Wiley is known as 'the godfather of grime', since it is widely regarded he is a pioneering influence in the grime scene, and he is also notable for his exceptional work-rate, having five projects lined up for 2008 alone. Wiley has been one of the biggest artists in the history of the genre, releasing three albums and having been signed to XL Recordings and now to Big Dada Recordings, on which he has recently released his third album "Playtime Is Over". Wiley founded Eskibeat Recordings in 2007. This is not a crew but is a record label which consists of MC's such as Chipmunk, Little Dee and ice kid.
In 2008, Wiley found mainstream success with his hit single 'Wearing My Rolex'.
Wiley first started producing in 1996, working in various genres, notable Jungle and Garage. Wiley first became well known in the East London underground garage scene during the late 1990s, when he was a member of the Pay As You Go Cartel, who had some limited UK chart success. He also co-produced "Nicole's Groove" as Phaze One, and appeared on several tracks by other artists. He made numerous vinyl releases, often driving around London himself selling to record shops. One of these, "Eskimo", was a huge success on the underground scene, reputedly selling in the thousands, where most other artists within the scene could only sell 500-1000 copies of their tracks. He regularly appeared on East London pirate radio stations playing grime tracks, which helped increase his profile. He still does underground events, like Lord Of The Mics 1 , Eskimo Dance, and also does Sidewinder but with his group Roll Deep, which he left Pay As You Go Cartel to create.
Eskimo
Wiley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Central Line
Man try a ting, Central Line
Boy try a ting, Central Line
No long ting on the Central
Fucked in the head-a-leng
If I'm bored-a-leng
I might walk down the road-a-leng
And then duckle
Nine! Manna lick two inna your chest
Put two inna your spine
Fuck round with K, your life is on the line
Well, you don't wanna war with K9
Nine! Manna lick two inna your chest
Put two inna your spine
Fuck round with K, your life is on the line
Well, you don't wanna war with K9-9
Yo, one of dem, one of dem
C-A-P-O, yeah, one of dem, one of dem
Come out the way, yeah, one of dem, one of dem
Manna get liff, yeah, one of dem, one of dem
Bun down rave, yeah, one of dem, one of dem
Pricks in the grime scene, one of dem, one of dem
Can't take Capo for one of dem, one of dem
Mandem load at one of dem, yo
Ey, yo, love grime (hey)
Run man a riddim, I'll torch it (hey)
Dark like we're living in sunshine (hey)
Slap 'way another exclusive (hey)
One line, make ya head lumpy
I give dem eight bar, gyaldem haffi start moving (ah)
Wah dem ah deal wid? (Level)
Cah you know my ting already
I'm like, "Wow! Who's that rass!"
Fuck up the rave like CS gas
Murkle man, kill off a fass
Worship me like Sunday mass
And again, "Wow! Who's that rass!"
Fuck up the rave like CS gas
Murkle man gonna kill off a fass
And man worship me like Sunday mass
Bang! Couldn't be a stupid man
Bang! Better know I'm a money man
Bang! Can't chat shit to me, man
Bang! Cah man are real big mic man so
Bang! Wiley's a London man
Bang! Gyaldem know I'm the man
Bang! Know that I'm old school man
Yes, who's hot on microphone stand?
Manna said lie dem a tell, lie dem a tell
Man are gonna shell dem as well, shell dem as well
Put your food on the scale, food on the scale
Ayy, it's not everyday trap on Snap
Manna said lie dem a tell, lie dem a tell
Man are gonna shell dem as well, shell dem as well
Put your food on the scale, food on the scale
Ayy, it's not everyday trap on Snap
You wanna test? It's fine by me
New era, hit 'em with the new stylie
Ear'um scare 'em, wear and tear 'em
I got the flows that are too grimey
You wanna test? It's fine, fine
Hit 'em with the new era line, line
I'm cheeky like a rear end
Soon gonna explode like a mine
Young Raiden's got a new ting called
No-no, remorse-morse
You got a new one but they won't sing, that's
No-no, remorse-morse (wait)
I tell man straight up I'm the best, that's
No-no, remorse-morse (wait)
I say, "Wait" and they still say, "Yes", that's
No-no, remorse-morse
Freeze, don't make me squeeze
No it's not Babylon, it's Mr. Breeze
Breathe and you'll catch my disease
If you don't own a gas mask, better leave
Say please and I might be nice
Cold as ice, I drop bodies at a nice price
Say the word, spray these nerds
With verbs 'til their eyes are blurred
(?)
