and his desire to find a haven where he can be himself and enjoy nature without worrying about the problems of society. He is not saying that he wants to give up or give in, but rather that he wants to take a break from the struggle and recharge his energy by connecting with the elements that sustain life. Bashy uses metaphors such as walking on water, seeing who he saw, and feeling small in a big world to convey his sense of wonder, mystery, and humility. He also employs rhymes, alliterations, and repetition to create a rhythmic flow that enhances the mood and message of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Look, yo, no castaway, no survivor
I'm not stranded or lost in this big world.
I ain't lost and this ain't shipwrecked
I know exactly where I am and I'm not in trouble.
I feel small in this big wide world
I'm aware of my size compared to the world around me.
A mummy ain't said 'Honey, I shrunk the kids' yet
I'm not actually smaller, just feel like it sometimes.
I ain't Jesus but I'm walkin' on water
I'm feeling confident and powerful.
There's no bombs here, there's no walkers
The place is peaceful and people are not suffering.
I can break out of jail with a lighter
I'm capable of achieving the impossible.
So is there any point in making laws, blud
I question the need for laws in a place like this.
This ain't Atlantis, are you sure
I'm checking if something is too good to be true.
I nearly suffocated when I touched the shore
I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the place.
No rain, condoms it poured and up the road
It rained so much and so unexpectedly, it's like condoms pouring down from the sky.
Uh, uh, uh, it's K-A
The artist is introducing himself.
Look, skip on the beat like Ali in the gym
I'm making music that's as smooth as Ali's moves in the ring.
Honey I'm home this is where I wanna live
I've finally found a beautiful place I would love to call home.
Just found it like Nemo on the d-low
I discovered the place by pure chance.
I don't know if it's greener, but it's green though
I'm not sure if the grass is actually greener on this side or not.
On the other side of the fence, bind to the ends
The other side of the fence may look appealing too but I'm committed here.
No fence, no stress, no rent, no superficial shit, this real flow
I'm happy living in a place with no barriers or problems, just real people living their lives.
Where the women look hot, but the beach cold
The women are attractive, but the weather is chilly.
And the speech goes like, hi little lady
People here use friendly language when greeting each other.
Sex on the beach, wanna try for a baby
People are open about their sexual desires and interests.
Word in the village, I'm a little bit crazy
People see me as eccentric, but they still accept me.
Swag up on a hundred degrees, no eighty
I'm feeling extremely confident and cool.
Look, if heaven had a V-I-P, uh, this is it, white sand, blue sea
This place is so beautiful, it's like heaven's VIP section.
But I don't know who they are and I'm damn sure they don't know me
I'm a stranger here among unknown people.
But I come in peace
I'm here with peaceful intentions.
Cool, white flag, white flag
The artist is waving a white flag, symbolizing peace.
No war
I'm against any kind of conflict.
No guns
I don't believe in using weapons to solve problems.
No Corps
I don't support corporations taking over the world.
Just life
I believe in enjoying life to the fullest.
Just love
I believe in showing love to all people.
No hype
I'm not into flashy and superficial things.
Just fun
I'm all about having a good time.
No ties
I don't want to be tied down by anything or anyone.
Just me and my mind
I'm comfortable being alone with my thoughts.
Just me and my wife
I'm happy being with my wife in this place.
But tell me if I'm dreamin'
I wonder if this is all too good to be true.
'Cause I don't wanna wake up 'til the evenin'
I want to enjoy this place for as long as possible.
And I don't wanna be left sleepin'
I don't want to miss out on anything while I'm sleeping.
From all the diseases that I breathe in
I'm concerned about getting sick from the air or environment.
Look, respect the island, no stealin'
I urge people to respect the place and not take anything illegally.
And don't bring religion here, no three kings
I don't want religion to cause conflict or disrupt the peace.
It's great and we ain't leavin'
This place is amazing and we don't want to leave.
We come on in peace, sing
We're here with peaceful intentions and we sing about it.
White flag?
The artist asks if people accept his peaceful intentions.
White flag
The artist waves a white flag, symbolizing peace.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DAMON ALBARN, JAMIE HEWLETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Milo Hempel
Such an underrated gorillaz track
Smileynova
Jacob Car What kind of compliment is this...
ebonylee1990
love this track!!!
Bobbybushay
Never knew sully featured on this lmao fire tho
Rezi
this is what they said when they came out the fedex box on plastic beach