Skepta talks staying independent - “I did nearly crack and take a deal at one point”

In a rare interview, Skepta has played down grime’s so-called resurgence (it never disappeared, he says) and spoken about his renowned independence as an artist, admitting “I did nearly crack and take a deal at one point”.

The hugely prolific grime MC releases all of his music on his own Boy Better Know label, which he founded with his brother JME. He released his latest long-awaited new album ‘Konnichiwa’ on 2nd of May.

“‘People who think grime is back are sheep that follow the media, Skepta said, speaking to Time Out. “People who aren’t sheep know grime never went away.”

It also turns out that Drake really has signed to Boy Better Know. “We’re putting together an official worldwide BBK label,’ Skepta said, “but we haven’t talked about how it’ll work yet. It’ll be separate to his [Drake’s] existing contracts. Trust me, I am not gonna sue Lil Wayne,” he added.

Skepta also spoke about the lasting scene that grime has created in London. “‘I’ve realised that there’s art in everything we do in London,” he said. “Suddenly a photo of two boys sitting on a wall in tracksuits with a dog can go online and be considered a sick photo. That’s what we’ve done to London… that’s all I’ve ever wanted: for London to have a credible musical voice. I will honestly, honestly die happy knowing that I saw it happen.”

Asked about his feelings towards The Brits’ exclusion of grime at this year’s awards, Skepta answered “The Brits don’t exist to me. If they come knocking, then I’ll think about them. But big up the Ivor Novello Awards, though: got nominated for one for ‘Shutdown’”

Listen to Skepta’s ‘Man’ below.