I don't care, I don't care
Take your shit, get out of here
Leave the seat, fuck it, take the chair
Say you done this but who was there?
Who was near? Temper's short so watch your talk
My strikers shoot and when I pop the ball
From Roman Road down to Stroudley Walk
Drive big cars, man I hardly walk
Start mooting 'em up
What you doing there? Start fucking them up
That boy there, start banging him
Chaps, chain, start jacking him
Draw for the gat, start gun bucking 'em up
Torture path leave some shattering
All his mandem come off the block
Jump fences, climb over walls
Start scattering
Grips! Bang him
You're on the floor
No movement, you're on the floor
Catch him at the back of the flats
Grips! Bang him
You're on the floor
No movement, you're on the floor
The song "Eskimo" by Wiley is a grime song that features aggressive and violent lyrics. The lyrics speak about the artist's reputation in the grime scene and assert his dominance over other artists. The artist raps about his ability to attack and defeat his enemies, making a reference to a gun in the lyrics. The song also speaks about the artist's knowledge of the grime scene and his disregard for those he considers not up to his level.
The lyrics also mention the Central Line, potentially referring to the London Underground train line. The artist seems to use this reference to suggest his willingness to travel to any location to confront his enemies. The lyrics also mention "eating" someone, which is a common idiom in London for severely beating or defeating someone.
Overall, the song "Eskimo" portrays a violent and aggressive image of the grime scene and the artist's place within it. The lyrics are graphic and assertive, with a focus on dominance and power over others.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo
Hey
Central Line
The main focus or topic
Man try a ting, Central Line
Someone is attempting something significant
Boy try a ting, Central Line
Even a young person is attempting something significant
No long ting on the Central
No unnecessary nonsense or drama involved
Fucked in the head-a-leng
Someone behaving or thinking in a crazy manner
If I'm bored-a-leng
If I'm feeling restless
I might walk down the road-a-leng
I might go out for a walk
Eat anyone-a-leng, pon dem (?) a-leng
Confront or challenge anyone who crosses my path
And then duckle
And then avoid any trouble
Nine! Manna lick two inna your chest
I would hit you twice in your chest
Put two inna your spine
Cause damage to your spine with two shots
Fuck round with K, your life is on the line
If you mess with K, your life is at risk
Well, you don't wanna war with K9
You don't want to engage in a conflict with K9
One of dem, one of dem
One of those types of people
C-A-P-O, yeah, one of dem, one of dem
Capo is one of those types of people
Come out the way, yeah, one of dem, one of dem
Move aside, one of those types of people coming through
Manna get liff, yeah, one of dem, one of dem
Someone will get hurt, one of those types of people
Bun down rave, yeah, one of dem, one of dem
Cause chaos at a party, one of those types of people
Pricks in the grime scene, one of dem, one of dem
Unfavorable people in the grime music scene, one of those types
Can't take Capo for one of dem, one of dem
It's a mistake to underestimate Capo as one of those types
Mandem load at one of dem, yo
Friends/gang members are ready to act against one of those types
Ey, yo, love grime (hey)
Hey, enjoy and appreciate grime music
Run man a riddim, I'll torch it (hey)
I dominate the flow/tune and make it better
Dark like we're living in sunshine (hey)
Our lifestyle is filled with darkness despite external positivity
Slap 'way another exclusive (hey)
Release another unique and popular song
One line, make ya head lumpy
A single line I deliver will make your head hurt
I give dem eight bar, gyaldem haffi start moving (ah)
I deliver an energetic and captivating 8-bar verse that makes girls dance
Wah dem ah deal wid? (Level)
What are they dealing with? (On what level?)
Cah you know my ting already
Because you already know what I'm about
I'm like, 'Wow! Who's that rass!'
I'm surprised and impressed by someone
Fuck up the rave like CS gas
Cause chaos and disrupt the party like CS gas
Murkle man, kill off a fass
I destroy my opponents swiftly
Worship me like Sunday mass
People admire and respect me greatly
And again, 'Wow! Who's that rass!'
