Since stepping out onto the dancehall scene in 2003, Busy Signal's undeniable talent and lyrical dexterity has taken him quickly to the front of the pack. Busy's breakout hit single - "Step Out" - was one of dancehall's hottest songs for 2005 and with a thugged-out video to match, it signalled the arrival of dancehall's next superstar.
Busy Signal, an alias given to him by a friend because of his constantly busy persona, has always approached his craft from a different perspective, not trodding the usual road of trying to voice on every rhythm out there to try and catch a break. Instead, Busy chose to record songs with concepts attached to them on purpose-built rhythms. The first such track to catch the attention of a wider audience was "Born and Raised", a song in which Busy Signal reps his birthplace and narrates the gritty realities of Jamaica.
"Even though I was an unknown artist and there was no-one else on the riddim," says Busy, "the track got good airtime which encouraged me to keep doing what I was doing. Producers don't want to give young artists a break more time, so young artists can get stifled. I just work hard on putting creative flows and melodies together and so far people have been feeling it." Already with a big following worldwide, Busy doesn't see his music as stopping in Jamaica. A slew of Busy Signal mix CDs flooded the streets from Halfway Tree to Brixton to Flatbush and beyond, creating and spreading the hype that lead to Busy being the strongest young artist to emerge from 2005.
Busy's self-production and businesslike approach to the industry has seen him already launch his own label, Network Records. The first releases, "Tell Santa Dis" and "Where I'm From" are distributed worldwide and are selling well.
Although Busy didn't rely on familiar rhythms and producers for a break, he has no problem recording for other labels, such as Renaissance, for whom Busy recorded "Not Going Down," showcasing his singing and deejaying abilities. Other tracks from Busy include "Because of You," with Tami Chin on the Throwback Giggy beat, "That Bad," and "Pharmacy" for Don Corleon, "Fade Away" for John John and "Too Much Gun," which sees Busy in explosive form, delivering rapid fire lyrics atop the reworked Man Fi Dead (Petty Thief) soundbed.
The end of 2005 saw Busy Signal garner immense critical success from show-stealing appearances on all the major stage shows across Jamaica, including the Smirnoff Experience alongside Sean Paul, Bobby Valentino and others, as well as Island Explosion, Camp Fire and West Kingston Jamboree. And of course there was the already-legendary debut appearance at 6.45am on the toughest stage in the world - the infamous Sting reggae concert. Busy stepped out in the rising sun adorned in full black and underlined why he is here to stay.
2006 has seen no ease up in Busy's momentum, with a headline grabbing performance at Reggae Sumfest 2006, where he performed solo on Dancehall Night and was also called up by G Unit on International Night. With successful tours of the UK, the Caribbean and Japan already knocked down and with Step Out breaking new ground on the esteemed Billboard chart, Busy is already being heralded as a new icon in the business.
Do The Maths
Busy Signal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Intro: (Bounty Killer & Busy Signal)
Chea! Nah No Mercy! I just gotta say!
We run these blocks! With Maks and techs and glocks! Check yuh facts!
Busy in da fast lane! Bullet! Bullet!
Its Bounty Killa and Busy Signal in da fast game bullet bullet bullet gas spray huh!
Mothafucking niggas should know dont disturbed
Bullets from here till it burst
Wah dem really a deal wid Yoooww! Cross!
Verse: Busy Signal
It was a couple minutes before five
Mi well strap walk out de house wid de .45 (Bullet Bullet!)
Drive off mi 745
Bad boy dis! So mi kill bout 4 to 5
Escape mek a bad drive
Bruk fuel line change mi car but mi nah hide
We deals wa mek de gun rise
Blue steel beat from sun down to sunrise
But if you war like an Al Quaeda
Mi nuh care who dem stand up side a
Jamaican ruffa dan ruff ryda
Mi par one away like a knight rida
Infrared pon yuh forehead buss inna yuh red eye
Yuh can bawl nor beg I
Fassyhole betta fled I
Tru yuh friends and yuh family would dead I
Chorus:
Do de maths
20+2, 30+8, 40+4
Dem bwoy dem a wait
You neva see a mega SLR yet
You neva see me run pon tar
Fassyhole do de maths
40+ 5 dem nah stay a live
.357 create a landslide
Lin chop yuh up like class would chop men
AK leff yuh body inna bin
Verse: Bounty Killer
Well! Da one yuh fi are real thugs
Boy watch yuhself like we are readers
Busy or killa dont par wid scrubs
Strap wid mi guns inna hats outta club
Eva see when mi and a gal a rub a dub
Gal pon mi dick guns pon mi hip
Just in case any boy try flip
Badman nuh lip
Mi hand pon di clip
Oonu dead mi nuh play nasty tall order trip
Badman prepare fi anyting
Me and mi guns dem big tru so anyting
Bwoy a pose wid de gun like a magalin
Gunshot leff yuh breathless like a mannequin Cross!
Chorus:
Do de maths
20+2, 30+8, 40+4
Dem bwoy dem a wait
You neva see a mega SLR yet
You neva see me run pon tar
Fassyhole do de maths
40+ 5 dem nah stay a live
.357 create a landslide
Lin chop yuh up like class would chop men
AK leff yuh body inna bin
Outro: Bounty Killer & Busy Signal
Huh! Wa dem up to
Wa dem a gwaan wid
Dem life a gone way
Wa dem a try
Yow dem die surely bullet bullet!
A tek dem guys
Our guns mek noise dem lose dem life
The lyrics to the song "Do The Maths" by Busy Signal featuring Bounty Killer are a vivid description of the mindset of Jamaican gangsters, their violent lifestyle, and their readiness to shoot and kill anyone who dares to threaten their territory. The first verse describes the singer's casual approach to violence, how he walks out of his house with a .45 gun, kills four or five men, escapes the scene, changes his car, and drives away. He boasts about how he makes the gun rise and beat continuously from dawn to sunrise, indicating that he is always ready for war. He further states that he is not afraid of anyone, not even the terrorists, and if you come against him, you will die.
In the chorus, the song's title "Do The Maths" is repeated and followed by equations to imply that the gangsters' violence is calculated and precise. The lyrics suggest that the gangsters know how to use guns, do the maths, and kill their enemies accurately without any mistakes. The chorus also portrays the violent nature of the gangsters, the use of high-powered weapons, and their willingness to kill anyone who threatens their lives or their business.
Similarly, in the second verse, Bounty Killer takes a turn, describing how real thugs operate. He advises his enemies to watch themselves and avoid messing with him or Busy Signal, who are both armed and ready to shoot. He boasts about his skill and that of his guns, which he carries in his hat when he goes clubbing. He warns his enemies to be prepared for anything because he and his guns are significant, and nothing can stop them. The song's outro is a direct message to the gangsters' enemies, asking them to pay attention to what is happening in their hood, warning them that if they try to cross, their life is over.
Line by Line Meaning
Chea! Nah No Mercy! I just gotta say!
Introduction: Bounty Killer and Busy Signal assert dominance over their rivals.
We run these blocks! With Maks and techs and glocks! Check yuh facts!
Bounty Killer and Busy Signal are in control of the streets and are armed with powerful weapons.
Busy in da fast lane! Bullet! Bullet!
Busy Signal is living life in the fast lane, always ready for action.
Its Bounty Killa and Busy Signal in da fast game bullet bullet bullet gas spray huh!
Bounty Killer and Busy Signal are dangerous speedsters, always on the move and dangerous.
Mothafucking niggas should know dont disturbed
Rivals should not mess with them.
Dem only bad with words
Their rivals may talk big, but they are not actually violent.
Bullets from here till it burst
Bounty Killer and Busy Signal are not afraid to use their guns.
Wah dem really a deal wid Yoooww! Cross!
Their rivals are in for a world of hurt.
It was a couple minutes before five
Busy Signal is setting the scene for a violent confrontation.
Mi well strap walk out de house wid de .45 (Bullet Bullet!)
Busy Signal is carrying a loaded .45 handgun for protection.
Drive off mi 745
He is driving away in a large luxury car.
Bad boy dis! So mi kill bout 4 to 5
Busy Signal has already killed a few people in the past.
Escape mek a bad drive
He has executed another successful escape from the police or rival gangs.
Bruk fuel line change mi car but mi nah hide
Busy Signal is resourceful and repairs his car after it is damaged in a chase, but does not hide from his enemies.
We deals wa mek de gun rise
Busy Signal uses violence and intimidation to gain respect.
Blue steel beat from sun down to sunrise
He is using a powerful firearm through the day and night.
But if you war like an Al Quaeda
Busy Signal is not afraid of terrorists or anyone with similar levels of aggression.
Mi nuh care who dem stand up side a
He does not care about the affiliations or allegiances of his enemies.
Jamaican ruffa dan ruff ryda
Busy Signal is a tough and ruthless person from Jamaica.
Mi par one away like a knight rida
He attacks and defeats his rivals like a brave knight.
Infrared pon yuh forehead buss inna yuh red eye
He aims his infrared sight at the head of his enemy and fires at their eye.
Yuh can bawl nor beg I
His enemies cannot plead or cry for mercy.
Fassyhole betta fled I
They should not mess with him if they want to keep their lives.
Tru yuh friends and yuh family would dead I
Even the family and friends of his enemies are not safe from his wrath.
Well! Da one yuh fi are real thugs
Bounty Killer is addressing his fellow hardcore criminals.
Boy watch yuhself like we are readers
He advises his rivals to be careful and watch their backs because his gang is powerful.
Busy or killa dont par wid scrubs
He and Busy Signal do not associate with weaklings.
Strap wid mi guns inna hats outta club
He carries his guns in his hat when he goes out to clubs.
Eva see when mi and a gal a rub a dub
He enjoys dancing and flirting with women.
Gal pon mi dick guns pon mi hip
He is surrounded by admiring women and is armed with guns at the same time.
Just in case any boy try flip
He is prepared to defend himself against any rival who may make a move on him.
Badman nuh lip
He and Busy Signal are not talkative and prefer to use their guns instead.
Mi hand pon di clip
He always has his guns at the ready.
Oonu dead mi nuh play nasty tall order trip
They will not hesitate to kill anyone who tries to mess with them.
Badman prepare fi anyting
He is ready for anything and well-prepared for any fight.
Me and mi guns dem big tru so anyting
He and his guns are big and powerful enough to handle anything.
Bwoy a pose wid de gun like a magalin
Their rivals may act tough with their guns, but they are not real gangsters.
Gunshot leff yuh breathless like a mannequin Cross!
His gunshots are deadly and can instantly kill someone, leaving them motionless like a mannequin.
Do de maths
This line acts as the chorus, repeating several times throughout the song.
20+2, 30+8, 40+4
These are examples of simple math problems used to symbolize the violent actions of Busy Signal and Bounty Killer's gang.
Dem bwoy dem a wait
Their rivals are waiting for an opportunity or weakness to exploit.
You neva see a mega SLR yet
They are even more dangerous than the mega SLR gun, which is already known for its firepower.
You neva see me run pon tar
They are always on the move and never back down from a fight.
Fassyhole do de maths
Their rivals are foolish and do not understand the consequences of their actions.
40+ 5 dem nah stay a live
Their rivals will not survive if they attempt to fight against them.
.357 create a landslide
The power of the .357 gun can cause irreversible damage.
Lin chop yuh up like class would chop men
They will chop and destroy their enemies like a butcher in a slaughterhouse.
AK leff yuh body inna bin
The deadly AK will kill their rivals and leave their bodies in the trash bin.
Huh! Wa dem up to
Bounty Killer and Busy Signal are taunting their enemies, asking them what they are up to.
Wa dem a gwaan wid
They want to know what their rivals are trying to accomplish.
Dem life a gone way
The lives of their rivals are in danger.
Wa dem a try
They are curious about their rivals' motives.
Yow dem die surely bullet bullet!
Their rivals will definitely die if they keep messing with Bounty Killer and Busy Signal.
A tek dem guys
Their enemies are no match for them and their powerful weapons.
Contributed by Vivian J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bajanellis4400
Still listening in 2020 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>
@cheri425
I really like this song and the beat is amazing!
@gyalist12
BOMBATTT YO.. some gangsta lyrics ah represent alliance
@dajjacrose
madddd tune, mi don dem
@Rocabear
10 chairs, $1200 a piece. You do da maths.
Tick Tock. Gunshot.
@keimel25
RASS!! MADD!!
@KingGrizzlebeard
the bass line reminds me of "Fraggle Rock" .
@Paparazzientourage
lol
@naziershakeem7349
Cross!!!!
@clyvekava1
busy rough dan ah roughrider