The Meaning Behind Skepta & Portable’s Song ‘Tony Montana’: Lyrics Breakdown

London, UK – Chart-topping artist Skepta has teamed up with the incredibly talented Portable to release a new song called “Tony Montana.” This track is quickly becoming a favorite among fans all over the world.

“Tony Montana” is not just a song; it’s a story told through music. In this song, Skepta and Portable share their experiences and journey in life. They mix English with Yoruba, connecting different cultures in their lyrics.

The song talks about rising from difficult times to success and living a dream life. It’s about hard work, overcoming challenges, and staying true to who you are.

Let’s dive into the song and understand what makes “Tony Montana” so special and relatable.

[Chorus: Portable]

Big Smoke pelu tobacco oh

• “Big Smoke pelu tobacco oh”: ‘Big Smoke’ refers to Skepta, showing his significant impact in music. ‘Pelu tobacco’ means ‘with tobacco’ in Yoruba, indicating Portable’s strong presence alongside Skepta.

Tony, Tony, Tony Montana

• “Tony, Tony, Tony Montana”: Refers to the character Tony Montana from “Scarface”, symbolizing power and luxury.

Wacko, psycho

• “Wacko, psycho”: Implies they are wild and unpredictable.

I want to explode

• “I want to explode”: Expresses intense energy or emotion.

Fire oh, ginger oh

• “Fire oh, ginger oh”: ‘Fire’ means passion, and ‘ginger’ is Nigerian slang for excitement.

Somebody, pour me water oh

• “Somebody, pour me water oh”: They’re so heated up (excited or passionate) that they need to cool down.

I dey on my own

• “I dey on my own”: Nigerian Pidgin for being independent.

Waka jeje, make you no jam my back oh

• “Waka jeje, make you no jam my back oh”: A warning to others to be careful and not interfere with them.

[Verse 1: Skepta]

Yeah, I remember…

• “Yeah, I remember”: Skepta starts by reflecting on the past.

[?] ebi kpami

• “[?] ebi kpami”: ‘Ebi kpami’ means ‘hunger killed me’ in Yoruba, indicating past struggles with poverty or hard times.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, we drink garri

• “Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, we drink garri”: Garri is a staple food in West Africa, indicating a simple and humble lifestyle.

Now they wanna snap pictures, I live flashy

• “Now they wanna snap pictures, I live flashy”: He’s now famous and lives a glamorous life.

Who gon’ stop me, huh? Ewo pelu ta ni

• “Who gon’ stop me, huh? Ewo pelu ta ni”: Challenging anyone who might try to stop him. ‘Ewo pelu ta ni’ is asking ‘with whom’ in Yoruba, implying no one is on his level.

Impossible, every day’s a celebration

• “Impossible, every day’s a celebration”: His life is now so good, it feels like a continuous celebration.

This one for all my people that couldn’t make it

• “This one for all my people that couldn’t make it”: Dedicates his success to those who didn’t have the same opportunities or have passed away.

Spend nights on a blue mat in the station

• “Spend nights on a blue mat in the station”: Refers to tough times, perhaps being detained by police.

I said “No comment,” just to make a statement

• “I said ‘No comment,’ just to make a statement”: Keeping silent to show strength or defiance.

How they hate me ’cause I’m winnin’?

• “How they hate me ’cause I’m winnin’?”: Wonders why people are envious of his success.

AP kickin’, my Rollie ain’t tickin’

• “AP kickin’, my Rollie ain’t tickin'”: Bragging about his expensive watches, a sign of his success.

One of one-fifty, the whip that I’m whippin’

• “One of one-fifty, the whip that I’m whippin'”: Driving a rare car, indicating wealth.

Now they wishing they could’ve catched a man slipping

• “Now they wishing they could’ve catched a man slipping”: People who don’t like him wish to see him fail.

S-H-O-K-O-L-O-K-O-B-A-N-G-O-S-H-Y, shokolokobangoshy

• “S-H-O-K-O-L-O-K-O-B-A-N-G-O-S-H-Y, shokolokobangoshy”: A playful and catchy phrase, likely meant to add a unique rhythm or signature style to the song.

Anywhere I go, you know the gang dem dey (Greaze, brrt)

• “Anywhere I go, you know the gang dem dey (Greaze, brrt)”: He’s always with his friends or crew, showing loyalty and unity.

Post-Chorus: Portable]
Big [?], no go do am again…

• “Big [?], no go do am again”: This line is a bit unclear, but it suggests a decision to not repeat a certain action.

O won la ti penu knu wacko

• “O won la ti penu knu wacko”: This line is in Yoruba and it’s not entirely clear, but it seems to continue the theme of being wild or unpredictable.

Wacko, psycho

• “Wacko, psycho”: Repeats the idea of being wild and unpredictable.

To ri o wo mo shey sa la ro oh

• “To ri o wo mo shey sa la ro oh”: This Yoruba phrase is a bit ambiguous but seems to refer to how they behave or their lifestyle.

Circle, circle, circle lo lu gi oh

• “Circle, circle, circle lo lu gi oh”: Possibly talking about their close group of friends or the circles they move in.

Wacko, drippin’ like High Fashion

• “Wacko, drippin’ like High Fashion”: Combines the theme of being ‘wacko’ with being stylish (‘drippin’).

Rahman Jago

• “Rahman Jago”: Refers to a popular figure in the Nigerian entertainment scene, perhaps symbolizing success.

[Verse 2: Skepta]

Yeah, you know my passion…

• “Yeah, you know my passion”: Skepta speaks about what drives him.

Money and high fashion

• “Money and high fashion”: His passions are money and fashion.

Anywhere you see me, you know the boy’s patterned

• “Anywhere you see me, you know the boy’s patterned”: He’s recognizable and has a distinct style.

I was a young G with dreams of gettin’ rich

• “I was a young G with dreams of gettin’ rich”: Reflects on his younger self dreaming of becoming wealthy.

Now, I got more money than imagined

• “Now, I got more money than imagined”: He has achieved his dream and even surpassed it.

I hear no, speak no, see no evil

• “I hear no, speak no, see no evil”: He avoids negativity and bad influences.

Never catch me stuntin’ on my own people

• “Never catch me stuntin’ on my own people”: He doesn’t show off or disrespect his own community.

That’s my brother from another mother

• “That’s my brother from another mother”: Refers to a close friend who’s like family.

Uh, I cut the slice precise so it’s equal

• “Uh, I cut the slice precise so it’s equal”: He shares his success fairly with his close ones.

She playin’ hard to get, so I’m keepin’ the same energy

• “She playin’ hard to get, so I’m keepin’ the same energy”: If someone is not easy to get close to, he responds with the same level of distance.

You want the Casamigos or the Hennessey?

• “You want the Casamigos or the Hennessey?”: Offering a choice between two types of alcohol, indicating a lifestyle of luxury and choice.

Take a shot to the head, that’s a Kennedy

• “Take a shot to the head, that’s a Kennedy”: A dark reference to the assassination of John F. Kennedy, possibly meaning taking a risk or being bold.

Yo, fine girl, sip that jejely

• “Yo, fine girl, sip that jejely”: Telling a girl to drink slowly and enjoy.

Baby, love, sit back jejely

• “Baby, love, sit back jejely”: Asking someone to relax and take it easy.

Unforgettable swag, they remember me

• “Unforgettable swag, they remember me”: His style is so unique, people won’t forget him.

Hypnotizin’ like a OD melody

• “Hypnotizin’ like a OD melody”: His music or presence is captivating, like a strong melody.

I came with the criminals, my Co-D defendin’ me

• “I came with the criminals, my Co-D defendin’ me”: He’s surrounded by his crew who protect and support him.

[Outro: Portable]

Montana, Montana, Montana, Montana…

• “Montana, Montana, Montana, Montana”: Repeating the name ‘Montana’, emphasizing the theme of living a powerful and luxurious life like Tony Montana.