Adjei grew up on the "infamous" Broadwater Farm housing estate in Tottenham. He is of Ghanaian origin. His moniker derives from a childhood nickname due to his head's resemblance to a 50p coin. He first began rapping in his early teens, though only began focusing on it after his first release from prison.
He began releasing music in the early 2010s under the name Headz, including as part of a group named Star Gang. In 2014 he released his only mixtape under that alias, titled "Headz or Tails." Also part of Star Gang was fellow Tottenham rapper RV - he and Headie One became frequent collaborators, including co-releasing the mixtapes Sticks & Stones (2016) and Drillers x Trappers (2017). Together they formed part of OFB, a drill crew based in the Broadwater Farm estate.
In February 2018, he released his next solo mixtape as Headie One, titled The One. This included "Know Better" with RV, which became an "underground hit". In May he was featured on "Missing", a Belly Squad track that peaked at number 84 on the UK Singles Chart. This was followed by another solo mixtape, The One Two, in June 2018, which entered the UK Albums Chart at number 32.
In January 2019, his single "18HUNNA", featuring Dave, entered the UK chart at number 6 - the highest a UK drill artist has ever charted. In March he released his sixth mixtape, and third with RV, Drillers x Trappers II. It entered the UK Albums Chart at number 21. "Match Day", the first single from the mixtape, entered the Singles Chart at number 86. On 25th July 2019, Headie One released the official YouTube video for his 'Rubbery Bandz' single.
18HUNNA
Headie One Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
4 and a half in the bando, profit oh-so lovely
169
18 hunna for the new rusty
Man grab it and kick it like rugby
I was in the T house, head back dusty
Still waking up to nudes in country
Profit oh so lovely
My little bro shitted out the pack and flushed it
Tell me how he could be so clumsy?
These bad b's coming to the niz
They don't really love me, but they love me
From qway, been doing up opps
Yeah, swear man down more sales than Gumtree
If I get me that drop, it won't be nuttin' like Humptys
Backdoor bus, we could get dumpy
These opps can't never get comfy
Heart of a lion
Skenged up for the field cah I might buck me a python
Snakes in the grass, I don't know who's preeing on my ting
Still gotta keep money on my mindset
Losing weight all last year and I ain't ever been on no diet
Shh-shh got shh, all bait
All now gang gotta keep that one quiet
Half asleep last night, I done a night shift
I couldn't even count those tenners and fivers
I was fifteen stepping, stressing out cab drivers
Skengs in the wiz, no licence
I know fu-, I know full well where the 9 is
You can't talk about riding
18 hunna for the new rusty
Man grab it and kick it like rugby
I was in the T house, head back dusty
Still waking up to nudes in country
Four and a half in the bando
Profit oh so lovely
My little bro shitted out the pack and flushed it
Tell me how he could be so clumsy?
These bad b's coming to the niz
They don't really love me, but they love me
From qway, been doing up opps
Yeah, swear man down more sales than Gumtree
If I get me that drop, it won't be nuttin' like Humptys
Backdoor bus, we could get dumpy
These opps can't never get comfy
Look, no composure
Still flip like Motorolas
Diss me I'm phoning bro up
Hop into the oldest motor
My west ting want to leave me but I told her I need three weeks notice
Don't listen to them, they're loafers
We got beef with them man's olders
Olders, Hocus Pocus
Eyes all rolling back, gotta tap that face like babes, stay focused
We ain't ever had no-
You see most of my G's got birded, that's why I've still gotta watch for the vultures
Somalis I roll with, so it's akhi on the side like salt fish
Literally, mans been tryna make history
But my little nigga in the ends and he's still tryna turn man history
I've got twins in Leicester both tryna say that they're into me
But they ain't getting no ring from me, that's Pot Noodles and Indomie
So, man just put dick in her belly
That girl got a big back like tellys in two double 0 five, man's not ready
My Somali called Ali, not Dele
That girl wasn't worthy of the bedroom, my brudda, she got touched on the settee
Man came in heavy
You know what it is, it's Dave and Headie
18 hunna for the new rusty
Man grab it and kick it like rugby
I was in the T house, head back dusty
Still waking up to nudes in country
Four and a half in the bando
Profit oh so lovely
My little bro shitted out the pack and flushed it
Tell me how he could be so clumsy?
These bad b's coming to the niz
They don't really love me, but they love me
From qway, been doing up opps
Yeah, swear man down more sales than Gumtree
If I get me that drop, it won't be nuttin' like humpty's
Backdoor bus, we could get dumpy
These opps can't never get comfy
169
The lyrics to Headie One’s song “18HUNNA” vividly capture life in the gritty streets of London as described by a young man who is caught up in a life of crime. The repeated refrain “18 hunna” refers to a type of gun – the AK-47, which the rapper uses to describe his dangerous and armed lifestyle. The lines “Man grab it and kick it like rugby / I was in the T house, head back dusty” are references to his drug dealing activity, with “T house” being a frequently-used term for a drug house, and “head back dusty” conveying the exhausting and risky nature of his work.
The rapper also highlights the tension within his community, with “From qway, been doing up opps / Yeah, swear man down more sales than Gumtree” referring to the prevalence of gang violence and the competitive nature of drug dealing. The sense of pressure and danger is further emphasised through lyrics such as “Heart of a lion / Skenged up for the field cah I might buck me a python”, indicating a readiness to do whatever it takes to survive.
