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.
Numbers
Skepta Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Quit talkin' numbers, at you haters
That's a three, talkin' numbers, n-n-numbers
That's a three, talkin' numbers, n-n-numbers
(One more time)
Quit talkin' numbers, calculator
Quit talkin' numbers, at you haters
That's a three, talkin' numbers, n-n-numbers
Yeah, see me on the front cover of the magazine
Winning, Sheen
Slept on me when I had a dream
I was singing "What you mean, what you mean?"
Now you woulda thought that it was Halloween
How I'm killin' all these niggas in the scene
Got the X, got the purple, got the green
'Cause everyday manaman a get lean
Yeah, I'mma lay down some laws
Hold up, pause
Tell my lawyer "fam, look at that clause"
Why's the contract looking like fraud?
A&R looking like a shark
Front teeth lookin' like Jaws
Telling me about all these numbers
Then how come they are never on tour?
Just
Quit talkin' numbers, calculator
Quit talkin' numbers, at you haters
That's a three, talkin' numbers, n-n-numbers
That's a three, quit talkin' numbers, n-n-numbers, numbers, numbers
Yeah, just picked up a new pack of the loud
Smell that, wow
Me and P fuckin' up another sound (Yeah)
This one shouldn't be allowed (Yeah, yeah)
Never thought you would see me with the crown
Never thought you'd be seeing me around
Knew we were on the same flight
You never thought you would see me in the lounge
This year man are tryna get cheques
Before that I'm tryna get the respect
Stepped out in my new creps
One sec, flex
I just wanna talk to the youts
Nah, I don't wanna talk to the press
All these numbers are making me depressed
Give dem man a fake email address
Man, just
Quit talkin' numbers, calculator
Quit talkin' numbers, at you haters
That's a three, talkin' numbers, n-n-numbers
That's a three, quit talkin' numbers, n-n-numbers, numbers, numbers
(One more time)
Quit talkin' numbers, calculator
Quit talkin' numbers, at you haters
That's a three, talkin' numbers, n-n-numbers
That's a three, quit talkin' numbers, n-n-numbers, numbers, numbers
My accountant countin' my cabbage, also countin' my carrots
Vegetarian habits since BBC was established
Richard Mille's a classic, sapphires, not plastic
Like magnifying glasses, when the light hit it, nigga's ashes
The LaFerrari's a carriage, equipped with more, not baggage
One thousand thirty-five horsepower stallions
The yellow diamonds kept clashin', so we made the rainbow teeth happen
Chanel, Pharrell, it's funny as hell, to my nigga's in heaven just laughin'
So just
Quit talkin' numbers, calculator
Quit talkin' numbers, at you haters
That's a three, talkin' numbers, n-n-numbers
That's a three, quit talkin' numbers, n-n-numbers, numbers, numbers
Quit talkin' numbers
The song "Numbers" emphasizes the importance of respecting an artist's creativity and work rather than just focusing on their sales and numbers generated. Skepta and Pharrell Williams are telling their haters to stop concentrating just on the numbers generated by their music but to start acknowledging the creativity and hard work that goes into producing it. The two artists, in their verses, explain how success and fame came in their life, and now they need to maintain their level of creativity and hard work to stay successful.
In the first verse, Skepta talks about his success and how he managed to achieve it despite being overlooked in the past. He then refers to the music industry and his contract, which he believes is fraudulent. Skepta indicates that the A&R team gives so much importance to numbers and sales that they forget that artists need respect and recognition for their hard work. The chorus, "Quit talking numbers, calculator," emphasizes that the artists' creativity should be valued more than the sales they generate.
In the second verse, Pharrell Williams comes in and raps about his jewelry collection and luxury lifestyle. He also mentions the importance of being creative and unique in one's style instead of just showing off one's wealth. As the chorus repeats, Pharrell delves deeper into the importance of respecting artists' creative work.
Line by Line Meaning
Quit talkin' numbers, calculator
Stop focusing on the monetary aspects of things, it is irrelevant
Quit talkin' numbers, at you haters
Stop bragging to those who are envious of your success
That's a three, talkin' numbers, n-n-numbers
That's a reference to a rating or ranking, but it's not important
That's a three, talkin' numbers, n-n-numbers
Same as previous line
(One more time)
Repeating previous lines for emphasis
Yeah, see me on the front cover of the magazine
Being successful and famous with an audience in the spotlight
Winning, Sheen
Being victorious, like Charlie Sheen when he said 'Winning'
Slept on me when I had a dream
Overlooked or ignored me when I had a vision for where I wanted to be
I was singing "What you mean, what you mean?"
Asking others what they meant by their lack of support
Now you woulda thought that it was Halloween
Surprising people with his actions and success
How I'm killin' all these niggas in the scene
Dominating and outperforming other artists in the music industry
Got the X, got the purple, got the green
Having access to drugs and substance abuse
'Cause everyday manaman a get lean
Daily drug and alcohol use leading to weight loss and addiction
Yeah, I'mma lay down some laws
Setting some guidelines or rules to follow
Hold up, pause
Stop and take a break from what's going on
Tell my lawyer "fam, look at that clause"
Consulting with his lawyer about an important clause in a contract
Why's the contract looking like fraud?
Questioning the credibility of a contract due to suspicious terms
A&R looking like a shark
Music industry executives who are predatory and only care about making profit
Front teeth lookin' like Jaws
Comparing someone's teeth to the shark in the movie Jaws, suggesting they are intimidating
Telling me about all these numbers
Talking about finances and sales figures
Then how come they are never on tour?
Questioning the legitimacy and hard work of those who only boast about numbers
Just
Returning to the chorus message of ignoring numbers and focusing on what's truly important
Yeah, just picked up a new pack of the loud
Getting a new strain of potent marijuana
Smell that, wow
Surprised by the strong scent of the marijuana
Me and P fuckin' up another sound (Yeah)
Messing up or revolutionizing another musical production with Pharrell Williams
This one shouldn't be allowed (Yeah, yeah)
This new creation is so groundbreaking, it should be illegal
Never thought you would see me with the crown
Unexpectedly achieving a high position of recognition and success
Never thought you'd be seeing me around
Surprising others with his continued presence and accomplishments
Knew we were on the same flight
Being aware of others who are trying to achieve the same level of success
You never thought you would see me in the lounge
Surprising others with his ability to access VIP lounges, associated with success
This year man are tryna get cheques
Trying to make money and increase financial gain this year
Before that I'm tryna get the respect
Valuing respect and recognition over financial gain
Stepped out in my new creps
Showing off or enjoying his new expensive sneakers
One sec, flex
Taking a moment to show off or brag about his new shoes
I just wanna talk to the youts
Wanting to speak to a younger generation and offer guidance or advice
Nah, I don't wanna talk to the press
Avoiding public interviews or discussions
All these numbers are making me depressed
Feeling overwhelmed or unhappy with the focus on financial success
Give dem man a fake email address
Providing a false contact information to someone who is only interested in monetary gain
My accountant countin' my cabbage, also countin' my carrots
The accountant is handling both his income and expenses, including healthy eating choices
Vegetarian habits since BBC was established
Choosing to follow a vegetarian diet since his music career began with the BBC
Richard Mille's a classic, sapphires, not plastic
Owning a classic and expensive Richard Mille watch with real sapphire gems, not cheap materials
Like magnifying glasses, when the light hit it, nigga's ashes
The sapphires in the watch are so clear and reflective that they can burn or magnify objects in direct sunlight
The LaFerrari's a carriage, equipped with more, not baggage
His expensive and luxurious car is not a burden, but a valuable investment with added features
One thousand thirty-five horsepower stallions
Driving a very powerful and expensive car with high performance capabilities
The yellow diamonds kept clashin', so we made the rainbow teeth happen
The yellow diamonds in his mouth didn't look good together, so he invested in colorful diamond teeth instead
Chanel, Pharrell, it's funny as hell, to my nigga's in heaven just laughin'
Collaborating with Chanel and Pharrell is funny to him and his deceased friends are amused
Lyrics © CANNY LARK MUSIC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOSEPH OLAITAN ADENUGA, PHARRELL L. WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind