Skepta could be considered the shepherd of UK grime music in the United States. The lead single to his new album Konnichiwa, “Shutdown,” was perhaps the first grime single to get significant attention in the United States. For those unfamiliar with grime, it is a subgenre of hip hop formed in the United Kingdom that has a strong European electronic influence. The genre is becoming increasingly popular – some even think a British invasion of hip hop could be just around the corner. After the attention he received after “Shutdown,” Konnichiwa is one of the most anticipated grime projects ever. If the album is a success, it would pave the way for many more grime artists to gain popularity in the US.
“Konnichiwa” (Prod. w/Ragz Originale) – The project kicks off with a very pretty introduction from Fifi Rong, before transforming into a lyrical race, through Skepta’s accomplishments and time on the road. At 33 years old, Skepta has been around for a while, though only recently gained significant attention in the United States. His story of traveling and becoming famous is delivered expertly and kicks the album off quite well. The beat features some slightly off-kilter melodies and a very prominent bassline. This track gives listeners a good idea of what to expect with Konnichiwa – it is a textbook grime song and a solid introduction to the album.
“Lyrics (feat. Novelist)” – Grime music in the UK features an abundance of diss tracks, competition, and hostility amongst artists. This song is an ode to that aggression, and Skepta even takes a few shots at Devilman, an artist he has long since feuded with. Skepta rose to prominence in the UK by participating in rap battles, and his skill is quite noticeable on “Lyrics”. The beat is aggressive but sits very much behind Skepta, more so giving him a guide and a driving force. It works quite well with the lyrics, making for a very braggadocios and lyrically intense track.
“Corn on the Curb (feat. Wiley & Chip)” – This song talks a lot about Skepta’s rise to prominence and what the fame has done to him. There is no hook, just three verses from Skepta and one from grime artist Wiley. The beat includes a very strong kick drum that drives the song, but there is nothing super special about it as a whole. At the end of the song is a long conversation between Skepta and Chip about how he is helping grime music get noticed in the US. Not a bad track, but not a standout.
“Crime Riddim” (Prod. By Blakie) – This song tells a story about an encounter Skepta has with the police where they want to strip search him. He also tells a story about getting in a fight with a guy at a bar. The story is a little silly and Skepta’s performance is a bit mediocre, but the song is entertaining. The Blakie-produced instrumental is a hard-hitting banger that significantly helps the track and fits the aggressive feel well. Decent song.
“It Ain’t Safe (feat. Young Lord)” – The Young Lord (aka A$AP Bari) hook is repetitive and annoying. Skepta isn’t rapping about much and is doing it in an uninteresting way. The beat is hard-hitting, but ultimately just ok. Not a whole lot else to say about this – probably my least favorite track on the album.
“Ladies Hit Squad (feat. A$AP Nast & D Double E)” – This song is an ode to the females. A$AP Nast gives a fittingly Drake-biting hook that sounds like it might have been written by the man himself. It is delivered in a very typical “Drake” flow, but this combined with the lyrics make for a weak hook. Skepta gives a pretty strong verse on this song, if not corny at times (“Back so big, look like your jeans shrunk in the wash”). The beat is woozy and hypnotic – befitting of the song but not adding a whole lot to it. When all is said, this song misses its mark.
“Numbers (feat. Pharrell)” (Prod. By Pharrell) – The iconic style of Pharrell combines oddly well with the sound of grime music on this track. Pharrell’s hook is odd and can be annoying, but works if you’re in the mood for it. Skepta raps on this song about his distaste for record labels and their emphasis on numbers rather than artistry. He is entertaining and insightful with the story he tells. The beat is an interesting but effective fusion of Pharrell and Skepta’s styles – the drums are melodic and somewhat funky, but the bassline is still quite present and the beat remains very electronic. Pretty good track, but not blowing me away.
“Man” – This song is a banger of Shutdown-like proportions. Listening to this it sounds like it would be perfectly at home in a club or a rave. The beat is relatively simple but is quite bombastic and loud. Skepta attacks people who aren’t a part of his crew on this song and holds a lot of disdain for people who only want to talk to him because he is famous. “I only socialize with the crew and the gang,” he says. This is one of the highlights on Konnichiwa and I would not be surprised if this song gains steam come summer.
“Shutdown” (Prod. w/Ragz Originale) – This is a song I have listened to regularly for months now, and it was personally my first introduction to grime. It’s as great as ever in context of the album. The beat is very melodic and bassy, as has become a trend on Konnichiwa. Skepta raps about he and his crew going on the road to shut down clubs and shows. It is not an overly complex song, but that’s part of what makes it so great. This remains a definite standout.
“That’s Not Me (feat. JME)” – This song makes three bangers in a row. The beat is erratic, busy, and very strange, but man does it hit. Skepta also gives one of his best performances on the entire album on this track about himself and sticking to his own tastes rather than those the industry attempts to force on him. He says that he used to wear designer clothes, but stopped because he felt that wasn’t him. Aside from one cheesy line, “I’m looking for a girl with an X factor/But I don’t judge like Simon does” (*vomits*), his performance is strong. His brother JME also contributes a serviceable verse. This song proves that Skepta is at his strongest on high-energy club and rave bangers.
“Detox (feat. Boy Better Know)” (Prod. By Footsie) – The posse cut with Boy Better Know, Skepta’s crew, features his gang rapping about their drug usage and rock-and-roll lifestyles. The beat is very amped-up and energetic, which fits the aesthetic of the song very well. Everyone on this song brings strong verses to this turn-up anthem, but at the same time most of them talk briefly about having a desire to slow down and quit the drugs they use. It creates an interesting underlying meaning to one of the better songs on the album.
“Text Me Back” (Prod. By Jason Adenuga & Ragz Originale) – This song is something of a break from the bangers that account for almost every other song on this album, but it is also an extremely effective closer and the most sentimental song on the album. Skepta is rapping about how even though he is not always able to answer calls and texts because of his career, he has never met someone he wants to be with more than his girlfriend. It is sweet but not nearly as sappy as one might expect. He then directs his lyrics towards his mother, apologizing to her also for his distance but saying that it’s good for him and his family. This is perhaps the most personal song on the album and closes it out very nicely.
Konnichiwa is a relatively solid album. It slows down in the middle, but picks up in a big way at the end. Skepta sticks to his guns on this album – bassy, banging, electronic, aggressive grime tracks. This move makes sense, as the album does seem to be Skepta’s way of getting grime music more attention in the United States, but causes the album to feel samey and homogenous a lot of the time.
Those who know Skepta from “Shutdown” are sure to be pleased with tracks like “Man” and “That’s Not Me”. Skepta is clearly at his best making this kind of music and he seems to know that. Some songs definitely fall flat, but there are some strong songs on this album. Konnichiwa is a relative success and should help increase grime notoriety in the United States, which seems to be its main goal.
BEST SONGS: Shutdown, Man, That’s Not Me, Text Me Back, Konnichiwa
WORST SONGS: It Ain’t Safe, Ladies Hit Squad, Corn on the Curb
OVERALL: 6.5/10
