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.
From The Outside
Wiley Lyrics
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If I say it's right and I show it to Johnny, looks back at me like it sounds wrong
Who am I making music for then?
(Ask him) Me, the label or him?
I go macho on people eat their tunes 'cause really Wiley goes in
I'm torn between catering for me and the fans, (I'm going mad)
I only hear my big hits where people go to get tans, (Beach)
What's that to me is they want easy, I can't show skills
I step back looking in from the outside
Wondering if it sounds right
Sounds good to me
On this path it's good to be (Yeah)
You could do the hook for me (Okay)
Or I could do the hook for free (That's right!)
Got a rave booked at one
Leave an hour gap then I'm booked til three (uuhh)
Where do I start with this one
I was on the outside trying to get inside
With the tools outside I got inside
In a matter of time I was doing a lot
Might see me with a lighty on the block
Wiley told me to murk this
So I gotta make this worth it
When I spit, spit to kill, not only Fruity Loops that I kill
I'm a lord of the beats fam
Check YouTube, every man knows that it got real
Five bills for a grime beat, that's real
Had 'em scared and shook like I just got signed and dropped, let go from the deal
I'mma stack till I get mils
I step back looking in from the outside
Wondering if it sounds right
Sounds good to me
On this path it's good to be
Yeah, you could do the hook for me
Or I could do the hook for free
Got a rave booked at 1
Leave an hour gap then I'm booked til three
I don't know who's approval man's seeking
Or what crowd man's tryna be reaching
Don't wanna make tunes that are bait
I make music for an acquired taste
Started doing this thing 'cause I loved it
Not to make tunes for the general public
Our music is made to measure
Wiley is a national treasure
Not everybody is gonna like it
If they don't like it, fuck 'em
Man really started from the bottom
Walk in to radio, man ain't forgotten
I used to pay 5 pounds a week to get heard
Now I get five bags for spoken word
Personally I think man's winning
And it's only the end of the beginning
I step back looking in from the outside
Wondering if it sounds right
Sounds good to me
On this path it's good to be (Yeah)
You could do the hook for me (Okay)
Or I could do the hook for free (That's right!)
Got a rave booked at one
Leave an hour gap then I'm booked til three
I step back looking in from the outside
Wondering if it sounds right
Sounds good to me (Sounds good)
On this path it's good to be (Yeah)
You could do the hook for me (Okay)
Or I could do the hook for free (That's right!)
Got a rave booked at one
Leave an hour gap then I'm booked til three
The song "From the Outside In 2" by Wiley feat. Teddy & JME is a commentary on the struggles and frustrations of being an artist in the music industry. The lyrics suggest that it can be difficult to navigate the expectations of record labels, fans, and personal artistic desires. Wiley expresses uncertainty about who he is making music for and questions the value of aiming for commercial success versus staying true to his own style and skills. The chorus, "I step back looking in from the outside, wondering if it sounds right," reflects the theme of self-criticism and the pressure to conform to certain expectations.
The verses by Teddy and JME touch on similar themes, of being an outsider trying to break into the music scene, and not wanting to make music that is too "bait" or formulaic. The overall message seems to be that staying true to oneself and balancing artistic vision with commercial success is a challenging but ongoing process.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been in the wrong system, the wrong territory, for way too long
I have been stuck in the wrong place or position for too long.
If I say it's right and I show it to Johnny, looks back at me like it sounds wrong
When I show Johnny something I think is right, he looks confused and as if it does not sound right.
Who am I making music for then?
I am unsure who my target audience is.
(Ask him) Me, the label or him?
Should I make music for myself, the record label, or Johnny (the audience)?
I go macho on people eat their tunes 'cause really Wiley goes in
I act tough and aggressive toward those who do not appreciate my music because I consider myself a talented artist.
I'm torn between catering for me and the fans, (I'm going mad)
I am conflicted about whether to make music for myself or for my fans and the dilemma is driving me crazy.
I only hear my big hits where people go to get tans, (Beach)
My popular songs are heard only at places where people go to relax or have fun, such as beaches.
What's that to me is they want easy, I can't show skills
The problem is that the listeners want easy to listen to songs; I cannot showcase my true skills.
For the wayward music they want brother, I don't want mils (I don't want mils)
I do not want to make mediocre or meaningless songs just to make money.
I step back looking in from the outside
I take a step back and reevaluate my situation from an outsider's perspective.
Wondering if it sounds right
I contemplate whether my music sounds right and is of high quality.
Sounds good to me
In the end, I am satisfied with the music I have created.
On this path it's good to be (Yeah)
Being on this musical journey is good and fulfilling.
You could do the hook for me (Okay)
You could help me with the chorus of the song if you want.
Or I could do the hook for free (That's right!)
I am happy to do the chorus myself at no charge.
Got a rave booked at one
I have a music event booked at 1 PM.
Leave an hour gap then I'm booked til three (uuhh)
After the first gig, I have another gig booked until 3 PM, with a one-hour break in between.
Where do I start with this one
I do not even know where to start with this task.
I was on the outside trying to get inside
I was an outsider trying to enter the music industry.
With the tools outside I got inside
Using the resources available to me, I was able to break into the industry.
In a matter of time I was doing a lot
With time, I started achieving a lot in my music career.
Might see me with a lighty on the block
People might see me socializing with girls in my neighborhood.
Wiley told me to murk this
Wiley (a fellow artist) advised me to make this song more impactful.
So I gotta make this worth it
I have to make this song worthwhile and memorable.
When I spit, spit to kill, not only Fruity Loops that I kill
When I rap, I aim to amaze and produce high-quality music, not just defeat my peers in a software competition (Fruity Loops).
I'm a lord of the beats fam
I am a master of musical beat production.
Check YouTube, every man knows that it got real
My music has been recognized by many on YouTube, solidifying my success and credibility.
Five bills for a grime beat, that's real
I charge five hundred pounds for a grime beat, which is reflective of my high-quality production skills.
Had 'em scared and shook like I just got signed and dropped, let go from the deal
I intimidated my rivals like a record deal was just offered to me and then immediately taken away.
I'mma stack till I get mils
I am going to accumulate wealth until I have millions of pounds.
I don't know who's approval man's seeking
I am not sure whose approval I am seeking.
Or what crowd man's tryna be reaching
I am not sure which audience I am trying to attract.
Don't wanna make tunes that are bait
I do not want to create generic songs that are typical or predictable.
I make music for an acquired taste
My music is made for people with unique and specific musical preferences.
Started doing this thing 'cause I loved it
I started creating music because of my love for it.
Not to make tunes for the general public
I did not start making music just to cater to the general public's taste.
Our music is made to measure
Our music is tailor-made to suit specific preferences and tastes.
Wiley is a national treasure
Wiley is a highly respected musician in the United Kingdom.
Not everybody is gonna like it
Not everyone is going to appreciate our music.
If they don't like it, fuck 'em
If someone does not like our music, that is their problem.
Man really started from the bottom
We started from nothing and worked our way up.
Walk in to radio, man ain't forgotten
We still remember our roots and where we started in the music industry.
I used to pay 5 pounds a week to get heard
In the past, I paid five pounds a week to have my music played on the radio.
Now I get five bags for spoken word
Now, I earn five thousand pounds for my spoken word performances.
Personally, I think man's winning
Personally, I think we are succeeding and doing well in the music industry.
And it's only the end of the beginning
Our success will only continue to grow from here on out.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jamie Adenuga, Richard Cowie, Ted Awuah
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@st4pl35
Wiley is a national treasure!
@shc1989
st4pl35 be like attenborough with the eski beat
@newman447
his music is made to measure
@garywilliams1337
That JME Verse Was Awesome!!!!
@jamesiyer4937
word
@markmaw8
This track is massive!! fucking unbelievable beat
@st4pl35
Don't get me wrong, Teddy and JME go in, but I would of loved to have heard just Wiley on this one
@elementarydrw
This track has pretty much been playing in the back of my mind for days now!
@RansomFeeMedia
No one can say Wiley has a poor work rate, another big track
@Jdonruskinetwork
mate wiley has the best work rate overall compared to anyone elses career