In Celebration of Skepta
Yemi Abiade reminds us why Joseph Junior Adenuga, aka Skepta, is one of the greatest to ever do it, as we celebrate his career to date.
In Celebration of Skepta
Joseph Junior Adenuga. The quintessential UK MC. The beating heart of a scene that has transcended to audiences worldwide.
In his 20-year career as a lyricist, producer, DJ, label owner, director, curator, visual artist and pace setter, the man known as Skepta has etched his face on the Mount Rushmore of UK Black music.
North London Artist Skepta at Rave Chockablock by Laura BrosnanTRENCH
Inspiring a legion of forward-thinking creatives in the present day and enveloping every achievement in his wake. Carrying the true spirit of independence since his days as DJ Moschino Joe, Skepta has made every opportunity for himself.
His musical come-up in the early 2000s coincided with the advent of grime music where, as a producer, he would create celebrated instrumentals such as "DTI" and "Private Caller". He made the transition to MCing in 2005 and never looked back.
North London Artist Skepta by Ashley VerseTRENCH
Across five studio albums, including 2016's Mercury Prize winner Konnichiwa, and multiple mixtapes and EPs, Skepta’s holistic outlook on the world around him and his endearing self-reflection has crafted anthems to last several lifetimes.
When grime was presumed 'dead' by mainstream audiences in the early 2010s, Skep almost single-handedly brought it back into view with his eternally classic singles "That’s Not Me" (2014) and "Shutdown" (2015).
This sparked off a boom period for Black British music still prevalent today, as the doors were blown open for the likes of Stormzy, Dave, AJ Tracey, Headie One and other new-generation talents to be visible and successful.
North London Artist Skepta by Ashley VerseTRENCH
Skepta has collaborated with many of them, taking on a quasi-godfather role in the scene as someone respected and admired across the board.
North London Artist Skepta by Laura BrosnanTRENCH
This is only part of the truest measure of his impact on UK music, but what is clear is that as it has transformed in recent years, it has followed a path that Junior has paved. For that, Skepta's legend is tightly secured—lock and key.
This digital work has been produced in collaboration with PRS Foundation and POWER UP. The article first featured in TRENCH x Union Black's Chapter One: Game Changers zine.
Words by Yemi Abiade
Photography by Ashley Verse and Laura Brosnan [Frank Archives]
Videos by Skepta, Risky Roadz, Boiler Room, Tim & Barry
Commissioned by TRENCH
