--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was a youth, to be called…" description: "\"When I was a youth, to be called 'African' was a diss. At school, the African kids used to lie and say they were Jamaican. So when I first came in the ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc3/skepta-5714_african_when-i-was-a-youth-to-be-called-african_352911.jpg" --- # When I was a youth, to be called 'African' was a diss. At… ![“When I was a youth, to be called 'African' was a diss. At school, the African kids used to lie and say they were Jamaican. So when I first came in the game, and I'm saying lyrics like, 'I make Nigerians proud of their tribal scars/ My bars make you push up your chest like bras,' that was a big…” quote by Skepta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc3/skepta-5714_african_when-i-was-a-youth-to-be-called-african_352911.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc3/skepta-5714_african_when-i-was-a-youth-to-be-called-african_352911.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc3/skepta-5714_african_when-i-was-a-youth-to-be-called-african_352911.jpg) > “When I was a youth, to be called 'African' was a diss. At school, the African kids used to lie and say they were Jamaican. So when I first came in the game, and I'm saying lyrics like, 'I make Nigerians proud of their tribal scars/ My bars make you push up your chest like bras,' that was a big deal for me.” [Skepta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skepta/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Embracing cultural identity and pride despite past stigma, using music to assert self-worth. **In simple terms:** Proud of heritage despite criticism. Key Takeaway Celebrate and own your roots. Themes identity pride culture music Mood empowering confident Type lyspirational artistic When to use this quote - public speaking - community workshops - cultural festivals - personal branding Key Concepts self-affirmation social stigma artistic expression Questions to Reflect On - How does your art shape your identity? - What steps can you take to uplift your community? A Different Perspective Pride can be challenged by societal bias. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/game/) [Jamaican](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jamaican/) [Lie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lie/) [Scars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scars/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Youth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/youth/) ## Related quotes > [I wouldn't mind my book being called an African novel if it didn't invite lazy readings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taiye-selasi/i-wouldn-t-mind-my-book-being-called-an-african-novel-if-it-didn-t/) [Taiye Selasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taiye-selasi/) > [Most of all, I dislike this idea nowadays that if you're a black person in America, then you must be called African-American. Listen, I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whoopi-goldberg/most-of-all-i-dislike-this-idea-nowadays-that-if-you-re-a-black/) [Whoopi Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whoopi-goldberg/) > [Ron Karenga wrote a book back in 1968, and in that book, he said that the reason, part of his motivation for starting Kwanzaa…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tucker-carlson/ron-karenga-wrote-a-book-back-in-1968-and-in-that-book-he-said-that/) [Tucker Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tucker-carlson/) > [I am of an African-Jamaican descent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-mitchell/i-am-of-an-african-jamaican-descent/) [Liz Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-mitchell/) > [“I eyed him. "Are you really Jamaican?" He returned my gaze evenly. "Why do you think I'm not, sistah?" "I don't know," I said.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-carey/i-eyed-him-are-you-really-jamaican-he-returned-my-gaze-evenly-why-do/) [Jacqueline Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-carey/) > [Spices impart flavor, they evoke memories and are central to our Jamaican heritage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cedella-marley/spices-impart-flavor-they-evoke-memories-and-are-central-to-our/) [Cedella Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cedella-marley/) > [Even though I'm not Jamaican, I've always loved Jamaican culture because, to me, it's the island of magic, it's the island of politics, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheo-hodari-coker/even-though-i-m-not-jamaican-i-ve-always-loved-jamaican-culture/) [Cheo Hodari Coker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheo-hodari-coker/) > [I listened to a lot of Jamaican vibes growing up. A lot of Bob Marley, Shabba Ranks, but also, Lil Wayne and Tupac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nle-choppa/i-listened-to-a-lot-of-jamaican-vibes-growing-up-a-lot-of-bob-marley/) [NLE Choppa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nle-choppa/) > [I'm a Canadian Jamaican. For me, I carry my Jamaican element into my music in my more recent releases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kreesha-turner/i-m-a-canadian-jamaican-for-me-i-carry-my-jamaican-element-into-my/) [Kreesha Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kreesha-turner/) > [Jamaican reggae is the style of music I always reach for when ranting to friends about how you could listen to one style of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-greenwood/jamaican-reggae-is-the-style-of-music-i-always-reach-for-when-ranting/) [Jonny Greenwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-greenwood/) > [“I don't keep women friends for too long largely because i do not trust them and i hate gossip. A lot of times i…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crystal-evans/i-don-t-keep-women-friends-for-too-long-largely-because-i-do-not/) [Crystal Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crystal-evans/) > [It's Jamaican women and children who are my inspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelly-ann-fraser-pryce/it-s-jamaican-women-and-children-who-are-my-inspiration/) [Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelly-ann-fraser-pryce/) > [When I was training before I was even signed, I was listening to the Damian Marley CD 'Welcome to Jamrock,' and I got the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-kingston/when-i-was-training-before-i-was-even-signed-i-was-listening-to-the/) [Kofi Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-kingston/) > [Kunta Kinte's strength derives from the knowledge of where he comes from, but it struck me that I don't know where I come from.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachi-kirby/kunta-kinte-s-strength-derives-from-the-knowledge-of-where-he-comes/) [Malachi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachi-kirby/) > [Being a Jamaican by birth is wonderful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-mitchell/being-a-jamaican-by-birth-is-wonderful/) [Liz Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-mitchell/) ## More by Skepta > [They respect rappers in the U.S., but in England, it's the Queen's country. She'll forever be putting out the message on these BBC networks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skepta/they-respect-rappers-in-the-u-s-but-in-england-it-s-the-queen-s/) [Skepta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skepta/) > [There would be weeks when I'd just go to Paris on a cheap ticket, sleep on my friend's floor, and just do a show…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skepta/there-would-be-weeks-when-i-d-just-go-to-paris-on-a-cheap-ticket/) [Skepta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skepta/) > [A good diss track needs to have some facts in it and definitely tell some truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skepta/a-good-diss-track-needs-to-have-some-facts-in-it-and-definitely-tell/) [Skepta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skepta/) > ['No fear' is a mindset that I stand for. It's the reason why I've got to where I am today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skepta/no-fear-is-a-mindset-that-i-stand-for-it-s-the-reason-why-i-ve-got-to/) [Skepta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skepta/) > [I've been trying to do this music stuff and work it out for so long... I was like, 'Let's do it for ourselves.' All…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skepta/i-ve-been-trying-to-do-this-music-stuff-and-work-it-out-for-so-long-i/) [Skepta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skepta/) > [The worst thing that happened to me at a gig was when the microphone wasn't on one time, and for the three lines of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skepta/the-worst-thing-that-happened-to-me-at-a-gig-was-when-the-microphone/) [Skepta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skepta/) > [Radio 1 doesn't exist to me. I don't judge my success by anything they say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skepta/radio-1-doesn-t-exist-to-me-i-don-t-judge-my-success-by-anything-they/) [Skepta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skepta/) > [At every stage of my life, I've always wanted to do good for Earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skepta/at-every-stage-of-my-life-i-ve-always-wanted-to-do-good-for-earth/) [Skepta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skepta/) > [I don't think grime has ever been respected; it's not seen as a nice sound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skepta/i-don-t-think-grime-has-ever-been-respected-it-s-not-seen-as-a-nice/) [Skepta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skepta/) > [Bullying is bullying, man. Even the biggest of the bullies got bullied. And what was happening in school comes from the media, innit? It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skepta/bullying-is-bullying-man-even-the-biggest-of-the-bullies-got-bullied/) [Skepta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skepta/) > [I've realised that there's art in everything we do in London. Suddenly, a photo of two boys sitting on a wall in tracksuits with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skepta/i-ve-realised-that-there-s-art-in-everything-we-do-in-london-suddenly/) [Skepta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skepta/) > [You won't feel inferior in my sportswear!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skepta/you-won-t-feel-inferior-in-my-sportswear/) [Skepta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skepta/) > [For a long time, men weren't respecting women. They weren't understanding Mother Earth, Mother Nature, the Motherland, all the motherly stuff. And now we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skepta/for-a-long-time-men-weren-t-respecting-women-they-weren-t/) [Skepta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skepta/) > [Thank you to everybody who was there for me when I was going through depressed times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skepta/thank-you-to-everybody-who-was-there-for-me-when-i-was-going-through/) [Skepta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skepta/) > [Basically, a lot of people have asked to jump on 'Shutdown' remix, I'm not gonna front. But 'cause of quality control, we wanted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skepta/basically-a-lot-of-people-have-asked-to-jump-on-shutdown-remix-i-m/) [Skepta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skepta/) [Explore all 100 Skepta quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skepta/) ## More African quotes > [We examine and highlight the history of the African descendants in America, and know that each and every one of us has come this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yvette-clarke/we-examine-and-highlight-the-history-of-the-african-descendants-in/) [Yvette Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yvette-clarke/) > [I'm just trying to touch the world and touch the people and just get good material. And show them that we can get it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-hardrict/i-m-just-trying-to-touch-the-world-and-touch-the-people-and-just-get/) [Cory Hardrict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-hardrict/) > [For people of color - especially African Americans - the idea that racist cops might frame members of their community is no abstract notion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-wise/for-people-of-color-especially-african-americans-the-idea-that-racist/) [Tim Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-wise/) > [“For their never-ending endeavours to obtain or retain wealth, countries desperately need companies, because they—unlike most human beings—have the means of production, and human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/for-their-never-ending-endeavours-to-obtain-or-retain-wealth/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [Virtually all of Darfur's six million residents are Muslim, and, because of decades of intermarriage, almost everyone has dark skin and African features.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-power/virtually-all-of-darfur-s-six-million-residents-are-muslim-and/) [Samantha Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-power/) > [I loved Ghana Must Go by Taiye Selasi. Its about a first-generation African family living in America that has to return home to Nigeria…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uzo-aduba/i-loved-ghana-must-go-by-taiye-selasi-its-about-a-first-generation/) [Uzo Aduba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uzo-aduba/) > [I was adopted my black Americans, I feel that I'm a 'Hybrid'. When I'm around Africans'I suddenly feel very black American. And when I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kola-boof/i-was-adopted-my-black-americans-i-feel-that-i-m-a-hybrid-when-i-m/) [Kola Boof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kola-boof/) > [I concentrate on the southern African subcontinent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-dennis/i-concentrate-on-the-southern-african-subcontinent/) [Nigel Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-dennis/) > ['Yo I'm from Africa' Boy you're just a faker. Name one city: 'Uhh, Jamaica!' Wrong! And I think that's a shame, An African look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/king-sun/yo-i-m-from-africa-boy-you-re-just-a-faker-name-one-city-uhh-jamaica/) King Sun > [I am of an African-Jamaican descent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-mitchell/i-am-of-an-african-jamaican-descent/) [Liz Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-mitchell/) > [When I was very little, I was into Michael Jackson. At six or seven, it was Madonna, but she's not what she used to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lykke-li/when-i-was-very-little-i-was-into-michael-jackson-at-six-or-seven-it/) [Lykke Li](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lykke-li/) > [Football is a personal interest which has been turned into a philanthropic initiative directed at encouraging social cohesion during the difficult process of African…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohammed-hussein-al-amoudi/football-is-a-personal-interest-which-has-been-turned-into-a/) Mohammed Hussein Al Amoudi > [But we've all ended up giving body and soul to Africa, one way or another. Even Adah, who's becoming an expert in tropical epidemiology…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kingsolver/but-we-ve-all-ended-up-giving-body-and-soul-to-africa-one-way-or/) [Barbara Kingsolver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kingsolver/) > [African Queen' is pretty darn great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-eggers/african-queen-is-pretty-darn-great/) [Robert Eggers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-eggers/) > [Most Americans know nothing about the African forest, and it seems to them a very scary, spooky dangerous place. I've spent a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-quammen/most-americans-know-nothing-about-the-african-forest-and-it-seems-to/) [David Quammen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-quammen/) Browse all 576 African quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was a youth, to be called 'African' was a diss. 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