After starting his own label Prolific Recordings, Cole produced a song called "Sincere" in 1998 with a sampler and an Amiga. One of the twenty test pressings of "Sincere" was received by Pete Tong, who started playing the tune on his national BBC radio 1 show. Cole then signed on Gilles Peterson's Talkin' Loud label, where he recorded "Sincere", the album. The Mercury Music Prize nominated (2000) debut won him the accolade of Best Producer from the prestigious Muzik and Mobo magazine awards, sold over 60,000 copies in the UK alone and spawned two outstanding Top 15 singles.
He released a second long player "Cut to the chase" (2003) and he has collaborated on and remixed works by Jill Scott, Tom Jones and Mariah Carey.
Bandelero Desperado
MJ Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ba-de-le-ro
Ba-de-le-ro
Ba-de-le-ro
Ba-de-le-ro
Ba-de-le-ro
Ba-de-le-ro
Ba-de-ba-de
Ba-de-le-ro
Ba-de-le-ro
Ba-de-le-ro
Ba-de-le-ro
Ba-de-le-ro
Ba-de-le-ro
Ba-de-le-ro
Ba…
Desperado
This how I do my ting
Undisputed cinema slum king
I'm dealin' it
No joke ‘ting though
Number one a when I step in tha show
Got the cap down low
Strap to the back
Black one-tens and a black rapsack
And now I'ma move all night
Crawl out or
Bad boy down with tha talk
Eh yo
This how I do my ting
Desperado
Eh yo
This how I do my ting
Desperado
See dem girls in the wonder bras
And the sequined bags
And the backside out
Man like me know the true ghetto b's
Who promote the raves and get all the cream
Ya nah mean
That's why I keep on movin'
Make the dough, keep the profile low
??????????
Bandelero desperado
Eh yo
This how I do my ting
Desperado
Eh yo
This how I do my ting
Desperado
Eh yo
This how I do my ting
Desperado
Eh yo
This how I do my ting
Desperado
Eh yo
Desperado
Eh yo
Desperado
Desperado
Desperado
Eh yo
This how I do my ting
Desperado
Eh yo
This how I do my ting
Desperado
Eh yo
Desperado
Eh yo
Desperado
Eh yo
Desperado
The lyrics of MJ Cole’s “Bandelero Desperado” revolve around the persona of a street-smart slum kingpin or a desperado, who is undaunted by the dangers of the urban landscape he inhabits. The singer revels in his role as a “bad boy” and struts his stuff in the context of the rap/hip-hop scene. His focus is on making money and promoting the “raves” that are a central feature of this subculture. The lyrics suggest that he operates as a rogue agent while avoiding the attention of the police or the authorities. He asserts his authority to rule the roost in his territory, while also making a point of keeping a low profile to avoid attracting too much attention.
The song is an ode to the street-wise life that many young people find themselves navigating when they grow up in poor or disadvantaged areas of the city. It reflects on how the singer views the world around him, and how he sees himself in the greater scheme of things. The repetition of the phrase “Ba-de-le-ro” in the opening lines of the song creates a catchy hook that draws the listener in and serves as a prelude to the hard-hitting lyrics that follow.
Line by Line Meaning
Ba-de-le-ro
Repeating phrase setting the tone and rhythm of the song
Desperado
Title of the song
This how I do my ting
I'm going to explain how I roll
Undisputed cinema slum king
I am the undefeated champion of the underground cinema scene
I'm dealin' it
I am making things happen
No joke ‘ting though
I'm super serious about this business
Number one a when I step in tha show
I am the main attraction when I come out to perform
Got the cap down low
I'm wearing my hat pulled low over my eyes
Strap to the back
I've got a backpack strapped to my back
Black one-tens and a black rapsack
I have on black shoes and a black backpack
And now I'ma move all night
I'm going to keep going all night long
Crawl out or
It's time to get moving
Bad boy down with tha talk
I walk the talk and am tough as nails
See dem girls in the wonder bras
I see those girls wearing wonder bras
And the sequined bags
and carrying their sparkly bags
And the backside out
showing off their rear ends
Man like me know the true ghetto b's
I know the real party animals from the ghetto
Who promote the raves and get all the cream
They're the ones who organize the parties and make all the money
Ya nah mean
You know what I'm talking about, right?
That's why I keep on movin'
That's why I keep on staying active
Make the dough, keep the profile low
Make money and avoid attracting attention
??????????
Unknown lyrics or lost meaning
Bandelero desperado
Repeating phrase and title of the song
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MATTHEW COLEMAN, DANIEL ROBIN FAHEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind