Badman Generation

[Verse 1: Idris Elba]

Holly Street E8 was my domain

Pon the front line before the trendy came

And the corner shop man

They used to know my name

They used to cash the child support

When I give em a change

London born, west African, first wave

Man used to call man a nig nog

And call man a slave

First generation at the African wave

They never want to cause trouble

Didn't need to be brave

And we used to call the yard man

Fucking John Wayne

When the revolver pop off on Dalston Lane

And the Scotland Yard man couldn't take the strain

And an informer boy risked his life everyday

My eyes were out and my brain was storing

Rolodex pon the mind at the age of 14

Sound boy inna de blood

Bad boy pon de mic

Pair of Clarks on my feet

Man was living alright

[Chorus: Idris & Slick Rick]

They tried to hold us down but they can't hold we (they can't hold we)

They couldn't call my name cause they don't know me (they don't know me)

Badman Generation around here

Hard times man facing around ye

Now trust me dog

You choose your path

They'll save you and keep you from dying round ye

[Verse 2: Slick Rick]

Britain is Glisten with

Come listen this

Sitting in a barber chair

Hear a man try fa dis a kid

Thought too loose lip

I knew this might brew shit

And piss mans brethren

See em'

Leave and go

And seize this moment

To hurry up

Any given time

Come in with a nine

Homie that's fine

Hairline sir'

Realize the time

Burna cat a man a chat

Bout gun a clap

Leave, See a SUV

Creeping up in front of shop

With windows down

Flew off block

Knew what's up

So the next day

Swiss cheese junior shop

Left shells inside

A stuntin

Heard em yelling over something

A stray killed a 12 year old my youngin

Mad news camera

Dude tryna move body

Who chimed the

"Bull Shit"

Looking at me too kind of

Instead of clout

Jail put

Said get him out

Caught mad dog

Because the neighborhood upset about

[Chorus: Idris Elba & Slick Rick]

They tried to hold us down but they can't hold we (they can't hold we)

They couldn't call my name cause they don't know me (they don't know me)

Badman Generation around here

Hard times man facing around ye

Now trust me dog

You choose your path

They'll save you and keep you from dying round ye

[Outro: Slick Rick]

Visionary and the poet

Destination Victory

Peace