“Dread” is a lesson on Protoje’s history, present and what he sees in his future. It’s also a lesson on music history with its neat use of Dub. Speaking on Protoje’s website, Don Corleon said:
Ah Dread, this track made me see his music in a different light, and it really showed how his versatility...
[Intro]
It's gonna be
What is it gonna be
I said it's gonna be
Telling you it's gonna be
[Chorus]
My mommy said from the fuss day that she hold my head
That I was gonna be dread
So now I'm gonna be dread
(Weh, I, I)
My mommy said from the fuss day that she hold my head
I was gonna be dread
So now I'm gonna be dread
[Verse 1]
(Ay, ay)
Hockey jersey inna heat, Patrick Ewing pon the feet
Buju Banton pon the beat, unnu memba that?
'92 December that
Paco jeans and Travel Fox boots from vendor that
Mi just a learn say rubbers a no pencil top, I pencil that
Write it out now, bet you say them fight it out now
When a no now man a fight with Po Po
Police leave me colleagues please
Soldier, leff the green inna can like Folgers
Like say a coffee that haffi pack
Conceal the smell, collect it and unseal it then
Unleash it till the first mill reaching in
No sleep we bleaching, fi make money like Lee-Chin
Or at least him brother them
So we can try get a super buss
Until the money surplus like Super Plus
Is a must
[Chorus]
My mommy said from the fuss day that she hold my head
That I was gonna be dread
So now I'm gonna be dread
(Weh, I, I)
My mommy said from the fuss day that she hold my head
I was gonna be dread
So now I'm gonna be dread
[Verse 2]
I used to get a bounce pon mi cheque
But now mi get a cheque every time mi track a bounce pon yuh deck
Plus mi get a nod and a bounce from u neck
And a 'ow she pronounce when she bounce pon me
A 1000 for the ounce of the brown pon a stick or a stalk or a stem
But the pound do the trick for me, for me
Full a so much ganja talk
Just come in from mi ganja walk, oh yes it is pon me
The lyrics make dem conversate it
Police want fi confiscate it, when dem see it pon me
But squaddy say him love mi music
And that must be why me use it, so him leave it pon me
So mi leave promptly and go back a the yard
Go back and record, Diggy lean pon me
No sleep we hunting, fi make money like Bunting
Fi achieve this one thing cause
[Chorus]
My mommy said from the fuss day that she hold my head
That I was gonna be dread
So now I'm gonna be dread
(Weh, I, I)
My mommy said from the fuss day that she hold my head
I was gonna be dread
So now I'm gonna be dread
[Outro]
(It's gonna be)
(What is it gonna be)
(I said it's gonna be)
Telling you it's gonna be
It's gonna be, who gonna be
We gonna be, it's gotta be
I gotta be dread, dread
From the first time I show ma head
I gotta be dread
From the first time I show ma head
I gotta be dread, dread, dread
Dread, dread, dread
Dread
Dread was written by Protoje.
Dread was produced by Don Corleon.