Badman
Roll Deep Lyrics

He kept squeezing but he's missing the point
He was insistent on doing things his way but didn't understand what was really important

He never had his head screwed on from a boy
He lacked guidance and direction from an early age

The boys that he rolled with they weren't his boys
The people he associated with weren't really his true friends

He didn't realise then he was with the wrong crowd
He wasn't aware that the people he spent time with were involved in bad activities

He don't listen, that's why he won't learn anything, Earn anything or turn anything around
He didn't listen to advice or take the necessary steps to improve his life

He don't use his loaf when he's on the roads That's why his life turned round, upside down
He didn't use his common sense when making decisions and ended up in a bad situation

Of course there was gonna be consequences When jumping fences, you will get court and sentenced.
It was inevitable that he would face the consequences of his actions, as breaking the law would eventually catch up to him

That's a bad look and entrance Keep it up, he won't see his pension
Being involved in criminal activities is harmful to one's future and could prevent them from receiving benefits like a pension

Watch me I'll live till I'm older If he likes leng so much, go army and be a soldier
Choosing a career in the army is a better option than a life of crime

I don't care what that badman told you, You can be a badman with out a revolver
Being tough doesn't require the possession of a firearm

He's a big man, thats what he wants He's a badman, thats his response Where is he going, what's he gonna be Watch what happens, wait and see
He desires power and a reputation for toughness, but his unclear path in life will lead to uncertain outcomes

Got a gully little friend Little gully man, gully with a leng Billa know that he's bate on the ends Lives for da road, more time in pen
He has a friend who is heavily involved in street culture, often carrying weapons and getting into trouble resulting in frequent imprisonment

He's blessed with me but God's not reaching him Wasting time trying to preach to him This boy needs help, like nobody can't chat to him All been there done poop for a laugh
Despite receiving aid, it seems that divine intervention is futile as he continues to engage in dangerous behaviour. Talking to him won't help as he has a history of behaving recklessly

Run a muck ran up da wrong path Been a prick done crazy shit Gunshot Karmas a bitch dats just the half Youts go missin in da system Get banged up like sonny liston Come back worse then they went in Pissed cos nobody missed em
Being involved in negative activities will lead to repercussions like incarceration or even death, as well as the negative consequences of being incarcerated

So what's he gonna do? Wants to do this? Roll with the mash with the 2 clips? Unload the shells for a few kicks? Make em do summersaults, back flips?
He is consider the next steps in his life and is considering whether to use firearms and violence to solidify his position in public life

After the drama he made that change Hot headed from a younger to get that name Other men fear him, dither and jowal But police catch him, its straight prison
He eventually realized the implicatons of his actions, in his youth he tried to build a reputation and frighten others with his behaviours reasoning that it kept him safe. But eventually he was apprehended and it resulted in a prison sentence

Never occurred to him to just think "Your life means more than this" Take another mans life there's more to it Sit down for it Some end up in jail Some lose the plot
It never dawned on him that his life had more value than the way he was living. He didn't understand the gravity of taking someones life, never considering the weight that prisoners carry with them when their sentences end

I know what it's like if they disrespect Use your intellect, get them in another way Clean heart, and live and over stand this A wise man will learn but a fool never will
Experiencing disrespect doesn't have to end in violence, it's important to remain calm, smart and move forward with a clear conscience - this is what makes someone smart versus foolish.

These are some serious times And it's only getting worse cos the streets ain't nice It was 1996 one time at chimes When he first heard a gunshot blud, he had to hide
The current times are tough and becoming more dangerous. He remembers a past event where a gunshot was heard, resulting in him taking cover

Two double O six, we're in the same mix And teenagers are rolling with nines ain't the lick And they're shooting each other on idiot shit Like: "man he tried it, does he think I'm a prick?"
Present day (2006) marks a time where young people are involved in severe crimes like murder over issues that should be simply hashed out, making weapon-carrying hurtful and pointless.

Nah.... But I bet you felt like one Waiting for a visit and your visit don't come But when the door shuts, it's just you and you one And that's because of you and what you did with a mash
The feeling of being forgotten when imprisoned can be humbling when one is left to confront their actions in a cell alone. He acknowledges that ultimately his actions are what landed him there.

Now look your family's not safe Revenge is wanted and you're locked away It's a circle of pain that never goes away All because of one gunshot that you bus' that day
The act of inflicting pain results in a never-ending cycle of retribution and avenging. One single thoughtless act was the catalyst of this ongoing heartache