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.
Man
Skepta Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like hmm, my mum don't know your mum
Stop telling man you're my cousin
I got day ones and I got new ones
No fake ones, trust no one
It's Boy Better Know 'til I die
Tryna run up in the bank like Bonnie and Clyde
Man get girls with the gang
Man eat food with the gang
Man talk slang to the feds
Can't work out what I just said to a man
Told me you was a big fan but the first thing you said when you saw me is "Can I get a pic for the gram?"
I was like "Nah, sorry man"
I only socialize with the crew and the gang
Woah, guess who's back
Came a long way from sittin' in the flats
Came a long way from when whites never used to mix with blacks
Now all my white niggas and my black mates, we got the game on smash
I used to rate your page on MySpace but you never stayed on track
Upset cause your wife is a fan, she done with a little boy
Now she wants to be with a man
Told my accountant "Do me a transfer, cause I wanna buy some land"
You and I have got different plans
Real mad man, I might go Saint Ann's
No triple A pass, no wristbands
You are not mandem, you are not gang
Tracksuit Mafia, Boy Better Know
My ones, my team
Meridian, bad blocks
London boys, active boys
You get me?
Man get money with the gang
Man get girls with the gang
Man eat food with the gang
Man talk slang to the feds
Can't work out what I just said to a man
Told me you was a big fan but the first thing you said when you saw me is "Can I get a pic for the gram?"
I was like "Nah, sorry man"
I only socialize with the crew and the gang
They wanna see me drown
Tryna hold the mandem down
Cause I shutdown Shoreditch car park
And I got bars like Camden Town
Out there tryna survive on the streets
Tryin' not to get killed by the police
And I be schoolin' MC's
Nobody leaves 'til half-past-three
This year I'mma teach them a lesson
Tell Grace don't reply to those emails
Nah, I don't wanna do no sessions
It's like them man have got an obsession with my style of expression
But in public, never hear my name mentioned
Catch them at the nightclub entrance
Always seekin' attention
But I be inside, tryna get burst
Lookin' all cool like Herc
Dressed like I just come from P.E
You're dressed like you just come from church
Better do your research
You don't wanna hear my verse come after your verse
MCs act brand new cause they got a little money in their purse
So you had a good solo career?
Had a few big songs over the years?
Back then you was a real Top Boy
But right now fam, nobody cares
Walked in the club, everybody's like
"Who is he? Why is he walkin' around with security?"
You know the postcode when you're talkin' road
Better know that I speak that fluently
I don't know why man's callin' me family all of a sudden
Like hmm, my mum don't know your mum
Stop telling man you're my cousin
I got day ones and I got new ones
No fake ones, trust no one
It's Boy Better Know 'til I die
Tryna run up in the bank like Bonnie and Clyde
Cause
Man get money with the gang
Man get girls with the gang
Man eat food with the gang
Man talk slang to the feds
Can't work out what I just said to a man
Told me you was a big fan but the first thing you said when you saw me is "Can I get a pic for the gram?"
I was like "Nah, sorry man"
I only socialize with the crew and the gang
The song "Man" by Skepta deals with the concept of loyalty and trust in relationships. He opens the song by questioning why people who he is not personally acquainted with are referring to him as "family." He asserts that he only trusts his day ones, those who have been with him from the beginning, and new ones that he has personally vetted. Skepta voices his disdain for those who try and capitalize on his fame by referencing an encounter with a supposed fan who only wanted a picture for social media. He stresses that he only socializes with his close-knit crew and gang.
The lyrics also address Skepta's personal journey from humble beginnings, growing up in poverty-ravaged flats to becoming an internationally recognized artist. He takes pride in his accomplishments and breaks down the support of his team and the Gang, the Boy Better Know collective, in his achievements. Throughout the song, Skepta highlights the value of loyalty and the importance of staying true to oneself and those who have supported him on his journey.
In summary, the "Man" is a song that highlights the importance of staying true to oneself and those who have supported him throughout his journey to becoming the successful artist he is today.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know why man's callin' me family all of a sudden
I'm confused as to why some people are suddenly claiming to be my family
Like hmm, my mum don't know your mum
Even though we might come from the same place, our families don't know each other
Stop telling man you're my cousin
Don't try to claim a false relationship with me to gain some sort of benefit
I got day ones and I got new ones
I have friends that I've known for a very long time and then I have newer friends
No fake ones, trust no one
I don't have any fake friends and I trust no one because it's better to be safe than sorry
It's Boy Better Know 'til I die
I am a part of Boy Better Know and will remain dedicated to it for life
Tryna run up in the bank like Bonnie and Clyde
I am focused on getting money with my gang, even if it means taking risks like Bonnie and Clyde
Man get money with the gang
My group of friends and I acquire money together
Man get girls with the gang
My group of friends and I attract women together
Man eat food with the gang
My group of friends and I eat together
Man talk slang to the feds
My group of friends use a certain slang when speaking to the authorities
Can't work out what I just said to a man
Some people might have trouble understanding my slang or the way I speak
Told me you was a big fan but the first thing you said when you saw me is "Can I get a pic for the gram?"
Some people claim to be my fans but are only interested in taking a picture with me for social media
I was like "Nah, sorry man"
I'm not interested in taking pictures with people who aren't genuinely interested in me or what I do
I only socialize with the crew and the gang
I only spend time with my group of friends that I trust
Woah, guess who's back
I've returned
Came a long way from sittin' in the flats
I've come a long way from living in public housing
Came a long way from when whites never used to mix with blacks
I've come a long way from the time when there was racial segregation
Now all my white niggas and my black mates, we got the game on smash
My friends, regardless of their ethnicity, are successful and dominating the industry
I used to rate your page on MySpace but you never stayed on track
I used to think highly of someone's potential, but they didn't follow through on their promises
Upset cause your wife is a fan, she done with a little boy
Someone is jealous that their wife is more interested in me than in them
Now she wants to be with a man
Their wife is looking for a more mature and successful partner
Told my accountant "Do me a transfer, cause I wanna buy some land"
I'm making moves to invest in real estate
You and I have got different plans
We have different goals and aspirations
Real mad man, I might go Saint Ann's
I am a bold and daring person who might take risks, like going to a dangerous area in London known as Saint Ann's
No triple A pass, no wristbands
I don't need special access passes or bands to get into exclusive venues
You are not mandem, you are not gang
You are not part of my group of friends and can't claim the same status
Tracksuit Mafia, Boy Better Know
My group of friends are known as the "Tracksuit Mafia" and are also part of the "Boy Better Know" collective
My ones, my team
These are the people I trust and consider as my team
Meridian, bad blocks
We come from the Meridian and other rough areas in London
London boys, active boys
We are a group of young men from London who are always on the move
They wanna see me drown
There are people who want to see me fail or fall from grace
Tryna hold the mandem down
They are trying to bring down my group of friends
Cause I shutdown Shoreditch car park
I am successful in my endeavors, like shutting down a popular venue
And I got bars like Camden Town
I have a talent for rap and lyrics, like the popular music scene in Camden Town
Out there tryna survive on the streets
We are struggling to make ends meet on the streets of London
Tryin' not to get killed by the police
We are constantly aware of the danger and oppression from the authorities
And I be schoolin' MC's
I am superior when it comes to my rapping abilities compared to other artists
Nobody leaves 'til half-past-three
We party hard and stay out late until the early morning
This year I'mma teach them a lesson
I am determined to show others the success I can achieve
Tell Grace don't reply to those emails
I am giving my team specific instructions about how to conduct our business
Nah, I don't wanna do no sessions
I'm not interested in collaborating with other artists on music sessions
It's like them man have got an obsession with my style of expression
Other artists are fascinated with my style and want to imitate me
But in public, never hear my name mentioned
Despite being popular in the music industry, my name is not always mentioned in public
Catch them at the nightclub entrance
It's common to see other artists trying to gain attention at the entrance of nightclubs
Always seekin' attention
Other artists are always trying to grab people's attention
But I be inside, tryna get burst
I'm not interested in appearing outside the nightclub, I'm more interested in enjoying the party inside
Lookin' all cool like Herc
I'm cool and confident, like the famous DJ Kool Herc
Dressed like I just come from P.E
I dress comfortably and casually, like I just came from gym class
You're dressed like you just come from church
Other artists dress more formally or conservatively
Better do your research
Other artists should do their research before trying to imitate me
You don't wanna hear my verse come after your verse
Other artists would not be able to handle the intensity and success that would come after collaborating with me
MCs act brand new cause they got a little money in their purse
Artists who become successful sometimes act like they are better than others because they have money
So you had a good solo career?
Other artists have had success on their own
Had a few big songs over the years?
Other artists have had a few big hits throughout their career
Back then you was a real Top Boy
Other artists used to be very popular and successful
But right now fam, nobody cares
Despite past success, no one is interested in what other artists are currently doing
Walked in the club, everybody's like "Who is he? Why is he walkin' around with security?"
As a successful and famous artist, people are curious and sometimes intimidated by my presence
You know the postcode when you're talkin' road
I am familiar with the specific areas and neighborhoods when discussing street life
Better know that I speak that fluently
I am experienced and knowledgeable about street life and can communicate about it with ease
Writer(s): JOSHUA HOMME, JOSE HERNANDEZ, JOHN MCBAIN, JOSEPH ADENUGA
Contributed by Peyton G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ricky D
Lyrics:
I don't know why man's callin' me family all of a sudden
Like hmm, my mum don't know your mum
Stop telling man you're my cousin
I got day ones and I got new ones
No fake ones, trust no one
It's Boy Better Know 'til I die
Tryna run up in the bank like Bonnie and Clyde
'Cause
Man get money with the gang
Man get girls with the gang
Man eat food with the gang
Man talk slang to the feds
Can't work out what I just said to a man
Told me you was a big fan
But the first thing you said when you saw me is
"Can I get a pic for the gram?""
I was like "Nah, sorry man"
I only socialize with the crew and the gang
Woah, guess who's back
Came a long way from sittin' in the flats
Came a long way from when whites never used to mix with blacks
Now all my white niggas and my black mates, we got the game on smash
I used to rate your page on MySpace but you never stayed on track
Upset 'cause your wife is a fan, she done with a little boy
Now she wants to be with a man
Told my accountant "Do me a transfer, 'cause I wanna buy some land"
You and I have got different plans
Real mad man, I might go Saint Anne's
No triple A pass, no wristbands
You are not mandem, you are not gang
"Tracksuit Mafia, Boy Better Know
My ones, my team
Meridian, bad blocks
London boys, active boys
You get me?"
Man get money with the gang
Man get girls with the gang
Man eat food with the gang
Man talk slang to the feds
Can't work out what I just said to a man
Told me you was a big fan
But the first thing you said when you saw me is
"Can I get a pic for the gram?"
I was like "Nah, sorry man"
I only socialize with the crew and the gang
They wanna see me drown
Tryna hold the mandem down
'Cause I shutdown Shoreditch car park
And I got bars like Camden Town
Out there tryna survive on the streets
Tryin' not to get killed by the police
And I be schoolin' MC's
Nobody leaves 'til half-past-three
This year I'mma teach them a lesson
Tell Grace don't reply to those emails
Nah, I don't wanna do no sessions
It's like them man have got an obsession with my style of expression
But in public, never hear my name mentioned
Catch them at the nightclub entrance
Always seekin' attention
But I be inside, tryna get burst
Lookin' all cool like Herc
Dressed like I just come from P.E
You're dressed like you just come from church
Better do your research
You don't wanna hear my verse come after your verse
Mcs act brand new 'cause they got a little money in their purse
So you had a good solo career?
Had a few big songs over the years?
Back then you was a real Top Boy
But right now fam, nobody cares
Walked in the club, everybody's like
"Who is he? Why is he walkin' around with security?"
You know the postcode when you're talkin' road
Better know that I speak that fluently
I don't know why man's callin' me family all of a sudden
Like hmm, my mum don't know your mum
Stop telling man you're my cousin
I got day ones and I got new ones
No fake ones, trust no one
It's Boy Better Know 'til I die
Tryna run up in the bank like Bonnie and Clyde
'Cause
Man get money with the gang
Man get girls with the gang
Man eat food with the gang
Man talk slang to the feds
Can't work out what I just said to a man
Told me you was a big fan
But the first thing you said when you saw me is
"Can I get a pic for the gram?"
I was like "Nah, sorry man"
I only socialize with the crew and the gang
ReubenBlade
I am an American hip hop fan, born and raised in Jersey City, NJ. This is the hardest rap song/style I've heard in years. The beat. The heavy accent. The off-kilter flow. This sounds like nothing I've ever heard before...I smell a 2nd British invasion coming...
HQ
ReubenBlade I hope so
Greeze
Nigel Farage MK 4.20 The Destroyer swear its Asians slanging to us at the minute
oh yeah yeah
Did you even hear the line from Track 5? "If it's not ace or hard hustle flow it all sounds like Rick Ross to me"
Thomas Tournavitis
go listen more...
fury
Fire tune from my cousin as always
leeds man98
his mum dunt know your mum stop telling man youre his cousin
Lyndon
haha so good
Theuserofusernames
This reminds me of the time metro boomin tweeted something like " I hate when people you aren't close with you call you brother" and I responded "real talk brother"
All Things Seven Kings
Beg