Gangsta
Skepta Lyrics

Practice hours
Putting in time and effort to get better at something.

Go on then
Proceed with what you were going to say or do.

What you mean, what you mean?
Asking for clarification or elaboration on a statement or question.

Yeah
Expressing agreement or approval.

Yeah, we did young and stupid
Admitting to past mistakes and immaturity.

Now I do grown and sexy
Presenting oneself as mature and sophisticated.

I don't know who you're tryna impress, G
Questioning the motives behind someone's actions.

Man, can see that your man-bag's empty
Pointing out the lack of substance or authenticity in someone's appearance or behavior.

No need to pretend
Encouraging someone to be genuine and honest.

I don't wanna hear you talk greazy again
Expressing disinterest or annoyance with someone's attitude or behavior.

Never shot food, never shot no skeng
Denying involvement in criminal activity.

Talk about gangster, I was like, "When?"
Questioning someone's credibility or authenticity as a gangster.

Brudda, you love lie
Accusing someone of being dishonest or insincere.

Tryna been gangsta, you ain't never been on one ride
Challenging someone's claims of being a gangster or having criminal experience.

Tough guy
Sarcastically referring to someone as a macho or intimidating figure.

Tryna be gangsta, your cartel are not up to the time
Dismissing someone's attempt to emulate the lifestyle of a gangster or criminal.

You man are washed up, say you got big P, say you got cats on the line
Mocking someone's outdated or unsuccessful gangster persona.

You're just lyin' to yourself, fam, you better pattern up, better get back on the grind
Advising someone to be honest with themselves and make positive changes.

These guys tell lies
Accusing someone of deception or falsehood.

Say that they bust guns, they ain't got nines
Exposing someone's dishonest or exaggerated claims about weapons.

Say that they shot drugs, they ain't got pies
Exposing someone's dishonest or exaggerated claims about drug dealing.

Do it for the 'Gram, man, I ain't got time
Rejecting the idea of prioritizing social media validation over genuine lifestyle or values.

Everybody knows that I'm five foot five
Embracing one's physical stature and refusing to be intimidated or belittled by others.

But don't come around here when your likkle man talk, I'll punch man down to my size, yeah
Asserting one's strength and willingness to stand up to those who try to disrespect them based on size.

I make a man think twice
Establishing oneself as a figure to be respected or feared.

I make a man go look for advice
Implying that others seek guidance or support when faced with confrontation or danger involving the singer.

You don't wanna come around here with your chest all high
Warning someone not to be overly confident or arrogant in the singer's presence.

'Cause the mandem'll switch off your lights
Implying that the artist's associates would take violent action against someone who disrespects or threatens the artist.

Bare tings in your head like lice
Implying that someone is preoccupied or stressed due to various problems or issues.

Eediat, now you can't sleep at night
Insulting someone and implying that they are worried or anxious about something.

You see this road ting comes at a price
Acknowledging the risks and dangers associated with a lifestyle involving criminal or gang activity.

Most came cool with a serious face
Observing that many people try to appear tough or intimidating in certain situations.

That's 'cause I came from a serious place
Asserting that the artist's background or life experience allows them to accurately recognize or respond to serious situations.

To be able to pull off this outfit
Suggesting that the artist's fashion choices require a certain level of confidence or credibility.

With the trainers, you gotta have serious pace (yeah)
Jokingly suggesting that the only requirement for wearing a certain type of clothing is having the physical ability to move quickly in those shoes.

Got money on my brain, it's a serious chase
Expressing a desire to attain financial success or stability.

Co-D on remand, that's a serious case (mad)
Referencing a serious legal situation involving someone close to the singer.

So when man wanna act like Tyson
Comparing someone's attempt to be intimidating or tough to the boxer Mike Tyson.

I'm like what, fam? Am I supposed to be frightened? (Dead)
Mocking someone's attempt to intimidate the singer and suggesting that the singer is not afraid.

Say you bust gun, we don't believe you
Exposing someone's dishonest or exaggerated claims about their weapon use.

You don't pray, TBH, you need to
Suggesting that someone needs to reflect on their faith or spirituality for moral guidance.

Say that he's a badboy, I was like me too
Asserting one's own toughness or street credibility in response to someone else's claims.

Shoot from up 'cross the road when I see you (sky)
Suggesting that the singer would engage in violent behavior against someone they dislike, even if they were far away or inaccessible.

Fuck your war story, I've been there when the beef get gory (facts)
Dismissing another's retelling of violent or intense situations and suggesting that the artist has firsthand experience in those events.

I'm from the UK just like Devlin, but I'm a yardman like Cory
Comparing oneself to two other musicians and suggesting that the artist identifies more with a Jamaican or Caribbean culture.

It's all an act and movie (Yeah)
Suggesting that someone's behavior or lifestyle is entirely performative or fake.

See through them, but they can't see through me (Nope)
Implying that the singer recognizes others' inauthenticity or deception but remains genuine and honest themselves.

Man wanna act like gangsters, when I see man
Observing that people try to present themselves as intimidating or tough, but often fail to back up those claims.

Manna move like groupies
Comparing others' behavior to that of fans or followers who blindly emulate and praise someone else.

These man are happy inside
Suggesting that someone is content or fulfilled with their own life and does not need to pretend or act in a certain way.

But when I see man, they start moving booky (Booky)
Observing that someone suddenly becomes nervous or fearful in the singer's presence and does not maintain their previous behavior.

Friday night, manna I smoke like booky (brucky)
Describing the artist's recreational drug use on a typical night out.

Don't get nicked by the feds on duty
Warning others to avoid breaking the law and attracting police attention.

Might pop corn 'cah my team's unruly
Implying that the singer's associates are unpredictable and potentially violent.

Bare badmana move Shy like Snoochie (Snoochie)
Comparing others' behavior to that of someone who is shy or hesitant.

Them man there better follow my orders
Asserting one's authority or control over others.

Run a man down like Sloth in Goonies (Hey, you guys)
Suggesting that the artist's associates would chase or confront someone with aggression or force.

I send a man hot shots just like shoot it, shoot it
Threatening violent retaliation against someone who crosses the artist or their associates.

Them man are sleeping, snoozing, snoozing
Implying that others are unaware or ignorant of the true nature of the singer and their associates.

Us man are winning, not losing
Asserting that the artist and their associates are successful or victorious in their endeavors.

Somebody tell these eediats with two hundred pound belts and shiny trainers (please)
Mocking others' superficial or materialistic values and suggesting that money or fashion do not equate to genuine toughness or success.

Stop tryna imitate guys on road, you cannot buy G status (trust)
Advising others to stop pursuing a gangster identity or lifestyle through imitation of others, and acknowledging that real street credibility cannot be purchased or copied.

Give a shit what garms you cop (no), don't give a shit what crap you drop (what?)
Asserting that the singer does not care about others' fashion or musical choices.

Waste of money and time, please stop (trust)
Suggesting that others' focus on superficial or materialistic pursuits is not worthwhile or meaningful.

You cannot buy gangster from shop
Reiterating that true toughness or street credibility cannot be purchased or achieved simply through external appearance or possessions.

Bare logos, bare designers
Observing that others rely excessively on clothing brand names and designers to signal wealth or status.

You lot are looking like F1 drivers (trust)
Critiquing others' fashion choices as garish or unappealing.

Even tryna chat like man
Mocking others' attempts to speak in the manner of a tough or intimidating figure.

Hate when I hear pricks misuse slang
Expressing annoyance or frustration with those who use slang terms incorrectly or inauthentically.

Man are tryna get out the hood but, you were never there so you're tryna get in (what?)
Suggesting that those who try to emulate the lifestyle of a gangster or criminal were not actually raised in a difficult or disadvantaged background.

Backwards ting (What?), cool
Acknowledging that the situation or perspective of others is misguided or illogical, but not taking issue with it.

Make sure your hood's up when it starts raining (serious)
Advising others to take practical measures to protect themselves from weather conditions.