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.
Never Been Down
Beenie Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
D.J. wha dig up mi excurvation
So mi sid-dung and mi rock about
I have to wonder what some D.J. thinking about
Well, go ahead and mek yu own preparation
If yu feel sey yu can dis badman, not physical
But lyrical yu go dis Beenie Man
And mek mi fans det mad
If yu rascine yu dead anyways
And don't think for a minute, you are on my mind
Black wizard don't care what yu talk about
As long as yu know sey a mi run di route
Yu dis Beenie Man and mi fans ago carry yu out, old scout
[Chorus]
I've never been down, well done
I've never been out, swell down
And I've never hit rock bottom
So yu stay deh gwaan talk off yu mouth
God knows I'm moving strong, sing along
So I've never hit rock bottom so yu fi
Hear weh Shocking Vibes a talk bout
Aah sid-dung and relax, and mi tek things wid ease
Dem never know sey Indian a Black a cross breed
Mi affi wonder what some guy believe
Yu deserve all a strapping little mout a massy speak
Fool, yu si mi face, mi look simple yu no mi
Yu neva know a Indian scamie grow mi
But through mi defend di apache I
Some idiot hear man argument a clss man as guy
But don't matter which form a any D.J.
If yu dis rascine yu dead anyways
And don't think for a minute, you are on my mind
Aquaman don't care what yu talk about
As long as yu know sey a mi run di route
Yu dis Beenie Man and mi fans dem a go carry yu out
Old scout
[Chorus]
Aah mi preach and warn, and tell dem mi tell
Dem mi a veteran
Some little fool want come dis foundation
But yu nu respect all yu mom and dad
Through yu get up everyday and yu a preach how yu bad
But duppy done know a who dem fi frighteh
But if yu ever mek mi draw fi mi bible
Well two psalms mi a go read fi yu
Well mi nu stop lick out bad mind from certion people
But don't matter which form a any D.J.
If yu dis Alley Cat yu dead anyways
And don't think for a minute you're on my mind
Shocking Vibes don't care what yu talk about
As long as yu know sey a mi run di route
Yu dis Beenie Man and mi fans ago carry yu out
Old scout
[Chorus: x2]
Aah sid-dung and plan and mi dig mi foundation
D.J. wha dig up mi excurvation
So mi sid-dung and mi rock about
I have to wonder what some D.J. thinking about
Well, go ahead and mek yu own preparation
If yu feel sey yu can dis badman, not physical
But lyrical yu go dis Beenie Man
And mek mi fans det mad
But don't matter which form a D.J.
If yu rascine yu dead anyways
And don't think for a minute, you are on my mind
Black wizard don't care what yu talk about
As long as yu know sey a mi run di route
Yu dis Beenie Man and mi fans ago carry yu out, old scout
The lyrics of "Never Been Down" by Beenie Man convey a sense of confidence and superiority as he talks about his success and how he has "never hit rock bottom." He also addresses his detractors and warns them not to underestimate him or his fans' loyalty. The chorus repeats the message of strength and resilience, highlighting that Beenie Man has never been down or out despite any challenges he may have faced.
In the verses, Beenie Man boasts of his Indian and Black heritage and how he has built his foundation on his own efforts. He also criticizes those who try to discredit him and states that anyone who disrespects him or his fans will face consequences. The lyrics suggest that Beenie Man believes in keeping a strong reputation and not allowing anyone to bring him down, both physically and lyrically.
Overall, the song is a testament to Beenie Man's career, as he had already established himself as a top dancehall artist by the time "Never Been Down" was released. The lyrics show that he is not afraid to challenge his rivals and draw attention to his accomplishments.
Line by Line Meaning
Aah sid-dung and plan and mi dig mi foundation
I sat down and planned carefully, laying a strong foundation for my career.
D.J. wha dig up mi excurvation
But then some DJ came and tried to uncover my past mistakes and embarrassments.
So mi sid-dung and mi rock about
So I just stayed calm and continued doing my thing.
I have to wonder what some D.J. thinking about
I couldn't help but wonder what this DJ was trying to achieve.
Well, go ahead and mek yu own preparation
If you think you can take me on, then go ahead and prepare yourself.
If yu feel sey yu can dis badman, not physical
If you think you can take me on, not physically but through words.
But lyrical yu go dis Beenie Man
You think you can defeat me through your lyrics.
And mek mi fans det mad
And you're willing to face the wrath of my fans.
But don't matter which form a D.J.
It doesn't matter who you are as a DJ.
If yu rascine yu dead anyways
If you disrespect me, you'll be finished.
And don't think for a minute, you are on my mind
Don't think for a second that you occupy my thoughts.
Black wizard don't care what yu talk about
I don't care what you have to say.
As long as yu know sey a mi run di route
As long as you know that I'm in charge.
Yu dis Beenie Man and mi fans ago carry yu out, old scout
If you disrespect me, my fans will show you the door.
[Chorus] I've never been down, well done I've never been out, swell down And I've never hit rock bottom So yu stay deh gwaan talk off yu mouth God knows I'm moving strong, sing along So I've never hit rock bottom so yu fi Hear weh Shocking Vibes a talk bout
I've never experienced a downfall or hit rock bottom. So keep running your mouth while I continue to thrive. God knows I'm strong and moving forward. So listen to what Shocking Vibes has to say about it.
Aah sid-dung and relax, and mi tek things wid ease
I sit back and relax, taking things easy.
Dem never know sey Indian a Black a cross breed
People don't know that I'm of Indian and Black heritage.
Mi affi wonder what some guy believe
I can't help but wonder what some people believe.
Yu deserve all a strapping little mout a massy speak
You deserve a good spanking for the nonsense coming out of your mouth.
Fool, yu si mi face, mi look simple yu no mi
You're a fool if you think I'm so easy to beat just by looking at my face.
Yu neva know a Indian scamie grow mi
You never knew that I was raised with Indian culture and traditions.
But through mi defend di apache I
But even though I defend my Indian heritage.
Some idiot hear man argument a clss man as guy
Some ignorant people argue that anyone who doesn't dress or speak a certain way is not a 'real' man.
If yu dis rascine yu dead anyways
If you disrespect me, you'll be finished anyway.
Aquaman don't care what yu talk about
I don't care about your opinions.
As long as yu know sey a mi run di route
Just know that I'm in charge.
Yu dis Beenie Man and mi fans dem a go carry yu out Old scout
If you disrespect me, my fans will kick you out.
[Chorus x2]
I've never hit rock bottom and will continue to thrive. So keep talking while I succeed.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind