He was booed off stage at a show celebrating the visit of Nelson Mandela. In 1993 at the very popular show Sting he accused fellow deejay Bounty Killer that the elder artist had stolen his catchphrase, "people dead". This triggered a lyrical battle which continued on the air with each artist counteracting the other's songs. Finally, in 1995, Beenie Man and Bounty Killer settled their differences on the air by actually signing a peace treaty and the two recorded an album together, Guns Out. This was followed by a single, "No Mama No Cry", a rehash of the Bob Marley classic "No Woman No Cry", speaking out against violence and inspired by the murder of Pan Head, another popular Deejay.
Partially as a result of prodding from his producers, Sly and Robbie, Beenie Man soon converted to the Rastafari movement.
In 1994, he was signed by Island Records and released the critically acclaimed album Blessed.
In 1995, Beenie Man released a remix of Barrington Levy's "Under Mi Sensi" in the United Kingdom, and collaborated with Dennis Brown and Triston Palma to release Three Against War and Lt. Stitchie on Mad Cobra Meets Lt. Stitchie & Beenie Man. He took another step up the ladder in 1996, releasing the seminal Maestro, produced by Patrick Roberts and shot him to UK fame. During the period from the mid to late '90s, Beenie Man dominated the Jamaican charts to the extent that he perhaps had a good claim to the crown of "Dancehall King", a title only bestowed previously on Yellowman in the early 1980s.
In 1998, Beenie Man signed to Virgin Records to release albums in the United States. His first American offering was The Doctor (1998). In 2000, Beenie Man teamed up with Arturo Sandoval and Wyclef Jean (The Fugees) to release The Art & Life. During the late 1990s, Beenie Man began his conquest of America with the hits, "Romie", "Who Am I" and "Girls Dem Sugar", which featured American R&B singer, Mya.
In 2002, he had a sizeable hit with a duet with Janet Jackson called "Feel It Boy", but his biggest break in America came in early 2004 with the release of a remix of "Dude", featuring guest vocals by fellow Jamaican Ms. Thing, as well as rhymes by Shawnna.
Bad Mind Is Active
Beenie Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Repeat
But a mi got the bang wid di billie bang skeng
A mi got the bang wid di Shocking Vibes deng
Repeat
[Chorus 1]
Why they just don't let me live
Tell me why
(He's the girls dem sugar)
It's my decision and that's my paragative
They say I'm crazy and they even said I'm (beep)
While I'm living on the girls dem way
So move wid yuh nasty question
You try to destroy my life
Ooh, just llow a man
Mek him deejay him tune and try to survive
[Chorus 2:]
Bad mind is active (ah)
Den a watch nex people business
Bad mind is active (ah, ah, ah, ah)
And its the way the they want to live
Bad mind is active (ah, ah)
Dem neva stop and think positive
Bad mind is active (ah, ah) But all pon dem mind is negative
Everybody asking me what's the dealio
How mi naah throw nuh wud, I'm just chillio
Number one mi meking part two oh no
How yuh fi dis mi when I'm no zero
Listen how mi voice clean through di stereo
How yuh fi slam mi I'm no mono
How yuh fi dis mi, I'm the star of the show
I'm a movie star and the world done know
I'm the king rapper dancehall disco
I'm not a groupie, well I'm just solo
Pull it mi selector waan yuh tek it down low
Come all my fans let mi tell yuh what mi know
Why the girls really love Beenie Man (Beenie)
Mi and mi girls a flex through Ontario
Drinking Alozane, driving the limo
Ohh, gee, ahh, let's go
How yuh fi dis mi when I'm no jigalo
Mi and mi friend Future Troubles flexing hi-pro
Mi hear a knock pon mi door
When mi look out nuh Suzanne and Flo
Whem mi si weh dem a carry well mi interest grow
Like a cupid a so mi fire mi arrow
Bup she get it down inna de burrow
Oh cho, a so di punch line go
[Chorus 1]
[Chorus 2]
But hear sey hey some bwoy a ketcher
Some bwoy a tekka, dem a wrecker
Don't trust dem, dem a penny ketcher
How yuh fi dis mi when yuh ever lesser, never better
Listen to the Brother Proper
Some bwoy dem all a style man as fella
When mi dome have Angella, Anabella
Mi use to date all Cinderella
When she run lef di silver slipper
Ah, ah, ah, ah some bwoy a flex like liar liar
Now mi friend this is a girls roll call
Nuff shot fall beat nuff ball, woman a stall
In Beenie Man's song "Bad Mind Is Active," he talks about being the subject of rumors and gossip and being criticized for his lifestyle but mainly focuses on his success as a dancehall artist. He emphasises his confidence in himself and his abilities, stating that people should allow him to pursue his dreams by making music instead of trying to bring him down. In the chorus, he warns against negative energy and people who constantly focus on the negative. He claims that he is not the person his critics believe him to be, and he is frustrated with their constant judgment.
The song highlights how people spend their time talking negatively, looking for the apparent bad in others rather than focussing on the good in life. He asserts that individuals should concentrate on being positive and finding joy rather than looking for the downfall of others.
Overall, the song speaks to the challenges of being the object of public attention while struggling to maintain a sense of identity and dignity. It motivates people to worry less about the opinions of others and instead focus on their own goals and lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Bounce, Bounce, Bounce, Bounce
The song starts with the repetition of the word 'Bounce' four times to set the mood and rhythm.
But a mi got the bang wid di billie bang skeng
The singer has mastered the art of playing the 'billy bang skeng', a percussion instrument, which is considered an essential skill for a music artist.
A mi got the bang wid di Shocking Vibes deng
The Shocking Vibes Deng is a type of instrument that is closely related to the Jamaican dancehall music scene. The singer is known for being skilled in playing it.
[Chorus 1]
The song then goes on to discuss how the singer is tired of people talking behind his back.
Everybody's talking all the crap about me
People are talking negatively about me.
Why they just don't let me live
Why can't people just let me live my life peacefully?
Tell me why
The artist wants to know the reason behind people's negative talk.
(He's the girls dem sugar)
People frequently refer to the singer as the 'girls dem sugar,' meaning he is popular among women.
It's my decision and that's my paragative
The artist believes that he is entitled to make his own decisions, and that it is nobody else's business.
They say I'm crazy and they even said I'm (beep)
People think that the artist is insane and they use derogatory language to describe him.
While I'm living on the girls dem way
The artist is proud of his popularity with women and acknowledges their support of him.
So move wid yuh nasty question
The artist doesn't want to be asked uncomfortable questions.
You try to destroy my life
People are actively trying to harm the artist's reputation and life.
Ooh, just llow a man
The artist is requesting people to leave him alone.
Mek him deejay him tune and try to survive
The artist wants to focus on his music and surviving, rather than worrying about what people say or think.
[Chorus 2:]
The chorus speaks about how negative rumors and gossip can ruin someone's life.
Bad mind is active (ah)
The negative thoughts and intentions of people are having a real impact on the artist's life.
Den a watch nex people business
The people around the artist are too busy watching and gossiping about other people's affairs.
Bad mind is active (ah, ah, ah, ah)
People's negative thoughts and intentions seem to never stop.
And its the way the they want to live
People are so used to being negative and causing trouble that they think it's a normal way to live.
Dem neva stop and think positive
People never take the time to think positively and look at the good in a situation.
Bad mind is active (ah, ah) But all pon dem mind is negative
Again, the song talks about how people are consumed with negativity.
Everybody asking me what's the dealio
People are always asking the artist to explain himself.
How mi naah throw nuh wud, I'm just chillio
The artist isn't throwing any negative energy back, he is staying calm.
Number one mi meking part two oh no
The artist is working on another song that will do well, despite people's negative talk.
How yuh fi dis mi when I'm no zero
People shouldn't disrespect the artist because he has accomplished a lot in his career.
Listen how mi voice clean through di stereo
The singer's voice sounds clear and clean through the singers.
How yuh fi slam mi I'm no mono
People shouldn't insult the artist by saying he's boring or one-dimensional.
How yuh fi dis mi, I'm the star of the show
People have no right to disrespect the artist when he is the main attraction.
I'm a movie star and the world done know
The singer is not only a music artist but also is popular for his appearances in movies.
I'm the king rapper dancehall disco
The artist is a king in the music genres of rap, dancehall, and disco.
I'm not a groupie, well I'm just solo
The artist is not someone who is dependent on others, and can take care of himself alone.
Pull it mi selector waan yuh tek it down low
The artist wants the DJ to lower the music's tempo for a moment.
Come all my fans let mi tell yuh what mi know
The artist is addressing his fans directly and is ready to share his knowledge with them.
Why the girls really love Beenie Man (Beenie)
Beenie Man is wondering why girls are such big fans of his.
Mi and mi girls a flex through Ontario
The artist and his girlfriends are enjoying each other's company in the Canadian province of Ontario.
Drinking Alozane, driving the limo
The artist and his friends are drinking Alozane, a beverage, and are driving in a limousine.
Ohh, gee, ahh, let's go
The singer is excited and eager to continue the fun.
How yuh fi dis mi when I'm no jigalo
People should respect the artist and not slander him by calling him a gigolo.
Mi and mi friend Future Troubles flexing hi-pro
Beenie Man and Future Troubles, his friend, are enjoying themselves drinking the alcoholic drink 'Hi-Pro'.
Mi hear a knock pon mi door
The artist hears a knock on his door.
When mi look out nuh Suzanne and Flo
When the artist looks out the door, he doesn't see the people he was expecting (Suzanne and Flo).
Whem mi si weh dem a carry well mi interest grow
When the artist sees what the expected guests are carrying, his interest grows.
Like a cupid a so mi fire mi arrow
The artist feels like Cupid, firing his love arrow.
Bup she get it down inna de burrow
The person he is referring to gets hurt by the insult, like a rabbit in a burrow.
Oh cho, a so di punch line go
This is just how the final line goes, with a witty punchline.
[Chorus 1]
The song's first chorus repeats to drive home the idea that little has changed.
[Chorus 2]
The song ends with the chorus repeating again to emphasize how negative rumors and behavior can affect someone's life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOBBY BROWN, GENE GRIFFIN, TEDDY RILEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lifetimeechoes5475
2020 this still one of the sickest track in danchall slash hip hop,this is how big this artist was and still is big busta rhymes!!,
@lloydbailey9304
We were
@stephannie9118
The best of the 90s big up Beenie Man!!!!! 2022
@melissa-annesimon3386
I born 1990❤😊best time era ever❤🇹🇹
@issuesandanswere
2023 & I'm still listening 💯
@Makonen442
Twiggy’s back ground vocals is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@lg7879
Wicked
@dwaynefrater5267
2023 still a listen song still sound fresh
@zandaett7831
Mad tune 2022 🔥🔥🔥🔥
@millermarcus7588
This a jam right here