Real Life

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“Real Life” marks the second collaboration between Burna Boy and South London rap sensation Stormzy. The intro of the song was provided by Diddy, the executive producer of… Read More

Aug. 13, 20201 viewer173.7K views

Real Life Lyrics

[Intro: Diddy]
It ain't like you hearing it and it's like moving you
You know music is, and the music you making is life
And it's like new life
It's important to me to understand the state of mind
And the life you live
And where you're, you know, where you're at right now

[Verse 1: Burna Boy]
Pull up like "Surprise, surprise it's the President"
Can't you see that I'm in my element?
I might just decide to slide on my enemies
I go along on a glide for the hell of it
I bring a different vibe when I'm steppin' in
If a nigga ain't right, I'm correcting him
Everybody know for sure, I'ma take it there
So cross your T's and dot your I's when you're messaging
I never subscribe to guys on the internet
Living for the clout, telling lies to the press again
Better don't take me for the fool, I ain't never been
Don't bother with lies, I'm wise when I'm checkin' in
I'm redirecting dem back to the sender men
Then you go see reality, go start arresting dem
Be like say dem no hear when I was telling dem
Life real, I ain't never like the rest of them

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[Pre-Chorus: Stormzy]
Yes, we are blessed, but it's harder to see sometimes
Tryna find my peace of mind, you said, "How could we be so blind, babe?"
You just follow your dreams and go live your life
I'll give you something to believe in, I'ma be the reason

[Chorus: Stormzy]
So please (So please), please stay (Please stay)
Say you won't leave (Say you won't leave)
Real life is for living but the price you've been giving's not cheap
So please stay
We'll share the whole fee, yeah
Real life is for living, use this life that you're living, be free

[Verse 2: Burna Boy]
I wonder which style dem guys dem go try now
If una never hear my story mek you find out
I know say nobody is an island
But if dem wan fuck you for nyash, mek you no lie down
And I know you fit later realize am
But the way you don dey move I no dey like am
Somebody want to wear the shoe wey no size am
Me, I be Destiny's Child, a survivor
Real, no be China
Come here, I've been the guy
And nothing I ever said ever been a lie
Anytime you see me, look up in the sky
I can see the daylight in the night
When you see a soldier smile, it's a good sign
That's the way it is on the south side
I no go let you slide, no, not this time
But now I'm tryna ride, fuck a good time
Goodbye

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About

“Real Life” marks the second collaboration between Burna Boy and South London rap sensation Stormzy. The intro of the song was provided by Diddy, the executive producer of Burna’s fifth studio album: Twice as Tall.

The pair previously worked together in 2019 on Stormzy’s number 1 single “Own It”, which also featured Ed Sheeran.

The visuals for the single was released on the 2nd of October 2020, directed by Meji Alabi. The video focuses on poverty, outlines the impact murder has on a family, evading police and the youth trying to find a glimmer of hope within the disadvantaged environment they find themselves in. The video also has a cameo by British spoken word artist George The Poet who recites a powerful bit of poetry.

On the video’s YouTube description, it reads:

This video represents the struggle of disadvantaged Black youth in the UK. The blurred lines between the road life and real life. The fragility between life and death; and how knife crime/murder often reported like a mere statistic in the media, has longstanding effects on a community.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did Burna Boy say about "Real Life"?

I just wanted to really bridge that gap, and have Stormzy here to really represent himself and what he brings. And I’m really happy with how it ended up—because to keep it real with you, I think this was probably the longest track to get over the line and have finished.

–Burna Boy via Apple Music

How does Burna Boy link with London?

Burna Boy has a special connection with London.

Though he was born in Port Harcourt in Nigeria, he did a lot of growing up in the UK when he relocated there to further his studies. He studied Media Technology at the University of Sussex, followed by Media Communications and Culture at Oxford Brookes University, and resided in South London. You can tell as Burna has an accent blend of Nigerian English & British English which was on display during the Real Life video which was set in South London.

In 2010, a young Burna was reportedly involved in a gang-related stabbing in London that left one person dead. He was tried as a minor, found guilty and sent to jail. He served 11 months and was released on parole due to good behaviour. This is when he went back to Nigeria to pursue his music career.

Who produced “Real Life” by Burna Boy?

When did Burna Boy release “Real Life”?

Who wrote “Real Life” by Burna Boy?