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.
Street Life
Beenie Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And apologize to your woman, ya star
The amount of ting when you put her through
Rock this!
When a girl cry 'cause of you
Not one ting you can say or do
No matter what you want to do
First you find it hard to speak (true)
Girl straight out make a brother weak
Killing me softly every time
And all that I can be
[Chorus]
On the street just ballin'
Girls have been callin'
Drop top fallin'
Brothers keep rollin'
Livin' nothing but a street life (street life)
On the street just ballin'
Girls have been callin'
Drop top fallin'
Brothers keep rollin'
Livin' nothing but a street life (street life)
For all the troubles I brought ya
For all the time that you cried
Baby for that I apologize (apologize)
For all the time that I've hurt ya
For bringing tears to your eye
Baby for that I apologize (apologize)
Well I can see it in your eyes
No telling you no lies
Girl I did you wrong
You'll never find another guy
So this is what we got to do
Make a family 'cause it's true
Girl you are a part of me
My heart belongs to you
Cause I can see it in your eyes
No telling you no lies
Girl I did you wrong
You'll never find another guy
This is what we got to do
Make a family 'cause it's true
Girl you are a part of me
My heart belongs to you now
[Chorus: x2]
Do you understand the feeling when I'm feeling
When I tell you how I'm feeling
When I'm feeling that way
Can't get over how you make everything better girl
When you are around me you bring joy to my day
Don't know what I will do without you in my life
I don't give a damn about what people want to say
All I'm saying that (what)
This is where I'm at (at)
And I'd do anything to make you stay
[Chorus: x2]
The song "Street Life" by Beenie Man covers the topic of apologizing to a woman after having put her through a lot of troubles. The lyrics paint a picture of a man regretting his actions and acknowledging the pain he has caused his partner. He speaks of the difficulty in finding the right words to say to make amends, and the realization that some mistakes can never truly be undone. The chorus depicts the street life and the various events that come with it, such as girls calling and brothers rolling in drop tops. The lyrics reflect a desire to move past the mistakes of the past and focus on building a family with the partner.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, sometimes you have to just be a man
There are times when one needs to step up and be responsible.
And apologize to your woman, ya star
It takes a real man to apologize to his woman.
The amount of ting when you put her through
The level of difficult situations you've put her through.
When a girl cry 'cause of you
When you're the cause of a girl's tears.
Not one ting you can say or do
You can't undo what you've done.
Make any man go change his mind
Even the toughest man will reconsider his actions.
No matter what you want to do
Regardless of what you might want.
First you find it hard to speak (true)
At first, it's very difficult to express your feelings.
Girl straight out make a brother weak
A girl can make a man vulnerable.
Killing me softly every time
Your actions are emotionally draining.
And all that I can be
This is the best that I can do.
On the street just ballin'
Having a good time on the streets.
Girls have been callin'
Women are trying to get your attention.
Drop top fallin'
Driving around in a convertible car.
Brothers keep rollin'
Your companions continue to have a good time.
Livin' nothing but a street life (street life)
This is a life of adventure on the streets.
For all the troubles I brought ya
I apologize for all the difficulties I've caused you.
For all the time that you cried
I apologize for all the times you've cried.
Baby for that I apologize (apologize)
I am sorry for my actions.
For all the time that I've hurt ya
I apologize for all the times I've hurt you.
For bringing tears to your eye
I apologize for making you cry.
Well I can see it in your eyes
I can tell by looking at you.
No telling you no lies
I'm not lying to you.
Girl I did you wrong
I was the one who made mistakes.
You'll never find another guy
I am the only one for you.
So this is what we got to do
This is what we need to do.
Make a family 'cause it's true
Let's start a family because it's the right thing to do.
Girl you are a part of me
You are a significant part of my life.
My heart belongs to you
I am devoted to you.
Do you understand the feeling when I'm feeling
Do you comprehend my emotions?
When I tell you how I'm feeling
When I express my feelings.
When I'm feeling that way
When I feel this way.
Can't get over how you make everything better girl
I can't help but feel better when you're around.
When you are around me you bring joy to my day
You consistently bring happiness to my life.
Don't know what I will do without you in my life
I can't imagine living without you.
I don't give a damn about what people want to say
I am not concerned with others' opinions.
All I'm saying that (what)
I'm trying to say that.
This is where I'm at (at)
This is my current location.
And I'd do anything to make you stay
I am willing to do anything to keep you by my side.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Mikkel Eriksen, Moses Davis, Dave Kelly, Tor Hermansen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind