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.
Shape Shifting
Skepta Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I've had some bad times
My son's in this music ting
[?] always going through pure madness
But you know I'm happy to be Jme and Junior's dad
I could have been one of these waste MCs dads
Don't make me no money
Deadout
My name's Joseph A-D-E-N-U-G-A
I love grime but I don't usually spray
I've got four kids and all of their names begin with a J
You know them, wait, what else can I say?
Flow tunes, you know I rep Boy Better Know all day
You will see me in a green Mercedes A-Class, blazing a zoot, smiling away
But from time to time, I look up to Allah and pray
That DJ Maximum, Wiley, Jamie and Junior will be okay
You can never die before my hair turns grey
Boy better know the roads ain't nice
So many gunshots, too many knives
But I heard a couple man dissing my wife so God please forgive me if I take an MCs life
Joseph
These MCs are saying a lot
Violating, talking about people's mums
But you know what, I knew Jme and Junior was going to get into this music thing, I'm a big DJ
Printing houses, records, everywhere, I'm on Radio 1, yeah!
Yeah, my name's Tim West-W-double O-D
I'm a big dawg, these other DJs started in 2-double O-3
I'm on Radio 1, not Rinse 1-double O-3
Kiss my F-double O-T anybody tries to shut down my shop
Hating Westwood, cause I've got a new Jay Z drops, 50 Cent drops
Busta Rhymes drops, so many drops, I dunno what tune to drop
Drop a Boy Better Know song, then drop a bomb, bang your doors
Real goons in the HMV locked on
Haters wanna shoot me and lick me down
They know Westwood's big in the scene, my Hummer's tinted out
So if you wanna see me you better look through my front windscreen
Timothy
So many haters
You get me, everyone's dissing Westwood
But as soon as their album or mixtape's gonna drop they wanna phone me and come on my show
They didn't phone me before I made "Pow!"
As soon as I made "Pow!" all these MCs are ringing my phone
Yo, my names D-E-X-P-L-I-C-I-T
Soundboys wanna be grimy like me
Rip off my tune but they never wanna say
But it's okay, trust me I never wanna say anything about you, it's all gravy
I know you say Memphis Bleek and Jay Z
Spitting on my tune it's a good look
Now the promoters know they should have booked Dexplicit
You can't say I'm not the best in it
That's like saying how my granny's not a good cook
I know Lethal B came with a good But it wouldn't be as big if it wasn't for the kick drum, face it, I made a big one
I've got nuff more beats, you can listen to my CD and pick one
If I don't like what you're saying I'll delete your phone call on a quick one - dead
You get me? Don't phone my phone
On some 8 bar relay tune
Done that, that's old news
Some new stuff now
Greatest Hits, the real shit, 2000 and everything, yeah
Skepta, Boy Better Know, shuuut
Yeah, Boy Better Know, go on!
The song "Shape Shifting" by Skepta is a collaboration with fellow grime artists Jme, Tim Westwood, and Dexplicit. The opening lyrics of the song touch on Skepta's life and his relationship with his son, who is also involved in music. Skepta acknowledges that he has faced difficult times in his life but emphasizes that he is grateful to be a father and support his son's musical aspirations. He also mentions that he could have easily become a "deadout" MC like some others, who do not make money from their craft.
The lyrics then shift to Jme, who introduces himself and explains his love for grime music. He mentions that all four of his children's names begin with the letter J, and he represents Boy Better Know every day. He also talks about how he occasionally prays for the safety and success of his fellow artists, DJ Maximum, Wiley, Jamie, and Junior. Jme then addresses the violent nature of the grime scene, with too many weapons and too much that can go wrong. He also mentions that he has heard some MCs dissing his wife and might be compelled to retaliate if pushed too far.
Next, Tim Westwood takes the mic and introduces himself as a well-established DJ on Radio 1. He mentions that he has been active in the scene since 2003, and his current success has left some other DJs feeling envious. He also expresses his pride in his extensive record collection featuring many iconic names in hip-hop. Tim ends his verse on a combative note, daring anyone to mess with him, knowing that he has high-level connections and protection.
Lastly, Dexplicit comes in with some words about his own success and the tendency of other MCs to copy his beats without giving him proper credit. Dexplicit declares that he is the best and compares the situation to his grandmother's excellent cooking skills. He acknowledges the impact of Lethal B's "Pow!" on the scene but insists that his beats are better and has plenty to offer those who choose to work with him. Dexplicit also mentions a dislike for dealing with phone calls and threatens to delete calls that he finds irritating.
Overall, "Shape Shifting" is a song that showcases the individual talents of four influential grime artists while also touching on some of the challenges and rivalries that can arise in the scene.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, I wouldn't say I had a rough, rough, rough life yeah
Although my life hasn't been the worst, I have faced some difficult times.
But I've had some bad times
I have experienced hardships.
My son's in this music ting
My son is a part of the music industry.
[?] always going through pure madness
He is always dealing with a lot of chaos and stress.
But you know I'm happy to be Jme and Junior's dad
Nevertheless, I am proud to be the father of Jme and Junior.
I could have been one of these waste MCs dads
I could have been the dad of a musician who is not successful.
Don't make me no money
Being the dad of an unsuccessful musician won't bring in any money.
Deadout
It would be pointless and valueless.
My name's Joseph A-D-E-N-U-G-A
I am known as Joseph Adenuga.
I love grime but I don't usually spray
I enjoy grime music, but I don't often perform it myself.
I've got four kids and all of their names begin with a J
All four of my children's names start with the letter J.
You know them, wait, what else can I say?
You may already know their names and therefore I don't need to say more.
Flow tunes, you know I rep Boy Better Know all day
I am known for my flow in music and I am also an artist in the Boy Better Know collective.
You will see me in a green Mercedes A-Class, blazing a zoot, smiling away
I can often be seen smoking a joint, driving around in a Green Mercedes A-Class with a big smile on my face.
But from time to time, I look up to Allah and pray
Once in a while, I practice my faith and pray to Allah.
That DJ Maximum, Wiley, Jamie and Junior will be okay
I pray that my fellow musicians DJ Maximum, Wiley, Jamie and Junior will be okay.
You can never die before my hair turns grey
I am hoping that none of my loved ones will pass away before I start to age and go grey-haired.
Boy better know the roads ain't nice
In the area I come from, the roads are not pleasant or safe.
So many gunshots, too many knives
There are too many shootings and stabbings happening.
But I heard a couple man dissing my wife so God please forgive me if I take an MCs life
I heard a few people insulting my wife, so I hope that God can excuse me in case I end up inflicting harm on them.
These MCs are saying a lot
Many musicians are making negative comments.
Violating, talking about people's mums
They are being disrespectful by speaking about other people's mothers.
But you know what, I knew Jme and Junior was going to get into this music thing, I'm a big DJ
I always knew that Jme and Junior would join the music industry, as I am an experienced DJ myself.
Printing houses, records, everywhere, I'm on Radio 1, yeah!
My work is all over the music industry such as on records, different studios, and Radio 1.
Yeah, my name's Tim West-W-double O-D
I am Tim Westwood.
I'm a big dawg, these other DJs started in 2-double O-3
I am an influential DJ whom others aspire to be like, unlike those who started much later than me.
I'm on Radio 1, not Rinse 1-double O-3
I have a show on Radio 1, not Rinse FM (a lesser-known radio station) that broadcasts on 103.6 megahertz.
Kiss my F-double O-T anybody tries to shut down my shop
F*** you to anyone who tries to shut down my business.
Hating Westwood, cause I've got a new Jay Z drops, 50 Cent drops
People dislike me because I get exclusive drops from artists like Jay Z and 50 Cent.
Busta Rhymes drops, so many drops, I dunno what tune to drop
There are so many new songs/albums that it's difficult to decide which one to play.
Drop a Boy Better Know song, then drop a bomb, bang your doors
I like to play Boy Better Know's songs and follow it up with a powerful song that can get people moving.
Real goons in the HMV locked on
People who are known for violence also like coming to HMV to listen to music.
Haters wanna shoot me and lick me down
There are people who hate me so much that they want to harm me.
They know Westwood's big in the scene, my Hummer's tinted out
Those who hate me know that I am popular because my Hummer (car) has dark, shaded windows.
So if you wanna see me you better look through my front windscreen
It's difficult to see me because the windows are darker than usual.
So many haters
There are many people who dislike me.
You get me, everyone's dissing Westwood
Everyone is talking bad about me.
But as soon as their album or mixtape's gonna drop they wanna phone me and come on my show
When these same people are going to release their album or mixtape, they contact me to come on my channel/show anyway.
They didn't phone me before I made 'Pow!'
These people didn't contact me before my song 'Pow!' rose to popularity.
As soon as I made 'Pow!' all these MCs are ringing my phone
As soon as 'Pow!' became popular, all these musicians started calling me.
Yo, my names D-E-X-P-L-I-C-I-T
I am Dexplicit.
Soundboys wanna be grimy like me
People want to copy/trick Dexplicit's work as a sound artist but don't understand the game behind the work.
Rip off my tune but they never wanna say
Some people take Dexplicit's songs, without confirming the source or even giving credit.
But it's okay, trust me I never wanna say anything about you, it's all gravy
Despite the violation, Dexplicit is okay with it and doesn't want to cause chaos about it.
I know you say Memphis Bleek and Jay Z
Dexplicit is aware that people are mentioning other musicians such as Memphis Bleek and Jay Z, when speaking about my music.
Spitting on my tune it's a good look
It is good for Dexplicit's brand/image that other artists show appreciation through remixes.
Now the promoters know they should have booked Dexplicit
Through the remixing of my tune, show promoters realize that they should have offered me an opportunity.
You can't say I'm not the best in it
Nobody can say for sure that Dexplicit is not the best in their line of work.
That's like saying how my granny's not a good cook
It is as ridiculous as saying that Dexplicit's grandmother is not good at cooking.
I know Lethal B came with a good
Dexplicit knows that Lethal B came up with a good song.
But it wouldn't be as big if it wasn't for the kick drum, face it, I made a big one
Dexplicit believes that 'Pow!' became popular mostly due to his skillful use of the kick drum in production.
I've got nuff more beats, you can listen to my CD and pick one
Dexplicit has plenty of other songs they have produced that people can listen to.
If I don't like what you're saying I'll delete your phone call on a quick one - dead
If someone calls and Dexplicit doesn't like what they hear, they will hang up quickly.
You get me? Don't phone my phone
Please don't contact me if you don't have anything substantial to say.
On some 8 bar relay tune
Don't call to discuss something trivial like an 8 bar relay tune.
Done that, that's old news
That is something that has already been done and doesn't hold relevance anymore.
Some new stuff now
Let's focus on current, new things.
Greatest Hits, the real shit, 2000 and everything, yeah
New music that can become future greatest hits! 2000 and beyond!
Skepta, Boy Better Know, shuuut, Yeah, Boy Better Know, go on!
Shoutouts to Skepta, Boy Better Know Collective, and let's continue!
Contributed by Callie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.