Album: Insomnia (2020)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the opening track from Tottenham MCs Skepta and Chip and D-Block Europe's Yung Adz joint album Insomnia. The record originated with a project that that Clip and Adz were working on, and gained further momentum when Skepta signed on. "It was all in one room, sleeping on the floor, waking up, like proper work," Chip told Apple Music. "It was straight, organic. Sometimes you might even just run in there and put something down first. Just straight bouncing off each other, whatever works best for the track."
  • Skepta also produced the track. It was the first beat that Skepta sent to Chip, and the rap veteran thought it was something Adz would like to jump on. Chip recalled to Apple Music that at that point Skepta and Adz had never met and this was the first song the three did together. "Adz went in, we just kept going back to back, off the back of it," he said. "And after the first song we had a chat. 'You all right, mate? How are you doing?' They're both more…anti. I'm the middle generation that connects them both."
  • "Mains" is the name of Skepta's streetwear brand. Young Adz references it in his verse.

    Got a gun in my brother's crib
    And if we see 'em on the mains, that's fire on the mains
    Got a little three-two concealed in my boxers, call that fire in the mains


    Mains boxer shorts are one of the primary items from Skepta's range of clothing.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Shawn Mullins

Shawn MullinsSongwriter Interviews

"Lullaby" singer Shawn Mullins on "Beautiful Wreck," beating the Devil, and his writing credit on the Zac Brown Band song "Toes."

Benny Mardones

Benny MardonesSongwriter Interviews

His song "Into The Night" is one of the most-played of all time. For Benny, it took him to hell and back.

Janis Ian

Janis IanSongwriter Interviews

One of the first successful female singer-songwriters, Janis had her first hit in 1967 at age 15.

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song Titles

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song TitlesMusic Quiz

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have some rather unusual song titles - see if you can spot the real ones.

Michael Schenker

Michael SchenkerSongwriter Interviews

The Scorpions and UFO guitarist is also a very prolific songwriter - he explains how he writes with his various groups, and why he was so keen to get out of Germany and into England.

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.