Debelle's debut album, Speech Therapy, was released in the United Kingdom on 31 May 2009. The album has had three singles released, "Searching", "The Key", and "Go Then, Bye". It won the Barclay Mercury music prize in 2009. The Mercury judges said she was a "remarkable new voice in British hip-hop, tough, warm and reflective". One judge, the broadcaster and conductor Charles Hazlewood added: "She's just quietly telling her stories in the most beguiling way."
Speech began writing poetry aged nine and started rapping lyrics in the schoolyard aged 13. Back then, initial inspiration came courtesy of Michael Jackson, which quickly turned to Blackstreet, Mary J Blige, TLC and reggae.
The first thing about Speech Debelle that strikes the ear is a contrast. Her voice is warm, youthful and listenable, and if you heard her in the background you might assume that her lyrics were the same. You’d be better placed tuning into them. In common with her new label-mate Roots Manuva, she’s astoundingly honest in her music, detailing and exorcising some very personal demons. That isn’t to say she’s another run of the mill rapper with more complaints than insights. Quite the opposite. Like all musicians worth listening to, she draws you into her universe and makes you glad you visited. There’s always a thaw to the chillier moments.
‘Searching’ is her debut single, and a perfect example of the offbeat, folky production that will litter the forthcoming album, as well as the whisper-in-the-ear quality of her vocals. One thing is certain, hip-hop has never been done in quite this way before. ‘Searching’ makes you wonder why not.
Bad Boy
Speech Debelle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But knowing sinning gon give him what he’s always missing
He starts to bill a spliff and slowing taking out the seeds
Slowing calculating how to perculate them p’s
He’s made a couple g’s selling weed and selling e’s
And to get it selling these he certainly moves neat
He rides his moped round the whole ends from dusk till dawn
He’s got the weed head a pills heads lighting up his phone
Hoping one day that it’s gonna buss somebody clothes
Nobody really understands him
nobody knows what’s in his heart cause it never shows yo
He’s got a dead beat dad, that beats his mum real bad
His mum sits home all day drinking and smoking fags
His mum said he aint shit probably do
jail time and that’s if he makes it to 25
Bad boy he’s a bad boy
Catch him laying on his back getting head from
cat listening to new rap like 50 and that
Word for word reciting like he’s the real writer
Or shadow boxing in the mirror like a real fighter
The reason he’s hurt is now lost like a lighter
The pain in his heart gets him drunk as mother yo
He gets another call then puts it in his balls
He passes the poster of 2pac on his bedroom wall
He don’t really stop and cotch with the man dem
He said them man are waste man them man are loose cannons cause
They got the rebors he’s got the real ting
He got the 38 with the grip and the case to put it in
He’d kill for his kicks or his whips or his friends
He’d kill for his dad even though he hates him
He’d kill for the reason of killing cause killings in
And he’d kill if opportunity rings
Bad boy he’s a bad boy
See his priorities are messed up,
if he doesn’t realise that then his luck’ll be up
Cause he wants to be remembered like Tony Montana
But he’s forgetting that he’ll end up dead like Tony Montana
Life is a game and he’s playing to lose he aint
knowing the rules thinking they don’t apply to him
But its love yea and it’s the love that will keep him
Keep him filled to the brim although he’s living in sin
His mind believes he’s a product of the things he’s sees
Nobody told him he’s a free as the air he breathes
As simply as it sounds this is history
he aint the first and he won’t be the last
Cause I’ve seen a few going nowhere fast yea
I’ve seen a few going nowhere fast
A life upraised is a life unsure always
looking for help but expecting closed doors that why he’s
Bad boy he’s a bad boy
In Speech Debelle's song "Bad Boy," the lyrics depict the story of a troubled young man who engages in illegal activities and finds himself caught in a cycle of self-destruction. The opening lines describe his awareness of his sinful behavior and his belief that it will bring him what he desires. He sells drugs and calculates his profits while riding his moped through the neighborhood, constantly surrounded by drug users who contact him for their fix. The lyrics also touch upon the strained relationship he has with his abusive father and alcoholic mother, both of whom contribute to his negative environment. His mother lacks faith in him and predicts a future of jail time, if he even makes it to the age of 25.
The second verse describes the singer's fascination with rap music, especially artists like 50 Cent, as he recites their lyrics and emulates their behavior. He yearns to be recognized as a formidable figure, mesmerized by the image of 2Pac on his bedroom wall. He distances himself from his acquaintances, considering them unreliable and reckless. He possesses a dangerous weapon and is willing to kill for material possessions or out of loyalty to his father, despite his deep resentment toward him. The lyrics emphasize his distorted priorities and his sense of power, fueled by the concept that killing is a part of his existence.
Line by Line Meaning
You can catch him sittin knowing that he’s sinning
You can find him sitting, fully aware that he is engaging in immoral behavior
But knowing sinning gon give him what he’s always missing
But understanding that his sinful actions will provide him with what he has always lacked
He starts to bill a spliff and slowing taking out the seeds
He begins rolling a marijuana joint and carefully removing the seeds
Slowing calculating how to perculate them p’s
Calculating the best way to process and distribute the drugs
He’s made a couple g’s selling weed and selling e’s
He has earned a significant amount of money from selling marijuana and ecstasy
And to get it selling these he certainly moves neat
And, in order to acquire and sell these drugs, he operates in a smooth and organized manner
He rides his moped round the whole ends from dusk till dawn
He rides his motorbike throughout the neighborhood from early evening until sunrise
He’s got the weed head a pills heads lighting up his phone
His phone is constantly receiving calls from customers who are looking to buy marijuana or ecstasy
He’s got a ratchet that he loves to flick open and close
He carries a weapon that he enjoys opening and closing in a threatening manner
Hoping one day that it’s gonna buss somebody clothes
Wishing for the day when he can use the weapon to harm someone
Nobody really understands him
Nobody truly comprehends his inner emotions and struggles
Nobody knows what’s in his heart cause it never shows yo
Nobody can perceive the true feelings he holds within because he never displays them openly
He’s got a dead beat dad, that beats his mum real bad
His father is irresponsible and physically abuses his mother
His mum sits home all day drinking and smoking fags
His mother spends her days at home, consuming alcohol and smoking cigarettes
His mum said he aint shit probably do jail time and that’s if he makes it to 25
His mother expresses her belief that he is worthless and predicts that he will likely end up in prison, if he even lives to see the age of 25
Catch him laying on his back getting head from cat listening to new rap like 50 and that
Find him lying down, receiving oral sex from a woman while listening to recent rap music, such as songs by 50 Cent
Word for word reciting like he’s the real writer
Meticulously memorizing and reciting the lyrics as if he wrote them
Or shadow boxing in the mirror like a real fighter
Engaging in simulated boxing movements in front of the mirror, emulating a professional fighter
The reason he’s hurt is now lost like a lighter
The cause of his emotional pain is now unclear and elusive, just like a lost lighter
The pain in his heart gets him drunk as mother yo
The emotional pain he experiences drives him to drink excessively
He gets another call then puts it in his balls
He receives another phone call and discreetly hides the drugs in his groin area
He passes the poster of 2pac on his bedroom wall
As he moves through his room, he walks past a poster of the late rapper 2pac
He don’t really stop and cotch with the man dem
He doesn't often spend time with his male friends
He said them man are waste man them man are loose cannons cause
He believes his friends are unproductive and unpredictable individuals
They got the rebors he’s got the real ting
His friends possess imitations, while he possesses genuine items
He got the 38 with the grip and the case to put it in
He owns a .38 caliber handgun with a handle and a case to store it
He’d kill for his kicks or his whips or his friends
He is willing to commit murder to protect his shoes, cars, or friends
He’d kill for his dad even though he hates him
He would murder someone for his father, despite his strong dislike for him
He’d kill for the reason of killing cause killings in
He would take someone's life simply for the sake of killing, as violence is commonplace in his environment
And he’d kill if opportunity rings
He would seize the chance to kill if the right opportunity presents itself
See his priorities are messed up
His priorities are disorganized and confused
If he doesn’t realise that then his luck’ll be up
If he fails to comprehend this, his fortune will run out
Cause he wants to be remembered like Tony Montana
Because he desires to be remembered in the same way as the fictional character Tony Montana from the movie 'Scarface'
But he’s forgetting that he’ll end up dead like Tony Montana
However, he is neglecting the fact that he will meet the same fate as Tony Montana, who dies at the end of the film
Life is a game and he’s playing to lose he ain't knowing the rules
He views life as a game, but he is engaging in actions that will lead to his own downfall, unaware of the consequences
Thinking they don’t apply to him
Believing that the rules do not apply specifically to him
But its love yea and it’s the love that will keep him
Nevertheless, it is the sense of loyalty and camaraderie within his social circle that will sustain him
Keep him filled to the brim although he’s living in sin
This connection will provide him with a sense of fulfillment despite his involvement in immoral activities
His mind believes he’s a product of the things he’s sees
His mindset convinces him that he is shaped by the things he witnesses
Nobody told him he’s a free as the air he breathes
No one has informed him that he possesses the same freedom as the air he inhales
As simply as it sounds this is history
Although it sounds straightforward, his situation is a recurring theme throughout history
He ain't the first and he won’t be the last
He is not the first person to face these circumstances, and he certainly won't be the last
Cause I’ve seen a few going nowhere fast yea
Because I have witnessed several individuals who are rapidly heading towards a dead end
A life upraised is a life unsure always
A life lived with uncertainty is a life that lacks direction
Looking for help but expecting closed doors, that's why he’s
Seeking assistance, but anticipating rejection, which is why he remains
Bad boy he’s a bad boy
A bad individual, he exhibits negative behaviors and traits
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AVON LONG, LILLIAN HARDIN ARMSTRONG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind