Joseph Olaitan Adenuga Jr., professionally known as Skepta, is a British-Nigerian grime MC, rapper, record producer, and DJ.
Initially associated with Roll Deep, he later co-founded Boy Better Know in 2005 with his younger brother Jme. Skepta gained prominence through his involvement in Boy Better Know, particularly for his clash with fellow MC Devilman in the video release “Lord of the Mics 2,” a significant event in grime history.
Early life and Education
Skepta, born Joseph Olaitan Adenuga Jr. on September 19, 1982, in Tottenham, North London, grew up in a Nigerian-British household. He is the eldest of four siblings, including his brother Jme, who is also a prominent figure in the grime scene. Skepta’s interest in music developed from a young age, influenced by his parents’ love for Nigerian music and his exposure to the London underground music scene. He attended Winchmore Hill Secondary School (now known as Winchmore School) in Enfield, North London. As a teenager, Skepta became involved in the emerging grime genre, initially as a DJ before transitioning to MCing and producing, eventually establishing himself as a leading figure in the grime music scene.
Career
Skepta, originally a DJ from Tottenham-based grime collective Meridian Crew, gained recognition through their performances on pirate radio, notably Heat FM 96.6, where he was sometimes referred to as “Scoopa Daniels.” He began MCing shortly before Meridian Crew disbanded in 2005. Skepta and his brother Jme then joined Roll Deep briefly before co-founding Boy Better Know in 2006. Encouraged by Wiley, Skepta started MCing after his records were confiscated by the police. He gained further prominence through clashes, notably with Devilman for the DVD “Lord of the Mics 2.” Skepta released his debut album, “Greatest Hits,” on September 17, 2007, under his label Boy Better Know. He continued to release music independently, including the album “Microphone Champion” in 2009 and the mixtape “Blacklisted” in 2012, before achieving mainstream success with his major label debut, “Konnichiwa,” in 2016.
In March 2014, Skepta featured on the remix of “German Whip” by Meridian Dan, and released his single “That’s Not Me” with his brother Jme, reaching number 21 on the UK charts. The music video for “That’s Not Me” won Best Video at the 2014 MOBO Awards. He also released “It Ain’t Safe” featuring ASAP Bari in late 2014, followed by “Shutdown” and collaborations with artists like Flatbush Zombies and Wizkid in early 2015. Skepta made his acting debut in the 2015 film “Anti-Social.” His album “Konnichiwa” was released on May 6, 2016, becoming Grime’s highest-charting album, peaking at number 2 in the UK charts. Skepta embarked on the “Banned From America” tour in 2017, following visa issues. He released the “Vicious” EP in October 2017 and collaborated with artists like ASAP Rocky and Wizkid on singles like “Praise the Lord (Da Shine)” and “Energy (Stay Far Away).” In 2021, he released the EP “All In,” and in 2022, he signed with Wasserman Music for worldwide representation. Skepta continued his musical journey with releases like “Can’t Play Myself (A Tribute to Amy)” in October 2023 and faced criticism for artwork related to his single “Gas Me Up (Diligent)” in January 2024, prompting him to apologize and vow to be more mindful in the future.
Net Worth
Skepta is estimated to be worth over 2 million dollars, a testament to his hardwork and dedication to his work.
Personal life
Skepta tends to keep his personal life relatively private. However, he has occasionally shared insights into his life outside of music. He is known for his close relationship with his family, particularly his brother Jme, who is also a musician. Skepta has expressed pride in his Nigerian heritage and often incorporates elements of Nigerian culture into his music and public persona. Additionally, he has been open about his experiences with mental health, advocating for mental wellness and self-care. In terms of relationships, Skepta has been linked to various public figures, but he generally keeps details about his romantic life out of the spotlight. Overall, Skepta maintains a balance between his public persona as a musician and his private life.