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Skepta

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Skepta is a prominent figure in contemporary British popular culture.

Skepta
Skepta

His professional name comes from his real name, Joseph Olaitan Adenuga Jr. He is a multi-talented artist. He works as a grime MC, rapper, and record producer. He is also a DJ, fashion designer, film director, and visual artist. Born on September 19, 1982, he comes from a Nigerian background. His father is Yoruba and his mother is Igbo. He grew up in Winchmore Hill, North London. His influence is so significant that he appeared on Debrett's 2017 list of the most influential people in the UK.

Skepta's career began in the early 2000s within the grime music scene. Grime is a genre of electronic music characterized by fast tempos and energetic beats. He started as a DJ for the Meridian Crew. He performed sets on pirate radio stations, such as Heat FM 96.6. During this time, crew members sometimes called him "Scoopa Daniels." He began MCing, which means performing rap vocals, after being convinced by the artist Wiley. This transition occurred after the police took away his records. He later joined the group Roll Deep briefly before becoming a founding member of Boy Better Know in 2006.

One of the most famous moments in his early career was a musical clash. In the DVD release of Lord of the Mics 2, Skepta clashed with fellow MC Devilman. This event is remembered as one of the largest clashes in grime history. Following this, he released his debut studio album, Greatest Hits, in 2007 on his own label, Boy Better Know. He released his second album, Microphone Champion, in 2009. His third album, Doin' It Again, arrived in 2011 through the label AATW. This third album debuted at number 19 on the UK Albums Chart and stayed in the top 100 for three weeks.

Skepta experienced a massive shift in his career with the release of his fourth album. In 2016, he released Konnichiwa. This album reached number 2 in the UK music charts. It became the highest-charting album in the grime genre. The album featured hit singles such as "That's Not Me" and "Shutdown." Konnichiwa won the prestigious Mercury Prize. The music video for "That's Not Me," which featured his brother Jme, won Best Video at the 2014 MOBO Awards. Skepta noted that the video cost only £80 to produce.

Skepta photo
Skepta photo

His success eventually led to global collaborations and international recognition. In 2018, he produced and featured on the single "Praise the Lord (Da Shine)" by American rapper ASAP Rocky. This track became a global hit and was the highest-charting single for both artists. In 2019, his album Ignorance Is Bliss charted in fifteen different countries. He also released a collaborative album called Insomnia in 2020 with rappers Chip and Young Adz. This was his third album to reach the top 10 of the UK Albums Chart. He has also been nominated for three Brit Awards, including British Male Solo Artist.

Beyond music, Skepta explores various forms of creative expression. He made his acting debut in the 2015 film Anti-Social. He is also a visual artist who creates paintings. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, he produced a series of works. In September 2022, the auction house Sotheby's displayed these paintings for their "Contemporary Curated" series. He has even appeared in digital spaces, such as the Grand Theft Auto Online expansion. In that game, he appeared as himself serving as a radio host alongside Danny Brown. His reach extends to fashion, having been named one of GQ's 50 best-dressed British men in 2015.

Skepta in July 2019
Skepta in July 2019

Skepta also holds significant cultural status within his heritage. On April 4, 2018, he received a Nigerian chieftaincy in Ogun State. He was given the title "Amuludun of Odo-Aje," which means "Chief Entertainer." This honor connects his global success back to his Nigerian roots. He is a father of two children, a daughter named River and a son. Throughout his career, he has navigated various challenges, including visa denials that forced the cancellation of his "No Fear" tour. Despite these hurdles, he remains a central figure in the evolution of British music and culture.

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Skepta in July 2019.png
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