Following a brief resurgence it seemed that grime had all but disappeared back into it’s dank underground cavern, that is until recently. This month saw Skepta drop his newest album, Konnichiwa which ground to a chart topping stop at number 2 last week.
The lengthy wait for Konnichiwa was well worth it. The album drips in Skepta’s confidence and outright rebellious personality throughout. With the opening track hinting towards his rebirth we are lulled into a false sense of security with soft oriental melodies caressing our ears before the beat drops and we are reunited with Skepta’s fearless, barking lyrics. In his first track he reassures us that he’s been working at changing the corporate fueled direction he had begun to take in the past. “Right now I’m tryna get out of the matrix, far from the agents.”
Perhaps closest to the genre's roots is ‘Corn on the Curb’ featuring Wiley. With an almost freestyle vibe Skepta’s skill and ability to add fire to any track is obvious with heated lyrics rolling from the rappers mouth. Stopped abruptly with a phone call between him and rapper Chip, Skepta’s vulnerability comes through as he speaks about his uncertainty with his music and pressure coming from the industry. ‘Crime Riddim’ brings back the oriental vibe as well as a menacing tone reverberating from start to finish and it is impossible to miss the artists inner anarchist simmering just below the surface. Skepta bristles at the thought of trouble from the feds following a bar fight and the possibility of a strip search proclaiming ‘Fuck that, I ain’t a Chippendale.’ This track is impossible to listen to just once and features friends of the BBK label joining in at different points.
‘Ladies Hit Squad’ cools down the heated vibe brought from the previous tracks. Skepta and grime veteran D Double E share the track and set a calmer vibe to the album. More suited to the mainstream it’s an unusual turn in the album but works well with A$AP Nast providing an addictive hook.
‘Man’ brings grittiness back to the album after a short break, dissing the fake friends he’s encountered over the years. This is followed by singles ‘That’s not Me’ and ‘Shutdown’, both bangers in their own right. Already pretty popular both are guaranteed to be heard everywhere this summer with both featuring bass lines that leave you lusting for more. ‘That’s Not Me’ has deeper meaning behind it with lyrics assuring us that the rapper is not about labels or money with his brother JME also making an appearance.
Skepta closes the album with ‘Text Me Back’ which is surprisingly dedicated to a girl very close to his heart. Essentially a love letter, we get a fleeting glimpse past his tough exterior and see a lovestruck boy who travels all over the world but only cares about this one girl he had at home. Towards the end of the song Skepta mentions his mother explaining why he does what he does. “I’ve gotta do these shows, cause I ain’t tryna see another tear run down your nose. Nah mum, your sons got ambition.”
Impressively Skepta has produced 8 out of the 12 tracks himself. The album pulses with energy from fiery baselines to elements of garage and jungle the whole ensemble blends into a magnificent comeback for the world of grime. Skepta has taken the plunge baring all for his newest album and it’s clearly payed off.
Rating: 9/10