From The Outside
Teddy JME & Wiley Lyrics

I've been in the wrong system, the wrong territory, for way too long
I have been in a place that does not align with my music style for quite some time.

If I say it's right and I show it to Johnny, looks back at me like it sounds wrong
Even though I believe my music is good, Johnny's perspective is making me doubt its quality.

Who am I making music for then?
I am confused about who my target audience is.

(Ask him) Me, the label or him?
Who am I trying to please? Myself, my label or Johnny?

I go macho on people eat their tunes 'cause really Wiley goes in
I overpower other musicians with my music because Wiley's style is dominant.

I'm torn between catering for me and the fans, (I'm going mad)
I am struggling to find a balance between making music that pleases me and my fans, which is causing me stress.

I only hear my big hits where people go to get tans, (Beach)
I keep hearing my popular songs being played in places where people go to relax and enjoy the sun, which makes me question if my music is deeper than just providing easy listening.

What's that to me is they want easy, I can't show skills
Even though people want easy listening music, I do not want to compromise my skills as a musician.

For the wayward music they want brother, I don't want mils (I don't want mils)
I do not want to make music that is wayward just for monetary gain.

I step back looking in from the outside
I take a step back and observe my music from an outsider's perspective.

Wondering if it sounds right
I am questioning if my music is good enough or if it aligns with what I truly want to create.

Sounds good to me
Despite my doubts, I still believe my music is good.

On this path it's good to be (Yeah)
Even though there are challenges, I am happy to be on this path of making music.

You could do the hook for me (Okay)
I suggest someone else do the hook for my song as an alternative.

Or I could do the hook for free (That's right!)
As a compromise, I am willing to do the hook myself without any payment.

Got a rave booked at one
I have an upcoming music event at one o'clock.

Leave an hour gap then I'm booked til three (uuhh)
After a one hour break, I will continue to perform until three o'clock.

Where do I start with this one
I am not sure where to begin with this situation.

I was on the outside trying to get inside
I was an outsider trying to break into the music industry.

With the tools outside I got inside
Using the skills I had outside of the music industry helped me break in.

In a matter of time I was doing a lot
Soon after breaking in, I was getting a lot of opportunities and recognition.

Might see me with a lighty on the block
People may see me with a woman on the street.

Wiley told me to murk this
Wiley advised me to make sure this song is really good and impactful.

So I gotta make this worth it
In order to live up to Wiley's advice, I need to make this song amazing.

When I spit, spit to kill, not only Fruity Loops that I kill
When I rap, I put all of my effort into it and do not waste time with amateur software like Fruity Loops.

I'm a lord of the beats fam
I am very skilled at producing music beats.

Check YouTube, every man knows that it got real
People on YouTube recognize and appreciate my talent.

Five bills for a grime beat, that's real
People are willing to pay five hundred pounds for a good grime beat because it is a valuable thing to have.

Had 'em scared and shook like I just got signed and dropped, let go from the deal
I intimidated other musicians with my skills, as if I were a big named artist who just got signed and then dropped from a record label.

I'mma stack till I get mils
I will put in the work to gain financial success from my music career.

I don't know who's approval man's seeking
I am unsure of who I am trying to impress or get approval from in terms of my music.

Or what crowd man's tryna be reaching
I am not sure which audience I am trying to target with my music.

Don't wanna make tunes that are bait
I do not want to create music that is too obvious or mainstream.

I make music for an acquired taste
I create music that appeals to a more niche or specific audience.

Started doing this thing 'cause I loved it
I started my music career because I truly loved making music.

Not to make tunes for the general public
I did not start creating music to make songs that cater to everyone's taste.

Our music is made to measure
The music we create is designed specifically for people with specific taste in music.

Wiley is a national treasure
Wiley is very well-respected and appreciated in the UK music scene.

Not everybody is gonna like it
My music is not for everyone and some people will not enjoy it.

If they don't like it, fuck 'em
If people do not enjoy my music, I do not care and remain proud of my work.

Man really started from the bottom
I started my music career from nothing and worked my way up to success.

Walk in to radio, man ain't forgotten
Even with success, I have not forgotten where I came from and am still respected in the music industry.

I used to pay 5 pounds a week to get heard
I had to pay a small amount of money each week just to get my music heard and played on the radio.

Now I get five bags for spoken word
Now I get paid five thousand pounds for my spoken word performances.

Personally I think man's winning
I think I am succeeding and doing well in the music industry.

And it's only the end of the beginning
While I have achieved some success, I know that there is still so much more for me to achieve and accomplish in my music career.