Skepta

Lyrics

[Intro: Wiley & Bushkin]
Come off the stage! Move!
They don't want to hear you! They don't want to hear you!
What, is that what you think? Is that what you think?
Oi blud, calm, calm, calm
Lyrics for lyrics, calm

[Chorus: Skepta]
Yeah, hear me on the radio, wah gwan?
See me on the TV, hi mum
Murk MCs when the mic's in my palm
Lyrics for lyrics, calm
Hear me on the radio, wah gwan?
See me on the TV, hi mum
Murk MCs when the mic's in my palm
Lyrics for lyrics, calm

[Verse 1: Skepta]
Yeah, you got murked last week
Couldn't even get a rewind, that's peak
Couldn't get out your punchlines on time
Now you wanna diss me? Oh blud, what a chief
Sidewinder, you got air on the roads
Eskimo Dance, you was spitting off-beat
Lord of the Mics, you was spitting that heat
But right now, your bars ain't on fleek
You don't wanna clash me, you will get murked
Bury MCs six feet in the dirt
I know you saw the police outside
You saw the blood on Devilman's shirt
Got rude, that didn't work
And your girl looks like she don't work
Mental
Man wouldn't beat that even if I was burst
[Chorus: Skepta]
Yeah, hear me on the radio, wah gwan?
See me on the TV, hi mum
Murk MCs when the mic's in my palm
Lyrics for lyrics, calm
Hear me on the radio, wah gwan?
See me on the TV, hi mum
Murk MCs when the mic's in my palm
Lyrics for lyrics, calm

[Verse 2: Skepta]
Them man are fake, them man are sus
I'm the boss these pagans wanna touch
I'm the kind of boss that the opps gotta rush
Cause I make it ring something like bells on the bus
1 on 1, fair and square, man are fucked
Swinging out my sword, swinging out my nunchuks
Running out of corn? Man'll get a gun buck
Tell a pussyhole look sharp, fix up
Where you from? Huh, what's wrong?
What's going on? Why you got your screwface on?
Dead that, forget that
Diss track? Nobody wanna hear that song
Better get your thinking hats on
You don't wanna diss me, that's long
Cause I'm a don, lyrically gone
You want to clash but you're gonna get banged on
[Chorus: Skepta]
Yeah, hear me on the radio, wah gwan?
See me on the TV, hi mum
Murk MCs when the mic's in my palm
Lyrics for lyrics, calm
Hear me on the radio, wah gwan?
See me on the TV, hi mum
Murk MCs when the mic's in my palm
Lyrics for lyrics, calm

[Verse 3: Novelist]
Yo, I'm a king, lyrically ming
You want to clash but you're gonna get tucked in
Drew for the buck ting when I bucked him
And in the jawside's right where I bucked him
Don't really care if you go to gym
Get put down by the lead like drawing
To kick your door in, anybody snoring
When I bore in's gonna get a full face
Full of piss you're in, deep shit you're in
N-O-V-D-D-D that you're warring
Not gonna be me that you're boring
I'm gonna jack manaman, take your rings
And all of your bling, Lewisham king
It's not a ting to draw the ting if you wanna swing
But if you get jooked, don't sing
Not a long ting to do the hype ting
[Chorus: Skepta]
Yeah, hear me on the radio, wah gwan?
See me on the TV, hi mum
Murk MCs when the mic's in my palm
Lyrics for lyrics, calm
Hear me on the radio, wah gwan?
See me on the TV, hi mum
Murk MCs when the mic's in my palm
Lyrics for lyrics, calm

There's an explosive energy that pulses through the UK grime scene, fueled by diss tracks, war dubs, and a culture of clashing. In the midst of this vibrant scene, Skepta and Novelist come together to deliver a powerful ode to the world of lyrical warfare in their collaborative track, "Lyrics." Sampling an old Wiley clash from 2001, the song title itself pays homage to the roots of this culture.

Skepta, a prominent figure in the grime scene, rose to prominence with his battle against Birmingham MC Devilman during the Lord of the Mics 2 clash in 2006. This historic event caught the attention of none other than Drake, who posted a screenshot of the clash on his Instagram. The beef between Skepta and Devilman was later reignited by Chip in January 2015, leading to a fresh exchange of dubs between the two MCs with "Pepper Riddim," Skepta's "Nasty," and Devilman's "Skepta Diss."

On the other hand, Novelist, at just 15 years old, clashed with Wiley's younger half-brother, Cadell, for the Who's Da Boss 2 DVD in 2013. Cadell later became the subject of Stormzy's hit track "Shut Up" in 2015. Novelist also challenged Izzie Gibbs to a showdown in 2014, but unfortunately, his opponent was a no-show. Despite his relatively young age, Novelist showcases a remarkable ability to hold his own in the rap battle arena.

About Lyrics

"Lyrics" is an exhilarating collaboration between Skepta and Novelist that delves deep into the heart of the UK grime scene. The track draws inspiration from the clash culture that defines the genre, with its gritty lyrics and intense energy. By sampling an old Wiley clash and paying homage to its origins, the song sets the stage for a lyrical showdown like no other.

With Skepta's extensive experience in battling and Novelist's fierce reputation, "Lyrics" exemplifies the two artists' ability to navigate the intricate world of diss tracks, dissing and clashing. The track captures the essence of their shared passion for lyrical warfare, showcasing their formidable skills in delivering hard-hitting verses.

As the song unfolds, the intense energy escalates, mirroring the adrenaline-fueled battles that take place on stages and within the confines of the grime scene. Skepta and Novelist's delivery is laser-focused and filled with razor-sharp wordplay, each line carefully crafted to ignite an explosive reaction in listeners.

While "Lyrics" pays homage to the past clashes and diss tracks that have shaped the grime scene, it also stands as a testament to the genre's ongoing evolution. The song combines the rawness of traditional grime with modern production techniques, creating a sonic experience that blends the old and the new, the past and the present.

Listening to "Lyrics" is like stepping into a battlefield, where the artists' words are their weapons and the rhythm is their drumbeat. The track's production amplifies the intensity, with hard-hitting beats and gritty basslines that serve as the backdrop for Skepta and Novelist's lyrical onslaught.

At its core, "Lyrics" is more than just a collaboration between two talented artists. It's a celebration of the rich history and culture of the UK grime scene, a testament to the power of words and the impact they can have on listeners. With their intricate wordplay and undeniable skill, Skepta and Novelist invite us into their world, where the battle for lyrical supremacy reigns supreme.

So, brace yourself and dive into the world of "Lyrics." Witness the clash of two titans as they showcase their lyrical prowess and leave their mark on the grime scene. Let the explosive energy of the track wash over you, as each line hits with the force of a verbal knockout. This is the epitome of the UK grime scene, bottled into a single track that demands your attention and never lets go.

Listen to "Lyrics" by Skepta (Ft. Novelist) here

• Release Date: May 6, 2016
• Artist: Skepta