What Do You Mean? by Skepta Lyrics Meaning – The Revelation Behind the Bars
Lyrics
When I fell asleep, I was still in my jeans
Then I had a one gyal licking me clean
She wan’ eat man like Idi Amin
What do you mean? I come for the cream
I made some mistakes that I gotta redeem
You put me in position that I don’t wanna be in
We all make mistakes, I’m a human being
North Korean, Kim Jong-Un when I spray the machine
You’re on the other side if you ain’t on my team
You get blacklisted if you hate on my team
Fam, I say what I mean, I keep my demons close
Late night, I speak to the ghost
Get high, fell asleep in my clothes
Animal instinct, sex, money murder, I fear nobody
Keep suttin’ on me, ’cause I’m better safe than sorry
I’m a top boy like Sully with a six figure hobby
You’re still on the road, better be getting that belly
Kicking off doors, better give it some welly
I came in the game, ran it like an athlete
Got a big money scheme, all my bruddas had to eat
Thought I was a scrub, sitting in the backseat
I was counting my money, making sure it’s complete
They can’t compete, there ain’t no competition
I take what I want, you get what you were given
They calling me a rapper, man, I think I’m a magician
I didn’t wanna kill ’em, but these niggas never listen
No ceiling, still in my dreams
When I fell asleep, I was still in my jeans
Then I had a one gyal licking me clean
She wan’ eat man like Idi Amin
What do you mean? I come for the cream
I made some mistakes that I gotta redeem
You put me in position that I don’t wanna be in
We all make mistakes, I’m a human being
North Korean, Kim Jong-Un when I spray the machine
You’re on the other side if you ain’t on my team
As soon as I wake up I be chasing my dreams
All we do is win and we ain’t changing the teams
I still creep through the hood
Pull up on my brudda just to see if he’s good
See them with the gang, they be giving me looks
See him on his ones, I can see that he’s shook
Mad ’cause I made it
New whip looking like a spaceship
You looking like you’re stuck inside the Matrix
I could teach you how to hustle, how to save it
When the money talks, I can translate it
I’m the go-getter
G’d up with my feet up, it’s no pressure
They make threats, but they never put their hands on me, they know better
You will get pepper, hot like Coachella
You’re not clever, you’re coming unstuck
I was up North, I was getting ’nuff love
Back down South, tryna make a young buck
And I’ll be still going when the sun comes up
(Greaze)
No ceiling, still in my dreams
When I fell asleep, I was still in my jeans
Then I had a one gyal licking me clean
She wan’ eat man like Idi Amin
What do you mean? I come for the cream
I made some mistakes that I gotta redeem
You put me in position that I don’t wanna be in
We all make mistakes, I’m a human being
North Korean, Kim Jong-un when I spray the machine
You’re on the other side if you ain’t on my team
In the realm of grime, Skepta stands as a titanic figure whose lyrics paint vivid narratives of the urban experience. His track ‘What Do You Mean?’ is no exception, driving through the heart of inner-city life with thunderous beats and lightning-quick verses.
Diving into the chaotic symphony of success and survival, this article peels back the veneer on ‘What Do You Mean?’ to explore the profound meanings and life lessons Skepta embeds within the charged cadences of his music.
The Pursuit of Cream: More Than Just Wealth
Skepta does not shy away from revealing his motivations – the pursuit of ‘cream’, a slang for money. But scratch beneath the surface, and you’ll find a complex symbology; it’s a metaphor for success, acknowledgement, and the validation of his struggle and hustle.
This chase for cream, however, comes with pitfalls. It’s about navigating the maze of life, owning up to mistakes, and redeeming oneself. Skepta humanizes himself, showing that the path to success is rarely linear, often sprinkled with missteps from which one must recover.
The Ghosts Speaking in the Night: A Vulnerable Confession
Late at night, conversing with ghosts, Skepta delves into the mental battles that accompany fame and fortune. It’s a window into the vulnerability even the most successful harbor – the demons of doubt and the specters of past decisions that haunt during moments of solitude.
These confessions are a salute to the human experience, which reveals that behind the braggadocio and bravado, there’s an artist who grapples with the same fears and insecurities as anyone else, rendering him relatable.
Idi Amin and Kim Jong-Un: Symbols of Power and Isolation
Peppered with references to controversial figures like Idi Amin and Kim Jong-Un, the song’s lyrics draw parallels with the themes of power and solitude consistent with leadership – a metaphor for Skepta’s own ascendancy in the music world.
These allusions serve as double-edged swords, symbolizing both the domination Skepta feels over his domain and the isolation that such authority can bring, setting a boundary between ‘us’ and ‘them’, the inner circle and the outcasts.
The Magician’s Deception: Artistry Beyond Rap
When Skepta compares himself to a magician rather than a rapper, he’s challenging the labels society places on artists. It’s a nod to the transformative power of his art, his ability to conjure success and influence from the intangible.
This sleight of hand is not just in how he maneuvers through the industry but in how he shapes reality through his words – crafting a persona that is larger than life while insisting on his authenticity.
Memorable Lines Carving The Path of Resilience
One cannot simply gloss over the steadfast lines that resonate with the grind of life – ‘No ceiling, still in my dreams’ and ‘They can’t compete, there ain’t no competition’. These are battle cries of persistence and self-belief that thrust listeners into Skepta’s relentless pursuit of his vision despite the obstacles.
With these bars, Skepta isn’t just making music; he’s scripting anthems for every underdog turning the tables, every dreamer tirelessly climbing, and every believer in the fruits of indefatigable ambition.
