Shakka was born from Dominican parents, in the multicultural busy bustle of… Read Full Bio ↴Shakka was born from Dominican parents, in the multicultural busy bustle of Grove (Notting Hill).

His father, a guitarist and producer of the Reggae band “The Foreigners Crew”, made sure he was immersed into music as a child. So he played keys and ended up singing a few songs for the band.

After studying Music Production and Theory, Classical Piano, Percussion and Vocals at CYM (Centre for Young Musicians), working closely with fellow rapper Incisive, he released his first EP entitled Foolishness Vol.1, and The Shakka Crown Affair, his widely received Concept Mixtape taking influence from The Thomas Crown Affair, where he experiments with Hip-Hop, Jazz, Indie Rock, and Electronic music.

Alongside his latest Shakkapella video-series, where he covers popular songs recreating the music in a beat-box fashion, he is promoting his Mixtape and other songs at shows across the UK (Loughborough, Lincoln, and Brighton to name a few).

The Jungle
Shakka Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I see you smile at dirty lines and jokes
I catch you laugh at people when they fall
You've mastered that "I'm better than you" pause
You're pushing all my buttons that you know

Ya know, ya know, ya know
They don't get our flow
Ya know, ya know, ya know

They love the age of stone
Ooooh uh oh
You're better than you know
Living like tomorrow's time to go

So. go on, go on... You own it
Yea. Go on, go on... You own it

Ooooooh
Well maybe its the jungle, the jungle
That makes ya go on and say... Oh Yea
Far looking you go
You'll never tie up your inner child with rope
This confidence ain't cockiness, I know.
You've talked the talk since you were 4 yrs old

Ya know, ya know, ya know
They won't get your flow
Ya know, ya know...
Tomorrow's time to go

So. go on, go on... You own it
Yea. Go on, go on... You own it

Ooooooh
Well maybe its the jungle, the jungle
That makes ya go on and say... Oh yea

Yea. Go on, go on.You own it
Eeh
Yea.Go on, go on... You own it

I see you smile ate dirty lines and jokes
...catch you laugh at people when they fall
You've mastered that "I'm better than you" pause
You know, you know
You're better than you know...

So. go on, go on... You own it
Yea. Go on, go on... You own it
Yea
Ooooooh
Well maybe its the jungle, the jungle
That makes ya go on and say... Oh yea.
Fuck the hate babe
Go and do ya ting
Do ya ting, ting

Do ya ting.Oh yea...
AngieB.

Overall Meaning

In Shakka’s song “The Jungle,” the artist addresses a person who has an air of superiority and arrogance about them. Shakka observes this person smile at inappropriate jokes and laugh at other people's misfortune with a sense of haughtiness. The person has an almost intentional façade of superiority, which Shakka describes as “that 'I'm better than you' pause.” Despite this, Shakka sees a sense of inner confidence in this person, and he believes that this "confidence ain’t cockiness." This person has always had a strong belief in themselves, which has been present since they were only four years old, a trait that Shakka admires.

As the song progresses, Shakka offers this person encouragement by telling them to own this confidence and continue to march to the beat of their own drum. He says, “Go on, go on... you own it,” multiple times throughout the chorus. Shakka seems to suggest that the person should ignore those who do not understand or relate to their unique outlook on life. Shakka offers a moot that maybe it's the "jungle" - symbolically corrupt society - that has shaped this person into who they are, a person filled with self-belief and zest.

The song’s lyrics suggest that this person has faced criticism and judgement, but Shakka’s message is to ignore the naysayers and continue living boldly. With its catchy chorus and smooth R&B beats, “The Jungle” encourages listeners to embrace themselves wholly and unapologetically.

Line by Line Meaning

I see you smile at dirty lines and jokes
I notice that you find humor in vulgar jokes and remarks

I catch you laugh at people when they fall
I observe that you find amusement in other people's mishaps and misfortunes

You've mastered that 'I'm better than you' pause
You have perfected that moment of silence where it's clear that you believe you are superior to others

You're pushing all my buttons that you know
You are intentionally provoking me by exploiting the things that you know bother me

They don't get our flow
Others don't understand the way we operate and think

They love the age of stone
They prefer primitive ways of living

You're better than you know
You have more potential than you realize

Living like tomorrow's time to go
Living each day as if it could be your last

So. go on, go on... You own it
Keep doing what you're doing with confidence

Well maybe its the jungle, the jungle that makes ya go on and say... Oh Yea
Perhaps it's the challenging nature of life that drives you to keep going

Far looking you go
You have a long-term view and aim high

You'll never tie up your inner child with rope
You will always maintain your sense of playfulness and innocence

This confidence ain't cockiness, I know
You're not arrogant, you simply believe in yourself

You've talked the talk since you were 4 yrs old
You have always had confidence in yourself and expressed it

They won't get your flow
Others won't understand or appreciate your unique perspective