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.
Back to Basics
Headie One Lyrics
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Bring out the dots, get back to basics, if I get stopped, it's back to basic
Bad B lost out my waps and laces, ting set good, no, she can't be basic
Feds ask questions, I get evasive, that's "no comment" up in the station
Gang can't sleep on the violation, swear, I'ma spend all my savings
Switch off my iPhone, back to basics, no, we ain't watching faces
Violate us, man are catching cases, I was on the high road, armed and dangerous
Peng ting already know what my name is, and this year it's only money I'm chasing
Don't make me spend all my savings, do it for the cause
Go play in the field, gang fluent with the ball, life is tough when you ain't with the law
Seven jails, no, you ain't been on tour
You ain't ever been on license, feds still tryna put their boot through your door
Yo, go there, do it with the Rambo, do it with a 4s
Should just come back and do it in a wave or do it with a storm
I just stepped with this 9 and shine and I ain't even do it with my toes
I can bruck this grub into pebbles or do it on the low
They think I do ooh-ooh
Do it with the gangdem, do it on our own
Didn't they know it's the usual, now me and Skep' in the studio
Wrist all numb from the cuffs, so I just bust out my Cuban
Lord knows life was confusing, now I'm just chuffed
No trim, they don't care if my head back rough, same way all of them gyally on us
Bring out the dots, get back to basics, if I get stopped, it's back to basic
Bad B lost out my waps and laces, ting set good, no, she can't be basic
Feds ask questions, I get evasive, that's "no comment" up in the station
Gang can't sleep on the violation, swear, I'ma spend all my savings
Switch off my iPhone, back to basics, no, we ain't watching faces
Violate us, man are catching cases, I was on the high road, armed and dangerous
Stepping in some Run Away trainers, no introduction needed
Peng ting already know what my name is, and this year, it's only money I'm chasing
True stories, I ain't gotta lie on my raps
I was beside the feds with a 9 on my lap
Gotta look straight forward, try to relax
If I get pulled this time, it's a wrap
And I still get flashbacks of the cold nights in the trap
And man slept on the floor, no heater
Tottenham boy, I put the T in Tanita
On a first name basis with the shopkeeper
And he already know what I came for, cling film and a Ribena
Big smoke on the feature, come a long way from draws in a pouch
Thirteen scores in my mouth from the same line, tryna get all of it out
Fast forward, now I turned starboy, man I don't stand on corners
Two left feet when your diamond's dancing, why your shine look so awkward?
It's One on the chorus with a bit of Skepta, that's what the gyaldem ordered
And you better lock up your wife and daughters 'cause all my guys are ballers
Bring out the dots, get back to basics, if I get stopped, it's back to basic
Bad B lost out my waps and laces, ting set good, no, she can't be basic
Feds ask questions, I get evasive, that's "no comment" up in the station
Gang can't sleep on the violation, swear, I'ma spend all my savings
Switch off my iPhone, back to basics, no, we ain't watching faces
Violate us, man are catching cases, I was on the high road, armed and dangerous
Stepping in some Run Away trainers, no introduction needed
Peng ting already know what my name is, and this year, it's only money I'm chasing
In the song "Back to Basics" by Headie One, the rapper talks about returning to his roots and the basics of his lifestyle if he gets into trouble with the law. He admits that he always carries a weapon, and if he gets caught, he'll be back to the basics of his criminal life. He also talks about the everyday struggles of life on the streets, including dealing with the police and rival gangs. However, he also acknowledges that he has come a long way from sleeping on the floor of a trap house and making scores in his mouth from the same line.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of going back to basics to survive and thrive in the dangerous and unpredictable world of the streets. The lyrics of the song suggest that success comes from hard work and perseverance, and Headie One is determined to succeed no matter what obstacles he faces.
Overall, "Back to Basics" is an authentic portrayal of the realities of living in a rough neighborhood and the importance of staying grounded and true to oneself. Headie One's frank lyrics and raw delivery make this a powerful and memorable song.
Line by Line Meaning
It sounds like Nyge
The beat of the song is similar to Nyge's style.
Bring out the dots, get back to basics, if I get stopped, it's back to basic
I need to bring out my guns and go back to my old ways because if I get caught by the police, I need to be prepared to fight my way out.
Bad B lost out my waps and laces, ting set good, no, she can't be basic
I lost my guns and bullets when I was with a girl, but she's not just a regular girl. She's beautiful and my life is good when I'm with her.
Feds ask questions, I get evasive, that's "no comment" up in the station
When the police ask me questions, I don't give them an answer. I just tell them 'no comment.'
Gang can't sleep on the violation, swear, I'ma spend all my savings
My gang can't ignore the disrespect that other gangs give to us. I promise to spend all my money to take revenge.
Switch off my iPhone, back to basics, no, we ain't watching faces
I turn off my iPhone and we go back to our old ways of not trusting anyone and not watching our backs.
Violate us, man are catching cases, I was on the high road, armed and dangerous
If someone tries to disrespect us, they will be in trouble and may get arrested. I was driving down the road with my weapons ready.
Stepping in some Run Away trainers, no introduction needed
I'm wearing Run Away trainers and everyone knows who I am without me needing to introduce myself.
Peng ting already know what my name is, and this year, it's only money I'm chasing
Beautiful women already know my name and this year, I'm only focused on making money.
Don't make me spend all my savings, do it for the cause
I don't want to spend all my money, but I will do anything for my gang and the cause.
Go play in the field, gang fluent with the ball, life is tough when you ain't with the law
Go play outside with the gang because we're skilled at what we do. It's hard to succeed in life when you're not following the law.
Seven jails, no, you ain't been on tour
You may have been to jail many times, but that's not the same as touring or traveling the world.
You ain't ever been on license, feds still tryna put their boot through your door
You've never been on parole, but the police are still trying to arrest you by forcing their way into your home.
Yo, go there, do it with the Rambo, do it with a 4s
Go ahead and do it with a Rambo knife or a .44 caliber gun.
Should just come back and do it in a wave or do it with a storm
We should come back stronger and more aggressive than ever.
I just stepped with this 9 and shine and I ain't even do it with my toes
I just used my gun and didn't even need to use my toes to aim it.
I can bruck this grub into pebbles or do it on the low
I can break this cocaine into small pieces or I can sell it discreetly.
They think I do ooh-ooh
They think I do drugs or party a lot.
Do it with the gangdem, do it on our own
We can do it with the gang or we can do it alone.
Didn't they know it's the usual, now me and Skep' in the studio
They should know that it's typical for me and Skepta to be in the recording studio together.
Wrist all numb from the cuffs, so I just bust out my Cuban
My wrist is numb from the handcuffs, but I still wear my Cuban chain to show my wealth.
Lord knows life was confusing, now I'm just chuffed
Life used to be confusing, but now I'm happy and content.
No trim, they don't care if my head back rough, same way all of them gyally on us
I don't have a haircut and don't groom myself well, but the girls still like us.
True stories, I ain't gotta lie on my raps
I always tell the truth in my songs and don't need to lie to sound cool.
I was beside the feds with a 9 on my lap
I was sitting in my car with my gun next to me while the police were nearby.
Gotta look straight forward, try to relax
I need to look forward and stay calm to avoid getting caught by the police.
If I get pulled this time, it's a wrap
If the police catch me this time, I'm going to get arrested and go to jail.
And I still get flashbacks of the cold nights in the trap
I still remember the difficult times I had selling drugs in the cold, dark corners.
And man slept on the floor, no heater
I had to sleep on the cold floor with no heat during those times.
Tottenham boy, I put the T in Tanita
I'm from Tottenham and I make sure to represent my area well.
On a first name basis with the shopkeeper
The shopkeeper knows me by my first name because I go there often.
And he already know what I came for, cling film and a Ribena
He already knows what I want to buy - cling film to wrap drugs and a Ribena drink.
Big smoke on the feature, come a long way from draws in a pouch
I'm now achieving success, which is represented by smoking expensive cigars, and it's a long way from the time I had to carry drugs in my pockets.
Thirteen scores in my mouth from the same line, tryna get all of it out
I have thirteen lines of cocaine in my mouth and I'm trying to get it all out.
Fast forward, now I turned starboy, man I don't stand on corners
Now that I'm famous, I don't have to sell drugs on the street corner anymore.
Two left feet when your diamond's dancing, why your shine look so awkward?
Your expensive jewelry looks strange and out of place when you can't dance well.
It's One on the chorus with a bit of Skepta, that's what the gyaldem ordered
The girls wanted me and Skepta to collaborate on the chorus, and that's exactly what we did.
And you better lock up your wife and daughters 'cause all my guys are ballers
You should keep your wife and daughters away from us because we are rich and successful.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Irving Ampofo Adjei, Joseph Olaitan Adenuga, Nyandoro Kelly
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind