Ms. Dynamite was born and raised in Archway, London, England, to a Scottish mother and a Jamaican father. She grew up listening to reggae and hip hop music. Though she wanted to become a schoolteacher or social worker, her biggest aspiration was to be a musician. She is the eldest of eleven siblings, one of whom is a grime artist known as Akala.
While working at the radio station RAW FM, Ms. Dynamite was discovered by Richard Forbes at a West End club. After working briefly with the garage act So Solid Crew, she released her debut album, A Little Deeper, in 2002, which won Britain's prestigious Mercury Prize for Album of the Year for 2002.
2001
48 Neva Soft
Ms. Dynamite Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take you away now
We're gonna fight into your heart
Original bad gal 'pon the radar
Where the fierce sound boy we not afraid
Eat cheese hot like potato
I'mma high from the anticipation
Best things come to those who have been waiting
So hold on tight cause you can't never run from what you see
Take my advice spirits
Don't fly unless they are free
I've been taking it to the world
(Ayahoo ohh)
Have no fear now
(Ayahoo ohh)
Levitate-tate
No need see me now what's up ya'know
No need see me set thing up ya'know
No need see me make this rock ya'know
But the rhythm never let me down (down)
No need see me now with the style ya'know
No need see me set things up ya'know
No need see me make this rock ya'know
But the rhythm never let me down (down)
None of them can mess with the style no
It's why all of them follow where I go
Got the beat killer you say as I go
And where taking you back like the high top
Come again with the fire I can't stop!
Take you way now
Take you away now
We're gonna fight into your heart
So hold on tight cause you can't never run from what you see
Take my advice
Spirits don't fly unless they are free
I've been taking it to the world
(Ayahoo ohh)
Have no fear now
(Ayahoo ohh)
Levitate-tate
No need see me now what's up ya'know
No need see me set thing up ya'know
No need see me make this rock ya'know
But the rhythm never let me down (down)
No need see me now with the style ya'know
No need see me set things up ya'know
No need see me make this rock ya'know
But the rhythm never let me down (down)
(Ayahoo ohh)
Have no fear now
(Ayahoo ohh)
Levitate-tate
Oh, breathe from it all
Deep in yourself and now let the rhythm take you there
Oh, breathe from it all
Back off the wall
And now let the rhythm take you there
No need see me now what's up ya'know
No need see me set things up ya'know
No need see me make this rock ya'know
But the rhythm never let me down (down)
No need see me now with the style ya'know
No need see me set things up ya'know
No need see me make this rock ya'know
But the rhythm never let me down (down)
(Ayahoo ohh)
Have no fear now
(Ayahoo ohh)
Levitate-tate
Take you way now
Take you away now
We're gonna fight into your heart
The song "48 Neva Soft" by Ms. Dynamite is a high-energy track that celebrates the power of music to inspire, uplift, and move people. The lyrics speak to the importance of living life to the fullest, taking risks, and trusting in oneself. The singer implores listeners to embrace their individuality and let the music take them on a journey of self-discovery.
Throughout the song, Ms. Dynamite uses a mix of hard-hitting Jamaican patois and street slang to create a sense of urgency and excitement. The lyrics are layered over a driving beat and a pulsing bassline, creating an infectious rhythm that draws listeners in and keeps them moving.
Ms. Dynamite's message is one of empowerment and self-confidence, urging listeners to be true to themselves and trust in their own strength to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. With its infectious beat and memorable hooks, "48 Neva Soft" is an anthem that inspires listeners to get up, get moving, and take on the world with confidence and swagger.
Line by Line Meaning
Take you away now
Let's escape and forget our worries
Take you away now
Let's escape and forget our worries
We're gonna fight into your heart
We'll use the power of music to entice you
Original bad gal 'pon the radar
I'm a confident and respected woman in this industry
Where the fierce sound boy we not afraid
We're not afraid of the opposition's sound system
Eat cheese hot like potato
We're on fire and unstoppable
I'mma high from the anticipation
I'm excited and energized for what's to come
Never know 'bout the moves we've been making
You don't know the work we've put in behind the scenes
Best things come to those who have been waiting
Good things happen to those who are patient
So hold on tight cause you can't never run from what you see
Embrace what you see and hold on tight for the ride
Take my advice spirits
I have some wisdom to share
Don't fly unless they are free
Don't pursue something until you're truly ready
I've been taking it to the world
I'm making music for the world to hear
(Ayahoo ohh)
Vocalization and repetition for effect
Have no fear now
Don't be afraid
Levitate-tate
Elevate your spirit
No need see me now what's up ya'know
You don't have to watch my every move
No need see me set thing up ya'know
I don't need an audience for my preparations
No need see me make this rock ya'know
I don't need anyone's validation to create good music
But the rhythm never let me down (down)
The beat is always reliable and inspiring
None of them can mess with the style no
Nobody can copy my unique style
It's why all of them follow where I go
My creativity attracts followers and imitators
Got the beat killer you say as I go
The rhythm is so good it's like a weapon
And where taking you back like the high top
Our music will take you back to a nostalgic time
Come again with the fire I can't stop!
I'll continue to make amazing music with passion
Oh breathe from it all
Take a deep breath and feel refreshed
Deep in yourself and now let the rhythm take you there
Let the music take you to a deeper place within yourself
Back off the wall
Don't be afraid to let loose and dance
No need see me now with the style ya'know
My style speaks for itself and doesn't need validation
No need see me set things up ya'know
I don't need to prove my talent in the preparation phase
No need see me make this rock ya'know
I don't need external approval to create great music
Take you way now
Let's get out of here and have some fun
Take you away now
Let's get out of here and have some fun
We're gonna fight into your heart
Our music will conquer your heart and soul
Have no fear now
Don't be afraid
Levitate-tate
Elevate your spirit
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tattoolurch
She got her big break in a genre that she doesn't like but you already know that once you get put in a certain genre, you have to have attachments to that because it is what made you successful to begin with (such as Alesha Dixon from Misteeq for example).
So although Ms Dynamite may have come across as "forgetting her roots" to what made her successful, her songs did touch on a mature version of how to overcome typical stereotypes, how you don't have to follow the herd of "sheep" in life and that you can give out lyrical sensibility to people who don't feel like they fall in to the general statistics of "general people".
Personally, I wouldn't say that she is the UKs version of Lauren Hill but she certainly had the qualities, insight and intelligence to become that, along with the singing voice power of Alisha Keys (which to me, Alisha Keys singing voice always puts me in a trance of peace and tranquility, even though I know that I wouldn't like Alisha as a person).
So for Ms Dynamite to be able to humbly present mature themes to a genre, have all of those qualities included, should not have been diminished but perhaps maybe gone about the topics one album at a time that is integrated into each other, like a long drawn out story.
On the whole though, I still frequently listen to her music when I want to listen to mature, relaxed themes from a true woman of integrity and intelligence.
@Fergpal
To say I was obsessed with 'It Takes More' would be an understatement... Used to wait all day for it to come on Mtv Base (before it was picked up by the main pop channels). Bought the cd on day of release and burned it out almost immediately! Same with the debut album (which was class from start to finish). Remember the second album being a bit of a let-down in comparison but still thought she'd make it back in the charts again. Thanks for this video - really enjoyed it :)
@KingstonTV334
thank you for documenting our history. You are important.
@RenieNostalgic
Thank you! I appreciate you watching.
@retroghetto7646
She had the potential to be a global megastar. I was so hyped by her. And was so excited to see what she was gonna do next, then she just dropped off.
@williammilesiii9766
If I could chime in, as an American , I have adored this woman for quite some time. I was first introduced to her in 02-03 when I saw “Dynamite” on MTV2 … I was obsessed since day one. Purchased the album from a K-Mart and have never stopped listening nor believing in her vision. Ms. Dynamite is a legend unsung and her credit is due. We never received another album in the states after “A Little Deeper,” unfortunately.
@mohammedsherif2100
Thank you Renie for this video. I enjoyed Ms. Dynamite's lighter songs like "Fall in Love Again" and "Krazy Krush" a lot more than the anti-violence and gangster songs. Wish she recorded more of those.
@TheMMFamily9
I loved the second album, actually one of her songs is "our" song as a couple, i think she is way ahead of her time, its not the last we will hear from her, even if it all resurfaces to a new generation...great video, thank you
@RenieNostalgic
Definitely ahead of her time.
@leighmcwest9770
This has been so long overdue, I've been waiting for a video on her. Thank you!!
@TheMancalorian
I still listen to my girl Ms Dynamite, i still have a soft spot for her.
She was the reason i fell in love with mix race gals and even black women too, shes my dream girl.