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.
Expensive Talk
Skepta Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sold it out in a month
Now the people are telling me they want some more
Logan came with that exclusive grime you ain't heard before
Then me P Money and Dirty came and turned it into a nuclear war
After the show jump on the tour bus,
A little bit of brandy, a little bit of green
Any place I go I'm making a scene
It's so funny how them man
Are so moist but they ain't got cream
That's why I keep on grinding
Until my pockets are fatter than ceelo green
Now I'm back in the hood
Surrounded by fake people I can't trust
Wake up in the morning
Pissed off wishing I was back on the bus
I tell these fake Gs come and test a mainstream
MC and see if I don't bust
I'll come to your block and squeeze
On your spot until I see pus
Too many little men wanna be the big bad boss
But my niggas do the firing
They wanna put the heat to my tee
But my niggas do the ironing
Police don't wanna see another black man
In the chart but I keep on climbing
Ten million views on WorldStarHipHop nigga I'm smiling
That's me in Miami on Ocean driving a drop-top Mustang
Dressed in black smoking the green,
Drinking the purple I'm the murkle man
Laughing all the way to the bank
When I got there took out two and a half grand
Yellow bandana around the queen's head
Fam this is the money gang
See I was that guy on Deja 9 2 3 mixing on the roof
Only North London team on the station moving loose
I put my bag down took out my CDs and picked up my juice
Took the scores out my mouth but
I had a bit of cling film stuck in my tooth
Fast forward to two-0 double-uno I'm still in the game
Top 20 album ended a year I'll be doing it again
And if you think them man over there are fly
Then I must have missed the plane
Duty free Sunglasses Hut getting some new Versace frames
I pray for a safe journey then I let nature take it's course
My passport wanted a new tattoo
So I booked a flight to new york
Me and my niggas in Philippe Chow's
Getting busy with a knife and fork
Gotta meet some chicks on 65th so fuck driving,
We might as well walk
This ain't a freestyle
This is expensive talk (go on then)
I said this ain't a freestyle this is expensive talk
In "Expensive Talk," Skepta reflects on his success and the challenges he faces as he navigates the music industry. The song begins with him returning from his UK tour, which was a massive success as it sold out in just one month. The people are hungry for more of Skepta's music, and he mentions Logan, P Money, and Dirty as artists who have collaborated with him to create unique and unheard grime music. Together, they turned the music scene into a "nuclear war," showcasing their immense talent and impact.
After the tour, Skepta finds himself on the tour bus, indulging in some brandy and marijuana. He compares his life to a movie, always creating a scene wherever he goes. Skepta mocks his detractors, referring to them as "man are so moist but they ain't got cream," indicating that they lack both authenticity and financial success. Determined to continue grinding until his pockets are full, he envisions a future where his wealth surpasses that of CeeLo Green.
Returning to his neighborhood, Skepta feels surrounded by fake people whom he cannot trust. He longs to be back on the tour bus, free from their negative influence. He challenges those who doubt him and his mainstream success, inviting them to test his skills as an MC. Skepta warns that he is willing to exert his power and intimidate his enemies until they give in ("squeeze on your spot until I see pus").
The song then shifts to Skepta's perspective on society and the difficulties faced by black men. He highlights the police's resistance to black artists reaching the top of the charts but vows to keep climbing. Skepta proudly mentions his ten million views on WorldStarHipHop and his enjoyment of the finer things in life, like driving a drop-top Mustang in Miami.
He reminisces about his early days in the grime scene, referencing his mixtapes on Deja 9 2 3 and the influence he had as a member of the only North London team on the station. Skepta encounters a humorous moment as he takes out his CDs while having cling film stuck in his tooth. Fast forward to the present, and he is still in the game, with a top 20 album and plans to continue his success.
Line by Line Meaning
I just got back off my UK tour
I recently returned from a successful tour in the UK.
Sold it out in a month
I managed to sell out all the tickets for my shows within just one month.
Now the people are telling me they want some more
My fans are expressing their desire for more of my music and performances.
Logan came with that exclusive grime you ain't heard before
Logan, a collaborator, brought unique and unheard grime music to the scene.
Then me P Money and Dirty came and turned it into a nuclear war
Myself, P Money, and Dirty collaborated to create an explosive and intense musical experience.
After the show jump on the tour bus,
Once the show ends, I immediately hop onto the tour bus.
A little bit of brandy, a little bit of green
I relax by enjoying some brandy and marijuana.
My life is like a movie and
My life has a dramatic and entertaining quality, similar to a movie.
Any place I go I'm making a scene
Wherever I go, I attract attention and create a memorable presence.
It's so funny how them man
It's amusing to observe how those individuals...
Are so moist but they ain't got cream
...who appear weak and lacking confidence actually have no substantial wealth.
That's why I keep on grinding
That's why I continue to work hard and strive for success.
Until my pockets are fatter than ceelo green
Until my financial resources exceed those of Ceelo Green, a well-known musician.
Now I'm back in the hood
I have returned to my neighborhood.
Surrounded by fake people I can't trust
I find myself constantly surrounded by dishonest individuals whom I cannot rely on.
Wake up in the morning
When I wake up in the morning...
Pissed off wishing I was back on the bus
...I feel frustrated and long for the carefree moments on the tour bus.
I tell these fake Gs come and test a mainstream
I challenge these fake gangsters to try competing in the mainstream scene.
MC and see if I don't bust
Let's see if I won't excel and overshadow them as an MC.
I'll come to your block and squeeze
I will visit your neighborhood and cause havoc...
On your spot until I see pus
...until I witness chaos and distress.
Too many little men wanna be the big bad boss
Numerous individuals with insignificant stature desire to be the authoritative figure.
But my niggas do the firing
However, it's my close associates who handle the confrontations and conflicts.
They wanna put the heat to my tee
They wish to bring trouble and harm to me...
But my niggas do the ironing
...but my loyal friends take care of the repercussions and handle the situation.
Police don't wanna see another black man
Law enforcement authorities do not desire the presence of another black individual...
In the chart but I keep on climbing
...on the music charts, but I persistently strive for success and climb higher.
Ten million views on WorldStarHipHop nigga I'm smiling
I am joyous and pleased with the fact that my music video received 10 million views on WorldStarHipHop.
That's me in Miami on Ocean driving a drop-top Mustang
I am depicted in the scene of Miami, cruising along Ocean Drive in a convertible Mustang.
Dressed in black smoking the green,
I am attired in black clothing, leisurely smoking marijuana...
Drinking the purple I'm the murkle man
...and indulging in a purple-colored beverage, solidifying my status as the murkle man (likely referring to dominance or hierarchy).
Laughing all the way to the bank
I am filled with laughter as I make my way to the bank, signifying my financial success.
When I got there took out two and a half grand
Upon arriving at the bank, I withdrew an amount of two thousand five hundred pounds (likely referring to cash).
Yellow bandana around the queen's head
A yellow bandana is placed around the head of a woman of high status (possibly metaphorical or symbolic).
Fam this is the money gang
This signifies that the group I belong to, the money gang, possesses significant wealth and influence.
See I was that guy on Deja 9 2 3 mixing on the roof
I was the individual, back on Deja 9 2 3, responsible for skillfully mixing music on the roof (referring to a radio station or show).
Only North London team on the station moving loose
We, the North London team, were the only ones on the station representing our area with a carefree and uninhibited style.
I put my bag down took out my CDs and picked up my juice
I casually placed my bag on the ground, retrieved my CDs, and grabbed a refreshing drink (likely metaphorical).
Took the scores out my mouth but
I removed the grills from my mouth but...
I had a bit of cling film stuck in my tooth
...I encountered a minor inconvenience as a piece of plastic wrap got stuck between my teeth.
Fast forward to two-0 double-uno I'm still in the game
Advancing to the year two-zero-double-one, I am still actively involved in the music industry.
Top 20 album ended a year I'll be doing it again
I achieved a position in the top 20 album charts at the end of the year, and I intend to repeat this success.
And if you think them man over there are fly
If you believe that those individuals over there are impressive or cool...
Then I must have missed the plane
...then it suggests that I may have overlooked or failed to understand something important.
Duty free Sunglasses Hut getting some new Versace frames
I visited the Duty Free Sunglasses Hut to acquire stylish Versace eyeglass frames.
I pray for a safe journey then I let nature take it's course
I express my hopes for a safe journey and then surrender control to natural forces.
My passport wanted a new tattoo
My passport had the desire to acquire a new entry or stamp (likely metaphorical).
So I booked a flight to new york
Consequently, I made arrangements to travel to New York by booking a flight.
Me and my niggas in Philippe Chow's
My friends and I dined at Philippe Chow's (a notable restaurant) together.
Getting busy with a knife and fork
We enthusiastically consumed our meals using our knives and forks, enjoying the experience.
Gotta meet some chicks on 65th so fuck driving,
I have plans to meet some attractive women on 65th street, so I dismiss the idea of driving...
We might as well walk
...and decide to walk instead, as it is more convenient or enjoyable.
This ain't a freestyle
I want to clarify that this particular section of the song is not a spontaneous freestyle.
This is expensive talk
I am engaging in a conversation that signifies luxury, wealth, and exclusivity.
I said this ain't a freestyle this is expensive talk
Once again, I reiterate that what I am expressing is not improvised but a deliberate and affluent form of communication.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind