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.
Gangsters
Wiley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo
You know we rolling with them (gangsters, gangsters)
I see your girl, she's got zampers
Yeah, yo
I been away for a year, have sway for a year
Here's a few new stars, I've got two new cars, I'm with (gangsters)
Come with me to HMP and I'll show you (gangsters)
Alright god I see you've put me with them (gangsters)
I know your crew stacks, blad, you and your boys could never be (gangsters)
I don't mean TV, blad, I mean real life (gangsters)
I got a Turkish bredrin from school, we're cool, his family are (gangsters)
Listen, Fire Camp you ain't (gangsters)
They say how can you make a fortune if you are (gangsters)?
That's easy, shot the peng through from here to North Weezy (gangsters)
I was in ministry, look over there, yeah, I can see them (gangsters)
Scored your wifey and she had zampers (gangsters)
West End, I was with (gangsters)
We just had a wave of new (gangsters)
Yeah, I think there's been a rise, more (gangsters)
Imagine that, I'm a street kid, brainy like (gangsters)
Nick and Dill can relate, watch (gangsters)
Like I don't know Vinyl Star and all the Old Time Brixton (gangsters)
When I was a kid, South West 28s, letting off 28 like (gangsters)
Me and D-Ro know you were squeezing hard, you're one of them (gangsters)
I've never ever seen you with no (gangsters)
They'll teach you a lesson, don't mess with (gangsters)
I go all around the world and meet (gangsters)
They know my name, why? 'Cause I hustle in the music game with (gangsters)
God's gift from Skepta, know what I'm saying? (Gangsters)
The government tried to destroy my race but them man turned into (gangsters)
You think when Yanks come to England, they want to be around them (gangsters)?
I don't think so, whole security firm on the scene (gangsters)
Got a red beam on the biggest man in your team, they'll crumble your dreams
Listen up, they're (gangsters)
I warn the kids, once you get dark, you turn to (gangsters)
Feel the dark force, police are scared, true stories (gangsters)
When they leave the scene, the whole scene looks gory (gangsters)
Let me call Picky, it's getting a bit sticky, I know them (gangsters)
I know Billy and Boogie, they always tell me, "control your (gangsters)"
I'm in Sidewinder, I look around, I see a few (gangsters)
Not many, but the ones I'm with, they're heavy, ready (gangsters)
When the shells start spraying (gangsters)
I got stabbed fourteen times, I can tell you it weren't by (gangsters)
My uncle got stabbed like twice and he died, I tell you, he's one of them (gangsters)
I was in Nottingham, who showed me love? A whole crew of (gangsters)
On the road, it's not a joke, you don't want beef with (gangsters)
Mega and Dizzee, the beef weren't small, some different (gangsters)
Back to England and squash the beef, leave that on the island, dead that (gangsters)
That's what it's like when you're with (gangsters)
That's what it's like when you're with (gangsters)
Eskiboy, I roll with (gangsters)
You can't stop me, I'm with (gangsters)
Roll deep, we are (gangsters)
East Side, we are (gangsters)
Northwest, we are (gangsters)
Southwest, we are (gangsters)
Southeast, we are (gangsters)
Up north, we are (gangsters, gangsters)
The song "Gangsters" by Wiley is a gritty track that highlights the lifestyle and mentality of being a gangster. In the song, Wiley reflects on his own experiences and the experiences of those around him who have lived a life filled with violence, crime, and danger. He acknowledges that being a gangster is not something to be taken lightly, and that it requires a certain level of toughness and street smarts to survive. He also notes that there is a certain camaraderie and loyalty among gangsters, and that they look out for one another in a way that is not often seen in other walks of life.
The lyrics of the song are filled with vivid descriptions of the gangster lifestyle, from the cars and the women to the violence and the danger. Wiley also touches on the way that being a gangster can be a means of survival in a world where opportunities are limited and the deck is stacked against certain groups of people. However, he also recognizes the darker side of the gangster life, noting that it can be a dead end that leads to prison or a premature death.
Overall, "Gangsters" is a powerful and insightful look at a world that many people never see. It offers a glimpse into the mentality and experiences of those who have lived a life outside of the law, and the toll it can take on both the individual and the community as a whole.
Line by Line Meaning
Gangsters, gangsters
I'm hanging out with some tough guys
Yo
Hey
You know we rolling with them (gangsters, gangsters)
You're aware that I'm hanging out with these tough guys, right?
I see your girl, she's got zampers
I noticed that your girlfriend has nice shoes
I been away for a year, have sway for a year
I've been gone for a year and now I'm back in control
Here's a few new stars, I've got two new cars, I'm with (gangsters)
I've got some new possessions and I'm still hanging out with these tough guys
I went from dough to broke, how'd I survive? 'cause I think like (gangsters)
I used to have a lot of money, but now I don't, but I still think like these tough guys and that helps me get by
Come with me to HMP and I'll show you (gangsters)
If you take a trip with me to prison, I'll introduce you to some tough guys
Alright god I see you've put me with them (gangsters)
I feel like fate has brought me together with these tough guys
I know your crew stacks, blad, you and your boys could never be (gangsters)
I know that you and your friends have money, but you could never be as tough as these guys
I don't mean TV, blad, I mean real life (gangsters)
I'm not talking about TV shows, I'm talking about actual tough guys in real life
I got a Turkish bredrin from school, we're cool, his family are (gangsters)
I have a friend from school who is Turkish and his family is involved in the world of tough guys
Listen, Fire Camp you ain't (gangsters)
You guys from Fire Camp aren't as tough as these guys
They say how can you make a fortune if you are (gangsters)?
People wonder how someone can get rich while also being involved with tough guys
That's easy, shot the peng through from here to North Weezy (gangsters)
It's simple, just sell drugs from here to North Weezy with these tough guys
I was in ministry, look over there, yeah, I can see them (gangsters)
I was at a club and I spotted some tough guys over there
Scored your wifey and she had zampers (gangsters)
I slept with your girlfriend and noticed she had nice shoes
West End, I was with (gangsters)
I was hanging out with tough guys in the West End
We just had a wave of new (gangsters)
There's a group of new tough guys that have come onto the scene
Yeah, I think there's been a rise, more (gangsters)
I've noticed an increase in the number of people involved with tough guys
Imagine that, I'm a street kid, brainy like (gangsters)
It may be hard to believe, but I'm a smart street kid who thinks like these tough guys
Nick and Dill can relate, watch (gangsters)
Nick and Dill understand what I'm talking about, watch them hang out with tough guys too
Like I don't know Vinyl Star and all the Old Time Brixton (gangsters)
Of course I know Vinyl Star and all the Old Time Brixton tough guys
When I was a kid, South West 28s, letting off 28 like (gangsters)
When I was younger, I was involved with the South West 28s and acted like these tough guys
Me and D-Ro know you were squeezing hard, you're one of them (gangsters)
Me and D-Ro saw that you were trying to act tough, you're like these guys
I've never ever seen you with no (gangsters)
I've never seen you hanging out with any tough guys
They'll teach you a lesson, don't mess with (gangsters)
If you cross these tough guys, they'll make sure you regret it
I go all around the world and meet (gangsters)
When I travel, I often run into tough guys
They know my name, why? 'Cause I hustle in the music game with (gangsters)
These tough guys know my name because I work with them in the music industry
God's gift from Skepta, know what I'm saying? (Gangsters)
Skepta gave me a God-given talent to work with tough guys, you know what I'm saying?
The government tried to destroy my race but them man turned into (gangsters)
The government tried to harm my community, but some people turned to being involved with tough guys
You think when Yanks come to England, they want to be around them (gangsters)?
Do you really think that Americans want to hang out with these tough guys when they come to England?
I don't think so, whole security firm on the scene (gangsters)
I don't think so, they hire security firms to avoid these tough guys
Got a red beam on the biggest man in your team, they'll crumble your dreams
I have a laser pointed at the toughest guy on your team, and if he falls, your group will crumble
Listen up, they're (gangsters)
Listen, these guys are tough
I warn the kids, once you get dark, you turn to (gangsters)
I'm warning young people that once you start down the wrong path, you may end up involved with tough guys
Feel the dark force, police are scared, true stories (gangsters)
You can feel the power of these tough guys, even the police are scared of them, it's a true story
When they leave the scene, the whole scene looks gory (gangsters)
After these guys finish up, things can look pretty violent and bloody
Let me call Picky, it's getting a bit sticky, I know them (gangsters)
I need to call my friend Picky, things are getting tough and he knows these guys too
I know Billy and Boogie, they always tell me, "control your (gangsters)"
I know Billy and Boogie, they always warn me to keep the tough guys under control
I'm in Sidewinder, I look around, I see a few (gangsters)
I'm at Sidewinder and I see some tough guys here and there
Not many, but the ones I'm with, they're heavy, ready (gangsters)
There aren't a lot of them here, but the ones I'm with are tough and ready for anything
When the shells start spraying (gangsters)
When the bullets start flying
I got stabbed fourteen times, I can tell you it weren't by (gangsters)
I was stabbed fourteen times and I can tell you it wasn't done by these tough guys
My uncle got stabbed like twice and he died, I tell you, he's one of them (gangsters)
My uncle was stabbed and killed, and I can tell you he was involved with these tough guys
I was in Nottingham, who showed me love? A whole crew of (gangsters)
I was in Nottingham and a whole group of tough guys there were kind to me
On the road, it's not a joke, you don't want beef with (gangsters)
When you're out in public, things can get serious, you don't want to have a conflict with these tough guys
Mega and Dizzee, the beef weren't small, some different (gangsters)
Mega and Dizzee had a major conflict with some other tough guys, it wasn't a small issue
Back to England and squash the beef, leave that on the island, dead that (gangsters)
When they returned to England, they settled their dispute and left it in their past, it was over
That's what it's like when you're with (gangsters)
That's what it's like when you're hanging out with tough guys
Eskiboy, I roll with (gangsters)
I'm known as Eskiboy and I hang out with these tough guys
You can't stop me, I'm with (gangsters)
You can't hold me back, I'm hanging out with these tough guys
Roll deep, we are (gangsters)
My crew and I are tough guys
East Side, we are (gangsters)
We're tough guys from the East Side
Northwest, we are (gangsters)
We're tough guys from the Northwest
Southwest, we are (gangsters)
We're tough guys from the Southwest
Southeast, we are (gangsters)
We're tough guys from the Southeast
Up north, we are (gangsters, gangsters)
We're tough guys from up north
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Richard Cowie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@darowdeeone8571
Personally... I have always thought this was Wileys best ever track. Great innovative production and impeccible wordplay. Timeless is the Word for this track...
@zainemcintosh_cox6563
Og Lo Ke that's Skepta isn't it!?
@alexzivanovic3105
GOAT
@jsss3604
@@zainemcintosh_cox6563 no, just... no
@WorldWidePatriots
Yeah sick track.
@JOHnSmith-iz7hb
Wiley was to far ahead of the ting
@alistairjenkins6712
This was the ringtone back in the day! The memories of this tune I swear 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
@TheTruth-fs5yp
Morrison’s remix brought me back 👑
@ItsZareh
had ta be done
@rhysajbarry6343
Same 😂