Before breaking the mainstream market, So-Solid were involved with many London pirate radio stations, one was Supreme FM, and the main station they performed on was Delight FM (103.0 MHz), where they once had most of the sunday schedule, called So-Solid Sundays. From about lunchtime until 10pm, there were different shows, where the various So-Solid DJs will play dubstep and 2 step garage tracks, and sometimes, the So-Solid MCs would rap on top of the tracks for up to two hours each session. At the height of their career, Delight FM had over 10,000 listeners, a very large number for a pirate station. On Christmas Day in 2001, So-Solid performed their last Sunday show on the station.
So Solid Crew set the trend on the underground scene and even today their success has been unmatched by any other garage crews or collectives. The So Solid Crew's first album They Don't Know was released in October 2001, followed by a remix album entitled Fuck It in December 2001.
So Solid Crew are famous also for having many members. They have all brought out solo chart singles since.
Oxide & Neutrino are also members who brought out singles but they released them before So Solid Crew. They released an album entitled Execute and the singles "Only Wanna Know U Cos Ure Famous / Dem Girlz", "Up Middle Finger" and "Bound 4 Da Reload" (which features music from the Casualty television show).
Members Harvey, MC Romeo, and Lisa Maffia have all appeared on Channel Four celebrity reality show The Games and members Megaman, G Man, Harvey. Harvey has now become a footballer at non-league football club Lewes F.C., following a brief stint at Wimbledon. Harvey has also secured a role in a west end musical.
An associate of the band, Carl Morgan, was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder in October 2005. On 28th September 2006 Megaman was found not guilty of murder at the Old Bailey.
Member Swiss released 'Cry' featuring Sharifa with a ground-breaking Burning Vision Entertainment video populated with rich imagery contained within ever moving polaroids in the background. The video, found here, went straight to number 1 in November 2005 on popular music video station, Channel U.
21 Seconds
So Solid Crew Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
Ha, ha, ha, whatcha laughin' at?
Megaman up first and he won't second no shit
I ain't got the time to smoke this, hold this
Yo G, roll by in a blacked out TT, Megaman carry two gats easy
Seeing stars, and a mister wanna jack me
The last thing that you saw was icy, bitch
Say nigga wanna see Mega get rich
But niggas don't really want Mega to be rich
Say nigga wanna see Mega get rich
But niggas don't really want Mega to be rich
Asher D's never fading
Strugglin' stay strong 'til I'm bathin'
The A to the D's never phasing
I run a drum of enemies if you're racing (chasing)
So Solid are amazing
An' you G's are bound to be lacing
Addicted to this life that we're tastin'
You blame me for the life you been wasting
Your hating, but there's money to be making
Actor, MC and now I'm rakin'
Smoking mad trees like a Jamaican
So when you're looking at me you start takin', creating
Thug of the family, who could I be?
M with the A to the C that's me
Thug of the family, who could I be?
M with the A to the C that's me
M-A-C still thuggin'
Shot Benz in a rave when I'm clubbin'
Ladies come around and they buggin'
Make g's like if I was robbin'
Player haters they are
Watching and they're plottin' and they're watchin' my stocks
Watching and they're plottin' and they're watchin' my stops
Watching and they're plottin' and they're watchin' my crops
Never gonna stop
Never gonna stop
I got 21 seconds to flow
I got 21 seconds to go
'Cause if you like me lemme know
Let me in da studio
I got 21 seconds before I got to go
Did you see me on the video 'oh no'
Did you see me on the video 'oh no'
So if you like me lemme know
Let me in da studio
I got 21 seconds before I got to go
Did you see me on the video 'oh no'
Did you see me on the video 'oh no'
So if you like me lemme know
Let me in da studio
I got 21 seconds before I gotta go
21 seconds, t-t-t
21 seconds, t-t-t
21 seconds, t-t-t
21 seconds, t-t-t
Every lyric I do
Every lyric I say
Every lyric I rock
Every lyric I play
Every lyric I make
Every lyric I break
There's always a snake when I get in my gate
Way, through the tunnel
21 seconds and you're in trouble
You better move on the double
When I double my cash
When I double my dough
21 seconds Harvey's gonna flow
And if I step on my toe
We're still gonna go
When I'm on a high
When I'm on a low
When I'm on a break
When I'm on a roll
Hype it up
Oh, oh no
Turn up the bassline
I got 21 seconds to chat this rhyme in time
First of all I'm gonna big up da ladies
Lookin' slender n' fine, mmm mine
Don't gimme no deadline
Gimme some more time
Gimme 29, seconds to chat this rhyme
Other MC's wait in line
How old am I? 21
I got 21 seconds den my vocals done
2 multiplied by 10 plus 1
Romeo done
I got 21 seconds to pass the mic
I got 21 seconds to say what I gotta say
But you don't like me anyway
Nah I won't hesitate
So Solid Crew is here to stay
We're gonna get right to the top of it
'Cause I, I got-got got-got twenty
'Cause I, I got-got got-got twenty
'Cause I, I only got 21 seconds
Some of them are slippin' ah
Some of them begrudge me ah
So Solid vampire
See me on the telly ha
Face gettin' popular, ha what?
Some are chat shittin' ah
No disrespectin' the threat of my clique ya nah
Raise up the dead an' ah
Worship the devil
Red is my best color
So Solid we are players, instigators
Gimme a girl, I make her famous
I send her back to you, she gettin' papers
21 seconds to get papers
Please set ya mind free, 'cause I gotta key
Turn 'em off of all my pain, can you feel me
Trend setter, change like the weather, ugh
21 secs the more better
Aye, you dun know
You, you dun know
So Solid Crew we run the show
And if you don't know please lemme know please lemme know
Scatt D don't snitch
No need to go to the feds to get rich
I just lay on the track and insert the hit
And get paid all day long-g-g
I got 21 seconds to flow
I got 21 seconds to go
'Cause if you like me lemme know
Let me in da studio
I got 21 seconds before I got to go
Did you see me on the video 'oh no'
Did you see me on the video 'oh no'
So if you like me lemme know
Let me in da studio
I got 21 seconds before I got to go
Did you see me on the video 'oh no'
Did you see me on the video 'oh no'
So if you like me lemme know
Let me in da studio
I got 21 seconds before I gotta go
21 seconds, t-t-t
21 seconds, t-t-t
21 seconds, t-t-t
21 seconds, t-t-t
21 seconds, t-t-t
21 seconds, t-t-t
21 seconds, t-t-t
21 seconds, t-t-t
The chorus of the song, "I got 21 seconds to flow," is repeated throughout the song, creating a sense of urgency and pressure. The lyrics are about the So Solid Crew's rise to fame and their experiences in the music industry. In the first verse, Megaman talks about carrying guns and being wary of people who want to "jack" him. Asher D talks about the struggles and obstacles they face as a group and how they're constantly being watched and hated on by others. Romeo discusses his age and how he only has 21 seconds to rap before his turn is over. MC Harvey raps about his skill and confidence in the industry, while Lisa Maffia focuses on the group's image and reputation. The various rappers each bring their own unique perspective to the song, but they all share a common goal of making it big in the music industry.
One interesting fact about "21 Seconds" is that it was So Solid Crew's breakthrough single in the UK, reaching the number one spot on the charts in 2001. The song was viewed as controversial due to its depiction of violence and gang culture. The BBC even banned the group from appearing on their shows due to concerns about their lyrics. However, this controversy only added to the song's popularity, and it was widely played in nightclubs and on pirate radio stations.
Another interesting fact about the song is that it was reportedly recorded in just 21 minutes, with each member of the group recording their individual verses in one take. The song was produced by a member of the group, Ozzie B, and was based on a beat that he had created.
The song's lyrics and style have been compared to the US group Wu-Tang Clan, and it's been noted that "21 Seconds" helped to bring UK garage and grime music to the mainstream. The song has been covered and remixed by a variety of artists, and in 2019, it was performed by a group of celebrities on the UK show "The X Factor: Celebrity."
Unfortunately, the original chords for the song are not readily available, as it was produced using samples and synthesizers. However, the song's distinctive bassline and drum track are often imitated in covers and remixes.
In conclusion, "21 Seconds" is a song that showcases So Solid Crew's raw talent and energy, and its controversial lyrics and style helped to pave the way for UK hip-hop and grime music. The song remains a classic example of the genre and is still loved and played by fans around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Ha, ha, ha, whatcha laughin' at?
Questioning the reason for someone's laugh
Megaman up first and he won't second no shit
Megaman is going first and not backing down
I ain't got the time to smoke this, hold this
No time to waste smoking
Seeing stars, and a mister wanna jack me
Threatened and in danger of being robbed
The last thing that you saw was icy, bitch
A warning to those who try to rob them
Asher D's never fading
Asher D is always strong
Strugglin' stay strong 'til I'm bathin'
Continuing to fight and work hard until successful
The A to the D's never phasing
Asher D is unaffected by setbacks
So Solid are amazing
So Solid is great
Thug of the family, who could I be?
Questioning his role in the group
M with the A to the C that's me
Introducing himself as MAC
Ladies come around and they buggin'
Women are interested in him
Player haters they are
Acknowledging the existence of haters
I got 21 seconds to flow
Limited time to perform
Did you see me on the video 'oh no'
Asking if the audience saw his music video
Every lyric I do
Referring to his music
There's always a snake when I get in my gate
People are always trying to bring him down
21 seconds and you're in trouble
If you mess with them, you'll regret it
Turn up the bassline
Calling for emphasis on the music
I'm gonna big up da ladies
Giving respect to women
Gimme some more time
Asking for more time to perform
So Solid Crew is here to stay
The group is here for the long haul
Scatt D don't snitch
Avoiding involvement in criminal activity
I got 21 seconds before I gotta go
Running out of time to perform
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ashley Walters, Darren Weir, Dwayne Vincent, Jason Moore, Jason T Phillips, Jermaine Williams, Lisa Maffia, Mahtari Aminu, Marvin Dawkins, Michael Jr Harvey, Shane Christopher Neil
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@moomoopuppy5810
They look like they're about to go into the Big Brother house.
@missesrobot8182
hahaha
@baileygamez
Half of them have haha
@infinitebeastbro2807
Has Asher D
@DEJAVOODOO-gb7ww
They look like they're about to go cottaging.
@wesleythebear-js3353
π€£π€£π€£π€£
@Mightytoon1
Polyphonic ringtoned this badboy on my nokia 3210. I bet that doesn't even make sense to half the people who watch this.
@abdulhamid9605
Nah I do haha. Man i remember those days, im assuming you're on about that infamous indestructrable nokia brick? Man i made some proper tunes back then on that little bugger.Β
@mrjack9179
Mightytoon1Β monophonic you mean lol
@Mightytoon1
Nah, polyphonic.