Man

Album: Konnichiwa (2016)
Charted: 34
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This terse, paranoid track finds Skepta exploring the fall out of being one of UK's hottest acts, as he lashes out at clingers on. The rapper only socializes with his immediate circle.

    I don't know why man's callin' me family all of a sudden
    Like hmm, my mum don't know your mum
    Stop telling man you're my cousin
    I got day ones and I got new ones


    Skepta used a similar line on his Doin' It Again track, "Cross My Heart":

    Now man are calling me family all of a sudden
    And I'm like "Mum, how come you never told me that I had all these cousins?"
  • The intimidating beat samples the sinister opening from "Regular John," the intro track to Queens of the Stone Age's self-titled debut album.
  • This won Best Contemporary Song at the 2017 Ivor Novello Awards. Skepta also was given the Songwriter of the Year gong at the same ceremony. Speaking at the highly-esteemed event held at London's Grosvenor House Skepta commented that he believes the track is timeless because of its honesty.

    "This song 'Man' is about family and I think it will stand the test of time because it's from a true place so more power to true music."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Gene Simmons of Kiss

Gene Simmons of KissSongwriter Interviews

The Kiss rocker covers a lot of ground in this interview, including why there are no Kiss collaborations, and why the Rock Hall has "become a sham."

Vince Clarke

Vince ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

An original member of Depeche Mode, Vince went on to form Erasure and Yaz.

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Subversive Songs Used To Sell

Subversive Songs Used To SellSong Writing

Songs about drugs, revolution and greed that have been used in commercials for sneakers, jeans, fast food, cruises and cars.

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.