British grime legend Skepta kicked off the new year on a high, surprising fans with the announcement of his upcoming sixth studio album, ‘Knife and Fork.‘ The rapper took to social media on January 1 to share the news, marking his highly anticipated return to the music scene since his most recent album, ‘Ignorance is Bliss,‘ in 2019.
In the announcement post on Instagram, Skepta expressed gratitude to his fans for their unwavering support and proclaimed his anticipation to reconnect with fans at the Big Smoke Festival in 2024, writing, “It’s been years since I dropped my last album and I want to thank you for all the love during my hiatus. I’ve seen the messages, tweets and Tik Toks, I’m truly grateful that my music is still resonating with the world, even in my absence. I’m happy to announce my next studio album #KnifeAndFork is loading this year, the first single #GasMeUp (Diligent) will be out January 26th Can’t wait to see you all @bigsmokefestival happy 2024″
‘Knife and Fork‘ is set to be Skepta’s sixth solo project, with the first single, ‘Gas Me Up (Diligent),‘ scheduled to drop on January 26. The album signifies Skepta’s long awaited return after a five-year hiatus following the acclaimed ‘Ignorance is Bliss’ LP in 2019.
In the absence of his solo work, Skepta has been active in collaborations, releasing the EP ’48 Hours’ with 19-year-old producer Ryder in November 2023. Ryder’s TikTok remix of Skepta’s ‘Konnichiwa’ track ‘Text Me Back’ achieved viral acclaim with the hashtag #skeptacore, prompting the rapper to make contact. Additionally, Skepta and BBK collaborator Jammer also delved into club culture, founding the house music label Más Tiempo, and acting as producers and DJs for the project. The duo celebrated with a sold-out event at London’s Drumsheds venue late last year.
In November, Skepta revealed plans for the inaugural Big Smoke Festival scheduled for July 6 at Crystal Palace Park in London. The festival promises a full live performance by Skepta, complemented by a Más Tiempo DJ set side-by-side with Jammer. Big Smoke Festival stands as Skepta’s only announced live performance for 2024, and tickets are already available here.
Hailing from North London, Skepta’s influence on the grime scene is unmistakable, evident in both his solo projects and contributions to the musical collective BBK (Boy Better Know). His groundbreaking album ‘Konnichiwa,’ released in 2016, earned him the prestigious Mercury Prize Award, solidifying his place as a heavyweight within the music industry.
With the impending release of ‘Gas Me Up (Diligent)’ this month and the promise of ‘Knife and Fork,’ Skepta’s return is set to make 2024 an exceptional year for grime enthusiasts.
