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.
Ain't It Different
Headie One Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Ready for the bump and grind)
(Baby, are you up for this?)
Suh, suh, s-s-s-suh
(Baby, are you up for this?)
Ain't it different? (One) I link my ting in LA
Why I can't fly to the states? 'Cause I got too much convictions (ayy)
'Cause I was in jail up north, runnin' another coalition (turn)
Fresh home, I bought coke and whipped it, I put some roses where my wrist is
You ain't ever made a birthday cake from digestive biscuits (told me turn)
Will have to take lemon juice to my piss test (piss test) (s-s-s-suh)
Everyday I look up to the Lord, give thanks for all this litness (turn, turn, turn, turn)
Come home, fresh out the system, gymnast
Rollin' with smoke on my jones
Pigs want all the camera on me, not the one from dipset (one)
I still can't mix pleasure with business, sorry princess (princess)
I come a long way from broke days (turn, turn)
I got to work and fixed it
Baby, are you up for this?
I am feeling hot tonight
Ready for the bump and grind
Wheel it back and run it one more time, yeah, yeah
Baby, are you up for this? (Ain't it different?)
I am feeling hot tonight (turn, turn, turn, turn)
Ready for the bump and grind
Wheel it back and run it one more time, yeah, yeah
(Suh, suh, s-s-s-suh)
Ain't it different? (Yeah)
Spent like ten years grindin' (facts)
Covered in diamonds, never been mining
Came through, man's still shining (blaow)
'Cause I was in Homeford house with the pack (pack)
And now I'm in Dubai, lining (vroom)
Me and Headz landed abroad, two new kettles, perfect timin' (perfect)
The new whip's white on white, peanut butter, rose gold lining (skrr)
You can catch me in Central (let's go)
Car so dumb, when I press this button it's gone, I don't do rentals (I pay)
Air 1's fresher than menthol (they're fresh)
I don't wanna get shit lit, but the way that bro grip sticks ain't gentle (brrt)
Summer time shootouts, big big loot-outs
Get corn stuck in your dental
Baby, are you up for this? (Ooh, ooh)
I am feeling hot tonight (ooh, ooh)
Ready for the bump and grind (ooh, ooh)
Wheel it back and run it one more time, yeah, yeah
Baby, are you up for this? (Ooh, ooh) (ain't it different?)
I am feeling hot tonight (ooh, ooh) (ayy, ayy)
Ready for the bump and grind (ooh, ooh)
Wheel it back and run it one more time, yeah, yeah (turn, turn, turn, turn)
Ain't it different? (Different)
When I first stepped in the game (game)
Man tried leech on my name now they wanna act all distant
Man love smile in my face and then they wanna chat like vixens (huh?)
It's good it's not back in the day, woulda got you so wrapped on Clifton
I don't really take no checks, I'll warn you
And I don't do threats, I'm cordial
I don't even snap on the jet, it's normal
Black tie but I'm dressed informal (boy)
Like the boys from east, I'm nasty
Don't do drip but I still stay classy
You wanna know, then ask me, easy
Baby, are you up for this? (Ooh, ooh) (One)
I am feeling hot tonight (ooh, ooh)
Ready for the bump and grind (ooh, ooh)
Wheel it back and run it one more time, yeah, yeah
Baby, are you up for this? (Ain't it different, one) (ooh, ooh)
I am feeling hot tonight (ooh, ooh)
Ready for the bump and grind (ooh, ooh)
Wheel it back and run it one more time, yeah, yeah (turn, turn, turn, turn)
(Baby, are you?)
(Baby, are you?)
(Baby, are you?)
(Baby, are you?)
In the song Ain't it Different, the rappers Headie One, Stormzy, and AJ Tracey express their views on success, hard work, and the sacrifices they made along the way. The lyrics revolve around the idea that their lives have changed dramatically, and they are now enjoying the fruits of their labor, but they still remember the struggles they faced to reach this point.
The song begins with a question posed to an unnamed person, "Baby, are you up for this?" It sets the mood for the song as the artists seem to be asking if the listener is ready for the ride that the song will take them on. The next line "Ready for the bump and grind" builds on this idea of hard work and putting in the effort to achieve success.
The chorus of the song is catchy and rhythmic, with the artists asking again if the listener is ready to join them on their journey.
The first verse is Headie One's, and he raps about his time in jail and how he has come out of it stronger. He talks about how he used his time in jail to build relationships and make connections that have helped him in his career.
The second verse is AJ Tracey's, and he boasts about his success and how he has worked hard to get to where he is today. He talks about how he has come a long way from his early days of grinding and hustling to make a name for himself.
The third verse is Stormzy's, and he discusses how people have doubted him and tried to bring him down in the past. Still, he managed to rise above it all and become successful through hard work and determination.
Overall, Ain't it Different is a celebration of success and hard work and an acknowledgment of the sacrifices that were made to achieve it.
Line by Line Meaning
(Baby, are you up for this?)
Asking the person if they're ready for what's to come
(Ready for the bump and grind)
Are you ready for some physical activity
(Baby, are you up for this?)
