According to the Pass Out Songfacts, Okogwu came up with his stage name at the age of 13. He looked up 'anger' in the thesaurus and found himself staring at 'temper.' Concerned it might be overly aggresive he added 'Tinie.'
Tinie Tempah first gained recognition in the underground music scene with the track Wifey, taken from his first official mixtape Hood Econ%mics Room 147: The 80 Minute Course. Upon it's release, the track became an instant smash, holding the Channel U urban chart top spot for 10 consecutive weeks. Established artists within the Grime scene including Bashy and Chipmunk featured on the mixtape. In 2009 Tinie Tempah released his second official mixtape Sexy Beast: Volume 1.
In October 2009 Tinie Tempah announced a record deal with EMI/Parlophone. He released his debut album on the label, disc-overy, on October 4th 2010. The album spawned six consecutive top 20 singles in the UK including number ones pass out and written in the stars, and swedish house mafia collaborative single miami 2 ibiza.
disc-overy is due for release in the US on May 17th 2011. The tracklist for the album features new collaborations with wiz khalifa, bei maejor and ester dean. It was preceded by written in the stars as it's lead single, which has thus far peaked at 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Looking Down the Barrel
Tinie Tempah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who's that staring, have the trigger fingers squinting at me
Looking in the barrle of a 12 gage magnum
I ain't never done nobody no wrong but me
Looking at a milf, thinking about chills
Man I fuck her on mil' then I give her to shaquille
I go where the top lays looking at the chills
Look at my fur, no reciting, got killed
I even gave her a note to help me deal with a kill
19 chevy, let your milf for a mil'?
Looking in the barrel
Life on the edge, life on the ledge
Life through the lens, life on the neck
Life in the press, where there's a life, there's a death
Sometimes I let her really hit it, go reply to my friends
This life is a bitch, life is my ex
You're so overly obsessed by the size of my head
Told me I broke her heart and put a knife to my chest
I was real cold on the other side of the land
She meet at the deep and aspire all my fears
These? like there's tigers and?
In "Looking Down the Barrel", Tinie Tempah describes his life as a rap artist where he has to constantly look over his shoulder and live on the edge, with the fear of danger lurking around the corner. The song opens with the eerie sound of a 12-gauge magnum revolver pointed at him, with someone staring through the barrel squinting their trigger finger at him. Tinie acknowledges that he has never done anything wrong to anyone but himself. He also talks about his encounter with a MILF and reveals his intentions of having sexual relations with her, passing her on to Shaquille after he's done. Tinie's focus then shifts to his wealth, his fur jacket, and an attractive woman he saw, with no particular importance to the lyrics or storyline. The song concludes with Tinie reflecting on his life, his struggle to keep his head above water in the highly competitive music industry, and the personal struggles he faces from the people around him.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking in the barrel of a 12 gage magnum
Feeling trapped and threatened like a gun is pointed at me
Who's that staring, have the trigger fingers squinting at me
Feeling like someone is ready to pull the trigger and end my life
I ain't never done nobody no wrong but me
Feeling guilty for my own mistakes, but not deserving to be in this dangerous situation
Looking at a milf, thinking about chills
Thinking about having sex with a middle-aged mother, feeling aroused and excited
Man I fuck her on mil' then I give her to shaquille
Being so confident in my sexual abilities that I could satisfy a woman and then give her to another man
I go where the top lays looking at the chills
Seeking pleasure and luxury in life, enjoying the thrill of material possessions
You gave a tour, probably looking at mil'
Assuming that someone's success and wealth comes from exploiting women or other immoral activities
Look at my fur, no reciting, got killed
Showing off my expensive fur coat, but still feeling threatened and potentially harmed
I even gave her a note to help me deal with a kill
Planning ahead for the possibility of committing violent and illegal acts in the future
19 chevy, let your milf for a mil'?
Asking someone if they would trade their sexual partner for a large sum of money
Life on the edge, life on the ledge
Living dangerously and recklessly, always close to serious harm or trouble
Life through the lens, life on the neck
Feeling pressured by society to always look good and succeed, constantly feeling scrutinized and judged
Life in the press, where there's a life, there's a death
Living as a public figure with constant media attention and invasive questions, being aware of the dangers of fame and success
Sometimes I let her really hit it, go reply to my friends
Having a casual sexual relationship with someone, but still prioritizing my social life and friendships
This life is a bitch, life is my ex
Feeling like life is constantly difficult and challenging, comparing it to a past ex-partner who caused similar pain and troubles
You're so overly obsessed by the size of my head
Feeling uncomfortable with someone's excessive focus on my wealth or fame
Told me I broke her heart and put a knife to my chest
Being accused of causing someone deep emotional pain and being threatened with physical harm
I was real cold on the other side of the land
Reflecting on a past time in life when I was emotionally distant and disconnected from others
She meet at the deep and aspire all my fears
Meeting someone who I feel understands my deepest fears and insecurities
These? like there's tigers and?
Unclear lyrics that are difficult to accurately interpret and understand
Contributed by Sydney K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ImVoidWalker
16th can’t believe these didn’t get more views, these were and still are absolute bangers dude.
top boy
this should be heavily slept on by now its amazing album tinie is amazing rapper really guys you should give him respct iv'e been a fan since pass out first came out.
Maya K
Still sick tbh
Don Ruero Prod.
Why that dope music just got that lil views count ? its not the official ?
The Light Cabin
Absolute bangggerr
Dirk Jakuszeit
korrekt.!!
Yahiaoui Senouci
@***** gonna hate lol
Yahiaoui Senouci
@chanez del ;D
chanez del
Lol xD next one for stephano plz ..jst to keep things fair
TwiiistR
Yeah gun barrels