History of Skepta in Timeline
"Skepta, born Joseph Olaitan Adenuga Jr., is a prominent figure in British grime music. He is known for his work as an MC, rapper, record producer, and DJ. His career began with the group Roll Deep, and later, alongside his brother Jme, they formed Boy Better Know in 2005. A significant moment in Skepta's career was his clash with MC Devilman for Lord of the Mics 2, considered a landmark event in grime history."
September 1982: Joseph Olaitan Adenuga Jr. is born
Skepta, real name Joseph Olaitan Adenuga Jr., was born in September 1982.
2002: Skepta Releases "Pulse Eskimo" and Early Instrumentals
As a DJ with Meridian Crew, Skepta released "Pulse Eskimo" in 2002. He also put out instrumentals like "DTI (Pirate Station Anthem)" and "Private Caller".
2005: Skepta Joins Roll Deep and Forms Boy Better Know
After his previous group Meridian Crew disbanded, Skepta and his brother Jme joined Roll Deep, and later in 2005 formed the group Boy Better Know.
2006: Skepta Begins MCing and Releases "Joseph Junior Adenuga"
Encouraged by Wiley, Skepta started MCing after police confiscated his records. Following the formation of Boy Better Know, Skepta had a notable clash with MC Devilman at Lord of the Mics 2. He then released the mixtape "Joseph Junior Adenuga".
September 2007: Skepta Releases Debut Album "Greatest Hits"
Skepta released his first studio album "Greatest Hits" in 2007.
2007: Skepta Releases Debut Album "Greatest Hits"
Skepta released his first studio album "Greatest Hits" in 2007.
September 2008: Skepta Releases "Rolex Sweep"
In September 2008, Skepta released "Rolex Sweep", which reached number 89 on the UK Singles Chart.
June 2009: Skepta Releases "Microphone Champion" and "Too Many Man"
Skepta released his second studio album, "Microphone Champion", in June 2009. He also collaborated with Jme, Wiley, Frisco, and Shorty on the single "Too Many Man", which reached number 79 on the charts.
2009: Skepta Releases Second Album "Microphone Champion"
Skepta released his second studio album, "Microphone Champion", in 2009.
2011: Skepta Delays Album Release
Skepta's album "The Honeymoon", originally slated for release in late 2011, was pushed back to 2012.
2011: Skepta Releases Third Album "Doin' It Again"
Skepta's third studio album, "Doin' It Again", was released by AATW in 2011.
2011: Skepta Releases "Doin' It Again" and "All Over the House"
Three singles from Skepta's third album, "Doin' It Again", reached the UK Top 40: "Rescue Me", "Cross My Heart", and "So Alive". The album itself spent three weeks in the top 100. However, the music video for his single "All Over the House" sparked controversy.
December 2012: Skepta Releases "Blacklisted" Mixtape
After delaying his album "The Honeymoon", Skepta released the mixtape "Blacklisted" in December 2012, accompanied by music videos.
March 2014: Skepta Releases "That's Not Me" and Remixes "German Whip"
Skepta contributed a verse to the remix of Meridian Dan's "German Whip" and released his own single, "That's Not Me" featuring Jme, which reached number 21 in the UK. The song's music video, noted for its low budget, won Best Video at the 2014 MOBO Awards.
2015: Skepta Makes Acting Debut in "Anti-Social"
In 2015, Skepta appeared in the film "Anti-Social", marking his first acting role.
2015: Skepta Collaborates with Various Artists and Performs with Kanye West
Throughout 2015, Skepta released "It Ain't Safe" with ASAP Bari, "Shutdown", and was featured on Flatbush Zombies' "Red Eye to Paris" and the remix of Wizkid's "Ojuelegba" with Drake. He also joined Kanye West for a surprise London show, performing together. His sense of style earned him a spot on GQ's 50 best dressed British men.
February 2016: Skepta Releases "Ladies Hit Squad"
Skepta's single "Ladies Hit Squad", featuring D Double E and ASAP Nast, was released in February 2016.
May 2016: Skepta Releases "Konnichiwa"
Skepta's album "Konnichiwa" was released on May 6, 2016, and peaked at number 2 on the UK charts, becoming the highest-charting grime album. The album featured tracks like "That's Not Me", "Shutdown", and "Man".
2016: Skepta's Album "Konnichiwa" Wins Mercury Prize
Skepta's fourth studio album, "Konnichiwa", was released in 2016 to critical acclaim. The album included the singles "That's Not Me" and "Shutdown" and went on to win the Mercury Prize.
2016: Skepta's US Visa Denial Cancels Tour
Skepta's planned "No Fear" tour in the US was canceled after he was denied a visa.
April 2017: Skepta Begins "Banned From America" Tour
Skepta kicked off his "Banned From America" tour in April 2017 at Coachella, with shows across the US and Europe. The tour's name referred to Skepta being denied a US visa, forcing him to cancel his 2016 "No Fear" tour.
October 2017: Skepta Releases "Vicious" EP
Skepta released his "Vicious" EP on October 31, 2017, featuring collaborations with ASAP Rocky, Lil B, and Section Boyz.
2017: Skepta Named One of the Most Influential People in the UK
Skepta was included in Debrett's 2017 list of the most influential people in the UK for his impact on British culture as a leading figure in the grime scene.
April 2018: Skepta Receives Nigerian Chieftaincy
Skepta received a chieftaincy title in Nigeria in April 2018, becoming the "Amuludun of Odo-Aje".
April 2018: Receives Chieftaincy Title
Skepta was installed as a chief in his Nigerian hometown in Ogun State in April 2018, receiving the chieftaincy title of Amuludun of Odo-Aje, meaning "Chief Entertainer of Odo-Aje".
May 2018: Skepta Releases "Pure Water" and Collaborates on "Praise the Lord (Da Shine)"
Skepta's single "Pure Water" was released in May 2018, reaching number 78 in the UK. That same month, he featured on ASAP Rocky's "Praise the Lord (Da Shine)", which charted on the Billboard Hot 100.
2018: Skepta Collaborates with ASAP Rocky on "Praise the Lord (Da Shine)"
In 2018, Skepta produced and was featured on the ASAP Rocky single "Praise the Lord (Da Shine)". The song became a global hit and reached the highest chart positions for both artists.
December 2019: Skepta Appears in Grand Theft Auto Online
Skepta appeared as a radio host alongside Danny Brown in a December 2019 expansion for Grand Theft Auto Online.
2019: Skepta Releases "Ignorance Is Bliss"
Skepta's album "Ignorance Is Bliss" was released in 2019 and charted in 15 countries.
May 2020: Skepta Collaborates on Gorillaz's "How Far?"
Skepta collaborated with Gorillaz and Tony Allen on the song "How Far?", which was released in May 2020.
2020: Skepta Collaborates on "Insomnia" Album
Skepta, Chip, and Young Adz collaborated on the album "Insomnia", which was released in 2020. The album reached the top 10 of the UK Albums chart.
September 2022: Art Exhibition at Sotheby's
Skepta's paintings, created during the COVID lockdown, were displayed at Sotheby's in September 2022 for the "Contemporary Curated" art series.
2022: Signs with Wasserman Music
Skepta signed with Wasserman Music for worldwide representation in 2022.
October 2023: Can't Play Myself (A Tribute to Amy)
In October 2023, Skepta released the single "Can't Play Myself (A Tribute to Amy)", which samples Amy Winehouse's "Tears Dry on Their Own".
January 2024: Gas Me Up (Diligent) Artwork Controversy
In January 2024, Skepta apologized after the artwork for his single "Gas Me Up (Diligent)" was criticized online for resembling imagery from 1980s skinhead culture. He vowed to be more mindful in the future.
