Exclusives 31 July 2021
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Author: Jack Lynch

GRM EXCLUSIVE: 9 Skepta Hidden Gems

31 July 2021
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Skepta Hidden Gems
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BBK’s Skepta is one of the most respected, admired and successful grime MC’s that has helped put the genre on the map. Without influence from Skepta, the scene would not be where it is today. Joseph Junior Adenuga came up in Tottenham, where he began his career as a DJ. Skeppy then went on to become a serial sheller during his time on Lord of the Mics.

From his time as a clasher in the early days of his career, the MC then went on to snowball into a flourishing career of releasing grime music which was strictly for the streets at the time.

14 years later and the times have changed, with world-wide tracks such as “Thats Not Me”, “Shut Down”, “Bad Energy” and “Praise The Lord” taking Skepta and BBK all over the world.

After some time out of the limelight, Skepta has announced that following his Mercury Prize-winning, Konnichiwa album, his latest album, Ignorance Is Bliss will be available to add to our playlists on May the 31st. 

So, in celebration of the upcoming release, we wanted to look into nine tracks that have arguably not had as much recognition as they deserve from various stages in Skepta’s career.

“Reflecting”

Coming from Skepta’s Microphone Champion album, the Tottenham MC lays down honest bars, reflecting on the state of the scene at the time. Tackling the relaxing, chilled out beat, Skeppy effortlessly spits about the difference in class between himself and the people who hate on the flows and bars that the MC regularly showcases.

As this came from the Microphone Champion album, this one arguably went over a lot of heads when the album dropped, with tracks such as “Look Out”, featuring Giggs being such a big track at the time. This one is one to take in, and should not be forgotten about.

 

“Shape Shifting”


From the debut Skepta album, Greatest Hits, Skepta lays down some powerful bars on top of the self-produced instrumental that heavily rings off.

Punchline after punchline, this one deserves its own wheel-up midway through. Again, Skepta decides to steer away from the idea of a traditional hook, where he again speaks to the listener before jumping back on the beat. As this is the first ever album from the North London grime MC, this is the rawest stage of the MC’s career. If you had to summarise grime music in a nutshell – listen to this one.

The Greatest Hits album features “I Spy” which is arguably the biggest track off the record where Skep jumps on the famous “Rhythm ‘N’ Gash” instrumental. But, “Shape Shifting” showcases Skep’s grimey side. 


“I Do (Feat Jammer)”

The eighth track from Skepta’s first mixtape Joseph Junior Adenuga which dropped in 2006. The track is reminiscent of vintage grime, especially Jammer’s verse. The energy in which he delivers the verse is clearly tailored towards getting a call and response reaction, there is no way this wouldn’t go off either during an Eskimo Dance or one of the foundational pirate radio sets of yesteryear. 

“Still Tippin Remix”

The instrumental will be instantly recognisable to the older generation as Plastician’s take on the legendary “Still Tippin” track by Mike Jones, Slim Thug and Paul Wall which came out almost 15 years ago. This Plastician Refit first saw the light of day over a decade ago on the classic “Still Tippin” remix, which featured Skepta, JME, Lady Fury and Tinchy Strider. 

“Mastermind”

Blacklisted was the album that really started to make things happen for Skepta, an iconic album, full of a more mature MC, that had clearly started to make a solid transition from a hard, bar-spraying MC, to a certified recording artist. The album offers an array of different sides to Skeppy, but this track comes with a different, more intimate Skepta.

Coming with a slight sound effect on the autotune, the North London MC takes us on a trip through his cannabis psychosis, where the track follows the same trippy, slower vibes. With this track being riddled with heavy hitting bass, it offers something different from the rest of the album. 

 

“Detox”

The Konnichiwa album won a historic Mercury Prize award, with huge tracks such as “Shutdown”, “That’s Not Me” and “Man” being the stand out tracks which rung off on all the major radio stations and pretty much every club in the UK. Although the popularity of the album may mean you could have heard this one, this tune featuring BBK is one that has not received the recognition it deserved.

With a heavy instrumental, the sound is unique. The BBK boys lay down serious verses that can’t help but get you gassed. The hook is catchy too, separating all the verses which are too close to call when it comes to picking a best one.

 

“Stupid (Feat Wiley)”

More recently we’ve become accustomed to seeing the pair trading war dubs, but there was a time where they did actually make some good music together. This lesser known track is a cut from his 2010 mixtape Been there done that.

The track sees some iconic bars being dropped by both MCs, Wiley’s verse features a lyric which was made famous during his legendary clash with Kano in 2004, and the beginning of one of Skep’s bars would be revitalised by JME on the seminal track “Man Don’t Care”. 

“Frisco”

Skepta dropped this DJ Whoo Kid hosted mixtape back in 2011. The mixtape is heralded by fans as one of his finest to date. The bassline has become one that we have long associated with Skepta, and we have seen ones not too dissimilar from this one in many of his later releases, most recently the Nafe Smallz assisted “Greaze Mode”. 

 

“Top Boy”

This is a Skepta classic. This is another one that isn’t available on any major streaming platforms, although this gives us another slice of the heavy hitting, sheller Skepta. With the beat being effortlessly spat on here, the BBK MC tackles it perfectly, producing punchline after punchline, squeezing in every opportunity possible to lay a bar that is bound to get you gassed.

With this one being one of the Devilman sends, its fair to say that Skepta bodied this one. With the clash between the pair being so iconic in the come-up of Skepta, you would think this would have more recognition than it does.

Be sure to check out our Skepta appreciation piece right here! Let us know your fave Skep hidden gems on the socials!