Earlier this week, we published our list of the 50 best to ever do it in British rap (plus some honourable mentions), ranked by technical ability, cultural impact, mainstream success, and longevity, and the artist to take the number one spot was none other than Skepta.
Clinching the win for his innovations in rap, bridging the gap with grime, and the energising effect he had on both sounds, his ability to slip between the two and bring elements back and forth—merging the soundsystem energy of grime with the icy bravado of rap—made the two scenes all the more richer. Of course, Skep is far from the only rhymesmith to blend the two—there are plenty of other examples on the list—but it was the way he combined the two.
Ever since he first picked up the mic in the mid-2000s, his charismatic delivery, knack for earworm hooks, and innate understanding of style and presentation meant stardom was inevitable.
Skepta is also one of our scene’s most active and effective ambassadors, advocating for the UK across the States and the rest of the world and helping us become influential in our own right. Forging bonds with A$AP Rocky, Drake, Kanye, Pharrell and others, Skepta was a key figure in the pioneering group of rappers, MCs, DJs and producers who made the U.S. sit up, take notice, and even start to follow our cues.
Congrats to Joseph Junior Adenuga!
