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.
Dark
Skepta Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With the duty Luger
With me big revolver
Them never see me dark
Can't chat to me about the high road
Back then I was moving psycho
Rolling ten man strong minimum Seven-up like Fido Dido
My whole crew wanted by the 5 0
Cooking up food
Bubbles floating on top of the water like a lilo
5 to 9, 9 to 5
Anytime any day Scotty was live
I never had no time to look pretty
Two sets of clothes like Jekyll and Hyde
Selling drugs in the baitest ride
One cat buying food off me from this window
Another cat buying food off President T on the drivers side (Dark)
Them never see me dark (Nine millimeter)
Them never see me dark (With the duty Luger)
Them never see me dark (With me big revolver)
Them never see me dark (Them never see me dark)
Them never see me dark (Nine millimeter)
Them never see me dark (With the duty Luger)
Them never see me dark (With me big revolver)
Them never see me dark (Them never see me dark)
It's six o'clock in the morning
I flew out flew down the road flew back then flew in
My mum knows what I'm doing
And deep down I know she's screwing
I fell asleep with 13 scores in my mouth
Had a dream about chicken and chips
Like an eedyat I started chewing
Woke up then I started spewing
Thinking when is all this gonna end
I had to open them up then wrap them again
I've been on the road so if the beat needs road bars
It's nothing I'll strap them again
I've got nothing to prove I'm certified
You can't school me I've been there
That's why when you walk in the dance
All the skengman go to I'm in there (Dark)
Them never see me dark (Nine millimeter)
Them never see me dark (With the duty Luger)
Them never see me dark (With me big revolver)
Them never see me dark (Them never see me dark)
Them never see me dark (Nine millimeter)
Them never see me dark (With the duty Luger)
Them never see me dark (With me big revolver)
Them never see me dark (Them never see me dark)
They said I was better before
Because I used to chat a lot of grease before
Used to tell em what happened when my gun squeezed before
I never said "thank you or please before
Didn't chat about making Ps
Didn't chat about Boy Better Know tees before before before
I bun a lot of trees before
But now I've quit smoking
So now it's all good Skepta don't smoke no more
Money making I ain't broke no more
Picking up shutting and reloading
Even though I ain't selling no coke no more
No marijuana no pill no more
Never get booked for a bill no more
Don't get it twisted and think cause
I'm doing this music that I ain't real no more (Dark)
Them never see me dark (Nine millimeter)
Them never see me dark (With the duty Luger)
Them never see me dark (With me big revolver)
Them never see me dark (Them never see me dark)
Them never see me dark (Nine millimeter)
Them never see me dark (With the duty Luger)
Them never see me dark (With me big revolver)
Them never see me dark (Them never see me dark)
Them never see me dark
Them never see me dark
Them never see me dark
Them never see me dark
Them never see me dark (Nine millimeter)
Them never see me dark (With the duty Luger)
Them never see me dark (With me big revolver)
Them never see me dark (Them never see me dark)
The lyrics to Skepta's "Dark" describe his experiences as a drug dealer and his journey to becoming a successful musician. He talks about his involvement in illegal activities, such as selling drugs, and his possession of dangerous weapons like a nine-millimeter, a duty Luger, and a big revolver. Throughout the song, Skepta emphasizes that his enemies have never seen him "dark" or vulnerable, as he always keeps his guard up to protect himself.
He also references his past struggles with poverty, and how he and his crew were always wanted by the police. However, despite these challenges, Skepta remains defiant, insisting that he is "certified" and cannot be bested by anyone. He also touches upon his decision to stop smoking weed and his financial success, noting that he no longer sells drugs and is making a living through his music.
Overall, "Dark" is a gritty and honest representation of Skepta's past and present experiences. The song shows his determination to overcome adversity and succeed, despite the obstacles he has faced.
Line by Line Meaning
Nine millimeter
Referring to Skepta's firearm
With the duty Luger
Another firearm Skepta owns and uses
With me big revolver
Skepta has a large revolver gun
Them never see me dark
Skepta has never been caught or seen doing illegal activities at night
Can't chat to me about the high road
Skepta won't be lectured about proper behavior since he has already lived a sinful life
Back then I was moving psycho
In the past, Skepta was dealing drugs and acting crazy
Rolling ten man strong minimum Seven-up like Fido Dido
Skepta had a large crew and they drank Seven-up soda like Fido Dido (a fictional character known for his quirky dancing)
Scotland Green collect my giro
Skepta received benefits from the government
My whole crew wanted by the 5 0
Skepta and his crew were wanted by the police
Cooking up food
Skepta is cooking drugs
Bubbles floating on top of the water like a lilo
Describing the process of boiling drugs
5 to 9, 9 to 5
Skepta was working illegally all day and all night
Anytime any day Scotty was live
Skepta was always doing illegal activities
I never had no time to look pretty
Skepta was too busy doing illegal activities to focus on his appearance
Two sets of clothes like Jekyll and Hyde
Skepta had different outfits for different occasions
Selling drugs in the baitest ride
Skepta sold drugs in a car that was easy to recognize
One cat buying food off me from this window
Skepta sold drugs through a window
Another cat buying food off President T on the drivers side
Skepta and President T sold drugs to different customers in the same car
It's six o'clock in the morning
Skepta is waking up early
I flew out flew down the road flew back then flew in
Skepta quickly left and returned home
My mum knows what I'm doing
Skepta's mother is aware of his illegal activities
And deep down I know she's screwing
Skepta's mother is worried about his safety
I fell asleep with 13 scores in my mouth
Skepta had money in his mouth while sleeping
Had a dream about chicken and chips
Skepta had a strange dream about food
Like an eedyat I started chewing
Skepta started chewing on the money while half asleep
Woke up then I started spewing
Skepta was disgusted by his own behavior
Thinking when is all this gonna end
Skepta is considering leaving his illegal activities behind
I had to open them up then wrap them again
Skepta had to open drug packages and repackage them to sell
I've been on the road so if the beat needs road bars
Skepta can rap about his experiences on the streets if needed for a song
It's nothing I'll strap them again
Skepta is willing to use his firearms to defend himself
I've got nothing to prove I'm certified
Skepta doesn't need to prove himself since he has already lived a dangerous life
You can't school me I've been there
Skepta has already lived a rough life and won't be taught by others
That's why when you walk in the dance
Skepta is referencing his reputation
All the skengman go to I'm in there
Skepta is respected and welcomed at events attended by dangerous people
They said I was better before
Skepta's critics are saying he used to be better before he quit his illegal activities
Because I used to chat a lot of grease before
Skepta used to talk a lot of nonsense before
Used to tell em what happened when my gun squeezed before
Skepta used to brag about using his firearm
I never said "thank you or please before"
Skepta never showed gratitude in the past
Didn't chat about making Ps
Skepta never talked about making money before
Didn't chat about Boy Better Know tees before before before
Skepta didn't advertise his music crew before
I bun a lot of trees before
Skepta used to smoke drugs
But now I've quit smoking
Skepta has stopped smoking drugs
So now it's all good Skepta don't smoke no more
Skepta is proud that he quit smoking
Money making I ain't broke no more
Skepta is making money legally and is no longer poor
Picking up shutting and reloading
Skepta is picking up his life, making changes, and moving on
Even though I ain't selling no coke no more
Skepta is not selling drugs anymore
No marijuana no pill no more
Skepta is not using illegal drugs anymore
Never get booked for a bill no more
Skepta is no longer getting fined for his illegal activities
Don't get it twisted and think cause
Skepta is warning people not to assume he's still involved in illegal activities
I'm doing this music that I ain't real no more
Skepta is still a real person and his music reflects his past experiences
Them never see me dark
Skepta has never been caught or seen doing illegal activities at night
Them never see me dark
Skepta has never been caught or seen doing illegal activities at night
Them never see me dark
Skepta has never been caught or seen doing illegal activities at night
Them never see me dark
Skepta has never been caught or seen doing illegal activities at night
Them never see me dark
Skepta has never been caught or seen doing illegal activities at night
Them never see me dark
Skepta has never been caught or seen doing illegal activities at night
Them never see me dark
Skepta has never been caught or seen doing illegal activities at night
Them never see me dark
Skepta has never been caught or seen doing illegal activities at night
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAVID DAWOOD, Emily Green, EMILY JOY GREEN, DAVID PAUL DAWOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind