Skepta | |
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Born | Joseph Olaitan Adenuga Jr 19 September 1982 Tottenham, London, England |
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Years active | 2002–present |
Children | 2 |
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Joseph Olaitan Adenuga Jr. [1] (born 19 September 1982), known professionally as Skepta, is a British grime MC, rapper, record producer and DJ. Alongside his younger brother Jme, he briefly joined Roll Deep before they became founding members of Boy Better Know in 2005. With Boy Better Know, Skepta clashed with fellow MC Devilman for the video release Lord of the Mics 2, in what is remembered as one of the biggest clashes in grime history. [2] [3]
Skepta released his debut studio album Greatest Hits in 2007 and his second album, Microphone Champion in 2009, both independently; while his third studio album Doin' It Again was released in 2011 by AATW. He made his acting debut in the 2015 film Anti-Social . Skepta's fourth studio album, Konnichiwa (2016), featured the hit singles "That's Not Me" and "Shutdown". The album, which was widely acclaimed, won the Mercury Prize.
In 2018, he produced and was featured on American rapper ASAP Rocky's single "Praise the Lord (Da Shine)", which became both artists' highest-charting single and a global hit. In 2019, Skepta released Ignorance Is Bliss , which charted in fifteen countries. Insomnia (2020), a collaborative album with British rappers Chip and Young Adz, became Skepta's third album to reach the top 10 of the UK Albums Chart.
Skepta has been nominated for three Brit Awards, including the Brit Award for British Male Solo Artist. His influence on contemporary British popular culture as a key figure in the grime scene saw him appear on Debrett's 2017 list of the most influential people in the UK. [4] He received a Nigerian chieftaincy on 4 April 2018, with his title being "Amuludun of Odo-Aje".
Joseph Olaitan Adenuga Jr. was born on 19 September 1982, [5] to Nigerian parents, [6] of respective Yoruba (paternal) and Igbo (maternal) backgrounds, in Tottenham, North London. [7] He is the eldest of four children; fellow musician Jme, radio presenter Julie and graphic designer Jason. [8]
Skepta was originally a DJ from Tottenham-based grime collective Meridian Crew. The Meridian Crew performed 'sets' or sessions on pirate radio (most notably Heat FM 96.6) where fellow crew members sometimes referred to him as "Scoopa Daniels". [9] [10] [11] Early in his career, Skepta released "Pulse Eskimo" in 2002, [12] as well as instrumentals "DTI (Pirate Station Anthem)" and "Private Caller". [13]
Skepta began MCing shortly before Meridian Crew disbanded in 2005, after which Skepta, alongside his brother Jme, joined Roll Deep for a short period of time before becoming founding members of Boy Better Know in 2006. Skepta was convinced to begin MCing by Wiley after his records were taken away from him by the police. [14] Following the formation of Boy Better Know, Skepta clashed with fellow MC Devilman for the DVD Lord of the Mics 2, in what is remembered as one of the biggest clashes in grime history. [2] [3] Shortly after the clash, Skepta released a mixtape entitled "Joseph Junior Adenuga". Skepta publicly released his debut album Greatest Hits on 17 September 2007, on his label Boy Better Know.
Skepta self-released the first single "Rolex Sweep" in September 2008 and reached number 89 on the UK Singles Chart. Skepta then released the album Microphone Champion on 1 June 2009. He then also released single "Too Many Man" with Jme, Wiley, Frisco and Shorty, which went to chart at number 79. Skepta has released five singles off his third studio album Doin' It Again (first with a major label), titled "Bad Boy", "Rescue Me", "Cross My Heart" featuring Preeya Kalidas, "So Alive" and "Amnesia", as well as a video for the Hello Good Morning (Grime Remix). Three singles charted in the Top 40 of the UK Singles Chart, with "Rescue Me" being the most successful at number 14. "Cross My Heart" came in at number 31 and dropped out of the Top 40 a week later. Doin' It Again spent 3 weeks in the top 100 album charts and debuted and peaked at number 19 on its first week of release. In 2011, Skepta caused a controversy by releasing a hardcore music video of his single "All Over the House". [15]
In 2012, Skepta released two singles from his fourth forthcoming album. Both "Hold On" and "Make Peace Not War" were Top 40 charting singles in the UK but were a departure from Skepta's usual sound. Skepta's second major label album was intended to be released in the fourth quarter of 2011, entitled The Honeymoon but was delayed till 2012. After a disappointing response from the first two singles Skepta decided to release a purchasable mixtape, titled Blacklisted. It was released on 2 December 2012 along with music videos to support the release prior to the release.
In March 2014, Skepta provided a verse for the remix of "German Whip" by Meridian Dan, and in the same month, he released his new single, "That's Not Me", featuring his brother Jme, peaking at number 21 on the UK charts. [16] The single's music video won the award for Best Video at the 2014 MOBO Awards. [17] Upon receiving the award, Skepta stated that the video cost him £80. [18] In late 2014, Skepta released another single titled "It Ain't Safe" featuring ASAP Bari. This was followed in early 2015 with "Shutdown", as well as features on "Red Eye to Paris" by Flatbush Zombies and the remix of "Ojuelegba" by Wizkid, also featuring Drake. Skepta and others joined Kanye West at a surprise show in London, performing numerous songs together during a shared set. [19] He was also named one of GQ 's 50 best dressed British men in 2015. [20]
In an interview it stated that Skepta's making his acting debut in 2015 film Anti-Social , released initially in May. [21] On 14 February 2016 Skepta released "Ladies Hit Squad" featuring grime artist D Double E and American rapper ASAP Nast, of the New York-based ASAP Mob. Through a post on Instagram, Skepta announced that his album, Konnichiwa was due to be released on 6 May 2016. [22] Konnichiwa became Grime's highest-charting album, peaking at number 2 in the UK music charts. [23] Konnichiwa features songs such as "That's Not Me", "Shutdown" and "Man". The release of Konnichiwa was celebrated with a launch party on 5 May 2016 held in Tokyo and live streamed on Boiler Room, featuring a live performance of the entire album by Skepta and supporting performances from Japanese trap artists Kohh, Dutch Montana, Loota, and DJ Riki. [24] [25] [26] [27]
Skepta began his "Banned From America" two-part, 14-show tour on 16 April 2017 at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, which covered cities throughout the United States and Europe. [28] [29] The tour was named as such in reference to Skepta's forced cancellation of his 2016 "No Fear" American tour in support of Konnichiwa, when his application for a visa to enter the United States was denied. [30]
Skepta released his Vicious EP on 31 October 2017, with songs featuring ASAP Rocky, Lil B, and Section Boyz. In the summer of 2017, rumours on the underground dance scene suggested an imminent collaboration between Skepta and drum'n'bass pioneer Goldie. This was confirmed in Goldie's 2017 memoir All Things Remembered, which refers to him having done a track with Skepta. It has not yet been released. [31]
Skepta featured on ASAP Rocky's "Praise the Lord (Da Shine)", which was released in May 2018. The single charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Also in May, Skepta released his single "Pure Water", which peaked at number 78 in the UK. [32] He followed this in June with "Energy (Stay Far Away)" with Wizkid, which reached number 59. [32] In 2020, Skepta appeared alongside Pop Smoke on Kid Cudi’s song “Show Out” from Cudi’s album Man on the Moon III: The Chosen. [33] In December 2019, Skepta also appeared as himself in a Grand Theft Auto Online expansion as a radio host with Danny Brown. Brown also lent his voice to another fictional character in the game. [34] He also collaborated with Gorillaz and Tony Allen on the song "How Far?" in May 2020. [35] [36]
On 30 July 2021, Skepta released his EP, All In. [37]
In 2022, Skepta signed with Wasserman Music for worldwide representation. [38]
In October 2023, Skepta released "Can't Play Myself (A Tribute to Amy)", which samples Amy Winehouse's "Tears Dry on Their Own". [39]
In January 2024, he apologised after artwork for his upcoming single, "Gas Me Up (Diligent)", received criticism online for bearing "unintentional but palpable allusions" to the Holocaust; the pictures in question depicted images from 1980s skinhead culture. In his apology, Skepta emphasised the unintended parallels, but vowed "to be more mindful going forward." [40]
In January 2016, Skepta punched a man in the mouth after an altercation a Melbourne nightclub and pleaded guilty to recklessly causing injury. No conviction was recorded, but he was fined $2,500 and ordered to pay $10,000 to the victim. [41]
In 2009, Skepta was convicted of common assault in London and fined over assault occasioning actual bodily harm in Cyprus in 2006, which he said occurred after a large group of men racially abused him and his friends and a fight broke out. [42]
On 4 April 2018, Skepta was installed as a chief in his Nigerian hometown in Ogun State, receiving the chieftaincy title of the Amuludun ("Chief Entertainer") of Odo-Aje. [43] [44]
Skepta has two children, a daughter and a son. [45] [46] [47] [48]
He is also a visual artist: in September 2022, Sotheby's put on display some of his paintings, all of which had been created during the COVID-19 lockdowns, for the "Contemporary Curated" art series. [49]
On 2 December 2024, he hosted a DJ set at Jaguar's launch event for the Type 00 concept car at the Art Week in Miami, Florida. [50]
Studio albums
Collaborative albums
Mixtapes
Year | Award | Category | Recipients and nominees | Result |
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2011 | BET Awards | Best International Act: UK | Skepta | Nominated |
2014 | MOBO Awards [51] | Best Video | "That's Not Me" (feat. Jme) | Won |
2015 | MOBO Awards [51] | Best Song | "Shutdown" | Won |
2016 | Ivor Novello Awards [52] | Best Contemporary Song | Nominated | |
Ivor Novello Awards | Songwriter of the Year | n/a | Won | |
Q Awards [53] | Best Track | "Man" | Nominated | |
Best Solo Artist | Skepta | Nominated | ||
Mercury Prize [54] | Album of the Year | Konnichiwa | Won | |
MOBO Awards [55] | Best Album | Nominated | ||
Best Grime Act | Skepta | Nominated | ||
Best Male Act | Nominated | |||
BET Awards [56] | Best International Act: UK | Won | ||
2017 | NME Awards [57] | Best British Male | Won | |
Best Album supported | Konnichiwa | Nominated | ||
Best Track | "Man" | Nominated | ||
Music Moment Of The Year | Skepta wins Mercury Prize | Nominated | ||
BRIT Awards | British Male Solo Artist | Skepta | Nominated | |
British Breakthrough Act | Nominated | |||
MasterCard British Album of the Year | Konnichiwa | Nominated | ||
BET Awards [58] | Best International Act: Europe | Skepta | Nominated | |
2024 | Ivor Novello Award [59] | Visionary Award with Amazon Music | Skepta | Won |
2024 | AFRIFF 2024 | Audience Choice Awards | Tribal Mark | Won |
Maxwell Owusu Ansah, known by his stage name Lethal Bizzle, is a British rapper from Walthamstow, London, of Ghanaian origin. He emerged in 2002 as a grime MC as part of More Fire Crew, with their grime single "Oi!" charting in the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart. His debut solo single "Pow! (Forward)" attracted attention for its aggressive content, charting at number 11 despite being banned from airplay and clubs. Although known notably for his single releases, Lethal Bizzle released his debut studio album, Against All Oddz, in 2005, followed by Back to Bizznizz in 2007.
Roll Deep are a British grime crew. They were founded in 2001 by Wiley shortly before the disbandment of UK garage crew Pay As U Go Cartel.
Kane Brett Robinson, better known as Kano, is a British rapper, songwriter and actor from East Ham, London. His fifth album, Made in the Manor was shortlisted for the 2016 Mercury Prize and won Best Album at the 2016 MOBO Awards. On screen, he played the role of Sully in Top Boy.
Boy Better Know, often abbreviated as BBK, is a British grime collective and record label. The collective was founded in North London in 2005 as an independent record label by brothers Jamie and Joseph Adenuga, better known as Jme and Skepta, respectively. The former also serves as a sole owner and director of an associated company, Boy Better Know Limited, incorporated in 2008. All members of the collective use the record label as a means to publish their music, and is digitally distributed by The Orchard, a subsidiary of Sony Music.
Jahmaal Noel Fyffe, better known by his stage name Chip, is an English rapper from Tottenham, London. In the past 14 years he has collaborated with the likes of Skepta, T.I., Meek Mill, Young Adz and many others. In 2009, he released his debut album, I Am Chipmunk, featuring four songs which peaked in the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart, including the chart-topping "Oopsy Daisy". In 2011, Chipmunk released his follow-up album, the American hip hop-influenced Transition. It included the single "Champion" featuring Chris Brown, which peaked at #2 on the UK Singles Chart.
Jamie Adenuga, known professionally as Jme, is a British grime MC, songwriter, record producer and DJ who was born in Hackney, and raised in Tottenham. He is the co-founder of the crew and label Boy Better Know. He also serves as a sole owner and director of an associated company, Boy Better Know Limited, which he incorporated in 2008. He was previously part of the grime collective Meridian Crew and later Roll Deep alongside his older brother, Skepta.
The following is a discography of Skepta, a British MC from Tottenham, London. He is a producer and DJ commonly associated with the North London grime scene, including Roll Deep and Boy Better Know. Skepta released his debut album Greatest Hits on 17 September 2007. It was released on the Boy Better Know label. Skepta self-released the first single "Rolex Sweep" in September 2008, which reached number 89 on the UK Singles Chart. He released the album Microphone Champion on 1 June 2009. The single "Too Many Man", with JME, Wiley, Frisco and Shorty, charted at number 79.
"Can You Hear Me? (Ayayaya)" is a single from British grime artist Wiley, featuring vocals from Skepta, Jme and Ms D. It was released as the second single from his ninth album, The Ascent, on 28 October 2012 for digital download in the United Kingdom. It was written by Richard Cowie, Joseph Adenuga, Jamie Adenuga, Dayo Olatunji and produced by Rymez and Sillkey.
Shakka Philip, known simply as Shakka, is a British singer, songwriter and record producer signed to Pitched Up, Columbia Records and Sony Music.
Krept and Konan is a British hip hop duo from London, consisting of Casyo Valentine "Krept" Johnson BEM and Karl Dominic "Konan" Wilson BEM, the son of Delroy Wilson otherwise known as 'Jamaica's first child star'. Their first major release was the mixtape Young Kingz, released on 2 September 2013. As of 3 May 2013, Krept and Konan signed a record deal with Virgin EMI Records.
Meridian Dan is a grime MC from Tottenham, North London. He is best known for his 2014 single "German Whip", and is a former member of seminal grime crews Meridian and Bloodline.
"That's Not Me" is a song by British MC Skepta, featuring his brother Jme. It was released on 8 June 2014 as a digital download in the United Kingdom on iTunes as the lead single from Skepta's fourth album Konnichiwa (2016). The song peaked at number 21 on the UK Singles Chart.
Kwadwo Quentin Kankam, better known by his stage name Novelist, is a British grime MC and record producer from Lewisham in South London. He was a founding member of the Square crew and was nominated for Best Grime Act at the 2014 MOBO Awards. He has been called the "new face of grime" and was described as "the poster child for the first generation of real grime kids" by DJ Logan Sama.
Julie Oluwatoyin Chidozie Adenuga is a British broadcaster, radio host and the creator of Don't Trust The Internet. She was one of the three lead DJs for Beats 1, Apple's 24/7 radio station as part of Apple Music.
Integrity> is the third album by grime rapper Jme, It was released on 4 May 2015 independently on Boy Better Know. Throughout the years leading up to the album, Jme released numerous singles such as "96 Fuckries" and "Work" that were included on the track list of Integrity>. "Calm" was originally credited as Tommy Kruise featuring Jme, and appeared on his October 2014 EP entitled Fête Foreign. The album was commercially successful, entering the UK Albums Chart at number 12. It is one of the 19 records nominated for the IMPALA Album of the Year Award 2015.
Konnichiwa is the fourth studio album by British rapper Skepta. The title is the greeting "hello" in the Japanese language. After numerous delays, it was released on 6 May 2016 by Boy Better Know. Konnichiwa features guest appearances from Jme, Boy Better Know, D Double E, Novelist, Wiley, Chip, Pharrell Williams, ASAP Nast and Young Lord. Konnichiwa was executively produced by Skepta himself, who produced all but three songs on the album. Pharrell also worked on production with Skepta on the album.
"Ladies Hit Squad" is a song performed by English rapper Skepta featuring vocals from D Double E and ASAP Nast. It was released as the third single from Skepta's fourth album Konnichiwa (2016) on 14 February 2016 through Boy Better Know. The song peaked at number 89 on the UK Singles Chart and number 28 on the UK R&B Singles Chart. The song shares its name with a UK garage crew consisting of Wiley, DJ Target and Maxwell D, which was active around the beginning of the 21st century.
"Man" is a song performed by English rapper Skepta. It was released as an instant grat single from Skepta's fourth album Konnichiwa (2016) on 14 April 2016 through Boy Better Know. The song peaked at number 34 on the UK Singles Chart and number 7 on the UK R&B Singles Chart. The song was written and produced by Joseph Adenuga. The song's main riff is sampled from the song "Regular John" by American stoner rock band Queens of the Stone Age. Pitchfork ranked it 77th on their 100 Best Songs of 2016 list.
Deshane Cornwall, known professionally as Frisco, is a British grime MC, songwriter and record producer who is part of the Boy Better Know (BBK) music label which includes Jme, Skepta, Jammer, among others. He has released three solo albums and a series of mixtapes, guested on tracks by his label mates and established a successful monthly grime event in East London, contributing to the popularity of grime within the UK music scene.
"Praise the Lord (Da Shine)" is a song by American rapper ASAP Rocky featuring vocals and sole production from English rapper Skepta, released as the second single from the former's third studio album Testing on June 26, 2018. It marks the third collaboration between both artists, following Skepta's appearance on ASAP Mob's Cozy Tapes Vol. 1: Friends and Rocky's appearance on Skepta's Vicious EP in 2017.