He was born in Kingston, Jamaica, raised in the parish of St. Mary and relocated back to the place of his birth during his teenage years. He began performing under his stage name, taken from a character in the G.I. Joe comic books, while still in his teens. He honed his talents on several local sound systems before entering the studio. His first single, 1989's "Respect Woman", was produced by his uncle, Tuff Gong engineer Delroy "Spiderman" Thompson. His next single, "Na Go Work", featured Tricia McKay, giving him his first hit, and bringing him to the attention of producers Captain Sinbad and Carl Nelson. Together they released a string of hit dancehall singles, including "Shoot to Kill", "Merciless Bad Boy", and "Ze Taurus", which featured tough, gangsta rap-style lyrics in keeping with the current trends of that time.
In 1990, Cobra began working with producer Donovan Germain and songwriter Dave Kelly on the Penthouse Records label. This partnership spawned a series of major hits in Jamaica, including "Yush", "Gundelero", "Bad Boy Talk", and "Feeling Lonely" (with Beres Hammond). He released his first full-length album in 1991, entitled Bad Boy Talk, and over the next year worked with several different producers on yet more hit tracks ("O.P.P" with King Jammy, "Tek Him" with Bobby Digital, "Be Patient" with Sly & Robbie). In 1991 and 1992, Mad Cobra broke into the UK Reggae charts with five number one hits, bringing with it a backlash over concerns about the anti-gay sentiments of tracks such as "Crucifixion".
In the wake of his British success, Mad Cobra signed a deal in America with Columbia Records. His next LP was entitled Hard to Wet, Easy to Dry, and featured "Flex", a single which interpolated elements of The Temptations' "Just My Imagination". It was a smash hit, topping the US Rap Singles chart, hitting #7 on the R&B chart, and peaking at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100. The success of the single propelled the album to #125 on the Billboard Top 200, but the follow-up, "Legacy", failed to chart, and for the next several years Cobra's hit-making remained primarily in Jamaica with songs such as 1993's "Mek Noise" and "Matti Haffie Move". Around this time, Cobra became involved in rivalries with fellow reggae artists Ninjaman and Buju Banton. He also made a guest appearance on rap group Run-D.M.C.'s "What's Next" on their album Down with the King.
In 1994, Cobra returned with Venom, again recording with King Jammy. Jamaican hit singles from the 1994-1995 period included "Length and Bend", "Fat and Buff", and "Selassie I Rules", now adopting "conscious" lyrics. In 1996, Columbia Records released Milkman in the US market. The album peaked at #12 on Billboard's Top Reggae Albums chart and featured a minor hit, "Big Long John", which charted briefly on the US Dance and R&B Singles charts. In 1998, a track with Mr. Vegas entitled "Guns High" charted in some countries in Europe, and a number of re-releases of his Jamaican material were issued on VP. Further albums were issued in 2001 (Cobra) and 2004 (Words of Warning). Most recently, Cobra was heard on "Cobrastyle", a single from Teddybears' 2006 album, Soft Machine.
On the night of May 11, 2010, Mad Cobra was shot three times in the upper body near his home in Braeton, only a day after another dancehall artist, Oneil Edwards of the group Voice Mail, was also shot in Duhaney Park. He was carried to the Spanish Town Hospital for treatment. It was later ascertained that the vehicle Mad Cobra was traveling in had shone its light on a group of men and this had angered them. When Mad Cobra came out to appease the men, he was shot. He was released from hospital later that week. On the following Monday night, his house was shot up by unknown assailants but no one was injured during the incident.
Dun Wife
Mad Cobra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Leave your man aloneand go look her own
Can't trespass pon your compound
Mate have to bow! Mad Cobra say
Well, then well
Done wife, and you no watch mate
Make a gyal know dem pot you nah scrape
You look good, gyal you have your cute face
Man a mad over your looks and shape well
Big tings, a gyal man a run you down
A gyal vexed like a you make she done
You a done wife, gyal, and yes, a you rule
Make the mate know say she fool-fool
And you done rule so, it better dem cool
Well pop style hotness, mi child
You own the man, a gyal wait fi awhile
Fi get fi your body, man will swim river Nile
Smooth and silky gyal, tender and mild
Mate can never take the chance and smile
Sit down pon your business while
Fi dem own spoil
Nuff man a exchange dem engine oil
Lead, you a lead the whole of dem by a mile
That's why the Mad Cobra smile well
Done wife, you no watch mate
Gyal pot right yah now you nah scrape, plate
Look good, have your cute face
Man a mad over your looks and your shape
Well big tings, a gyal man a run you down
A gyal vexed like a you make she done
Done wife, gyal, and you done rule
Make the mate know say she fool-fool
And she a foot stool
Better she sit down and cool
Well when you see the gyal dem
Just shout out this
"Borrow clothes, borrow man, pitch crow
Pitch!"
How much man she want? Oh Lord, a wha' this?!
She see your property and waan
Fi trespass pon it
See you love fly far, waan run racket
Flop, a gyal flop just because she flip
A gyal body no good, just walk and spread it
Deh pon the condemned list hear this
Done wife, 'cause you no watch mate
Gyal pot right yah now you nah scrape, scrape
You look good, you have your cute face
Man a mad over your looks and your shape
Well big tings, a gyal man a run you down
Gyal vexed like a you make she done
You a done wife, and a you done rule
Matey, she is a foot stool and you done rule
And it better dem cool
Well
Imagine, how you and him a come from far
When dem used to cuss him how
Him black like a tar
Now him get smooth and a drive pretty car
Dollar sign long, from here to Sav la-Mar
Things no stop gwan, you a live like a star
Start look your man
And turn 'round waan fi war
Promise you acid burn, promise you scar
Can't tell you how him don't
Even look pon her
Done wife, and you no watch mate
A gyal pot you nah scrape, scrape
Look good, you have your cute face
Man a mad over your looks and your shape
Well big tings, a gyal man a run you down
A gyal vexed like a you make she done
Done wife gyal, and you done rule
Make the mate know she fool-fool
And she a foot stool
Better she sit down and cool
Well pop style hotness, mi child
You own the man, a gyal fi wait fi awhile
Fi get fi your body, man swim river Nile
Smooth and silky, tender and mild
Mate can never take the chance and smile
Sit down pon your name and
Fi dem business a spoil
Nuff man a exchange dem engine oil
But, you a lead by a mile smile
Done wife, and you no watch mate
A gyal pot you nah scrape, plate
Look good, you have your cute face
Man a mad over your looks and your shape
Mad Cobra's song "Done Wife" is about a woman who has secured her relationship with her partner and is warning another woman to leave her partner alone. Throughout the song, Mad Cobra emphasizes that the woman is the one in control of the relationship and therefore, the other woman should not try to interfere. He tells the woman that she has a cute face and a great shape, qualities that make her the object of many men's desires. He also states that the other woman is "fool-fool" for thinking she has a chance with the man who is already taken. Mad Cobra praises the woman's dominance and states that she is leading the pack of women who want her partner.
The lyrics of "Done Wife" speak to the idea of ownership in relationships and the power dynamics between partners. By asserting her dominance over her partner, the woman in the song becomes a force to be reckoned with and makes it clear that no one else should attempt to come between them. The song also reveals the fragility of some people's egos when their partners are admired by others.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell her
Mad Cobra advises the woman to leave her man and stay out of her own business.
Leave your man alone and go look her own
The woman should break up with her man and focus on her own life.
Can't trespass pon your compound
The man's other partner cannot cross boundaries by interfering with the woman's life.
Mate have to bow! Mad Cobra say
The other partner must respect the woman and acknowledge her power.
Done wife, and you no watch mate
The woman is committed to her man and does not pay attention to the other partner.
Make a gyal know dem pot you nah scrape
The woman is not interested in fighting for a man as she knows her worth.
Scrape
The woman will not settle for less but wants the best for herself.
You look good, gyal you have your cute face
Mad Cobra appreciates the woman's appearance and acknowledges her beauty.
Man a mad over your looks and shape well
The woman's beauty and physique make men crazy for her, and Mad Cobra admires her.
Big tings, a gyal man a run you down
Men are after the woman due to her beauty and status.
A gyal vexed like a you make she done
Jealous women want to be like the woman, but they know they cannot be like her.
You a done wife, gyal, and yes, a you rule
The woman has won the man's heart and now holds the power.
Make the mate know say she fool-fool
The other partner needs to accept the reality that the woman has won the game.
And you done rule so, it better dem cool
The woman is now in control, and she advises others to stay calm.
Well pop style hotness, mi child
Mad Cobra admires the woman's style and looks.
You own the man, a gyal wait fi awhile
The woman has won the man's heart, and others have to wait for their chance.
Fi get fi your body, man will swim river Nile
Men are willing to go to great lengths to be intimate with the woman.
Smooth and silky gyal, tender and mild
Mad Cobra describes the woman's character and nature.
Mate can never take the chance and smile
The other partner cannot smile since she knows she has lost the game.
Sit down pon your business while
The other partner should focus on her own life and not interfere with the woman's affairs.
Fi dem own spoil
The other partner will ruin her own life by interfering with the woman's life.
Nuff man a exchange dem engine oil
Many men change partners frequently while the woman holds on to her man.
Lead, you a lead the whole of dem by a mile
The woman is ahead of others by miles and sets an example for others to follow.
That's why the Mad Cobra smile well
Mad Cobra is proud of the woman's achievements and success.
Well when you see the gyal dem
Mad Cobra is addressing the people listening to the song and advising them on what to say.
Just shout out this
The listeners should shout out the following words.
"Borrow clothes, borrow man, pitch crow Pitch!"
The woman's competitors are nothing compared to her, and they can only be jealous.
How much man she want? Oh Lord, a wha' this?!
The woman's opponents are desperate and can never match her.
She see your property and waan fi trespass pon it
Jealous women covet the woman's life and want to interfere.
See you love fly far, waan run racket
The woman is leading a successful life, and others are envious of her success.
Flop, a gyal flop just because she flip
Women who try to compete with the woman will fail miserably.
A gyal body no good, just walk and spread it
The woman's competitors have nothing else to offer except for their bodies.
Deh pon the condemned list hear this
The woman's competitors are on the losing end and have failed miserably.
Well
Mad Cobra is concluding his advice to the woman and his response to those who might oppose her.
Imagine, how you and him a come from far
Mad Cobra reflects on the journey the woman and her man have taken to reach where they are currently.
When dem used to cuss him how
In the past, people used to criticize the man.
Him black like tar
His dark complexion was used to ridicule him.
Now him get smooth and a drive pretty car
The man has become successful and is driving a nice car.
Dollar sign long, from here to Sav la-Mar
The man is financially stable, and his wealth is spread over a large area.
Things no stop gwan, you a live like a star
The woman and her man are living a life of luxury and are successful.
Start look your man
Mad Cobra advises the woman to focus on her man and avoid negative people.
And turn 'round waan fi war
The woman should avoid conflicts and focus on her man.
Promise you acid burn, promise you scar
The woman's competitors are threatening her with acid burns and physical injuries.
Can't tell you how him don't Even look pon her
The man is not interested in other women as he is satisfied with the woman by his side.
Better she sit down and cool
Mad Cobra advises the woman's competitors to calm down and accept the reality that they have lost.
Lyrics ยฉ Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Anthony Cameron, Ewart Brown, Haldane Browne, Lowell Dunbar, Anthony Malvo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@frenchfries2378
These tunes bring me back to the times when I had no stress at all. i'm feeling relaxed. Buzzin'!
@suzettelawes2104
Preach!!! The best time of dance hall...
@5070RAA
I used to only listen to 90s hip hop and it was pretty good. But then I heard this song at a Jamaican sound system dance, with speakers up to the ceiling. After that, I started listening to dancehall and a deejay was born.
@derrickbraithwaite-mais8469
๐๐ฅณ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฃ๐ฃ๐ฃ
@givegodthanks
I will be the only one in a nursing home or assisted living shaking my head to this. Cause me a shake it now. ๐
@user-tn4dz1pw6d
Me 2 ๐๐๐๐
@user-tn4dz1pw6d
I'll be right with you ๐๐
@janiceclarke267
I'm here giving homecare, and not only shaking my head but my ass as well๐ ๐ ๐
@Anaxo90
He killed this tho! ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ
@domnic1308
Frfr. The flow on the first verse was ๐ฅ