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.
Redrum
Skepta Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pull up with a stick, it's murder
Anything I do
Grease, I'm blessed
Yeah
If I pull up on the strip, it's murder (it's murder)
Pull up in the whip, it's murder (it's murder)
Pull up with a stick, it's murder (greaze)
Don't give me that burner
I'll slap you like what? Slap you like who?
Slap you like what? Slap you like who?
Slap you like Ike Turner
Pull up on the strip, it's murder (it's murder)
Pull up in the whip, it's murder (it's murder)
Pull up on your chick, it's murder (it's murder)
Pull up with a stick, it's murder (greaze)
Don't give me that burner
I'll slap you like what? Slap you like who?
Slap you like what? Slap you like who?
Slap you like Ike Turner
Touch down in the city, now she don't wanna go work
She's tryna call in sick (sick)
Everybody want the cash, when they see me on the stage
MC's wanna call it quits (go on then, go on)
We ain't watchin' no Screwface, dem man are two-faced
Definitely ain't with the shits (greaze)
And my SK's fresher than toothpaste
Lord of the mics and lord of the kicks (ice)
I did nine weeks on the Billboard, now they wanna show interest
This year, man, I'm tryna cash more checks
Can't have beef on an iPhone X
Can't waste time 'cause my time's expensive
Everybody wanna be my arch-nemesis
Don't care what the time on your kettle is
It's my time, when I said it, I meant it
Back with another album, told my accountant I'm gonna clean up
Business flight, so I got my feet up
Ten out of ten, so she want to meet up
Now the boyfriend tryna get me beat up
Ask about me, they will tell you, "He's sus"
'Cause I don't beg friend
I can see they're jealousy can try, but you can't keep up
And if I pull up on the strip, it's murder (it's murder)
Pull up in the whip, it's murder (in the Wraith)
Pull up on your chick, it's murder (it's murder)
Pull up with a stick, it's murder (greaze)
Don't give me that burner
I'll slap you like what? Slap you like who?
Slap you like what? Slap you like who?
Slap you like Ike Turner
Pull up on the strip, it's murder (it's murder)
Pull up in the whip, it's murder (it's murder)
Pull up on your chick, it's murder (it's murder)
Pull up with a stick, it's murder (greaze)
Don't give me that burner
I'll slap you like what? Slap you like who?
Slap you like what? Slap you like who?
Slap you like Ike Turner
6 million ways to murder
Every day check another one off
It's not everyday guns and shanks
More success piss everyone off
We came along way from marbles to Pacman
With a mouth full of dots
Serving the fiends outside by the shops
With the .38 by the side of my crotch
The feds wanted my whole crew locked up
Either that or a tag on their ankle
Had to come back with a different angle
Leaving the house was a gamble
Mum scared that I wouldn't make it back
'Cause I was on the high road chasing cats
Said they want the old Skepta (ayy, yeah)
But they don't really wanna see me take it back (uh, back)
Back, back, to the nicks, hey (woah)
Back selling bricks, ayy
Porzingis shots, ayy (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah), ayy, uh
Your bitch end up missing, ayy (yeah)
Then you started bitching, ayy (woah)
AK with extension, ayy (AK with a woah, woah, woah, woah)
I wasn't even wishing, ayy
Tell 'em that I died, ayy (woah)
But a nigga died, hey (woah)
Why your mama crying? Hey (why your mama cryin'?)
I laugh, ayy, swoosh with the Glock, ayy (with a Glock)
Carti in the spot (Carti in the spot)
You was actin' like a groupie, you got robbed for your block
"Key! What's a block?" Hey
That's you, you, and him, hey (that's you, you, and him)
Sharks in the water but I know how to swim, hello?
Back to the trap shit, back to the conflict (open up that moshpit)
.45 bust, better act like you don't know shit (yeah)
If I pull up on the strip, it's murder (it's murder)
Pull up in the whip, it's murder (in the whip)
Pull up on your chick, it's murder (it's murder)
Pull up with a stick, it's murder (greaze)
Don't give me that burner
I'll slap you like what? Slap you like who?
Slap you like what? Slap you like who?
Slap you like Ike Turner
Pull up on the strip, it's murder (it's murder)
Pull up in the whip, it's murder (it's murder)
Pull up on your chick, it's murder (it's murder)
Pull up with a stick, it's murder (greaze)
Don't give me that burner
I'll slap you like what? Slap you like who?
Slap you like what? Slap you like who?
Slap you like Ike Turner
"Redrum" by Skepta feat. Key! is a hard-hitting rap song that oozes confidence and braggadocio. The title itself is a play on words; "redrum" is "murder" spelled backward, a reference to the violence that happens when Skepta and Key! "pull up on the strip." The opening verse is all about the deadly consequences of crossing them, as Skepta warns that if he pulls up with a stick, someone's going to get hurt. He's gifted with "grease," which is slang for being slick or smooth. In the chorus, Skepta repeats the refrain "it's murder" four times, asserting his dominance and making it clear that any challengers will meet a violent end. The line "Slap you like Ike Turner" is a controversial reference to the late musician who was known for domestic abuse, and it suggests that Skepta will treat his competition just as brutally.
The second verse shifts to a more personal tone, as Skepta reflects on his rise to fame and the sacrifices he's made. He brags about his success, mentioning that he spent nine weeks on the Billboard charts and has a new album coming out. But he's aware that there are people who envy him and want to bring him down. He's dismissive of his enemies and focused on making more money, rapping that "my time's expensive" and cautioning against wasting it on conflict. The chorus is repeated twice more, with Key! joining in to deliver his own aggressive bars. He emphasizes the dangers of the streets and the need to protect oneself at all times, rapping about carrying a .38 and dodging the police.
Overall, "Redrum" is a fierce and unapologetic track that showcases Skepta's and Key!'s lyrical skills and their refusal to back down from any challenge.
Line by Line Meaning
If I, you get me
If you understand what I mean
Pull up with a stick, it's murder
Arrive with a weapon, it's dangerous
Anything I do
Everything I do
Grease, I'm blessed
I am fortunate when it comes to trouble
Yeah
Yes
If I pull up on the strip, it's murder (it's murder)
If I arrive on the street, it can be dangerous
Pull up in the whip, it's murder (it's murder)
Arrive in my car, it's dangerous
Pull up on your chick, it's murder (it's murder)
Arrive to see your girl, it's dangerous
Pull up with a stick, it's murder (greaze)
Arrive with a weapon, it's dangerous
Don't give me that burner
Don't give me that gun
I'll slap you like what? Slap you like who?
I'll hit you
Slap you like what? Slap you like who?
I'll hit you
Slap you like Ike Turner
I'll hit you hard
Touch down in the city, now she don't wanna go work
Arrive in the city, now she doesn't want to go to work
She's tryna call in sick (sick)
She's trying to take a day off
Everybody want the cash, when they see me on the stage
Everyone wants money when they see me perform
MC's wanna call it quits (go on then, go on)
Other rappers want to give up
We ain't watchin' no Screwface, dem man are two-faced
We're not interested in fake friends
Definitely ain't with the shits (greaze)
We're not involved with the troubles
And my SK's fresher than toothpaste
And my weapon is clean
Lord of the mics and lord of the kicks (ice)
Great at rapping and also fashionable
I did nine weeks on the Billboard, now they wanna show interest
I was successful on the Billboard chart, now they want to pay attention
This year, man, I'm tryna cash more checks
This year, I'm trying to make more money
Can't have beef on an iPhone X
Can't argue over text
Can't waste time 'cause my time's expensive
Can't waste time because it's valuable
Everybody wanna be my arch-nemesis
Everyone wants to be my enemy
Don't care what the time on your kettle is
I don't care how long you've been waiting
It's my time, when I said it, I meant it
It's my time, I said it and I meant it
Back with another album, told my accountant I'm gonna clean up
Got another album, told my accountant I'm going to make a lot of money
Business flight, so I got my feet up
On a business trip, so I'm relaxing
Ten out of ten, so she want to meet up
She wants to meet because I am attractive
Now the boyfriend tryna get me beat up
Now her boyfriend wants to fight me
Ask about me, they will tell you, "He's sus"
If you ask about me, they will say I'm suspicious
'Cause I don't beg friend
Because I don't ask for help
I can see they're jealousy can try, but you can't keep up
I can see their jealousy, they can try to compete, but they can't match me
6 million ways to murder
Many ways to be killed
Every day check another one off
Every day, someone dies
It's not everyday guns and shanks
It's not always about violence
More success piss everyone off
More success angers everyone
We came along way from marbles to Pacman
We've come a long way from being kids playing marbles to playing video games
With a mouth full of dots
With a mouth full of candy
Serving the fiends outside by the shops
Selling drugs to addicts outside of stores
With the .38 by the side of my crotch
With a gun by my side
The feds wanted my whole crew locked up
The police wanted to arrest my entire crew
Either that or a tag on their ankle
Either arrest them or put them on house arrest
Had to come back with a different angle
Had to approach things differently
Leaving the house was a gamble
Leaving the house was a risk
Mum scared that I wouldn't make it back
My mom was worried that I wouldn't come back
'Cause I was on the high road chasing cats
Because I was on the dangerous street chasing money
Said they want the old Skepta (ayy, yeah)
They say they want me to rap how I used to
But they don't really wanna see me take it back (uh, back)
But they don't really want me to go back in time
Back, back, to the nicks, hey (woah)
Back to selling drugs
Back selling bricks, ayy
Back to selling drugs
Porzingis shots, ayy (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah), ayy, uh
Shots like NBA player Kristaps Porzingis
Your bitch end up missing, ayy (yeah)
Your girl is missing
Then you started bitching, ayy (woah)
Then you started complaining
AK with extension, ayy (AK with a woah, woah, woah, woah)
Gun with an extension
I wasn't even wishing, ayy
I didn't even want it to happen
Tell 'em that I died, ayy (woah)
Tell them I'm dead
But a nigga died, hey (woah)
But someone did die
Why your mama crying? Hey (why your mama cryin'?)
Why is your mom crying?
I laugh, ayy, swoosh with the Glock, ayy (with a Glock)
I laugh and handle my gun
Carti in the spot (Carti in the spot)
Referring to rapper Playboi Carti being there
You was actin' like a groupie, you got robbed for your block
You were acting like a fan and got robbed for your neighborhood
"Key! What's a block?" Hey
"Key! What's a neighborhood?"
That's you, you, and him, hey (that's you, you, and him)
That's you, you, and him
Sharks in the water but I know how to swim, hello?
There are dangers but I know how to handle them
Back to the trap shit, back to the conflict (open up that moshpit)
Back to selling drugs and back to the problems (open up the dance floor)
.45 bust, better act like you don't know shit (yeah)
Gun firing, pretend you didn't see it
Pull up in the whip, it's murder (in the whip)
Arrive in my car, it's dangerous
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Joseph Junior Adenuga, Marquis Whittaker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind