Pa Salieu was born in Slough, where he spent the early stages of his life. His parents moved to the UK from The Gambia. He was named after his father's eldest brother, Pa Salieu, a police officer back home who died in his early twenties. His aunt is a Gambian folk singer.
Before his first birthday, his parents sent him back to The Gambia where he lived with his grandmother. There, Pa spent his formative years living in a household with his elder relatives. He describes his time there as the most important period in his life. At the age of 8, his mother brought him back to England. They moved to Hillfields, a suburb in the North of Coventry. His new home provided inspiration for his music career, becoming the focus of his breakout song "Frontline" released in January 2020, produced by Jevon. Through the song, he depicts life in Coventry and documents the neighbourhood that raised him.
Pa started pursuing a music career after his close friend was killed. He recorded his first freestyle at a friend's small home studio setup, where he would regularly visit to write and record music. In October 2019, he was the victim of a shooting in Coventry where he was shot in the head but he survived and made a full recovery.
Salieu is signed to Warner Records. He wrote "Frontline" in 20 minutes, and the music video was released on YouTube via Mixtape Madness. Since its release, it has accumulated over two million views and over three million streams. It has also become the most played track of 2020 on BBC 1Xtra, Reprezent Radio and Rinse FM. Salieu's music has received support from Virgil Abloh, BBC Radio 1's Annie Mac and Tiffany Calver as well as OVO Sound co-founder Oliver El Khatib.
The early momentum of "Frontline" has continued with a string of feature verses. He collaborated with South London rapper SL on the song "Hit the Block", as well as Meekz, M1llionz and Teeway on "Year of the Real". He also collaborated with Backroad Gee and Ambush for the remix to their track, "Party Popper". In June 2020, Salieu released two tracks – "Betty" and "Bang Out". He was premiered by Annie Mac and DJ Target on BBC Radio 1. He was described by the London Evening Standard as the rapper to watch in 2020, and has received strong support from J Hus. In January 2021, he was announced as the winner of the BBC Sound of... 2021.
Frontline
Pa Salieu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Still doing mazza inna frontline
They ain't on what I'm on right
Still doing mazza inna frontline
They ain't grow around the block side
Still doing mazza inna frontline
Niggas still gully in the six side
Still doing mazza in your frontline
Bad man run up in your bando
Knick-knack, mash that work like Rambo
Whip that white I feel like Django
Shut down, lock off, now them man dem know
Real bad man, who you talking to?
He got soaked by that dark black youte
See me I'm that big bad wolf
How many bandos did I run through?
Gambian brudda, Mr K. Kunte
Follow my rules, still I rise and take
Graveyard shifts of the day and night
Just my food that these fiends wan' take
For my money I make the ground elevate
All day pray for my sins, for my devilish ways
For my money I make the ground elevate
With the spinner on his devilish waist
They don't know about the block life
Still doing mazza inna frontline
They ain't on what I'm on right
Still doing mazza inna frontline
They ain't grow around the block side
Still doing mazza inna frontline
Niggas still gully in the six side
Still doing mazza in the frontline
They wanna save my life
Won't stop belling on my Lyca
I swear I fell in love with the nina, nina, nina oh
They wanna take my life
Won't stop belling on my Lyca
I swear I fell in love with the nina, nina, nina oh
Clout rapping like they gully
But they've never touched botty
Passion for the beef, I ain't sorry
Fell in love with Shelly, nickname Betty
What I say better do now, everything messy
Starboy are grinding, tryna hit the belly
Shh, got chinged for the talk pon the netty
Bro got links for the desi, that means I too
Double cross I, then it's
They don't know about the block life
Still doing mazza inna frontline
They ain't on what I'm on right
Still doing mazza inna frontline
They ain't grow around the block side
Still doing mazza inna frontline
Niggas still gully in the six side
Still doing mazza in your frontline
They don't know about the block life
Still doing mazza inna frontline
They ain't on what I'm on right
Still doing mazza inna frontline
They ain't grow around the block side
Still doing mazza inna frontline
Niggas still gully in the six side
Still doing mazza in the frontline
The song "Frontline" by Pa Salieu is a powerful expression of his life in the "block," where he has experienced violence and criminal activity but also gained a sense of community and resilience. Throughout the song, he emphasizes the disconnect between those who do not understand this life and those who live it every day. He repeats the phrase "Still doing mazza inna frontline," which means that he continues to face danger and struggle despite the challenges that come with living in this environment.
Pa Salieu also touches on themes of power and survival in his lyrics. He describes himself as a "real bad man" who has conquered many obstacles and runs through "bandos" (abandoned buildings where illicit activities take place). He name-drops Gambian musician K.K. Kunte, indicating that he is proud of his heritage and culture. He also speaks about the constant threat to his life, with people "belling on my Lyca" (calling his phone) and trying to take him down.
Line by Line Meaning
They don't know about the block life
People don't understand the street lifestyle
Still doing mazza in the frontline
Continuing to cause chaos in the streets
They ain't on what I'm on right
Others don't live life the same way or have the same experiences
Still doing mazza inna frontline
Despite this, still causing chaos in the streets
They ain't grow around the block side
Others didn't grow up in the same neighborhood
Still doing mazza inna frontline
Despite this, still causing chaos in the streets
Niggas still gully in the six side
People are still tough in the neighborhood
Still doing mazza in your frontline
Continuing to cause chaos in the streets
Bad man run up in your bando
Dangerous people raiding your house
Knick-knack, mash that work like Rambo
Violently destroying work like Rambo
Whip that white I feel like Django
Cooking drugs and feeling like the character Django
Shut down, lock off, now them man dem know
After causing chaos, the area is now quiet and the people know who is responsible
Real bad man, who you talking to?
A dangerous person questioning who someone else is trying to intimidate
He got soaked by that dark black youte
Someone was attacked by a dangerous black youth
See me I'm that big bad wolf
Referring to oneself as a dangerous predator
How many bandos did I run through?
Asking how many houses were raided to get drugs
Gambian brudda, Mr K. Kunte
Referring to oneself as a Gambian brother named Mr K. Kunte
Follow my rules, still I rise and take
Living by one's own rules and succeeding in life
Graveyard shifts of the day and night
Working hard all hours of the day and night
Just my food that these fiends wan' take
Drug addicts trying to take the drugs one has
For my money I make the ground elevate
Making money and becoming more successful
All day pray for my sins, for my devilish ways
Asking for forgiveness for one's wrongdoings
With the spinner on his devilish waist
Carrying a gun with bad intentions
They wanna save my life
Others want to protect or help me
Won't stop belling on my Lyca
Others won't stop contacting me through my phone
I swear I fell in love with the nina, nina, nina oh
Liking the gun and calling it by a nickname
Clout rapping like they gully
Rappers claiming to be tough for fame
But they've never touched botty
But have never committed any real crimes
Passion for the beef, I ain't sorry
Being passionate about conflict and not feeling remorseful
Fell in love with Shelly, nickname Betty
Liking a gun and calling it by a nickname
What I say better do now, everything messy
Following orders or else things will get chaotic
Starboy are grinding, tryna hit the belly
Working hard to make money
Shh, got chinged for the talk pon the netty
Staying quiet about using the internet for illegal activities
Bro got links for the desi, that means I too
Having connections for illegal activities
Double cross I, then it's
Warning that double-crossing will result in retaliation
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Pa Salieu Gaye, Jevon Daniel Ellis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Call me Tom
Lyrics:
They don't know about the block life
Still doing mazza inna frontline
They ain't on what I'm on right
Still doing mazza inna frontline
They ain't grow around the block side
Still doing mazza inna frontline
Niggas still gully in the six side
Still doing mazza in your frontline
Bad man run up in your bando
Knick knack mash that work like Rambo
Whip that white I feel like Django
Shut down, lock off, now them man dem know
Real bad man, who you talking to?
He got soaked by the dark black yute
See me I'm that big bad wolf
How many bandos did I run through
Gambian brudda, Mr K. Kunte
Follow my rules, still I rise and take
Graveyard shifts of the day and night
Just my food that these fiends wan take
For my money I make the ground elevate
And I pray for my sins, for my devilish ways
For my money I make the ground elevate
With the spinner on his devilish waist
They don't know about the block life
Still doing mazza inna frontline
They ain't on what I'm on right
Still doing mazza inna frontline
They ain't grow around the block side
Still doing mazza inna frontline
Niggas still gully in the six side
Still doing mazza in the frontline
They wanna save my life-ah
Won't stop belling on my Lyca
I swear I fell in love with the nina, nina, nina oh
They wanna take my life-ah
Won't stop belling on my Lyca
I swear I fell in love with the nina, nina, nina oh
Clout rapping like they gully but they've never touched botty
Passion for the beef, I ain't sorry
Fell in love with Shelly, nickname Betty
What I say better do now, everything messy
Starboy are grinding, tryna hit the belly
Shh got chinged for the talk pon the netty
Bro got links for the desi, that means I too
Double cross I, then it's
They don't know about the block life
Still doing mazza inna frontline
They ain't on what I'm on right
Still doing mazza inna frontline
They ain't grow around the block side
Still doing mazza inna frontline
Niggas still gully in the six side
Still doing mazza in your frontline
They don't know about the block life
Still doing mazza inna frontline
They ain't on what I'm on right
Still doing mazza inna frontline
They ain't grow around the block side
Still doing mazza inna frontline
Niggas still gully in the six side
Still doing mazza in the frontline
Taufik Hidayat
They don't know about the block life
Still doing mazza inna frontline
They ain't on what I'm on right
Still doing mazza inna frontline
They ain't grow around the block side
Still doing mazza inna frontline
Niggas still gully in the six side
Still doing mazza in your frontline
Bad man run up in your bando
Knick knack mash that work like Rambo
Whip that white I feel like Django
Shut down, lock off, now them man dem know
Real bad man, who you talking to?
He got soaked by the dark black yute
See me I'm that big bad wolf
How many bandos did I run through
Gambian brudda, Mr K. Kunte
Follow my rules, still I rise and take
Graveyard shifts of the day and night
Just my food that these fiends wan take
For my money I make the ground elevate
And I pray for my sins, for my devilish ways
For my money I make the ground elevate
With the spinner on his devilish waist
They don't know about the block life
Still doing mazza inna frontline
They ain't on what I'm on right
Still doing mazza inna frontline
They ain't grow around the block side
Still doing mazza inna frontline
Niggas still gully in the six side
Still doing mazza in the frontline
They wanna save my life-ah
Won't stop belling on my Lyca
I swear I fell in love with the nina, nina, nina oh
They wanna take my life-ah
Won't stop belling on my Lyca
I swear I fell in love with the nina, nina, nina oh
Clout rapping like they gully but they've never touched botty
Passion for the beef, I ain't sorry
Fell in love with Shelly, nickname Betty
What I say better do now, everything messy
Starboy are grinding, tryna hit the belly
Shh got chinged for the talk pon the netty
Bro got links for the desi, that means I too
Double cross I, then it's
They don't know about the block life
Still doing mazza inna frontline
They ain't on what I'm on right
Still doing mazza inna frontline
They ain't grow around the block side
Still doing mazza inna frontline
Niggas still gully in the six side
Still doing mazza in your frontline
They don't know about the block life
Still doing mazza inna frontline
They ain't on what I'm on right
Still doing mazza inna frontline
They ain't grow around the block side
Still doing mazza inna frontline
Niggas still gully in the six side
Still doing mazza in the frontline
thx me? sub my channel
Syncopated
Consistency is all this guy needs. He’s got it.
Robbie Forde
him and kida kudz next up imo
Keni Matai
Thats exactly what i was thinkin
Trap 05
@DTExplorer finally he blew fam he had big potential but no one saw it back then
Jacob C
This beat is absolutely nuts, shout out to the producer!
Jacob C
@hm Np man, keep up the sick work. Nothing else sounding like this atm!
Dennis Lochrie
Beat knocks doors off bro
Robbie Forde
@hm big ups mate, need more beats like this - proper gully riddim
guy man
@hm yeah you went in on this bro
Michael Williams
@hm heavy riddim