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.

We Begin Things
Skepta Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Out on the streets in the 90's
Never had enough money for an ice cream
Niggas on the other side wanna fight me
All the chicks in the hood wanna wife me

Black chicks white chicks and the lighties
On the stairs in the flats getting grimey
See a nigga in my hood looking icy

Quick jack move now the feds wanna find me

Ho yeah yo Skep dee give me another R
They never see it coming they're having a laugh
And now our team's got more niggas with more class
So we need to keep the scene on par

So listen when we say we're in a bit of demand
Been here living already we don't need to get a pass
We don't talk the dream we take part
How ya mean how ya mean we're taking it too far

Yeah Mega we're taking it too far
Forget a sixteen I kill it in two bars
Forget all the money forget all the new cars
You put that all aside and you're looking at two stars

Oh shit I pull out my camera
Tell man hold this two middle fingers up to the feds
Tell him that it's Dwayne and Joseph
You're fucking with underdog psychosis ey

Ah if you wanna go deeper than this
Nah they ain't getting no deeper than this
Got North East West and South eating
Boy Better Know and So Solid we begin things

We begin things (Ooh yeah yeah) we begin things (Ooh whoa)
We begin things we begin things
Ah if you wanna go deeper than this
Nah they ain't getting no deeper than this

Got North East West and South eating
Boy Better Know and So Solid we begin things
We begin things we begin things
We begin things we begin things we begin things

Out on the streets in the 90's
Never had enough money for an ice cream
Niggas on the other side wanna fight me
All the chicks in the hood wanna wife me

Black chicks white chicks and the lighties
On the stairs in the flats getting grimey
See a nigga in my hood looking icy
Quick jack move now the feds wanna find me

True say the label that's madness
Yeah Skeppy they wanna draw for the madness
I'mma free how can they say that I'm still on the gangland ting
Surrounded by young G's that bang them thing

I'm a cool breeze I'm relaxing
Surrounded by who's into big banking
Yeah I was thug spitting then all packed in
Then recovered the third year like oh that's him

Oh that's him oh that's him
He's the new in thing oh that's a win
We came for the pound my boys are all in
And the girls wanna shout like we's a balling

I know you're pretty though
But if I can't figure you out please you gotta go
Oi over there
Please I'm skanking with all my G's

I pull up in the all black tee
My niggas and pretty women is all I see
In the club we celebrating pop champagne
So I told her to step steady the floor might be

A little slippery but we never came here to model
So tell the waiter to bring ten more bottles
I drink that jump in the car
Put the pedal to the metal full throttle like woah

Love for my G's on the road like woah
N17 post code like woah
See me on the telly and the video like woah
I keep telling them that I'm gonna blow like woah

Don't understand why they wanna hate on a G
Man I've been killing it since double 0 three
Now they wanna be in the same position as me
And I'm like

Ah if you wanna go deeper than this
Nah they ain't getting no deeper than this
Got North East West and South eating
Boy Better Know and So Solid we begin things

We begin things (Ooh yeah yeah) we begin things (Ooh whoa)
We begin things we begin things
Ah if you wanna go deeper than this
Nah they ain't getting no deeper than this

Got North East West and South eating
Boy Better Know and So Solid we begin things

We begin things we begin things
We begin things we begin things we begin things

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Skepta's song "We Begin Things" reflect his experiences growing up in the streets in the 90s. He reminisces about not having enough money for simple pleasures like ice cream, while also having to deal with confrontations from people on the other side. Despite these challenges, he expresses how popular he is with the ladies in his neighborhood. The lyrics also touch on the gritty and grimy nature of life in the hood, with references to the flats and the need to be cautious of thefts.

Skepta takes pride in his crew and their rise to success. He mentions their increasing popularity and class, emphasizing that they don't just talk about their dreams but actively participate in the scene. The lyrics convey a sense of confidence, as Skepta believes they are taking things to the next level, going beyond the norms and expectations. He mentions his friend Mega as a collaborator who helps push boundaries and deliver impactful rhymes.

The song also carries elements of defiance and rebellion. Skepta references pulling out his camera to display two middle fingers to the authorities and dismissively mentions being underestimated and in conflict with the law. The lyrics convey a sense of empowerment and a refusal to conform to society's expectations.

Overall, "We Begin Things" pays tribute to Skepta's roots, celebrates his crew's success, and showcases his rebellious attitude and resilience in the face of adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

Out on the streets in the 90's
I grew up in the tough streets during the 90s

Never had enough money for an ice cream
I was struggling financially and couldn't afford simple pleasures like ice cream

Niggas on the other side wanna fight me
I faced constant conflict with people from rival groups

All the chicks in the hood wanna wife me
The women in my neighborhood were attracted to me and wanted a serious relationship

Black chicks white chicks and the lighties
Women of different races and ethnicities were interested in me

On the stairs in the flats getting grimey
I spent time in the rundown buildings, engaging in rough activities

See a nigga in my hood looking icy
When someone from a different area came to my neighborhood and looked flashy

Quick jack move now the feds wanna find me
I had to rob them quickly to avoid getting caught by the police

Ho yeah yo Skep dee give me another R
Hey, Skep Dee, give me another recording

They never see it coming they're having a laugh
They underestimate us and find our success amusing

And now our team's got more niggas with more class
Our group has grown, attracting more talented and respectable individuals

So we need to keep the scene on par
We must maintain the quality and relevance of our music

So listen when we say we're in a bit of demand
Pay attention to the fact that our music is highly sought after

Been here living already we don't need to get a pass
We've already established ourselves and don't need anyone's approval

We don't talk the dream we take part
We don't just talk about success, we actively work towards it

How ya mean how ya mean we're taking it too far
People question our ambition and think we're pushing ourselves too hard

Yeah Mega we're taking it too far
We, including Mega, are pushing the boundaries of success

Forget a sixteen I kill it in two bars
I don't need a long verse to impress, I can captivate the audience with just a few lines

Forget all the money forget all the new cars
Material possessions are not important to me

You put that all aside and you're looking at two stars
Once you remove the superficial, you can see our true talent and success

Oh shit I pull out my camera
I grab my camera in excitement

Tell man hold this two middle fingers up to the feds
I express my defiance towards the authorities

Tell him that it's Dwayne and Joseph
I let them know that it's Dwayne and Joseph causing trouble

You're fucking with underdog psychosis ey
Don't mess with the underestimated and mentally unstable

Ah if you wanna go deeper than this
If you want to understand our music on a deeper level

Nah they ain't getting no deeper than this
You won't find anything more profound than what we're already delivering

Got North East West and South eating
We're reaching success and recognition in all areas of the city

Boy Better Know and So Solid we begin things
Boy Better Know and So Solid are initiating a new era in music

We begin things we begin things
We are the ones starting the trends and setting the standards

Ah if you wanna go deeper than this
If you want to understand our music on a deeper level

Nah they ain't getting no deeper than this
You won't find anything more profound than what we're already delivering

Got North East West and South eating
We're reaching success and recognition in all areas of the city

Boy Better Know and So Solid we begin things
Boy Better Know and So Solid are initiating a new era in music

We begin things we begin things
We are the ones starting the trends and setting the standards

We begin things we begin things we begin things
We are continuously innovating and taking the lead in the music industry

True say the label that's madness
It's crazy how the record label treats us

Yeah Skeppy they wanna draw for the madness
Yeah, Skeppy, they want us to create controversial and outrageous content

I'mma free how can they say that I'm still on the gangland ting
I'm trying to break free from the gang culture and be seen differently

Surrounded by young G's that bang them thing
I'm still surrounded by young gang members who engage in violent activities

I'm a cool breeze I'm relaxing
I'm calm and collected amidst the chaos

Surrounded by who's into big banking
I'm surrounded by those involved in illicit financial activities

Yeah I was thug spitting then all packed in
I used to rap about being a thug, then it all became crowded

Then recovered the third year like oh that's him
But I made a comeback in the third year and everyone recognized my talent

He's the new in thing oh that's a win
I became the new popular artist, and that's a significant achievement

We came for the pound my boys are all in
We came here to make money, and my friends are fully committed

And the girls wanna shout like we's a balling
The girls are excited and want to be associated with our success

I know you're pretty though
I recognize your attractiveness

But if I can't figure you out please you gotta go
If I can't understand your true intentions, then we can't continue

Oi over there
Hey, you over there

Please I'm skanking with all my G's
Please, I'm enjoying myself with all my friends

I pull up in the all black tee
I arrive in a black t-shirt

My niggas and pretty women is all I see
I only notice my friends and attractive women around me

In the club we celebrating pop champagne
We're partying in the club, celebrating with expensive champagne

So I told her to step steady the floor might be
I warned her to be careful because the dance floor could be slippery

A little slippery but we never came here to model
The floor may be slippery, but we're not here to showcase our looks

So tell the waiter to bring ten more bottles
Instruct the waiter to bring more bottles of champagne

I drink that jump in the car
I quickly drink the champagne and get into the car

Put the pedal to the metal full throttle like woah
I accelerate the car with full speed, going all out

Love for my G's on the road like woah
I have deep affection for my friends who are always by my side

N17 post code like woah
I represent the N17 post code area with pride

See me on the telly and the video like woah
You can see me on television and music videos, making a strong impact

I keep telling them that I'm gonna blow like woah
I repeatedly assure everyone that I'm going to achieve great success

Don't understand why they wanna hate on a G
I don't comprehend why they want to criticize and dislike me

Man I've been killing it since double 0 three
I've been extremely successful since 2003

Now they wanna be in the same position as me
Now they envy me and want to be as successful as I am

And I'm like
And I respond with confidence