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.
Ball in Peace
Headie One Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
T house settings, more time on the M, you know where I'm heading (direct)
Got this table just filled with twenties and tenners, I got a T house fetish (no tracky)
Spent most of my teens in a bando, only this year I start knowing 'bout debits (One)
When the fiends in the town need to score off me I didn't care 'bout score and credit (turn)
I couldn't tell you a time cash fell at my feet, Headie had to go and get it
How many times I've been a tennant, obviously I paid nine rocks to rent it (one)
I weren't even home one week when I got that Nina and press her (quickly)
I just out me O of each and it gets me a shotty and a stolen Jeep (gang)
I had a good run this week (turn)
This fiend don't want me to trap out her yard no more, I guess she got cold feet (why?)
You know that bando firing hot, gangdem still trapping out Sophie's (turn, turn, turn, turn, turn)
I been just tryna ball in peace
I'm either OT dealing with the drug squad or in the hood, it's armed police
I took a chase and I threw that boot, I'd have done it on site like Cardi B
Feds pissed off they can't find no smoke, all up in my yard doing carpentry
All up in court tryna tarnish me
I hope my lawyer go hard for me
Real OT boy, why you think feds can't lock me in Isis? (Never)
And if I was locked in a local, that was for works or violence (always)
Told shawty go get her mother those both (One)
Still gotta peel off a bread for a smoke (turn, turn, turn, turn, turn, turn, turn)
All I ever want is a gun I can stroke, bitch, can you play that part for me?
If we get bagged with this .44 long, will you take the charge for me? (One)
I told shawty, I don't jugg, I just rap and I do construction partially
But I'm on the M-way doing up map, what you think I do with this cash? (Turn)
Fastest blacked out Beamer with the gang, still jump out, do it and dash (ay)
Can't tell me 'bout hustle, jailhouse, I done it with spice and hash (everything)
You can't tell me 'bout upsey deliveries, bandos, any excuse for the trap (everything)
I was kilometres from home tryna charge three fiddy for an ounce of amm'
Now we still in Hakkasan
I been just tryna ball in peace
I'm either OT dealing with the drug squad or in the hood, it's armed police
I took a chase and I threw that boot, I'd have done it on site like Cardi B
Feds pissed off they can't find no smoke, all up in my yard doing carpentry
All up in court tryna tarnish me
I hope my lawyer go hard for me
The song "Ball in Peace" by Headie One is a reflection on the rapper's life of drug dealing, crime and violence in the streets, and his aspirations for a better and peaceful life. The lyrics describe the T house, where Headie One spends most of his time dealing with drug squad and the armed police. He talks about his past experiences of being in jail, renting homes and making money through drug deals. The rapper acknowledges his obsession with money and the dangerous lifestyle he has led. He then asks his partner to take the fall for him if he gets caught with a gun as he claims to only "stroke" it. Headie One complains about the police harassing him and invading his privacy. He hopes his lawyer will fight hard for him in court.
The lyrics in "Ball in Peace" are narrated with a sense of self-awareness and brutal honesty. Headie One portrays a life that is both glamorous and dangerous, and expresses his desire to move away from the trap life. The song is a reflection of a young man's journey in a society that's dominated by violence, drugs, and poverty, and the longing for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
T house settings, more time on the M, you know where I'm heading
Headie spends most of his time on the move, either going to or returning from T-house deals
Got this table just filled with twenties and tenners, I got a T house fetish (no tracky)
Headie is heavily involved in the drug trade, with a preference for smaller denominations of cash
Spent most of my teens in a bando, only this year I start knowing 'bout debits (One)
Headie has significant experience operating out of abandoned buildings, but is only recently starting to learn about financial management
When the fiends in the town need to score off me I didn't care 'bout score and credit (turn)
Headie is not concerned with giving credit or tracking the trading history of his buyers, only with making the deal
I couldn't tell you a time cash fell at my feet, Headie had to go and get it
Headie has had to work hard for all his money, never experiencing a moment of great financial fortune
How many times I've been a tennant, obviously I paid nine rocks to rent it (one)
Headie has rented many T-house locations, paying a deposit of £9,000 each time
Came out of jail and I didn't get to celebrate my twenty first and twentieth
Headie was in jail during his 20th and 21st birthdays, missing out on traditional celebrations
I weren't even home one week when I got that Nina and press her (quickly)
Headie wasted no time in purchasing a firearm as soon as he was released from jail
I just out me O of each and it gets me a shotty and a stolen Jeep (gang)
Headie is skilled at selling drugs and is able to purchase illegal weapons and vehicles for his gang members
I had a good run this week (turn)
Headie has had successful drug deals recently
This fiend don't want me to trap out her yard no more, I guess she got cold feet (why?)
One of Headie's customers has stopped allowing him to sell drugs from their property, likely due to suspicion or fear of consequences
You know that bando firing hot, gangdem still trapping out Sophie's (turn, turn, turn, turn, turn)
Headie's T-house is operating smoothly and successfully, despite police surveillance and potential risks
I been just tryna ball in peace
Headie is hoping to live a successful and peaceful life, enjoying his wealth and success
I'm either OT dealing with the drug squad or in the hood, it's armed police
Headie is constantly at risk of police raids, whether in his regular neighborhood or while out of town making deals
I took a chase and I threw that boot, I'd have done it on site like Cardi B
Headie escaped from a police pursuit by throwing a shoe, a tactic inspired by Cardi B's own experience
Feds pissed off they can't find no smoke, all up in my yard doing carpentry
The police are frustrated that they have been unable to catch Headie with any drugs, and are now searching his property thoroughly
All up in court tryna tarnish me
Headie is facing legal trouble, with the prosecution attempting to damage his reputation in court
I hope my lawyer go hard for me
Headie is relying on his lawyer to defend him and work hard to secure a favorable outcome in his legal case
Real OT boy, why you think feds can't lock me in Isis? (Never)
Headie believes he is so skilled at evading the police that even being locked up in the high-security prison known as Isis (HMP Belmarsh) would not be a risk
And if I was locked in a local, that was for works or violence (always)
Headie asserts that any time he has been in jail or prison, it was for illegal activity rather than being apprehended by the police
Told shawty go get her mother those both (One)
Headie has instructed one of his associates to buy drugs intended for personal use by their respective families
Still gotta peel off a bread for a smoke (turn, turn, turn, turn, turn, turn, turn)
Headie is willing to pay a high price for drugs, even if it means losing some of his success and wealth
All I ever want is a gun I can stroke, bitch, can you play that part for me?
Headie is looking for a female companion who can both fulfill his sexual desires and be involved in his illegal activities
If we get bagged with this .44 long, will you take the charge for me? (One)
Headie is asking one of his associates if they are willing to take the legal punishment if they are caught with a particular illegal weapon
I told shawty, I don't jugg, I just rap and I do construction partially
Headie's main source of income is his music career, with occasional work in construction, but he is not actively involved in selling drugs
But I'm on the M-way doing up map, what you think I do with this cash? (Turn)
Headie is traveling on the highway while considering ways to invest or use his money earned from illegal activities
Fastest blacked out Beamer with the gang, still jump out, do it and dash (ay)
Headie and his gang members travel in a high-speed BMW, quickly executing illegal activities and fleeing the scene
Can't tell me 'bout hustle, jailhouse, I done it with spice and hash (everything)
Headie is proud of his ability to survive and succeed despite spending time in jail and relying on drug sales
You can't tell me 'bout upsey deliveries, bandos, any excuse for the trap (everything)
Headie is extremely knowledgeable about the drug trade, including delivery methods and the use of abandoned buildings for T-houses
I was kilometres from home tryna charge three fiddy for an ounce of amm'
Headie traveled a long distance from home to make a drug deal, charging £350 for an ounce of ammunition
Now we still in Hakkasan
Despite the risks and challenges of his lifestyle, Headie and his associates are currently enjoying a successful and luxurious lifestyle
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Haile Arefaine, Irving Ampofo Adjei, Jason Powell, Kamil Shehu Dandaura Musa
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind