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.
One way
Busy Signal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some a run down fame
Nuff a dem a just wanna be star
Nah grudge dem cause me have my life
A me say healtn and strength over everything
Busy, yow dwag
Me see it thru me lens
Nuff a dem bend up fi Benz
Nuff a dem twist up fi Bimmer
Wahhh, but no boy caah walk pon my one way
Me say oh no no no, nuh day
And noboy caah make me sell my soul
Caah me know weh me know
Can't pinch me fi no hennessy
Can't tickle me fi tiqula
Don't falla dem go inna some lane weh you nuh fit inna
See dem a trace liquor
Den a trace like a Prisilla
No boy caah wrap me up like no rizzla
Streets no easy but me perfer work hard till me make it
Nah cross certain line just fi get it
So big up every yutes foundation you fi set it
As a militant soldier when you stepping
Me see it thru me lens
Nuff a dem bend up fi Benz
Fi a drinks or a dinner
Nuff a dem twist up fi Bimmer
Wahhh, but no boy caah walk pon my one way
Me say oh no no no, nuh day
And noboy caah make me sell my soul
Caah me know weh me know
Some boy a pose with things weh a nuh fi dem
Me nuh know which part dem medz deh fi dem
Real yutes nah watch nobody pocket
But some boy a hype a road and we nuh see dem
Chat a bag a things bout money, bout, house, bout car
Never see dem do no work at all
Me perfer straight and a live inna zinc up house
Than a shake thru a press button gate dog
Me see it thru me lens
Nuff a dem bend up fi Benz
Fi a drinks or a dinner
Nuff a dem twist up fi Bimmer
Wahhh, but no boy caah walk pon my one way
Me say oh no no no, nuh day
And noboy caah make me sell my soul
Caah me know weh me know
See dem a hype with money and clothes and Car
Some a run down fame
Nuff a dem a just wanna be star
Nah grudge dem cause me have my life
A me say healtn and strength over everything
Busy, yow dwag
Me see it thru me lens
Nuff a dem bend up fi Benz
Fi a drinks or a dinner
Nuff a dem twist up fi Bimmer
Wahhh, but no boy caah walk pon my one way
Me say oh no no no, nuh day
And noboy caah make me sell my soul
Caah me know weh me know
Yow Dog...
In Busy Signal’s song “One Way,” the Jamaican artist comments on the glamorous lifestyles displayed by some individuals that he encounters. He acknowledges that he does not envy their lives and is happy with his own life. Busy Signal encourages listeners to focus on their own health and strength as opposed to being mired in material possessions, and compares these individuals' desire for fame to his own desire to make music. He has no problem with those who want to live a certain way as long as they do not try to impose on him and steer him away from his own values. Busy Signal then delves into his personal decisions for how he wants to live his life, choosing to work hard and stay true to certain values instead of taking shortcuts to achieve success.
Line by Line Meaning
See dem a hype with money and clothes and Car
I observe people showing off with their wealth and material possessions
Some a run down fame
Some people are desperate for attention and recognition
Nuff a dem a just wanna be star
Many people just want to become famous without putting in the necessary effort or talent
Nah grudge dem cause me have my life
I don't envy them because I am happy with my own life
A me say healtn and strength over everything
I prioritize health and wellbeing above all else
Busy, yow dwag
Hey, my friend
Me see it thru me lens
I view everything through my own perspective
Nuff a dem bend up fi Benz
Many people are working hard to afford a Mercedes-Benz
Fi a drinks or a dinner
For a night out or a fancy meal
Nuff a dem twist up fi Bimmer
Many people are striving to own a BMW
Wahhh, but no boy caah walk pon my one way
No one can force me to follow their path or influence my choices
Me say oh no no no, nuh day
I refuse to comply, not now, not ever
And noboy caah make me sell my soul
No one can buy my integrity or principles for any price
Caah me know weh me know
Because I know what I stand for
Can't pinch me fi no hennessy
No one can tempt or bribe me with Hennessy
Can't tickle me fi tiqula
No one can coax me with Tequila
Don't falla dem go inna some lane weh you nuh fit inna
Don't follow others down a path that doesn't suit you
See dem a trace liquor
I see them obsessing over alcohol
Den a trace like a Prisilla
And acting immature like a child
No boy caah wrap me up like no rizzla
No one can manipulate or control me like a rolling paper wrap
Streets no easy but me perfer work hard till me make it
I know life is tough, but I would rather work hard until I succeed
Nah cross certain line just fi get it
I won't compromise my morals or values just to achieve success
So big up every yutes foundation you fi set it
I encourage every young person to establish a solid foundation for themselves
As a militant soldier when you stepping
Be firm and disciplined when you move forward
Some boy a pose with things weh a nuh fi dem
Some people pretend to own things that don't belong to them
Me nuh know which part dem medz deh fi dem
I don't know where they got their lies from
Real yutes nah watch nobody pocket
True young people don't concern themselves with other people's money
But some boy a hype a road and we nuh see dem
But some people show off without having anything to show for it
Chat a bag a things bout money, bout, house, bout car
They talk a lot about money, houses, and cars
Never see dem do no work at all
But I never see them working hard for anything
Me perfer straight and a live inna zinc up house
I prefer to live modestly in a house made of corrugated metal
Than a shake thru a press button gate dog
Instead of pretending to be wealthy with an automatic gate
Yow Dog...
Hey friend...
Contributed by Lucas P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@kasiryejulius5394
Im leaving this comment for my grand children who will be here by 2050 wen im gone. Grand children Busy signal was one of the best artists of my generation.
@alexebnks
I agree with you 150%
@kingaiden5115
Atrue date me Breddah
@thejourneyahead1257
💯% Bzy!
@tinkstylez1way
2nd this 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼💥💥💥
@charliemccann806
Bro 27 years ain't far off stay alive to show them comment yourself
@moureenchebet3566
Been playing this song on repeat this week...what a hit🎵🎶😎
@ohenebenggeorge2570
I've said it before and will say it again, As Busy as him get, him never lose his Signal
@hafizouedraogo5750
mi love dat.Big ups
@Greg12839
He's very good