Reiterating the previous question
Suh, suh, s-s-s-suh
Sound effects, perhaps indicating excitement or anticipation
(Ain't it different?) I link my ting in LA
Isn't it unique? I have a romantic interest in LA
Why I can't fly to the states? 'Cause I got too much convictions (ayy)
I can't travel to the US due to my criminal record
Apparently all I talk is prison but I don't know no different (no)
People seem to think all I talk about is jail, but it's all I know
'Cause I was in jail up north, runnin' another coalition (turn)
I was previously incarcerated and leading a group in jail
Fresh home, I bought coke and whipped it, I put some roses where my wrist is
After being released, I began selling cocaine and got a fancy watch
You ain't ever made a birthday cake from digestive biscuits (told me turn)
You don't know how to make a cake from biscuits, trust me
Will have to take lemon juice to my piss test (piss test) (s-s-s-suh)
I have to take a drug test and I need to alter the results
Everyday I look up to the Lord, give thanks for all this litness (turn, turn, turn, turn)
Everyday, I thank God for my blessings
Come home, fresh out the system, gymnast
After leaving prison, I'm agile and quick
Rollin' with smoke on my jones
I'm smoking marijuana
Pigs want all the camera on me, not the one from dipset (one)
The police want to focus on me and not another group
I still can't mix pleasure with business, sorry princess (princess)
I can't have fun while working, sorry
I come a long way from broke days (turn, turn)
I've come a long way from when I was poor
I got to work and fixed it
I worked hard and improved my situation
(Ain't it different?)
Isn't it unique?
Spent like ten years grindin' (facts)
I worked hard for ten years
Covered in diamonds, never been mining
I have lots of diamonds even though I never mined them myself
Came through, man's still shining (blaow)
Despite everything, I'm still doing well
'Cause I was in Homeford house with the pack (pack)
I was in a house with a group of people selling drugs
And now I'm in Dubai, lining (vroom)
Now I'm in Dubai enjoying my success
Me and Headz landed abroad, two new kettles, perfect timin' (perfect)
Me and Headz (another person) went abroad with two new guns at the perfect time
The new whip's white on white, peanut butter, rose gold lining (skrr)
My new car is white with a brown interior and rose gold accents
You can catch me in Central (let's go)
You can find me in Central London
Car so dumb, when I press this button it's gone, I don't do rentals (I pay)
My car is so powerful that it takes off as soon as I press the button; I don't rent cars, I buy them
Air 1's fresher than menthol (they're fresh)
My Air Force One shoes are fresher than menthol
I don't wanna get shit lit, but the way that bro grip sticks ain't gentle (brrt)
I don't want to get into trouble, but my friend's gun is not to be messed with
Summer time shootouts, big big loot-outs
In the summer, there are big fights and robberies
Get corn stuck in your dental
You might get hit in the mouth with a bullet
(Baby, are you up for this?)
Asking the person if they're ready for what's to come
I am feeling hot tonight
I'm feeling good tonight
Wheel it back and run it one more time, yeah, yeah
Let's replay the scene one more time
(Ain't it different?)
Isn't it unique?
When I first stepped in the game (game)
When I first started my career
Man tried leech on my name now they wanna act all distant
People tried to attach themselves to my success, but now they act like they don't know me
Man love smile in my face and then they wanna chat like vixens (huh?)
People act friendly to me, but then talk behind my back
It's good it's not back in the day, woulda got you so wrapped on Clifton
I'm glad it's not like the past, I would have had to fight if it was
I don't really take no checks, I'll warn you
I don't accept payment through checks, I'll tell you now
And I don't do threats, I'm cordial
I don't make threats, I'm polite
I don't even snap on the jet, it's normal
I don't take pictures on the private jet because it's regular to me
Black tie but I'm dressed informal (boy)
I'm wearing a black tie but my outfit is still casual
Like the boys from east, I'm nasty
I'm as good as the boys from the East (London)
Don't do drip but I still stay classy
I don't try too hard with my style, but I still look good
You wanna know, then ask me, easy
If you want to know something, just ask me, it's not a big deal
(Ain't it different?)
Isn't it unique?
(Baby, are you?)
Repeating the initial question
(Baby, are you?)
Continuing to ask if the person is up for this
(Baby, are you?)
Asking one last time if the person is ready
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Anthony Kiedis, Camille Purcell, Chad Gaylord Smith, Che Wolton Grant, Frederick John Philip Gibson, Gary Jackson, Irving Ampofo Adjei, John Anthony Frusciante, Marion Marie Hall, Michael Balzary, Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Junior, Steven Marsden,
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MixtapeMadnessOfficial
Them digestive birthday cakes are a problem still
@rohanvignesh7274
Mixtape Madness 😂😂😂
@adamlasten6227
Happy Thanos Oh god 🤦🏻♂️
@joeclutton9379
Cos on jail you can't buy a birthday cake so you make one by breaking digestive up melting chocolate in the kettle and mixing them together. It's clever wordplay that only people who have been to jail would know about hence the reason multiple comments ate completely ignorant to it making his word play even more effective
@trappz10x36
Happy Thanos Grey people smh
@jaidevjhaj3830
@@joeclutton9379 my guy
@oaportfolio4248
Big tune.. Headie and Stormzy look like they've headbutted each other.
@stizzy7166
🤣
@wooliemaths127
Hate on this kids video https://youtu.be/jDfSqPgYRBo
@Tige4
@@wooliemaths127 why