Artist: Skepta

Boy Better Know, there’s one family at the heart of the grime scene. RWD went behind the scenes to speak to Mrs Adenuga to get her views, advice and have a general natter about her boys.

On a promising spring day in the depths of North London, we met up with Joseph Junior Adenuga (Skepta) and his mum. Mrs Adenuga, thank you for meeting with RWD, what were Jamie and Junior like growing up?
They’ve always had a go get it attitude and I am proud of them. I’m proud of all of my children.

Who was the naughtiest? Jamie once told us how he had to stand in the corner all day...
[Laughs] No, Jamie is a smooth operator. Junior is an extrovert, everything he does is loud. They were both good kids who got good grades.

What type of advice did you give them?
I’ve always told them, ‘No matter what anyone else says don’t listen to peer pressure or anything.’
Skepta: I remember her always saying not to smoke too.

Mrs Adenuga, do you like the grime scene?
I like their ones yes. I never used to like grime, it didn’t register but they’ve got me into it. Ever since Jamie’s Serious – where he says, “who’s gonna sign a guy with a nine mil’.” My boys are breaking away from it I think; cos when I watch Channel U they’re talking about shanking and doing somebody’s head in.

You looked like you enjoyed yourself at Junior’s birthday at Club 333...
Yeah, I couldn’t help dancing. It was one of the first times I was with their crowd. Everybody enjoyed themselves going, “brap, brap, brap.”

A few of Jamie’s tracks are African influenced like African Zulu Warrior. Do you like that sort of thing?
I love those kind of instrumentals. To my surprise my daughter Julie is on his music as well [What You Need], I didn’t know I was living with Mariah Carey.

Are you proud of your boys?
Oh, I’m ecstatic. I was really, really chuffed when I saw my Jamie in About To Blow and on the MTV website. I was thinking, ‘Whoa, my mum and my brothers and everybody in Nigeria can see this’ so I was ringing everybody up. It proves they’re both good at what they do. The two of them work well together.

Skepta, what are you getting your mum for mother’s day?
I’ll make her a song. Last year we took her out. Pizza Hut I think.

Mrs Adenuga, what advice would you give to other mums?
I’m not out there in the raves, but I say to my children, ‘Anything that you can’t come home and explain to me, don’t get involved in it.’ It boils down to communication, you have to speak with them. Even if it’s a text, it’s crucial.

We understand you work with the young people. How have you been helping the community?
I’m the Chief Executive of an organisation called Crucial Steps. We work with young people and represent them at the police station. Right now we’re training volunteers so they can help as well.
Skepta: I like the fact that my mum helps kids out as she has always wanted to do that. Some of the violence is stupid and I’m glad we stay out of it.

What other work do Crucial Steps do?
We raise young peoples awareness to crime and punishment and encourage them to partake in creating a safer community for us all. We’re also developing a project to meet the National NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) Strategy for which we are seeking funding.

And finally, who would you say is better JME or Skepta?
They are both different. Junior has a mature voice and Jamie has got this bubbling young person thing going on. When they come together, it is very nice.

Skepta’s Greatest Hits is coming soon; check MySpace.com/skepta for more

We put Mrs Adenuga to the grime test!

What does ‘Neckle’ mean?
[Laughs] That comes from that man who wants to fly. I haven’t got a clue… maybe it’s kissing on the neck or something.

Shangooli?
I think I’ve seen Junior wear this on a t-shirt.

Wasteman?
This is someone who tries to do music but they’re not making it. They are a waste of space.

Leng?
No…I don’t know!

[From Skepta] Food?
The only ‘Food’ I know is the one Jamie sang about, McD’s.

Murk?
Yes, when I go to the YouTube thing, I see. It’s like a competition. Murking somebody.

[From Skepta] Nang?
Believe it or not, they’ve had this for quite a while, even I’ve stopped using it. I remember saying to Jamie, ‘That music is nang!’ He told me, ‘Oh please’, he was embarrassed.

[From Skepta] NASA?
No, no idea…

[That’s ok, we’re clueless too]

RWD Magazine

myspace.com/skepta

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