SKEPTA

SKEPTA - VISIONARY AWARD WITH AMAZON MUSIC

“They try to steal my vision,” Skepta rapped on his 2015 hit Shutdown. “This ain’t a culture, it’s my religion.”

And, in truth, anybody trying to take on Joseph Adenuga’s concept for modern music success on their own terms would likely struggle. Because Skepta – as he’s much better known – has always dealt in the biggest of big pictures.

Skepta’s musical prowess has never been in doubt since he first began MC-ing back in the 2000s. Throughout his career, he has produced songs and albums so far ahead of their time that they’ve prompted a complete reset of the scene. Think of how his 2007 debut, boldly titled Greatest Hits, declared the arrival of a serious new talent. Or how 2016’s Konnichiwa became a cultural landmark, cleaning up everywhere from his home streets of Tottenham to the Mercury Prize. That year, he also won the Songwriter of the Year Ivor Novello.

But as undeniable as his music has always been, there is much more to Skepta. Early on, he formed grime collective/ record label Boy Better Know with his brother Jme, enabling many artists – including themselves – to break through without having to compromise for the music industry.

When BBK staged a takeover of The O2 in London in 2017, it was a true watershed moment for British Black Music and Boy Better Know made sure the doors stayed open to let a host of other UK artists come through.

No wonder some of the best rappers of the last 20 years have been queuing up to collaborate with Skepta: from AJ Tracey to Drake to Wizkid, he has always matched himself against the best.

In short, as he said himself on 2016’s Corn On The Curb: “I broke down a few more barricades/Got me a few more accolades”.

And, even with the Visionary Award in his locker, you know he’s just getting started.