Skepta defends immigrants, slams UK rap standards

Grime star, Skepta has defended immigrants and slammed falling standards in UK rap, telling BBC Newsbeat that his new album is a stand for multiculturalism and a call to raise the bar.

Skepta released The Fork and Knife on Friday, his first album since using it to confront immigration, racism and culture wars.

Born Joseph Olaitan Adenuga Jr in Tottenham to Nigerian immigrant parents who fled civil war, Skepta said the album explores what it means to exist between cultures.

“I think grime is a product of immigration,” he told BBC Newsbeat. “I’m British and I wanted to let my stance be known that I’m for multiculturalism. That was important for me to represent what it looks like if you give an immigrant child a chance.”

The artist said it took six years to make the album because it was important not to be tone deaf.

“I feel like we’ve delivered a classic,” he said.

“I don’t think there’s been a good grime album for a long time,” he said. “And I’m here to set levels. I’m here to make rap sophisticated again.”

He also welcomed BBC Radio 1Xtra’s first UK rap chart, saying it will give newcomers and upcoming producers a chance to be seen and heard against artists with major machines behind them.