His stagename stemmed from his large ears, which led to the nickname Dumbo in his youth. "Ele" started out his musical career as a member of the Scare Dem Crew, later continuing as a solo artist. He was later characterized for several trademarks, such as his yellow-orange hair, his unique low-key voice, or his stage performance, which included excessive jumping and running, or even climbing on stage props and monitors. His acoustic trademark is marked by a light lisp.
The first international recognition came when Elephant Man and Puma settled a contract for using his single "All Out" for their Olympics commercial campaign in 2004.
Elephant Man has been widely criticised for his lyrics calling for violence against gay people. In 2003 British LBGT group OutRage! called for the arrest and prosecution of several dancehall stars including Elephant Man, Bounty Killer and Beenie Man for violation of hate crimes statutes [1]
Elephant Man also had a song called "Willie Bounce" that appeared on several Mixtapes in early 2006. It borrowed the first few bars from I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor.
Recently, the Jamaican star has been signed to New York-based label Bad Boy Entertainment.
Making Money
Elephant Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shizzle, shankle my nankle (Shizzle) I'm sendin this one out to
Di ghetto yute inna capankle
My greater cake of ghetto yutes I caan believe
They don't give di ghetto yutes dem no props
Elephant Man tell dem seh so fight dat, hmmmm!!!!
[Chorus:]
Dem makin money, and actin funny, a dem go dunny, and come a ball
[Verse 1:]
Alright, man bruk man diss man war
Siddung everyday wid mi hand pon mi jaw
Yeah, wah dem waan mi fi tun outlaw
When a money man waan money man waan wuy
Big dance I keep dung a Rema
Mi a go yuh know black girl weh yuh seh yuh nah
Dun wid di slackness pon di corner
cau a money man waan money man waan wuy
Mat a lock cau I'm a free zone
Dun rich already so mi waan fi mi own
Apartment come get ghetto yute fi own wid mi gal to mi nah live alone
No!!! Dem a roll up deep inna di zone
Cadillac wid twenty three inch chrome
Meanwhile dem a flop mi hustle my own
Cau mi waan money nuff and pile up like stone
Bathroom french tile sink chrome
Mi a skin deh deh if yuh just fi nah break nuh bone
Have some eat man fi know I gone known
Fi di fassy dem out deh waan tek my own
[Chorus:]
Dem makin money, and actin funny, a dem go dunny, and come a ball
Dem makin money, and actin funny, a dem go dunny, and come a ball
[Verse 2:]
Yuh caan sleep dem already above law
Tell yuh friend dem I got di Quickdraw Mcgraw
Mi pick a differebt coat so mi know weh mi waan
Weh mi waan money man waan money man waan
A nuff a dem tink mi woulda draw fi mi gun
Hold di faith neva give up till di money come
See dem now mi caan afford mi own easter bun
John John bring a piece of cheese come!!!
Who!!! Mi!!! I would neva let my kids dung
Before mi do dat mi woulda prefer job dun
Nah mek dem scrape nuh pot nuh bun bun
Fi nuh liberty go buss like nuh gun
No!!! Riverton dat a every ghetto yute mall
Badmind dat a some a dem downfall
Big up every hustler pon di corner wid a stall
More money!!!! Poor people call
Alright, memba anytime yuh rich yuh nah fi switch
Memba di yute dem weh roll inna yuh click
My yute dat yuh neva mek a be yuh ditch
Load di shots dem lyrically
[Chorus:]
Dem makin money, and actin funny, a dem go dunny, and come a ball
Dem makin money, and actin funny, a dem go dunny, and come a ball
One two, makin money, and actin funny, a dem go dunny, fassy dem a ball
Dem makin money, and actin funny, a dem go dunny, and come a ball
[Repeat Verse 1 ]
[Repeat Chorus]
[Repeat Verse 2 till end]
The lyrics to Elephant Man's song "Making Money" revolve around the theme of financial success and the criticism and judgment that comes with it. The song speaks to the experiences of individuals in the ghetto who strive to make money and improve their lives, only to face ridicule and negativity from others.
The opening lines of the song express Elephant Man's dedication to the people in the ghetto, acknowledging their struggles and lack of recognition. He encourages them to fight against the doubters and naysayers.
The chorus reiterates the notion of individuals making money and acting funny, suggesting that they are quick to abandon their roots and change their behavior. However, Elephant Man emphasizes that these individuals will eventually face consequences and come to regret their actions.
In the first verse, Elephant Man addresses those who criticize his lifestyle and choices. He highlights his participation in big dances (events) and his desire to be with a black girl. He dismisses the slackness (carelessness) found on street corners and expresses his determination to accumulate wealth. Elephant Man presents himself as someone who has already achieved some level of wealth but is still striving for more.
The second verse emphasizes Elephant Man's adherence to the law and his refusal to let his children suffer. He mentions faith and the importance of not giving up until money is obtained. He also criticizes those who choose to scrape pots and burn bridges instead of pursuing economic independence. He mentions the Riverton area, which is associated with poverty, and highlights the downfall of those who engage in envy and badmindedness.
Overall, "Making Money" is a song that empowers those in the ghetto who fight for financial stability and independence and criticizes those who abandon their roots for personal gain.
Line by Line Meaning
Shizzle, shankle my nankle (Shizzle) I'm sendin this one out to Di ghetto yute inna capankle
Listen up, I'm dedicating this song to the young people in the ghetto
My greater cake of ghetto yutes I caan believe They don't give di ghetto yutes dem no props
I can't believe they don't give the young people in the ghetto any recognition
Elephant Man tell dem seh so fight dat, hmmmm!!!!
I'm here to tell them to stand up and fight against this injustice
Dem makin money, and actin funny, a dem go dunny, and come a ball
They're making money, but they're being deceitful and eventually end up in trouble
Alright, man bruk man diss man war Siddung everyday wid mi hand pon mi jaw
Someone insults me, it leads to conflicts, and I'm constantly on guard
Yeah, wah dem waan mi fi tun outlaw When a money man waan money man waan wuy
They want me to become an outlaw, but when it comes to making money, they understand
Big dance I keep dung a Rema Mi a go yuh know black girl weh yuh seh yuh nah
I'm hosting a big party in Rema, and you know I'm looking for a dark-skinned girl
Dun wid di slackness pon di corner cau a money man waan money man waan wuy
I'm done with the nonsense on the street corner because, at the end of the day, I need to make money
Mat a lock cau I'm a free zone Dun rich already so mi waan fi mi own
I have everything secured because I'm already wealthy, now I want something of my own
Apartment come get ghetto yute fi own wid mi gal to mi nah live alone
I want to get an apartment for myself and my girlfriend, so I don't have to live alone
No!!! Dem a roll up deep inna di zone Cadillac wid twenty-three-inch chrome
They're showing off, driving flashy cars with large chrome rims
Meanwhile dem a flop mi hustle my own Cau mi waan money nuff and pile up like stone
While they're failing in their endeavors, I'm focused on my own hustle and want to accumulate wealth
Bathroom french tile sink chrome Mi a skin deh deh if yuh just fi nah break nuh bone
Even in the bathroom, I maintain my stylish appearance, and I won't harm anyone
Have some eat man fi know I gone known Fi di fassy dem out deh waan tek my own
Certain individuals need to understand that I'm always one step ahead, and the jealous ones want to take what's mine
Yuh caan sleep dem already above law Tell yuh friend dem I got di Quickdraw Mcgraw
You can't underestimate them; they're already above the law. Let your friends know that I'm quick to react
Mi pick a different coat so mi know weh mi waan Weh mi waan money man waan money man waan
I choose a different path because I know what I want, and it's money that I desire
A nuff a dem tink mi woulda draw fi mi gun Hold di faith neva give up till di money come
Many of them expected me to resort to violence, but I hold my faith and won't give up until I achieve financial success
See dem now mi caan afford mi own easter bun John John bring a piece of cheese come!!!
Look at them now, I can easily afford my own luxuries while they bring me small offering of money
Who!!! Mi!!! I would neva let my kids dung Before mi do dat mi woulda prefer job dun
I would never let my children suffer. I would rather lose my job than allow that to happen
Nah mek dem scrape nuh pot nuh bun bun Fi nuh liberty go buss like nuh gun
I won't let anyone struggle or go hungry. Instead, I want them to experience freedom and success
No!!! Riverton dat a every ghetto yute mall Badmind dat a some a dem downfall
Riverton is like a mall for the people in the ghetto, but envy is the downfall of some individuals
Big up every hustler pon di corner wid a stall More money!!!! Poor people call
Shout out to every hustler on the street corner with a street stall. Let's make more money and improve the lives of the less fortunate
Alright, memba anytime yuh rich yuh nah fi switch Memba di yute dem weh roll inna yuh click
Remember, when you become successful, you shouldn't change. Remember the young people who are part of your group
My yute dat yuh neva mek a be yuh ditch Load di shots dem lyrically
My young friend, don't leave them behind. Express yourself and make a powerful impact with your lyrics
One two, makin money, and actin funny, a dem go dunny, fassy dem a ball
They're making money and acting foolish, but eventually, they'll fail and be full of regret
Dem makin money, and actin funny, a dem go dunny, and come a ball
They're making money, but their actions are questionable, leading them to failure and regret
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lloyd James, O'Neil Bryan, Victan Edmund
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind