斯凯普塔

Joseph Olaitan Adenuga Jr (; born 19 September 1982), known professionally as Skepta, is a British grime music MC, rapper, record producer, fashion designer, film director and DJ. Alongside his younger brother Jme, he briefly joined Roll Deep before founding Boy Better Know in 2005. With Boy Better Know, Skepta clashed with fellow Grime MC Devilman for the video release Lord of the Mics 2, in what is remembered as one of the biggest clashes in grime history.

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 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.

Early life

Joseph Olaitan Adenuga Jr. was born on 19 September 1982, to Nigerian parents, of respective Yoruba (paternal) and Igbo (maternal) backgrounds. Skepta grew up in Winchmore Hill, North London and went to the Winchmore School. He is the eldest of four children; fellow musician Jme, radio presenter Julie and graphic designer Jason.

Career

2002–2007: Career beginnings and Greatest Hits

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". Early in his career, Skepta released "Pulse Eskimo" in 2002, as well as instrumentals "DTI (Pirate Station Anthem)" and "Private Caller".

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. 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. 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.