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.
Step Out
Busy Signal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Busy
Basically I'm saying (weh yah seh)
Your lyrically inclined to busy signal
Hey (hey) hey (hey)
Testing 1, 3, mi nah test 2
Wat about you
Testing (testing) testing (testing) test..
(Verse 1)
Afta mi step out, inna mi black
Have glock, unda mi throwback
Shot holla pon spot
Badman nuh tek back chat
An, nuff gal a get fuck
A nuh if nor but nor maybe
Gi gal cocky, nine months she get baby
Mi nuh lazy
Alright den
(Hook)
Wuk gal
Buss guns
Smoke weed
Have fun (wah mi do)
Wuk gal
Buss guns
Smoke weed
Count G's
(Verse 2)
Mi a nuh, done bad
Nuh Spongebob
Bwoy dis, end up inna body bag
Toe tag
Escape pon bicycle
Mi don't drive jag
50 get nine shot
3-star gi nine stab
DNA test inna di science lab
Bwoy disrespect
Mi get mi guns fi do a fine job
Tell dem (wah mi do)
Wuk gal
Buss guns
Smoke weed
Have fun (wah mi do)
Wuk gal
Buss guns
Smoke weed
Count G's
Afta mi step out, inna mi black
Have glock, unda mi throwback
Shot holla pon spot
Badman nuh tek back chat
An, nuff gal a get fuck
A nuh if nor but nor maybe
Gi gal cocky, nine months she get baby
Mi nuh lazy
Alright den
Wuk gal
Buss guns
Smoke weed
Have fun (wah mi do)
Wuk gal
Buss guns
Smoke weed
Count G's
(Talking)
Busy
Basically I'm saying
I'm bigging up Bounty Killer (Jagwa, drinking guiness, smoking di chalwa)
Don't you say nothing bad bout di killer
Yow, Ele di dupes (straight)
Mi tell dem straight, yuh know she we a di new recruits
Watch yah nuh, Nado, Bugle, yow Supahype
(Mi tell dem straight inuh watch yah nuh)
Kareem, yard an foreign
Factor, yuh have it lock, like none other
We tell dem straight inuh, watch yah nuh
Yow, Kartel, Sassin, every ting lock in (yuh see it)
Watch yah nuh, Standpipe, Papine, di whole Jamaica
Higher Links, radio personalities, selectors
Straight!
Wuk gal
Buss guns
Smoke weed
Have fun (wah mi do)
Wuk gal
Buss guns
Smoke weed
Count G's
Wah mi do
Wuk gal
Buss guns
Smoke weed
Have fun (wah mi do)
Wuk gal
Buss guns
Smoke weed
Count G's
The lyrics of Busy Signal's song βStep Outβ describes the lifestyle of a gangster who has no fear and does not hesitate to use guns. The opening lines suggest that the song is aimed at those who claim to have the ability to compete with Busy's lyrics. In the first verse, Busy talks about his choice of attire, which always includes a gun hidden under his throwback jersey. He also mentions that he does not tolerate any disrespect from others, especially from women whom he sleeps with. Busy further states that he is always ready to engage in any gun battles without hesitation.
The hook of the song indicates that Busy likes to engage in three activities: sleeping with women, shooting guns, and smoking weed. In the second verse, he asserts his reputation as a bad man who does not hesitate to take someone's life. He mentions that he is not someone to be taken lightly, as he has saved himself from being caught multiple times, and the bodies of those who had threatened him have ended up in the morgue. He emphasizes that he has no mercy when it comes to defending his reputation.
Line by Line Meaning
Basically I'm saying (weh yah seh)
Busy Signal is introducing himself and acknowledging his ability to deliver creative and meaningful lyrics.
Your lyrically inclined to busy signal
Busy Signal is acknowledging his prowess as a lyrically gifted artist.
Hey (hey) hey (hey)
This is just an exclamation sound used to hype up the track.
Testing 1, 3, mi nah test 2, Wat about you, Testing (testing) testing (testing) test.., It's going
Busy Signal is doing a microphone check and testing the sound system before getting into the lyrics. He is basically saying that he's ready to deliver his lines because the setup is okay.
Afta mi step out, inna mi black, Have glock, unda mi throwback, Shot holla pon spot, Badman nuh tek back chat, An, nuff gal a get fuck, A nuh if nor but nor maybe, Gi gal cocky, nine months she get baby, Mi nuh lazy, Alright den
This first verse of the song introduces Busy Signal as a tough and fearless individual. He is saying that after he steps out, he's always armed and ready for action. He is warning anyone who dares to cross his path of the dire consequences, including facing off against his gun. He also claims that he has been with many women and he always ensures that his actions lead to fruitful consequences. He concludes this verse by acknowledging that he is very responsible and hardworking.
Wuk gal Buss guns Smoke weed Have fun (wah mi do) Wuk gal Buss guns Smoke weed Count G's
The hook of the song outlines the four things that Busy Signal does to have fun - sleeping with women, shooting guns, smoking weed, and making money.
Mi a nuh, done bad, Nuh Spongebob, Bwoy dis, end up inna body bag, Toe tag, Escape pon bicycle, Mi don't drive jag, 50 get nine shot, 3-star gi nine stab, DNA test inna di science lab, Bwoy disrespect, Mi get mi guns fi do a fine job, Tell dem (wah mi do)
In the second verse, Busy Signal continues to portray himself as a tough and dangerous person. He says he's not a softie like Spongebob and tells anyone who tries to fight him that they will end up either dead or in a hospital. He implies that he can escape from danger swiftly without needing to use a car. He has had experience with guns, and he concludes by saying that anyone who disrespects him will face the consequences.
Talking, Busy
Busy Signal is about to dedicate a short segment to give shoutouts to some other artists and people that he considers his peers and friends.
Basically I'm saying, I'm bigging up Bounty Killer (Jagwa, drinking guiness, smoking di chalwa), Don't you say nothing bad bout di killer, Yow, Ele di dupes (straight), Mi tell dem straight, yuh know she we a di new recruits, Watch yah nuh, Nado, Bugle, yow Supahype (Mi tell dem straight inuh watch yah nuh), Kareem, yard an foreign, Factor, yuh have it lock, like none other, We tell dem straight inuh, watch yah nuh, Yow, Kartel, Sassin, every ting lock in (yuh see it), Watch yah nuh, Standpipe, Papine, di whole Jamaica, Higher Links, radio personalities, selectors, Straight!
Busy Signal is using this talking segment to give shoutouts to some of his peers and fellow artists in the music industry. He mentions a lot of artists, including Bounty Killer, who is one of his musical inspirations. He is essentially thanking and encouraging all of these artists and calling them to collaborate and support each other.
Wah mi do, Wuk gal Buss guns Smoke weed Have fun (wah mi do) Wuk gal Buss guns Smoke weed Count G's
This line is a repeat of the hook, and it's just emphasizing the things that Busy Signal does for fun.
Contributed by Nora B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Ghanjah-Man
This still hit hard 2022
@MeladoFrancis
2024
@SAINTBROs
This tune was crazy when it just come out
@metalicmuzik8117
This song mad up every dance and club
@joshuagrant5076
Anybody know the longer version of the song in the beginning
@annmariestewart1148
Still ah step out inna 2023!! Always Busyπ₯π₯π₯π₯β€οΈ
@tafaranyika459
1,2 testing
@peterroseway6368
Bring soo much memories
@tashemataylor1725
2023 and it is still great.
@annaemilia6671
The best gangster song π§ ππ