Skepta

Skepta, born Joseph Olaitan Adenuga Jr. on 19 September 1982, is an English grime MC, rapper, producer, DJ, fashion designer and film director. Raised in Tottenham, he emerged from North London’s grime world alongside his younger brother, Jme. The pair briefly joined Roll Deep before becoming founding members of Boy Better Know in 2005. Through the crew, Skepta took part in a clash with fellow MC Devilman for the Lord of the Mics 2 video release, an encounter remembered as one of grime’s biggest clashes.

His early albums were released independently: Greatest Hits arrived in 2007, followed by Microphone Champion in 2009. His third studio album, Doin’ It Again, was released by AATW in 2011. Skepta also made his film debut in the 2015 film Anti-Social.

His fourth album, Konnichiwa, was released in 2016 and included the singles “That’s Not Me” and “Shutdown.” The record won the Mercury Prize. In 2018, Skepta produced and featured on ASAP Rocky’s “Praise the Lord (Da Shine),” a global hit that became the highest-charting single for both artists. The following year’s Ignorance Is Bliss charted in 15 countries. In 2020, he joined Chip and Young Adz for the collaborative album Insomnia, which became his third album to reach the UK Albums Chart top 10.

Skepta has received three Brit Award nominations, including one for British Male Solo Artist. His role in contemporary British popular culture and grime was recognised with inclusion on Debrett’s 2017 list of the most influential people in the UK. On 4 April 2018, he received a Nigerian chieftaincy title, Amuludun of Odo-Aje.