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.
Sticks
Skepta Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah it's all sticks and stones
It's all sticks and stones
You better bring some sticks and stones
Yo it's all sticks and stones
You better bring some sticks and stones
If I punch man in the face
Words can't hurt me forget the Chinese whispers
Skepta's back with a brand-new banger for the listeners
Mandem hate cause the ladies wanna take pictures
I go hard from New Years Day to Christmas
Niggas in jail go mad for my scriptures
Sticks and stones
Man already know about me I'm the one man soldier
Sticks and stones
You don't want beef you want a vegetable samosa
Sticks and stones
I'll run through the strip like the race was over
No long ting when the war gets colder
I jump in like 50 in Angola
You get me it's all sticks and stones
You better bring some sticks and stones
If I punch man in the face
I'll make your lip lean to the left like Sylvester Stallone
Yeah it's all sticks and stones
You better bring some sticks and stones
If I punch man in the face
I'll make your lip lean to the left like Sylvester Stallone
Any time I spit a bar I make the DJ wheel it
Now that I've got a little limelight, man wanna steal it
Better talk to the guy you thought you could jack me with
Anybody threaten my life I'll beat him
With the same hand that I Rolex sweep with
Sticks and stones
See me in the white 350 man wanna hate me
Sticks and stones
I'm never on the hype but I'll do a 30 for Jamie
Sticks and stones
Turn man into a ghost like Patrick Swayze
I just wanna make more money go crazy
But man wanna see me in the Old Bailey
You get me it's all sticks and stones
You better bring some sticks and stones
If I punch man in the face
I'll make your lip lean to the left like Sylvester Stallone
Yeah it's all sticks and stones
You better bring some sticks and stones
If I punch man in the face
I'll make your lip lean to the left like Sylvester Stallone
Too many MCs run around talking reckless
Bad thoughts in my head now I can't sleep I'm restless
Never see me roll in a 20 man gang of pretenders
Skepta I'm on some one-man ventures
Them man have got fake beef like wrestlers
Sticks and stones
Never catch me off guard you better do your squeezes
Sticks and stones
Die hard like a soldier no sorry no pleading
Sticks and stones
No wasteman's gonna stop my crew from eating
In the morning afternoon and evening
I rep Boy Better Know till I stop breathing
You get me it's all sticks and stones
You better bring some sticks and stones
If I punch man in the face
I'll make your lip lean to the left like Sylvester Stallone
Yeah it's all sticks and stones
You better bring some sticks and stones
If I punch man in the face
I'll make your lip lean to the left like Sylvester Stallone
You get me it's all sticks and stones
You better bring some sticks and stones
If I punch man in the face
I'll make your lip lean to the left like Sylvester Stallone
Yeah it's all sticks and stones
You better bring some sticks and stones
You don't want me to start rinsing it
Like I just got let out the mental home
Danger tell these babies there's no space in the manger
Skepta
Sticks and stones break bones words can't do nothing
Sticks and stones
Microphone Champion Skepta
Sticks and stones
2000 and everything
Sticks and stones
Straight, Boy Better Know
All day long, til my heart stops beating go on then
The lyrics in Skepta's song "Sticks and Stones" convey a message of resilience and defiance in the face of criticism and negativity. The repeated refrain of "it's all sticks and stones, you better bring some sticks and stones" emphasizes the notion that he is unfazed by words and that physical actions are what truly matter.
Skepta asserts his strength and confidence throughout the song, highlighting that words cannot hurt him despite the Chinese whispers (rumors and gossip). He presents himself as a dominant figure, with "mandem" hating on him because women are drawn to him. He also emphasizes his work ethic, claiming to go hard from New Year's Day to Christmas.
The lyrics metaphorically describe Skepta's ability to overcome obstacles and adversaries. When he says he'll make someone's lip lean to the left like Sylvester Stallone, he is implying that his punches are impactful and can physically alter someone's appearance. He compares his approach to running through a race and suggests that he is relentless and unstoppable, even when the "war gets colder." The lyrics also touch on his determination to make money and succeed, even in the face of potential legal troubles.
In summary, "Sticks and Stones" by Skepta is a song that asserts the artist's resilience, confidence, and determination to succeed despite any obstacles or negativity he encounters.
Line by Line Meaning
It's all sticks and stones
Nothing anyone says can affect me
Yeah it's all sticks and stones
Still, nothing anyone says can affect me
You better bring some sticks and stones
If you want to challenge me, you better come prepared
If I punch man in the face
If I physically harm someone
I'll make your lip lean to the left like Sylvester Stallone
I'll cause visible damage, making your lip tilt to the side like Sylvester Stallone's
Words can't hurt me forget the Chinese whispers
I am unaffected by rumors and gossip
Skepta's back with a brand-new banger for the listeners
I have returned with a fresh, exciting song for my fans
Mandem hate cause the ladies wanna take pictures
People dislike me because women are attracted to me
I go hard from New Years Day to Christmas
I am dedicated and relentless in my pursuit of success throughout the year
Niggas in jail go mad for my scriptures
Even those incarcerated appreciate and admire my lyrics
Man already know about me I'm the one man soldier
Everyone is aware that I am an independent and resilient individual
You don't want beef you want a vegetable samosa
You're not looking for a confrontation, you're looking for something peaceful
I'll run through the strip like the race was over
I will move swiftly and decisively, as if I've already won the race
No long ting when the war gets colder
No hesitations when the conflict intensifies
I jump in like 50 in Angola
I enter the scene boldly, like the rapper 50 Cent did during the Angola prison riots
Any time I spit a bar I make the DJ wheel it
Whenever I rap, the DJ plays it immediately
Now that I've got a little limelight, man wanna steal it
Since I've gained some attention, others want to take credit for my success
Better talk to the guy you thought you could jack me with
You should confront the person who deceived you into thinking they could harm me
Anybody threaten my life I'll beat him
If anyone poses a threat to my life, I will defeat them
With the same hand that I Rolex sweep with
Using the same hand I wear my expensive Rolex watch on
See me in the white 350 man wanna hate me
When people see me driving a white 350 (presumably a luxury car), they become envious and hostile
I'm never on the hype but I'll do a 30 for Jamie
I don't seek attention, but I am willing to go the distance for my friend Jamie (possibly a reference to a prison sentence)
Turn man into a ghost like Patrick Swayze
I can make someone disappear or fade away, just like Patrick Swayze's character in the movie 'Ghost'
I just wanna make more money go crazy
My desire is to accumulate wealth and live a lavish lifestyle
But man wanna see me in the Old Bailey
Some people want to witness me facing legal proceedings at the Old Bailey (a famous criminal court in London)
Too many MCs run around talking reckless
There are too many rappers who speak without caution or responsibility
Bad thoughts in my head now I can't sleep I'm restless
Negative thoughts occupy my mind, preventing me from finding rest
Never see me roll in a 20 man gang of pretenders
I don't associate with a large group of fake individuals
Skepta I'm on some one-man ventures
I am pursuing my goals and ambitions independently
Them man have got fake beef like wrestlers
Those individuals have fabricated conflicts, similar to professional wrestlers
Never catch me off guard you better do your squeezes
You won't surprise me, so you better prepare yourself
Die hard like a soldier no sorry no pleading
I'm determined and resilient like a soldier, with no room for apologies or begging
No wasteman's gonna stop my crew from eating
No unproductive individuals will impede our progress and success
In the morning afternoon and evening
We work tirelessly and dedicate ourselves to success at all times of the day
I rep Boy Better Know till I stop breathing
I represent and support Boy Better Know (a grime collective) until my last breath
Danger tell these babies there's no space in the manger
Inform these inexperienced individuals that there's no room for them in important positions
Sticks and stones break bones words can't do nothing
Physical harm can cause damage, while mere words have no impact
Microphone Champion Skepta
I am a highly skilled and successful artist in the realm of music
2000 and everything
I am relevant and influential in the current year
Straight, Boy Better Know
I am representing Boy Better Know without any affiliations or distractions
All day long, til my heart stops beating go on then
I will continue my pursuits relentlessly until my last breath, so go ahead and try to stop me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Jamie Alexander Treays
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TestySatchel
One of his most underrated tunes
@tigerkillslion
this tune still too strong!
@Kregg94
thumbs up if u find music waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay after everyone else does
@liamhill007
still a banger
@rayvon6386
U DONT WANT BEEF YOU WANT A VEGETABLE SAMOSA! mmm tasty i do love a good samosa son make no mistake!
@YungBryz
MANNNN THIS SONG IS AWESOME
@nel11fyahe97
Whos still bashing dis beat in 2019 braaaaaapbooooooo👌👌👌
@Dasdingsdadada
2020 <3
@YouRateThis
hardest skepta tune goin. hands down.
@bassat786
tuneeeeeeeeeeee skepta's songs are jus too ruffffff