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Skepta

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Skepta
Skepta performing in 2019
Born
Joseph Olaitan Adenuga Jr

(1982-09-19) 19 September 1982 (age 42)
Tottenham, London, England
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • record producer
  • songwriter
  • disc jockey
Years active2002–present
Children2
Relatives
Musical career
Genres
Labels

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".

Early life

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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]

Career

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2002–2007: Career beginnings and Greatest Hits

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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.

2008–2011: Microphone Champion and Doin' It Again

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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]

2012–2017: Blacklisted and Konnichiwa

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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.

Skepta in 2014

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]

2018–present: Ignorance Is Bliss, All In and collaborations

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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]

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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]

Personal life

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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]

Discography

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Main article: Skepta discography

Studio albums

Collaborative albums

Mixtapes

  • Joseph Junior Adenuga (2006)
  • Been There Done That (2010)
  • Community Payback (2011)
  • Blacklisted (2012)
  • The Tim Westwood Mix (2015)
  • All In (2021)

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Recipients and nominees Result
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

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ibile, Fagbo (5 April 2018). "Skepta Bags Chieftaincy Title In Ogun State". TheGuardian.ng. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  2. ^ a b Yates, Kieran (3 October 2014). "Jammer's top grime clashes: featuring Wiley, Kano, Skepta, Devilman and more". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 9 May 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  3. ^ a b Trammell, Matthew (4 May 2015). "Why Grime Beef Might Shake Rap Awake This Year". The FADER. Archived from the original on 20 February 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  4. ^ "Debrett's 500 List: Music". The Daily Telegraph. 21 January 2017. Archived from the original on 21 February 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  5. ^ "Thank you for all the birthday wishes, I appreciate it trust me. Love". Twitter. 19 September 2015.
  6. ^ O'Brien, Jon. "Skepta". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
  7. ^ Okoh, Lize (8 May 2018). "Skepta: Why This Rap Chief Is so Big in Nigeria". Culture Trip. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  8. ^ "Skepta, JME, Julie ... are the Adenugas Britain's most creative family?". the Guardian. 16 October 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  9. ^ Old Meridian Crew Heat FM set Sept 2002 JME Skepta Big H Bossman on YouTube
  10. ^ MERIDIAN CREW ON HEAT FM, 2004 on YouTube
  11. ^ Dj skepta meridian crew ft wood green mobb heat fm 2001 on YouTube
  12. ^ Hancox, Dan (4 June 2015). "Skepta's Mission". The FADER. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  13. ^ Ward, Billy (26 June 2019). "The Dummy guide to Skepta". Dummy. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  14. ^ Rinse:04 – Skepta - Rinse:04 – Skepta | Rinse FM, archived from the original on 27 October 2019, retrieved 27 October 2019
  15. ^ Moir, Sam (25 March 2011). "Skepta's new video: a step too far?". The Independent. Archived from the original on 22 September 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  16. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100: 15 June 2014 – 21 June 2014". OfficialCharts.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  17. ^ "Leading the way for UK Youth Culture". What's Good?. Archived from the original on 19 March 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
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  19. ^ "Watch Kanye West perform with Raekwon, Skepta and more". FACT Magazine. 4 March 2015. Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  20. ^ Johnston, Robert (5 January 2015). "50 Best Dressed Men in Britain 2015". GQ. Archived from the original on 7 January 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
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  22. ^ Skepta. "Official Announcement". Instagram. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017.
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  27. ^ Barron, Michael Scott (7 May 2016). "Watch Japanese Rappers Spit Grime in the Video for Skepta's 'Konnichiwa' Album Launch". Thump. Archived from the original on 10 May 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  28. ^ Cheung, HP (29 March 2017). "Skepta Announces 'Banned From America' Tour Dates". HYPEBEAST. Archived from the original on 27 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  29. ^ Glenn, Ezra (19 March 2017). "Skepta Announced The Dates For His Banned From America Tour". The FADER. Archived from the original on 28 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  30. ^ "Skepta denied entry to America after being refused a visa". Newsbeat. 16 April 2016. Archived from the original on 28 May 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  31. ^ "All Things Remembered". Faber and Faber. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  32. ^ a b "Skepta". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 1 November 2018. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  33. ^ Spina, Ellie (11 December 2020). "Kid Cudi Drops "Show Out" With Pop Smoke & Skepta Off "Man On The Moon III"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  34. ^ "Introducing iFruit Radio". Rockstar Games Newswire. 10 December 2019. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  35. ^ Yoo, Noah (2 May 2020). "Gorillaz Share New Song "How Far?" With Tony Allen and Skepta: Listen". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 2 May 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  36. ^ "Gorillaz – How Far? Ft. Tony Allen & Skepta". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  37. ^ "Skepta returns with New EP, "All In"". Office Magazine. 30 July 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  38. ^ Garcia, Thania. "Music Industry Moves: Skepta Signs With Wasserman; Republic Ups Beau Benton to Senior VP". Variety Magazine. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  39. ^ "Skepta pays tribute to Amy Winehouse on new single 'Can't Play Myself'". Rolling Stone. 13 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  40. ^ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (10 January 2024). "UK rapper Skepta apologises after criticism of artwork for evoking Holocaust". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  41. ^ 10 Sept 2018, Lane Sainty, https://www.buzzfeed.com/lanesainty/grime-artist-skepta-australia-visa-tour
  42. ^ 10 Sept 2018, Lane Sainty, https://www.buzzfeed.com/lanesainty/grime-artist-skepta-australia-visa-tour
  43. ^ Agbo, Njideka (5 April 2018). "Skepta Bags Chieftancy Title In Ogun State". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 6 October 2018.
  44. ^ "Skepta has been made a chief in Nigeria". BBC News. 5 April 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  45. ^ Skepto (31 July 2018). "🌹". Instagram. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  46. ^ "Skepta is on baby duty as he feeds newborn - months after sparking dad rumours". 11 December 2018. Archived from the original on 12 December 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  47. ^ "Skepta's Baby: Everything You Need To Know About The Child". Daily Feed. 11 July 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  48. ^ "Skepta's Baby Daughter Revealed in First Picture". Capital XTRA. Archived from the original on 3 January 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  49. ^ "A Life Less Ordinary: Skepta". YouTube.
  50. ^ Jolly, Jasper (3 December 2024). "Jaguar boss says it has shown 'fearless creativity' with new electric car". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  51. ^ a b "MOBO Awards – Urban Music and Culture". MOBO Organisation. Archived from the original on 9 March 2017. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  52. ^ Ellis-Petersen, Hannah (19 April 2016). "Ivor Novellos give nod to grime artist Skepta as Adele overlooked". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 24 June 2017.
  53. ^ "StubHub Q Awards 2016 Shortlist Announced! Vote Now To Decide This Year's Winners". Q. Archived from the original on 20 October 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  54. ^ "Mercury Prize 2016: David Bowie gets posthumous nomination". BBC News. 4 August 2016. Archived from the original on 21 February 2017. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  55. ^ "MOBO Awards 2016: See The Full Nominations List". Capital XTRA. 21 September 2016. Archived from the original on 16 February 2017. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  56. ^ "BET Awards Announce 2016 Nominees". HotNewHipHop. 20 May 2016. Archived from the original on 4 May 2017. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  57. ^ Nunes, Caian (15 February 2017). "Adele e Beyoncé ganham prêmios no NME Awards 2017" [Adele and Beyoncé win awards at NME Awards 2017]. POPline (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 18 February 2017. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  58. ^ "Beyoncé and Bruno Mars lead 2017 BET Awards nominations". Channel24. 15 May 2017. Archived from the original on 17 May 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  59. ^ Brown, Anna (23 May 2024). "Winners of The Ivors with Amazon Music announced". The Ivors Academy. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
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