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.
Wish You Were Here
Skepta Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Go on then
Yeah
You said you were my brother but you weren't there
Came to squash beef but you weren't there
Came to your party, you weren't there
Came to your house and you weren't there
When I was on the road, fam, you weren't there
Look up in the sky, that's me goin' clear
All that talk about clash, that's air
You said you were my brother but you weren't there
Came to squash beef but you weren't there
Came to your party, you weren't there
Came to your house and you weren't there
Came a long way from trapping in the bando
When I was on the road, fam, you weren't there
Look up in the sky, that's me goin' clear
All that talk about clash, that's air
Yeah
Please don't talk about war
Man a got no heart, show you about war
Looking in your eyes, I can see you're not sure
How you come to the block when you know I'm on tour?
Verbalist, you love chatting online
Yeah you went jail, tell man what for
Pussyole ting, can't celebrate that
Stop tryna glorify wasteman things
Big business when my telephone rings
Old school beef, no I ain't got time
Old school friends, no I ain't got time
Life goes on, man I can't rewind
Yeah
I praise the lord, and I shine
Suck whose mum? Can't be chatting 'bout mine
Full control, can't waste my energy
Them MC's are just too bad mind
You said you were my brother but you weren't there
Came to squash beef but you weren't there
Came to your party, you weren't there
Came to your house and you weren't there
Came a long way from trapping in the bando
When I was on the road, fam, you weren't there
Look up in the sky, that's me goin' clear
All that talk about clash, that's air
Yeah, just admit it
Nobody did it like I did it
Produced my own beats, I think of my own lyrics
Could have kept it all to myself but I split it
Man are so ungrateful, man are so wicked
When I'm on stage, move your hand from the mic
Guess I'ma give it when I'm finished
Man said he wants to talk, I'm like, "is it?"
DM, 'cause I'm not giving you my digits
And it's likely I might've ignored it
'Cause by now I think the talking is boring
More time I leave a bullshit message on read
Just to make a nigga see that I saw it
All the chit chatter get a nigga nowhere
Diss big smoke, now you're getting nightmares
All I ever hear is this year's my year
But you never turn up, I know you don't really care
But Jam was there, Lay was there
Em was there, Donner was there
Ayo was there, Sister was there
Dad was there, Lash was there
Decks was there, Stage was there
Mic was there, Dex was there
Even Ghetts was there
That's Movement
Boy Better Know, my G I really wish you were here
You said you were my brother but you weren't there
Came to squash beef but you weren't there
Came to your party, you weren't there
Came to your house and you weren't there
Came a long way from trapping in the bando
When I was on the road, fam, you weren't there
Look up in the sky, that's me goin' clear
All that talk about clash, that's air
You said you were my brother but you weren't there
Came to squash beef but you weren't there
Came to your party, you weren't there
Came to your house and you weren't there
Came a long way from trapping in the bando
When I was on the road, fam, you weren't there
Look up in the sky, that's me goin' clear
All that talk about clash, that's air
The chorus of Skepta's "Wish You Were Here" expresses his disappointment in someone he thought was a close friend and "brother" who, despite promises to be there, has let him down repeatedly. Skepta recounts the times he's looked for this friend and received nothing but empty promises, from coming to squash beef to attending events and visiting his house. He reflects on his own journey from humble beginnings in the "bando" (slang for a drug-trap house or abandoned building) to rising success, with the claim that those who claimed to be there for him were absent during the tough times. Skepta acknowledges his own achievements in "go(ing) clear", referencing his success, and dismisses the talk of clashing or fighting with a dismissive "that's air".
The second verse turns more confrontational in tone, as Skepta challenges those who talk big but cannot back it up when confronted. He addresses the people who try to glorify negative actions like "jail" and warns against getting caught up in the past or the drama of beef. He emphasizes his faith and personal strength in "prais(ing) the lord and (shining)" and dismisses detractors who insult his mother. The final section lists a number of people who have been a part of Skepta's life and movement, "Boy Better Know," highlighting the absence of one particular friend.
Overall, "Wish You Were Here" speaks to the feelings of hurt and betrayal that come from broken promises and missing support, particularly in the midst of success. Skepta is reflective but also confrontational, emphasizing his own strength and success despite the lack of support from someone he trusted.
Interesting facts about the song:
Line by Line Meaning
You said you were my brother but you weren't there
You claimed to be my friend and ally, but you never showed up when I needed you.
Came to squash beef but you weren't there
You offered to resolve our issues, but when the time came for action, you were nowhere to be found.
Came to your party, you weren't there
I made the effort to attend your celebration, but you did not show up to your own event.
Came to your house and you weren't there
I visited your home, hoping to connect with you, but you were not present.
Came a long way from trapping in the bando
I have come a great distance from my previous life of selling drugs in an abandoned building.
When I was on the road, fam, you weren't there
While I was out on tour pursuing my dreams, you were not there to support or join me.
Look up in the sky, that's me goin' clear
I have achieved great success and am rising to new heights, reflected by my ascension in the sky.
All that talk about clash, that's air
Your talk of wanting to challenge or compete with me is useless and empty.
Please don't talk about war
I am not interested in engaging in conflict or violence.
Man a got no heart, show you about war
Those who are willing to fight lack empathy and compassion; let me demonstrate what true warfare looks like.
Looking in your eyes, I can see you're not sure
I can tell by your lack of confidence that you are uncertain about how to handle our situation.
How you come to the block when you know I'm on tour?
Why would you attempt to confront me in my neighborhood when you're fully aware that I am away on tour?
Verbalist, you love chatting online
You're all talk, particularly on social media platforms.
Yeah you went jail, tell man what for
You may have been incarcerated, but what did you actually do to get there?
Pussyole ting, can't celebrate that
I refuse to glorify acts or behaviors that are cowardly or disrespectful.
Stop tryna glorify wasteman things
Please refrain from promoting negative or harmful behaviors and instead celebrate positive and productive actions.
Big business when my telephone rings
Receiving phone calls and conducting business opportunities is significant and lucrative for me.
Old school beef, no I ain't got time
I have no interest in dwelling on past disputes or conflicts.
Old school friends, no I ain't got time
I do not have the time or energy to reconnect with acquaintances from my past.
Life goes on, man I can't rewind
Time moves forward, and it is impossible to undo or change the past.
I praise the lord, and I shine
I am grateful for my blessings and successes and will continue to shine.
Suck whose mum? Can't be chatting 'bout mine
I will not tolerate derogatory or disrespectful comments about my mother.
Full control, can't waste my energy
I am in complete charge of my life and refuse to waste my time or energy on unnecessary drama or conflict.
Them MC's are just too bad mind
Other rappers are envious and negative in their thinking.
Just admit it, nobody did it like I did it
Acknowledging and recognizing my unique talents and accomplishments.
Produced my own beats, I think of my own lyrics
Creating and composing my own music, lyrics, and sounds from my own originality and creativity.
Could have kept it all to myself but I split it
I could have kept my music and success to myself, but instead, I shared it with others.
Man are so ungrateful, man are so wicked
Many people are unappreciative and malicious.
When I'm on stage, move your hand from the mic
When performing, please do not interfere with my microphone or distract from my performance.
Guess I'ma give it when I'm finished
I will distribute my time and attention accordingly, but until then, please be patient and respectful.
Man said he wants to talk, I'm like, 'is it?'
I am questioning whether someone truly wants to engage in a productive conversation or not.
DM, 'cause I'm not giving you my digits
Contact me through social media messaging rather than giving out my phone number.
And it's likely I might've ignored it
It is probable that I have not responded to previous messages or requests.
More time I leave a bullshit message on read
I often purposely do not reply to messages or leave them unread.
Just to make a nigga see that I saw it
I want to communicate that I am aware of the messages or notifications but do not want to engage in conversation or respond immediately.
All the chit chatter get a nigga nowhere
All the idle talk and gossip is unproductive and does not lead to any positive outcomes.
Diss big smoke, now you're getting nightmares
When someone disrespects or challenges me, they experience negative consequences and may become fearful.
All I ever hear is this year's my year
I consistently hear people make promises or declare that they will succeed in the next year.
But you never turn up, I know you don't really care
Despite your intentions or declarations, your actions show that you do not actually care or support me.
But Jam was there, Lay was there, Em was there, Donner was there, Ayo was there, Sister was there, Dad was there, Lash was there, Decks was there, Stage was there, Mic was there, Dex was there, Even Ghetts was there
These individuals were present and supportive of me throughout my journey and success.
That's Movement, Boy Better Know, my G I really wish you were here
These individuals make up my team and music collective and I deeply regret that you are not a part of this community.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Joseph Adenuga
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind