Konnichiwa (2016)

Konnichiwa is the fourth studio album by British rapper Skepta. The title is the greeting "hello" in the Japanese language. After numerous delays, it was released on 6 May 2016 by Boy Better Know. Konnichiwa features guest appearances from Jme, Boy Better Know, D Double E, Novelist, Wiley, Chip, Pharrell Williams, ASAP Nast and Young Lord. Konnichiwa was executively produced by Skepta himself, who produced all but three songs on the album. Pharrell also worked on production with Skepta on the album.

Konnichiwa was originally announced in early 2013, yet suffered from numerous delays and reworking. In November 2014, Skepta stated that Konnichiwa was to be released in March 2015, however this release date was delayed once again. In April 2016, Skepta restarted the album campaign by announcing the finalised release date. The album was launched with a party in Tokyo on 5 May 2016 arranged and broadcast globally by live streaming platform Boiler Room.

Konnichiwa peaked at number two on the UK Albums Chart. The album also charted in Australia, Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States. It was supported by four singles, including the top 40 entries "That's Not Me", "Shutdown" and "Man". Konnichiwa is certified Gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). The album received acclaim from critics as well, who praised its role and success in the resurgence of grime music and its cultural identity.

It was included in numerous end-of-year lists for best albums of 2016 by many publications, including NME, The Guardian and Apple Music, who named the album as the best of 2016. Konnichiwa won the 2016 Mercury Prize.

Background

In 2012, Skepta released two singles planned in promotion for his forthcoming fourth album – "Hold On" and "Make Peace Not War". Both were Top 40 charting singles in the UK but were a departure from Skepta's usual sound. Skepta's fourth 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. The Honeymoon project was ultimately scrapped and replaced by the working title Konnichiwa, while also parting ways with his label 3 Beat and seeking the production and release of the album independently.

Konnichiwa was originally announced in early 2013, yet suffered from numerous delays and reworking. It was initially supported by the single "Lay Her Down" featuring Kano, along with a release date of late 2013. However, after announcing near-completion the single and release was scrapped and Skepta took another approach to the album campaign. It was announced by Skepta to be released in 2014, stating that he completed nine songs and required six more to be finished. In November 2014, Skepta stated that Konnichiwa was to be released in March 2015, however this release date was delayed once again. In April 2016, Skepta restarted the album campaign by announcing the finalised release date.

Conception and recording

In an interview with BBC Radio 1Xtra's DJ Semtex, Skepta talked about the emotions behind recording his album to his relationship with Canadian rapper Drake, he revealed that he didn't know how the rapper found out about him, "I can't tell how he heard of me. I will never know, but I'll put my money on him finding me online and searching for my music because that's what he's like – he's a music lover. For me, it was a blessing that he was co-signing me and bigging me up, because I'm still gonna do what I'm gonna do anyway," he continued. "I'm just blessed to have them man supporting. My album came out on the 6th when I was in Toronto and it's like home. The way they've got me out there is mad."Skepta explained that he considered his album to be like "a movie", "Konnichiwa is a classic, The album [was] delayed for kick drums. To put it out was a definite happy point." He also talked about dealing with his critics in the grime scene, "I'm out for revenge, fam, I come into this ting pure-hearted and loving music, and people take me for an idiot, you get what I'm saying? So when I spit now people are gonna hear a madman, they're gonna hear a monster, they're gonna hear someone who's out for revenge - and I'm out for revenge". Skepta stated that music would "represent the country" (Britain).