Music
The story of Skepta told through 8 tracks
Charting the life and times of a grime superstar.
UK grime legend Skepta’s rise to global popularity has been a long time coming. Starting out in 2003 as a DJ in grime pioneers Meridian Crew – alongside fellow grime stars like President T, JME and more – Skepta produced classic grime instrumentals, as well as honing his skills as an MC, before launching his label Boy Better Know in 2005.
A decade on from grime’s initial rise, Skepta has made grime more popular than ever, with hits like That’s Not Me and Shutdown going global (and a Drake co-sign didn’t hurt, either). Since the release of 2016’s Konnichiwa, a landmark moment for how grime was perceived globally, Skepta has worked with A$AP Rocky, exposing grime to a whole new American audience, as well as placing Skepta amongst rap’s elite – and demonstrating that as the years have gone on, his production has only gotten better.
As Skepta gears up to release his fifth album, Ignorance Is Bliss, here’s the story of Skepta, told in 8 songs.
Private Caller
This is one of Skepta’s earliest productions, and was arguably Skepta’s first hit. It features Cookie, President T, Skepta’s brother and grime legend JME, Frisco, Meridian Dan and Scorcher going in. It was also Skepta’s first song to make it on TV, and features ringtone dials that evoke Wiley’s eskibeat wave, which is oft-considered to be the predecessor to grime.
Duppy
Released in 2006, this song is once again chock-full of features, featuring JME, Bossman Birdie, Bear Man, Footsie, Jammer, Wiley, Trim and MC Creed. Originally released as a standalone 12” on Skepta’s then-new label Boy Better Know, Duppy also appeared on his 2007 debut album Greatest Hits.
Look Out
Look Out appeared on Skepta’s 2009 sophmore album Microphone Champion, forming a collaboration with grime veteran Giggs, who at the time was considered the king of UK rap. In many ways, this was a coming together of two subgenres of UK hip-hop – and the result is the standout of a very, very good follow-up to his debut. It even features a Mario Bros. reference.
Ace Hood Flow
2012 was a turning point for Skepta. After dropping material that could be considered more mainstream-focused, many of his core fanbase were disappointed with the departure from his established sound. In response, he released the Blacklisted mixtape to prove he hadn’t fallen off. Ace Hood Flow was the first single from the album, and was a response to those doubting him – as well as a challenge to other UK rappers. "I've been keeping my ear to the streets / the UK's run out of ideas, everybody's doing covers of American beats.” It’s easy to forget the context of this mixtape, but at the time cynics were calling grime dead – with NME saying that Skepta’s album Doin’ It Again represented “the sound of grime destroying itself.” Clearly, things would be ok.
That’s Not Me
An intentional throwback to the early era of grime, That’s Not Me features Skepta and JME going off like a loaded gun. This would be the start of Skepta’s true success overseas, which is ironic given the track’s message of not seeking overseas approval. The music video, which was made to invoke old grime videos and was made on the grand budget of 80 pounds, completes the song. “Yeah, I used to wear Gucci / I put it all in the bin cause that’s not me” is not an empty statement, but a shedding of the skin for Skepta – a return to his roots. Released well before fourth LP Konnichiwa, That’s Not Me set the bar almost unreasonably high for the highly anticipated album – and yet, Skepta managed to smash all expectations.
Shutdown
Shutdown is Skepta’s biggest song, almost without question. Voted the best song of 2015 by the Guardian, Skepta emerged from grime’s lean years a leader. The song is representative of grime’s newfound success, too – featuring a quote from Drake, arguably hip-hop’s biggest star, a world away from what Wiley would have thought possible a decade ago. This recognition would see Skepta become a worldwide name, without having to give up his grime roots – which might not have seemed possible only a few years before.
Praise the Lord (Da Shine)
Produced by Skepta, as well as featuring on the track – Praise the Lord comes of A$AP Rocky’s third album TESTING, which features the likes of Frank Ocean, Kid Cudi, Dev Hynes and FKA Twigs, amongst others. This collaboration is a result of Skepta and Rocky on LSD – a theme throughout Rocky’s discography. Skepta’s production on this track is some of his best yet, and solidified him as not just a UK superstar, but a global one.
Bullet From A Gun
Produced by Skepta, in collaboration with Ragz Originale, Bullet From A Gun is the first taste of Skepta’s upcoming fifth album Ignorance Is Bliss, and rather than being a proverbial bullet, is much more contemplative. It discusses his fatherhood – “All I know is there’s no better feeling / than getting home and seeing my little girl in a cot” and dealing with your issues “You gotta face your demons / don’t matter how much money you earn.” It’s a great first taste of the upcoming album, and alongside Greaze Mode, demonstrates an evolution of the sound put forward on 2017 EP Vicious.
Bonus: Skepta vs Devilman – Lord of the Mics 2
While it’s not technically an official studio release, Skepta’s clash with Devilman is considered a landmark moment in grime history. While it’s oft debated who won, what’s not up for debate is the importance of this clash, for both Skepta and grime. Up until this clash, Skepta wasn’t considered a household name, but as Lord of the Mics organiser Jammer put it in an interview with the Fader – “after that clash everyone knew who he was and wanted to hear what he had to say.”