A Sonic Juggernaut: Skepta and Portable Unleash "Tony Montana"
In a sonic clash of cultures, Skepta, the undisputed king of British grime, and Portable, the wildly charismatic Nigerian street-hop sensation, have unleashed a sonic juggernaut with their collaborative effort, "Tony Montana." This track is more than just a meeting of musical minds; it's a testament to the ever-expanding reach of global music and the infectious energy that emerges from unlikely collaborations.
Skepta's Grime Precision Meets Portable's Raw Energy
From the opening bars, "Tony Montana" hits you with an unrelenting barrage of pulsating grime energy. Skepta's signature flow, characterized by its sharp delivery and icy precision, is on full display. Yet, there's a newfound bounce, a subtle swing to his cadence that hints at the infectious rhythms waiting to erupt.
And erupt they do. Portable's entrance is a sonic explosion. His raw, unfiltered vocals, delivered in a mix of Yoruba and street slang, burst through the soundscape. His sheer charisma and infectious energy transcend any linguistic barriers. It's a captivating contrast to Skepta's calculated verses, a testament to the diversity of experiences that find common ground on this track.
A Masterful Fusion: Grime and Street-hop Collide
The production on "Tony Montana" is a masterful fusion of styles. The relentless grime beat provides the backbone, overlaid with elements of Nigerian street-hop. The result is a sonic hybrid that feels simultaneously familiar and refreshingly unique. It's a production style that compels you to move, to lose yourself in the infectious rhythm.
Lagos Comes Alive: A Vibrant Music Video
The accompanying music video is a further celebration of cultural crossover. Shot in Lagos, it showcases the raw energy of the streets. Skepta embraces the local flavor, while Portable stands defiant in his own inimitable style. It's a visual feast that perfectly complements the song's boundless energy.
A Groundbreaking Moment in Global Music
"Tony Montana" is more than just a good song; it's a groundbreaking moment. It demonstrates the power of music to blur boundaries, to create an exhilarating sonic experience that draws from distant worlds. Skepta and Portable have created a sonic tapestry that celebrates both their unique styles and the boundless potential of cross-cultural exchange. If this is any indication of where global music is headed.
Listen to Skepta and Portable Tony Montana
Skepta and Portable Tony Montana Lyrics Meaning
[Chorus: Portable]
Big Smoke pelu tobacco oh / Tony, Tony, Tony Montana oh: A reference to "big smoke" likely means smoking a lot, perhaps marijuana. "Tony Montana" references the iconic, ambitious drug-lord character from the film Scarface.
Wacko, psycho / I want to explode: These phrases convey a sense of wildness, frenzy, and a desire to break loose.
Fire oh, ginger oh / Somebody, pour me water oh / I dey on my own / Waka jeje, make we no jam agbako: This section expresses a feeling of being heated and energetic, needing to cool down. It also emphasizes independence and being cautious to avoid trouble ('agbako' could refer to a dangerous situation).
[Verse 1: Skepta]
Yeah, I remember, nigbati ebi n pami / Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, we drink garri: Skepta reflects on his humble past in Nigeria ('nigbati ebi n pami' could mean "when hunger was beating me"). 'Garri', a staple food, suggests a time of limited resources.
Now they wanna snap pictures, I live flashy / Who gon' stop me, huh? Iwo pelu tani? / Impossible, every day's a celebration: Skepta contrasts his past with his current success and defiant attitude ('Iwo pelu tani?' means "You and who?").
This one for all my people that couldn't make it / Spend nights on a blue mat in the station/ I said "No comment," just to make a statement He acknowledges those who didn't share in his success and references possible hardship and run-ins with the law.
How they hate me 'cause I'm winnin'? ... Skepta expresses awareness of the envy that comes with his success and boasts about his expensive possessions.
[Post-Chorus: Portable]
Big Gun, no go do am again / Owo nla ti n be ninu Bako: This could refer to avoiding dangerous situations or a sense of triumph ('owo nla' meaning "big money", 'bako' could mean "box" or figuratively a place of storage).
Wacko, Psycho / To ri o wo mo shey sa la ro oh: Repetition of the words emphasize a wild and carefree personality ('To ri owo mo shey sa la ro oh' could translate to "If you see money, wouldn't you spend it?").
Circle, circle, circle lo lu gi oh / Wacko, drippin' like High Fashion / Rahman Jago / Big Smoke pelu tobacco: These lines reference circular movements, perhaps dancing, along with boasting about style and links to 'Rahman Jago', a popular street figure.
Overall Themes
Ambition and Hustle: The song celebrates a rise from hardship to success, referencing a relentless drive common in street music.
Defiance: Both artists express a confident, unyielding attitude in the face of those who doubt or oppose them.
Caution and Celebration: They also touch on avoiding trouble while enjoying the fruits of their labor.
Skepta and Portable Tony Montana Meaning
The meaning of "Tony Montana" by Skepta and Portable is a celebration of ambition, triumph over adversity, and an exuberant embrace of success. The song draws inspiration from the iconic Scarface figure, Tony Montana, symbolizing a relentless drive to rise from humble beginnings. Skepta and Portable reflect on their past hardships, contrasting them with their current flashy lifestyles and defiant attitudes towards those who doubted them. While there's an element of boasting and bravado, the track also touches on the importance of remembering those who didn't share in the same success and the need to balance caution with the enjoyment of hard-earned rewards.
Skepta and Portable Tony Montana Lyrics
[Intro]
(JAE5)
[Chorus: Portable]
Big Smoke pelu tobacco oh
Tony, Tony, Tony Montana oh
Wacko, psycho
I want to explode
Fire oh, ginger oh
Somebody, pour me water oh
I dey on my own
Waka jeje, make we no jam agbako
[Verse 1: Skepta]
Yeah, I remember, nigbati ebi n pami
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, we drink garri
Now they wanna snap pictures, I live flashy
Who gon' stop me, huh? Iwo pelu tani?
Impossible, every day's a celebration
This one for all my people that couldn't make it
Spend nights on a blue mat in the station
I said "No comment," just to make a statemеnt
How they hate me 'causе I'm winnin'?
AP kickin', my Rollie ain't tickin'
One of one-fifty, the whip that I'm whippin'
Now they wishing they could've catched a man slipping
S-H-O-K-O-L-O-K-O-B-A-N-G-O-S-H-A-Y, shokolokobangoshay
Anywhere I go, you know the gang dem dey (Greaze, brrt)
[Chorus: Portable]
Big Smoke pelu tobacco oh
Tony, Tony, Tony Montana oh
Wacko, psycho
I want to explode
Fire oh, ginger oh
Somebody, pour me water oh
I dey on my own
Waka jeje, make we no jam agbako
[Post-Chorus: Portable]
Big Gun, no go do am again
Owo nla ti n be ninu Bako
Wacko, psycho
To ri o wo mo shey sa la ro oh
Circle, circle, circle lo lu gi oh
Wacko, drippin' like High Fashion
Rahman Jago
Big Smoke pelu tobacco
[Verse 2: Skepta]
Yeah, you know my passion, money and high fashion
Anywhere you see me, you know the boy's patterned
I was a young G with dreams of gettin' rich
Now, I got more money than imagined
I hear no, speak no, see no evil
Never catch me stuntin' on my own people
That's my brother from another mother
Uh, I cut the slice precise so it's equal
She playin' hard to get, so I'm keepin' the same energy
You want the Casamigos or the Hennessey?
Take a shot to the head, that's a Kennedy
Yo, fine girl, sip that jejely
Baby, love, sit back jejely
Unforgettable swag, they remember me
Hypnotizin' like a OD melody
I came with the criminals, my Co-D defendin' me
[Chorus: Portable]
Big Smoke pelu tobacco oh
Tony, Tony, Tony Montana oh
Wacko, psycho
I want to explode
Fire oh, ginger oh
Somebody, pour me water oh
I dey on my own
Waka jeje, make we no jam agbako
[Post-Chorus: Portable]
Big Gun, no go do am again
Owo nla ti n be ninu Bako
Wacko, psycho
To ri owo mo shey sa la ro oh
Circle, circle, circle lo lu gi oh
Wacko, drippin' like High Fashion
Rahman Jago
Big Smoke pelu tobacco
[Outro: Portable]
Montana, Montana, Montana, Montana
Tony, Tony, Tony Montana