Once again, I'm surprised and impressed by someone
Bang! Couldn't be a stupid man
Bang! I am certainly not foolish
Bang! Better know I'm a money man
Bang! Understand that I am skilled at making money
Bang! Can't chat shit to me, man
Bang! Don't talk nonsense to me
Bang! Cah man are real big mic man so
Bang! Because I am a skilled and respected MC
Bang! Wiley's a London man
Bang! I am Wiley, representing London
Bang! Gyaldem know I'm the man
Bang! Girls know I am the best
Bang! Know that I'm old school man
Bang! Understand that I have been around for a long time
Yes, who's hot on microphone stand?
Who is the best when it comes to performing on the microphone?
Manna said lie dem a tell, lie dem a tell
People claim to be tough, but it's all lies
Man are gonna shell dem as well, shell dem as well
I will destroy them too
Put your food on the scale, food on the scale
Assess your value, assess your worth
Ayy, it's not everyday trap on Snap
Hey, not everything is about showing off on social media
You wanna test? It's fine by me
If you want to challenge me, go ahead
New era, hit 'em with the new stylie
I will impress them with a fresh style
Ear'um scare 'em, wear and tear 'em
I will intimidate and exhaust them
I got the flows that are too grimey
I have incredibly gritty and intense rap flows
You wanna test? It's fine, fine
If you want to challenge me, it's completely up to you
Hit 'em with the new era line, line
Deliver my lyrics with a contemporary style
I'm cheeky like a rear end
I have a playful and bold personality
Soon gonna explode like a mine
I'm about to become extremely successful or popular
Young Raiden's got a new ting called
Young Raiden has a new thing called
No-no, remorse-morse
No remorse, a play on words with Morse code
You got a new one but they won't sing, that's
You have a new song, but people won't appreciate it, that's
No-no, remorse-morse (wait)
No remorse, continuing the play on words
I tell man straight up I'm the best, that's
I confidently declare that I am the best, that's
No-no, remorse-morse (wait)
No remorse, again playing with the words
I say, 'Wait' and they still say, 'Yes', that's
I ask them to wait, but they still say 'yes', that's
No-no, remorse-morse
No remorse, repeating the play on words
Freeze, don't make me squeeze
Stop, don't make me use force
No it's not Babylon, it's Mr. Breeze
No, I am not the authorities, I am Mr. Breeze
Breathe and you'll catch my disease
If you breathe around me, you'll adopt my attitude
If you don't own a gas mask, better leave
If you aren't prepared for what I bring, you should leave
Say please and I might be nice
Ask politely and I may show you kindness
Cold as ice, I drop bodies at a nice price
I am emotionally detached and can harm others for the right price
Say the word, spray these nerds
Give me the signal, I will attack these weak individuals
With verbs 'til their eyes are blurred
Using words until they are confused or overwhelmed
(?)
Unclear meaning or context
I don't care, I don't care
I am indifferent, I don't care
Take your shit, get out of here
Take your belongings and leave
Leave the seat, fuck it, take the chair
Don't just leave, take something valuable with you
Say you done this but who was there?
Claim you accomplished something, but who witnessed it?
Who was near? Temper's short so watch your talk
Who witnessed or experienced it? Be careful what you say, I can get angry easily
My strikers shoot and when I pop the ball
My attackers are skilled, and when I start the game
From Roman Road down to Stroudley Walk
From one area to another within London
Drive big cars, man I hardly walk
I own luxurious cars, I rarely walk
Start mooting 'em up
Start attacking them
What you doing there? Start fucking them up
What are you doing? Start seriously harming them
That boy there, start banging him
That guy over there, start hitting him
Chaps, chain, start jacking him
Take his clothes, his jewelry, start robbing him
Draw for the gat, start gun bucking 'em up
Get a gun, start shooting them
Torture path leave some shattering
A path of destruction and chaos left behind
All his mandem come off the block
All his friends/gang members come out from hiding
Jump fences, climb over walls
Jump over fences, climb over walls
Start scattering
Start dispersing
Grips! Bang him
Grab him! Hit him
You're on the floor
You're on the ground
No movement, you're on the floor
Stay still, you're on the ground
Catch him at the back of the flats
Chase him to the rear area of the buildings
Grips! Bang him
Grab him! Hit him
You're on the floor
You're on the ground
No movement, you're on the floor
Stay still, you're on the ground
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Richard Cowie, Jahmek Power, Marc Veira, Ibrahim Ali-Muhammad
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind