Artist: Skepta

Known for having crazy-arse-hats, big-off bars and the ability to duppy a dance with ease, About To Blow in association with MTV Base knocks on the Adenuga’s door again - but this time we’re here to see if Skepta is home... Words by Danny Walker Image by Simon Wheatley

In-between secret meetings with Mike Skinner, organising the Sweet Mother video shoot – a grime-laced hilife-athon dedicated to mumzie – and flying to Moscow for a PA, we find the North London resident in a relaxed and confident business mode. “Yeah 16 Tonnes was a lot,” he boasts of the previous evenings set at Russia’s top venue. “They were definitely feeling grime. There were about five in the front that knew every lyric. Most of them didn’t know what I was saying, but they felt my flow.” The likes of Skepta, Roll Deep and the rest of the Boy Better Know imprint have been exporting grime ever since it emerged from garage. He might not be able to put a country at the apex of his favourite PA spots – ‘There are too many’ - but he knows which hat he likes the most. “It’s got to be that one,” he decides as the next few minutes are dedicated to his snow white, Boris Yeltsin-like one-away. “That hat is the best.” I quickly remind him that Staff Writer Raj Kapone saw him with a ‘cat hat’ not so long ago. “That night was a lot, I was crowd surfing and I lost it,” he laughs of the StyleSlut spectacular, which saw him jump into the throng at a packed east London club. “Someone MySpace’d me and I’m getting it back, so it’s cool.”

After he informs us that he’s playing Peaches Geldof’s 18th Birthday party this evening, we get down to the real deal and ask what’s going on with Skinner and The Beats. “The thing is, they keep calling me in for meetings,” says Joseph Junior, clearing his throat. “Basically, they are very interested but they don’t know when to put me out, cos the Mitchell Brothers are next with their new album and then Example. After that is Professor Green, so I’ll probably be next year and for me that’s long.” So will the long-awaited Greatest Hits LP be delayed? Or will it be Boy Better Know’s 14th release? Before telling us when it’s to drop, the eldest Adenuga offspring tells us who we can expect to hear on there. “So far it’s me, JME obviously and D Double E is on a track called Eye Spy. I didn’t want to put any more features on there cos Duppy is on there too [which includes Wiley, JME, Bear Man, Footsie, Trim and MC Creed on the hook]. There are still four more tracks to be finished but it will be ready for....” my ears come off standby, “...September 17. He says his business plan is big, big, big. “As soon as I come back from Napa, it will be packaged up and ready to go.”

Having heard a little sneak preview, we can confirm Hits’ greatness. Something else RWD likes a lot at the moment is the NASA stage shows (check Skepta’s MySpace for the hilarious footage). “That’s just me, JME, Wiley, Jammer, Flow Dan and Maximum, we’re New Age Synchronised Avengers,” he explains of the acronym. But will obvious ability and considerable stage presence convert into sales and the growth of grime, we wonder? “I really don’t understand the fact that you say you’re feeling me, saying ‘Skepta’s a badman’ but you won’t wear the [BBK] t-shirt,” he says about the knock-on effect of the scene’s lack of support. “I would prefer you were a hater. Grime is getting bigger worldwide, but people need to start supporting more, not just Boy Better Know but everything.” Before he goes to a meeting with Sam [BBK’s Operations Manager] Junior Adenugshots reveals his thespian side is also About To Blow. “I’ve been going to rehearsals every Tuesday for a film role I’m in. I’ll be playing a part in a modern day remake of Julius Caesar which is being made by Leon Herbert, who was in Alien 3.” So has acting always been in his blood? “Nah,” he laughs. “The last acting I did was for Mary and Joseph when I was in Primary school.” With Julius Caesar, NASA, Sweet Mother, Greatest Hits and PA’s all over Europe this summer, we’re certain Skepta is about to explode.

For more info check Skepta’s MySpace or MySpace.com/thenasashow. About To Blow is aired on Sunday May 6 at 7pm on MTV Base

Do you feel lyrics like, “God forgive me if I buss my nine” are appropriate in this present climate?
Erm, no. I definitely don’t think it’s appropriate, but at the end of the day we’re doing entertainment. On a real note, I’m not bussing a gun – and never have done – I’m asking for forgiveness if I do cos, “I don’t wanna get locked up like Shyne.”

RWD Magazine

myspace.com/skepta

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