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.
Siberia
Headie One Lyrics
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(AOD)
The bando, it look like Siberia
They catch me, my face is familiar
I had my shank in the school cafeteria (told me turn)
The bando, it look like Siberia (One)
They catch me, my face is familiar (One)
The man's just talkin', left him layin' the cut (turn, turn, turn)
Jakes wanna drill me like Johnny Dillinger, Dillinger (told me turn)
They love to make me a prisoner (told me turn)
I was in prison when bro used to visit me (told me turn)
Now they got bro in, they say I'm the visitor
Come up with needles and cylinders
Fentanyl was bittin' and king fishin'
Didn't do well on my literature (s-s-suh)
Now it's just fire in the booth, no fire extinguisher (s-s-suh)
Fuck the Prime Minister, the system is sinister
Load up this Nina, this gun got a whistler
No cap in my rap, know this story official (turn, turn, turn, turn)
Opps can't write to this principle
I won't lie on an L, but I lie to the 12 (turn)
Used to lie in my cell, I was writin' my mail
Sat there by my gun and my bitch YSL
If I style in Chanel, shawty's stylin' as well
Do you wish me well?
Ice on my wrist, life is swell (suh, suh)
Opps tryna drill and they fell
They got my bro fired for bail (suh, suh)
I guess time, it will tell
The bando, it look like Siberia
They catch me, my face is familiar (One)
I had my shank in the school cafeteria (One)
The man's just talkin', left him layin' the cut (turn, turn, turn)
Jakes wanna drill me like Johnny Dillinger, Dillinger (told me turn)
They love to make me a prisoner (told me turn)
I was in prison when bro used to visit me (told me turn)
Now they got bro in, they say I'm the visitor
I'm smokin' gas like a cylinder, I grip the fifty, like Vivica
I got the packs and I send them down
Ridin' dirty like Chamillionaire
I'm just a greasy Nigerian
I just might fuck up your feelings, girl
I make you sick like malaria
I do the rub on myself because
I do not fuck with no niggas
I do not fuck with no niggas
These niggas too fuckin' snaky
Makin' me nervous, I'm bitin' my fingers
Mi I no like no drama, because I'm not Jerry Springer
Side-by-side with hammers, anywhere through the window
Black on black with the regalia, I might have him sent in with tilapia
'Cause with my enemies die, I get happier
Then I take off, brought everything out to Mali, yeah
That's my bro at the door, you should let him in
Here come my food, all my bread with him
He could cop a few for my enemy
Then I throw a middle finger for the government (yeah)
The bando, it look like Siberia
They catch me, my face is familiar (One)
I had my shank in the school cafeteria (One)
The man's just talkin', left him layin' the cut (turn, turn, turn)
Jakes wanna drill me like Johnny Dillinger, Dillinger (told me turn)
They love to make me a prisoner (told me turn)
I was in prison when bro used to visit me (oh, yeah)
Now they got bro in, they say I'm the visitor
The bando, it look like Siberia (One)
They catch me, my face is familiar (One)
I had my shank in the school cafeteria (One)
The man's just talkin', left him layin' the cut (turn, turn)
Jakes wanna drill me like Johnny Dillinger, Dillinger (told me turn)
They love to make me a prisoner (told me turn)
I was in prison when bro used to visit me (told me turn)
Now they got bro in, they say I'm the visitor
Mm
Don't pull up around here actin' goofy
You can get shot like a movie
You can get hit with a two-piece
Your block get spun with a Uzi
Bang, bang, bang, yeah
You can get shot in the mouth
Headie One's song Siberia is a reflection of the harsh reality of life in the ghetto, with the "bando" creating a sense of isolation and desperation that mirrors the unrelenting cold of Siberia. The constant threat of violence and the struggle to survive day to day is evident in the lyrics, with lines about carrying a shank in the school cafeteria and jakes wanting to drill him like Johnny Dillinger.
The song also explores the corrupt system that holds young black men down, with lines like "Jakes wanna drill me like Johnny Dillinger, Dillinger/ They love to make me a prisoner." Headie One speaks of being in prison, where his only solace was his brother's visits, but now it's his brother who is behind bars.
Despite the grim subject matter, the song also contains moments of triumph and celebration. Headie One boasts about his success, smoking gas like a cylinder and sending packs down the line. He also takes shots at the government, throwing a middle finger their way, and ends the song with a warning to those who would mess with him.
Overall, Siberia is a powerful and nuanced exploration of life in the ghetto, touching on themes of violence, corruption, survival, and triumph.
Line by Line Meaning
The bando, it look like Siberia
The abandoned building looks desolate and cold like the Siberian region.
They catch me, my face is familiar
The police recognize me as a wanted criminal.
I had my shank in the school cafeteria
I carried a knife to school, hidden in the cafeteria.
The man's just talkin', left him layin' the cut
I wounded someone with my knife in retaliation for their words.
Jakes wanna drill me like Johnny Dillinger, Dillinger
Police officers desire to arrest me just like they did infamous criminal Johnny Dillinger.
They love to make me a prisoner
The legal system enjoys punishing me by putting me in jail.
I was in prison when bro used to visit me
While incarcerated, my friend used to come see me.
Now they got bro in, they say I'm the visitor
The tables have turned and my friend is now in jail, but coming to see me instead.
I'm smokin' gas like a cylinder, I grip the fifty, like Vivica
I'm smoking potent marijuana and holding a gun tightly like Vivica Fox in Kill Bill.
I make you sick like malaria
I hurt your emotions deeply like the disease malaria attacks your body.
I do not fuck with no niggas
I don't associate with any men because of their tendency to be untrustworthy.
Here come my food, all my bread with him
My friend is coming with food and money.
Then I throw a middle finger for the government
I show my contempt for the authorities that control us.
Don't pull up around here actin' goofy
Don't come to this area acting foolishly because it's dangerous.
You can get hit with a two-piece
I can punch someone twice really hard.
Your block get spun with a Uzi
I'll fire a Uzi to destroy your neighborhood.
You can get shot in the mouth
I'll kill you by shooting you in the mouth.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Irving Ampofo Adjei, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, Alistair O'Donnell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Yahya Oa
Headie is too calm, he is the first stoic roadman to ever exist
Bandit
thats so true icl. he slurs his words aswel
Justin Kotulak
But sl is calm aswell
Dapz LJ
Loooool but search RGD nation🤟🏽👀
Sabzu
Humble guy for sure
Mikel CN
Man Burna added so much flavour to this heat. The flow switch, the deep voice, the singing voice, the outro and the ad lips..... he did justice!
Iamslimpac
Yeah he killed it 🔥🔥🔥
Efe Oduduba
This song is dope as hell!!! And Burna Boy’s transition on this record is priceless! 🤩 I think Burna is Grammy standard 🐐💪🏿👏🏿❤️
Nedu James
10 times still repeating. Burna I never regret being a fan 🔥🔥🔥
Muhwezi Gilbert
What an underrated song! Been listening to it for a year now and I don't get tired of it.