The band initially came together with three of the four Dub War veterans with Jeff Rose and Martin Ford returning alongside Webbe, along with new bassist Daniel Pugsley. The group released their debut LP Babylon in July 2002, with sporadic success in parts of Europe and the U.S. metal underground. However after suffering years of indifference and waning support from Earache Records with Dub War and now seeing the same lack of label support from RCA for Skindred, Rose and Ford amicably left the band in November of 2002, but would continue to offer their support.
Soon Webbe had hooked up with guitarist Mikey Dee, and drummer Dirty Arya and continued on, but it wasn't until a year or so later and Lava Records' involvement that the album really took off. Skindred re-released Babylon in August 2004. Lava's version featured different cover art, and included newly recorded material in addition to the original, Howard Benson-helmed songs. Skindred then headed out on a series of tours with acts like Sevendust, Nonpoint, and Papa Roach, and never looked back.
Discography
Albums
2002 - Babylon
2007 - Roots Rock Riot
2009 - Shark Bites And Dog Fights
2011 - Union Black
2014 - Kill The Power
2015 - Volume
2018 - Big Tings
Singles
2005 - Nobody
2006 - Pressure
2007 - RatRace
2008 - Trouble
2009 - Electric Avenue
2009 - Stand For Something
2011 - Warning (featuring Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach)
2011 - Cut Dem
2012 - Game Over
2013 - Ninja
Rude Boy for Life
Skindred Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fighting against the ways of Jah, Jah know dem feel no way
If you carry on so then there is a price to pay
Life inside a cell is not a place you wanner stay
Nuff youth dem come from good families, families
Too much ah dem dem just ah end up in a cemetery, they're history
Influenced by the badness that them see, Wha dem ah see
What you're dealing with you know that that ain't right
The way you carry on the way you love to fight
If you are a rude boy for life, always running into worries and strife
Rude boy for life always walking on the edge of a knife
Top shotter outer road dem, jusa gwoen like dem ah don
War fe territory wan fe own all the land
Gangstarfari Babylon dem pon the pay roll
You can have it all, but end up losing your soul
Infamous roughneck of society
Yes I'm talking to you
Don't wanner hear a word I say
Are you listening to me?
Coz I'm talking to you
If you are a rude boy for life, always running into worries and strife
Rude boy for life always walking on the edge of a knife
Because you're running out of school and you're breaking the rule
You dress up in a suit and you think say you cool
You's a rude boy running round and you're not a clown
Any boy stepping up you ah go push dem down
Rude boy for life you want the trouble and strife
Re check your steps turn from death unto life
Another message to you rudie
Burra man ah me say message to you rudie
The lyrics to Skindred's "Rude Boy 4 Life" address the issue of violence among youths in the ghettos. The first set of lines caution against the consequences of continuous shooting and fighting against Jah's ways. The song warns that such actions attract punishment and could land one in jail. The next verse points out that many of the youth come from good families, yet they end up dying prematurely and becoming history. They become influenced by badness they see around them. The song suggests that there is a lesson to be learned from such situations, and the youth don't have to become mere memories.
The chorus warns that being a rude boy for life constantly sends one into worries, strife, and walking on the edge of a knife. The lyrics further point out that top shot omnibus riders assume ownership of territories and all the land, engaging in gang-related activities when Babylon engages them. The song addresses the infamous roughneck of society that doesn't listen to what anyone else is saying. In essence, the song puts a spotlight on the recklessness, senselessness, and futility of operating as a rude boy.
Line by Line Meaning
Nuff of the yoots in the ghetto firing shots now everyday
There are a lot of young people in the ghetto who are shooting every day.
Fighting against the ways of Jah, Jah know dem feel no way
These young people are fighting against the ways of Jah, and they don't care.
If you carry on so then there is a price to pay
If you continue to behave this way, there will be consequences.
Life inside a cell is not a place you wanner stay
Prison is not a place you want to be.
Nuff youth dem come from good families, families
Many of these young people come from good families.
Too much ah dem dem just ah end up in a cemetery, they're history
Unfortunately, too many of them end up dead and forgotten.
Influenced by the badness that them see, Wha dem ah see
They are influenced by the violence that they see around them.
Coz there's a lesson to be learn and you just don't have to be, a memory
There are lessons to be learned, and you don't have to become just a memory.
What you're dealing with you know that that ain't right
You know what you're doing is wrong.
The way you carry on the way you love to fight
The way you behave and your love of violence.
If you are a rude boy for life, always running into worries and strife
If you choose to be a lifetime criminal, you will always face problems and struggles.
Rude boy for life always walking on the edge of a knife
You will always be living dangerously and facing the possibility of being hurt or killed.
Top shotter outer road dem, jusa gwoen like dem ah don
There are people on the streets who act like they're in charge.
War fe territory wan fe own all the land
They want to fight for territory and own all the land.
Gangstarfari Babylon dem pon the pay roll
They work for the corrupt government.
You can have it all, but end up losing your soul
You may gain everything, but still lose what's really important - your soul.
Infamous roughneck of society
You are a notorious troublemaker.
Yes I'm talking to you
I am addressing you specifically.
Don't wanner hear a word I say
You don't want to listen to me.
Are you listening to me?
Are you paying attention to what I'm saying?
Coz I'm talking to you
Because I am addressing you directly.
Because you're running out of school and you're breaking the rule
You are choosing to skip school and break the rules.
You dress up in a suit and you think say you cool
You may dress nicely, but that doesn't make you cool.
You's a rude boy running round and you're not a clown
You are a criminal, not a jokester.
Any boy stepping up you ah go push dem down
You will attack anyone who challenges you.
Rude boy for life you want the trouble and strife
You choose a life of crime and all its problems.
Re check your steps turn from death unto life
Rethink your choices and turn away from a path of death and destruction.
Another message to you rudie
One more message to you, a lifetime criminal.
Contributed by Michael V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Demitri EgGe Mackoy
on Nobody
i like the music