The name "Skepta" originated from the word Sceptre, a type of staff. He did not like the way it was spelt and felt that he wanted a unique stage name so 'that he could type "Skepta" in YouTube and only he would come up.' So, he changed it.
Skepta started his music career after he won a MC battle with over 300 people contesting beating Tempa T in the final. He also formed a partnership with his brother JME and became renowned throughout Greater London for his hit single (he also produced), "Private Caller" which featured many of his Meridian Crew from Meridian Walk in Tottenham.
Skepta (Managing Director) along with brother JME (CEO), began their grime label Boy Better Know in late 2005. The phrase "Boy Better Know" was originated by Big H the artist.
This phrase was then taken by Skepta and JME. Early 2006 saw the release of 'Shut Yuh Mut' - Boy Better Know Edition 1 which features all 3 artists and throughout the years has contributed and aided many other artists such as Frisco and Wiley to put out mixtapes, along with JME (4 mixtapes) and Skepta's September 2007 release 'Greatest Hits', which was distributed nationwide.
However now, Wiley left because he found mainstream chart success with Roll Deep, a crew that he co-founded and has enjoyed two number one hit singles with on the UK Top 40 Chart. He also had an ongoing 'beef' with Skepta, with both artists creating diss tracks, Wiley's 'Barnet' and Skepta's 'House in the Country' were both uploaded onto YouTube by both artists. However, this 'beef' was later proved to be false, as Skepta has stated in interviews, over Twitter, and whilst appearing on Ustream.
Skepta has released three singles off his third studio album, Doin' It Again (first with a major label). Titled "Bad Boy", "Rescue Me" and "Cross My Heart" featuring Preeya Kalidas, as well as a video for the Hello Good Morning (Grime Remix).
All singles charted in the Top 40 of the UK Singles Chart, with "Rescue Me" being the most successful at number 14. The chart position of "Cross My Heart" was fairly disappointing coming in at number 31 and dropping out of the Top 40 a week later, bearing in mind it had the most promotion out of any of the tracks. After the success of his first single "Bad Boy", Skepta's videos were removed from his own channel and promoted through All Around The World (a division of Universal Records).
His tracks were also premiered on the official website of the label.
It is expected that "Doin' It Again" will be either released on or in partnership with All Around The World records, scheduled for a release of 31 January 2011 for digital download and on 7 February 2011 as a CD.
Are You Ready?
Skepta Lyrics
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The black Nigerian's way to heavy
Every time I open my mouth blud
I say a lyric and another MC gets buried
Yeah 6 feet under
Leave a hole in your jumper
When the big skeng rings out like a private number
Ring ring, talk to the answer machine
I just wanna do my part for the scene
I'm a big man but they wanna see me act like I'm 15
Na fam it's a big man ting so please stop watching the whip man's in
I don't wanna be no funky house DJ
But they got me on a wig man ting
You can't threaten me with no badman talk I'm not scared sorry man
You can't threaten me with no badman talk I'm not scared sorry man
You can't threaten me with no badman talk I'm not scared sorry man
I seen so much now I don't give a monkeys
Swing from tree to tree just like monkeys
So man wanna war me, record me
Lights camera action
Who produces anthem after anthem? (Me)
Skepta, The Microphone Champion
Some people can't see that you can't win a lyrical war with me
So I'm gonna call this one Lord of the Mics, Part 3
And murder another 25 MCs
So dig me a larger grave
Spray my ting like aftershave
It's gonna be a par today
When your heartbeat stops and you pass away
Trust me it's all easy to me
I'm champagne, you're Lambrini to me
Dunno why you're talking greazy to me
When I'm Rodney Price, you're Beenie to me
You can't threaten me with no badman talk I'm not scared sorry man
You can't threaten me with no badman talk I'm not scared sorry man
You can't threaten me with no badman talk I'm not scared sorry man
I seen so much now I don't give a monkeys
Swing from tree to tree just like monkeys
They wanna run it up
But like Armour said
It's nothing leave them
Bare skeng talk I can't believe them
Red and white R6 I'll leave them
Ed Hardy glasses I can't see them
So why you talking like you can't die
One bullet in each lung breath then
See your sounding weezy
And I heard your CD
You and your mandem are talking greezy
I just tell a man like D-E-E
Come On Come On
Do you really think if I give 2 shits if you're greezy?
I don't think so
You man ain't seen greezy yet
All my mandem pop it off
Your man will fly off into the sky like easyJet
You can't threaten me with no badman talk I'm not scared sorry man
You can't threaten me with no badman talk I'm not scared sorry man
You can't threaten me with no badman talk I'm not scared sorry man
I seen so much now I don't give a monkeys
Swing from tree to tree just like monkeys
The song "Are You Ready" by Skepta featuring Wiley is a track that's full of braggadocio lyrics, with Skepta boasting about his skills and accomplishments as an MC. In the first verse, he talks about how his rhymes are so powerful that they can bury other MCs, leaving them 6 feet under. He also talks about how he doesn't want to be associated with the cheesy sound of funky house DJs. The chorus of the song is a repetition of the phrase "You can't threaten me with no badman talk I'm not scared sorry man", which is a way of Skepta saying that he isn't afraid of anyone trying to intimidate him.
In the second verse, Skepta continues to boast about his skills as an MC. He talks about how he's the "Microphone Champion" and how he produces anthem after anthem. He also mentions Lord of the Mics, a popular grime battle rap competition, and how he's going to "murder another 25 MCs". He finishes the verse by saying that he's champagne while others are like Lambrini, a cheaper and less desirable type of sparkling wine.
Overall, the song is a showcase of Skepta's confidence and swagger as an MC. He's not afraid of anyone trying to intimidate him or challenge his skills, and he's more than willing to back up his boasts with actual talent.
Line by Line Meaning
Hmm, wow, yeah, always ready
I am always ready to perform; I am confident in my abilities
The black Nigerian's way too heavy
As a Nigerian artist, my impact and weight in the music industry is significant
Every time I open my mouth blud, I say a lyric and another MC gets buried
My lyrics are powerful and influential when I rap, and other MCs cannot compete with me
Yeah 6 feet under, leave a hole in your jumper, when the big skeng rings out like a private number
If you come up against me in a rap battle, you will lose, and I will metaphorically bury you; even your clothes will be left with holes
Ring ring, talk to the answer machine, Yo Frisco pass the machine, I just wanna do my part for the scene
I am focused on making music and contributing to the music industry in a positive way
I'm a big man but they wanna see me act like I'm 15, Na fam it's a big man ting so please stop watching the whip man's in
Despite being an adult, people try to treat me like a child; I am mature and want to be taken seriously
I don't wanna be no funky house DJ, but they got me on a wig man ting
I am a rapper, not a DJ for a different music genre, but people expect me to be involved in everything related to music
You can't threaten me with no badman talk I'm not scared sorry man
I am not intimidated by those who try to act tough or threatening
I seen so much now I don't give a monkeys, swing from tree to tree just like monkeys
I have experienced a lot in my life, and I do not care about trivial things; I am carefree like a monkey swinging from tree to tree
So man wanna war me, record me, lights camera action, who produces anthem after anthem? (Me)
People want to challenge me, record me, and make me the star of their videos because I produce hit after hit
Skepta, The Microphone Champion
I am known as the champion of rap and have earned this title
Some people can't see that you can't win a lyrical war with me, so I'm gonna call this one Lord of the Mics, Part 3, and murder another 25 MCs
I am possibly the greatest rapper of all time, and others cannot defeat me in a lyrical battle; I will continue to outperform others
So dig me a larger grave, spray my ting like aftershave, it's gonna be a par today, when your heartbeat stops and you pass away
I am so confident in my abilities that I will metaphorically 'kill' all of my opponents and celebrate my victory
Trust me it's all easy to me, I'm champagne, you're Lambrini to me, dunno why you're talking greazy to me, when I'm Rodney Price, you're Beenie to me
Winning a lyrical battle is effortless to me; I am better and more refined than my opponents
They wanna run it up, but like Armour said, it's nothing, leave them, bare skeng talk I can't believe them, red and white R6 I'll leave them, Ed Hardy glasses I can't see them
People want to challenge me, but like Armour said, it is not a challenge; they are not ready for me and are only talking out of fear
So why you talking like you can't die, one bullet in each lung breath then, see you're sounding weezy, and I heard your CD, you and your mandem are talking greezy
Those who try to act tough and invincible are foolish and will not survive if they come up against me; their music is not impressive either
I just tell a man like D-E-E, come on come on, do you really think if I give 2 shits if you're greezy? I don't think so, you man ain't seen greezy yet, all my mandem pop it off, your man will fly off into the sky like easyJet
I do not care about those who talk behind my back or try to bring me down; I am not threatened by them, and my team is strong enough to defeat anyone who tries to challenge us
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOSEPH ADENUGA, WRITER UNKNOWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind