Joseph Junior Adenuga, better known as Skepta, is an English Grime MC from … Read Full Bio ↴Joseph Junior Adenuga, better known as Skepta, is an English Grime MC from Tottenham, North London, England. Originally from and born to Nigerian parents he moved from Lagos to London aged three. His family history can be traced back further to Ethiopia, to the Falash Mura community. He is a producer and DJ commonly associated with the North London Grime scene, including Roll Deep and Boy Better Know.
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.

Mastermind
Skepta Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You're there every time I close my eyes
Dancing in the shadows, playing with the light
I call it mastermind (sexy)
Do it to me
Inside my head
Every time I breathe, in (ay)
Every time I breathe, in (ay)
Every time I, breathe in

Paralyzed on this green, now I feel like a garden gnome
Suffering from cannabis psychosis, I'm in a crazy zone
I just called the police and I shouted Solo's home
Blame that on the 22,000 voices in my millenium dome (mental)
Celebrity ladies, calling me daily, but I don't answer the phone
She thinks I'm gonna buy her a diamond, she better go to Sierra Leone
I'll be sitting at home, drinking this Patrón until I get a kidney stone
M.O.B. 'til I D.I.E, these bitches can suck my bone (icy)

You're there every time I close my eyes
Dancing in the shadows, playing with the light
I call it mastermind (sexy)
Do it to me
Inside my head
Every time I breathe, in (ay)
Every time I breathe, in (ay)
Every time I, breathe in

One sheet of the Rizzla is all I need
Break off a little chip of cigarette and mix it all up with the weed (mmm)
Now I can't remember what we're smoking, is it the OG Kush or the cheese?
All I know is it feels like the room's spinning round at phenomenal speed (mental)
When we talk pussies don't answer back cause we're some rhetorical Gs
I've got niggas on standby waiting to make somebody bleed (bo bo bo bo)
Man try take me for a lemon, I'mma tell them I dare you to squeeze
Next time you see me and my gang, man won't be wearing Boy Better Know tees

You're there every time I close my eyes
Dancing in the shadows, playing with the light
I call it mastermind (sexy)
Do it to me
Inside my head
Every time I breathe, in (ay)

Every time I breathe, in (ay)
Every time I, breathe in

Overall Meaning

The song Mastermind by Skepta feat. Etta Bond is a song about drug use and the effects it has on the mind. The chorus talks about a person who appears in the artist's mind every time they breathe in, dancing in the shadows and playing with the light as if they were a "mastermind" controlling their thoughts. This suggests that the artist is under the influence of drugs, which are affecting their perception of reality. The verses go on to describe the artist's experiences with marijuana and the paranoia and hallucinations that come with it. The lyrics also touch on themes of violence, fame, and materialism.

The lyrics of this song are open to interpretation, and some may see it as glorifying drug use, while others may see it as a cautionary tale about the dangers of substance abuse. Either way, the song does not shy away from exploring the darker side of drug culture and the impact it can have on individuals and society as a whole.

Line by Line Meaning

You're there every time I close my eyes
The person being sang about is constantly on Skepta's mind, even when he sleeps.

Dancing in the shadows, playing with the light
The person he is thinking of seems to be elusive and mysterious.

I call it mastermind (sexy)
He gives his affectionate nickname for the person he's smitten with.

Do it to me
He wants this person to engage him romantically, both physically and emotionally.

Inside my head
He fantasizes about this person constantly, even in his own thoughts.

Every time I breathe, in (ay)
He is overwhelmed by this person, and their presence is inescapable.

Paralyzed on this green, now I feel like a garden gnome
He feels immobilized by drugs and the influence they have on him.

Suffering from cannabis psychosis, I'm in a crazy zone
His prolonged use of marijuana has led to its very real psychological side effects.

I just called the police and I shouted Solo's home
He's so out of his mind and scared that he hallucinates and behaves irrationally.

Blame that on the 22,000 voices in my millenium dome (mental)
His suffering is too much to bear, and he blames it on the voices in his head.

Celebrity ladies, calling me daily, but I don't answer the phone
Despite his popularity and success, he's focused on one person and doesn't want to be distracted.

She thinks I'm gonna buy her a diamond, she better go to Sierra Leone
He's not to be trifled with or taken advantage of, even in romantic relationships.

I'll be sitting at home, drinking this Patrón until I get a kidney stone
He's drinking to forget, and will continue to do so even if it hurts him physically.

M.O.B. 'til I D.I.E, these bitches can suck my bone (icy)
He's more focused on making money and his own survival, rather than pleasing others.

One sheet of the Rizzla is all I need
He can roll a joint with one paper, implying his experience with marijuana.

Break off a little chip of cigarette and mix it all up with the weed (mmm)
He's a pro at rolling and making sure his marijuana is mixed right.

Now I can't remember what we're smoking, is it the OG Kush or the cheese?
The effects of the drugs have dulled his memory and he's not sure which marijuana strain they're smoking.

All I know is it feels like the room's spinning round at phenomenal speed (mental)
The person singing is so high that they can't properly perceive reality.

When we talk pussies don't answer back cause we're some rhetorical Gs
He's not intimidated by anyone, even those who might question his position or authority.

I've got niggas on standby waiting to make somebody bleed (bo bo bo bo)
He's prepared to defend himself violently if necessary and has people ready to do it for him.

Man try take me for a lemon, I'mma tell them I dare you to squeeze
He's confident in himself and his abilities to the point of being willing to call out people who doubt him.

Next time you see me and my gang, man won't be wearing Boy Better Know tees
He and his associates are moving beyond their old image and are pursuing something new.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: AL MCKAY, FRED WHITE, LORENZO DUNN, MAURICE WHITE, PHILIP JAMES BAILEY, VERDINE WHITE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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