Serious
JME Lyrics

A simple music lesson, think about it
Let's ponder upon some valuable lessons about music

Everybody thinks to MC tough
People's perception of MCing is that it requires toughness

Your lyrics must be about negative stuff
The general belief is that negative lyrics are more impactful

Go raving, no one's skanking
People are not dancing energetically at raves as expected

Turn 'round I bet you someone's shanking
Violence, such as stabbing, is always a possibility in certain situations

Jus 'cause we come from the gutter
Just because we come from a low-income neighborhood

We know about scraping the bottom of the butter
We understand how to make the most of our limited resources

Don't mean we have to be sinners
Our upbringing does not dictate our willingness to indulge in sinful activities

Major labels don't want killers
Major labels do not want to associate with violent criminals

Think
Let's consider the implications of our actions or words

Who's gonna sign a guy with a shank?
No reputable record label will sign an artist who carries a weapon

Or a guy with a nine mil'?
Nor will they sign an artist who possesses a gun

All you're gonna get is a three figure deal
You will only get a small deal with a minor record label

You'll MC at a rave and get a bill
You will only get paid a small fee to perform at a rave

But that bill ain't gonna last
The fee received will not last long

It will go fast
It will be spent quickly

And it might be the last shubs for a while
This could be their last gig or party for some time

So you won't have no dough for a while
One will be broke for a while

To the beat
Let's move or groove to the rhythm

Just bop your head to the beat
Simply nod your head to the music

If you don't wanna dance to the beat
If you do not feel like dancing

Just bop your head to the beat
Just nod your head to the music

If you don't wanna dance or lean back
If you do not feel like dancing or leaning back

Then bop your head to the beat
Just nod your head to the music

You're not (serious)
You are not genuine or authentic

Don't say (serious)
Do not pretend to be serious

'Cause I say (serious)
I decide who or what is actually serious

You wanna get (serious)
If you truly want to be taken seriously

Let's get (serious)
We must act in a more genuine manner

You can't act (serious)
You cannot pretend to be genuine

So don't say (serious)
Thus, do not claim to be serious

Everybody says that garage should top
Many people believe that garage music should dominate the scene

'Cause it's cheap like Calypso or Tip-Top
Garage music is considered to be affordable like other cheap products

MC's turn UK hip-hop
MCs have shifted from UK hip-hop to garage

Scared their debut album will flop
MCs fear that their first album will not succeed

I'm floggin' food like a chip-shop
I am selling goods like a fish and chips shop

So I'll fall back on that if this flops
If this does not work out, I'll go back to selling food

Plus I go uni' so if shit pops, off with the cops
I am currently studying and plan to pursue other career options if things do not work out, and if trouble arises then one can simply report it to the authorities

Trust me, I've got it locked
I have everything under control

How comes every single MC is vexed?
Why is every MC frustrated or angry?

It's like the whole point of MC-ing nowadays is to get a reload on the decks
MCs today are more focused on getting the audience to react than on delivering a message

Man will go to radio on Thursday
People will go to the radio on Thursdays to perform

Even though it's his birthday
Despite it being his birthday

He'll spit lyrics like it's the worst day in his life
MCs spit lyrics as if they are going through the worst day of their lives

It's not serious
It is not genuine or authentic

Everybody knows you're some goody-goody
Everyone knows you are too righteous or moralistic

That screwface and that Rocawear hoodie just ain't workin'
Your facial expression and brand of clothing are not fitting in with the scene

Sorry bredrin, I'm Buzz Lightyear and you come like Woody
Sorry friend, I am more outgoing and adventurous like Buzz Lightyear, while you are more timid and fearful like Woody

Look at my man biggin' up his chest
Look at this person trying to act tough

Looks like he's trynao grow some breast
He seems to be growing breasts instead of muscles

Stop that, before you get an arch back
Cease that behavior, or you will develop a curved spine

I don't know who my man's tryna impress
I am unsure who this person is trying to impress

Everybody know's that I shot Os
Everyone knows that I am responsible for some crimes

And I make P, shot Q's like Kano
I make money by selling drugs and weapons

Under my tongue is were they go
I store these items under my tongue to evade authorities

Shottin' since Wiley had cane rows
I have been selling drugs since Wiley had cornrow hair

To make dough you need sense
To earn money, one must be smart

I still don't throw away five pence
I save even the smallest amount of money

One cat thought I was dense
One person believed I was unintelligent

Owed me a lump some and he tried jump some fence
Someone owed me a large amount of money and tried to run away from paying it back

Serious
This is a serious matter

I hope everybody takes something away with them from this lesson today
I hope this lesson was informative and impactful, and everyone learned something valuable