The song also touches on the personal struggles that come with this lifestyle, with “Losing weight all last year and I ain't ever been on no diet” describing the toll that the rapper’s work is taking on his mental and physical health. Overall, the lyrics to “18HUNNA” offer a raw glimpse into the harsh realities of life in London’s inner city, and the challenges that young men face trying to make a living.
Line by Line Meaning
18 hunna for the new rusty
Paying 1800 for a new gun
Man grab it and kick it like rugby
Man quickly taking and handling the gun
I was in the T house, head back dusty
I was in a trap house, tired and dirty
Still waking up to nudes in country
Still receiving naked pictures from girls in the countryside
Four and a half in the bando
Having 4 and a half kilograms of drugs in the hideout
Profit oh so lovely
Making a lot of money from selling drugs
My little bro shitted out the pack and flushed it
My younger brother defecated on the drugs and threw them away
Tell me how he could be so clumsy?
Asking how my brother could be so careless
These bad b's coming to the niz
These attractive women are visiting the area
They don't really love me, but they love me
These women are not genuinely in love with me but are infatuated
From qway, been doing up opps
Been dealing drugs and committing crimes since young
Yeah, swear man down more sales than Gumtree
I am selling more than what is being sold on Gumtree
If I get me that drop, it won't be nuttin' like humpty's
If I get what I want, it won't be easy like the nursery rhyme 'Humpty Dumpty'
Backdoor bus, we could get dumpy
We could get into a dangerous situation if we enter through the back door
These opps can't never get comfy
These rivals can never feel comfortable because of the danger they face
Heart of a lion
Having the courage of a lion
Skenged up for the field cah I might buck me a python
Armed and ready for the streets as there might be unexpected danger
Snakes in the grass, I don't know who's preeing on my ting
There are potential enemies hiding amongst us and I do not know who is watching me
Still gotta keep money on my mindset
Money is constantly on my mind and a top priority
Losing weight all last year and I ain't ever been on no diet
I am losing weight due to the stress and danger of the lifestyle and not from a diet
Shh-shh got shh, all bait
Being careful to keep our activities and plans secret
All now gang gotta keep that one quiet
The gang must still keep their secrets safe
Half asleep last night, I done a night shift
I only slept for a short time last night as I was working a night shift
I couldn't even count those tenners and fivers
I made so much money that it was difficult to count them
I was fifteen stepping, stressing out cab drivers
I was dealing drugs and causing trouble in the streets at a young age
Skengs in the wiz, no licence
Having guns in the car with no license
I know fu-, I know full well where the 9 is
I know where the gun is
You can't talk about riding
You cannot talk about retaliating against our rivals
Look, no composure
I am stressed and anxious
Still flip like Motorolas
I can still handle and sell drugs despite my stress and anxiety
Diss me I'm phoning bro up
If someone disrespects me, I will call my friend for backup
Hop into the oldest motor
Quickly get into the oldest car
My west ting want to leave me but I told her I need three weeks notice
My girlfriend from west London wants to break up with me but I need time to prepare
Don't listen to them, they're loafers
Do not listen to those who are lazy
We got beef with them man's olders
We have a problem with older people from the area
Olders, Hocus Pocus
Referring to older gang members and their magical, hidden powers
Eyes all rolling back, gotta tap that face like babes, stay focused
Having intense and overwhelming emotions, but still need to stay focused
We ain't ever had no-
We have never had anything handed to us
You see most of my G's got birded, that's why I've still gotta watch for the vultures
Many of my friends have been imprisoned, so I still need to be careful of opportunistic enemies
Somalis I roll with, so it's akhi on the side like salt fish
I hang out with Somalis and consider them as brothers, like salt fish is always paired with ackee
Literally, mans been tryna make history
I am trying to make a name for myself in the world
But my little nigga in the ends and he's still tryna turn man history
My younger acquaintance from the area is still involved in making history
I've got twins in Leicester both tryna say that they're into me
I have two women in Leicester who are both interested in me
But they ain't getting no ring from me, that's Pot Noodles and Indomie
I am not interested in marriage or commitment, only in casual relationships
So, man just put dick in her belly
I only want a physical relationship
That girl got a big back like tellys in two double 0 five, man's not ready
The woman has a large behind like in the TV show in 2005, and I am not ready for her
My Somali called Ali, not Dele
My Somali friend's name is Ali, not Dele
That girl wasn't worthy of the bedroom, my brudda, she got touched on the settee
The woman was not good enough for a private sexual encounter and was only touched on the sofa
Man came in heavy
Entering with confidence and strength
You know what it is, it's Dave and Headie
Referring to the collaboration between Dave and Headie One
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID OROBOSA OMOREGIE, IRVING ADJEI, PAUL TYRELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MixtapeMadnessOfficial
Headie is jus suttin else
@user-hz1zl8uv9n
Right....
@eemmaann
MM release a banger pls I’m bored
@danbeatboxerlee966
Trust me
@lordvader602
This shit ona mad one
@Coombzinho11
Attitude at its best!
@FaisalMalik
Dave genuinely never disappoints, elite artist.
@katsuru
I concur
@garyharold3991
funky friday was incredible wym it got to number one and stayed for almost a month
@garyharold3991
and as if stormzys got that much better of a work rate he hasnt put out anything since gang signs and prayer that was almost 2 years ago