Skepta has no intention of quitting music.
The 44-year-old grime icon, born Joseph Olaitan Adenuga Jr., surprised fans in 2021 when he hinted at stepping away, posting on social media that suggested retirement: “This Jae5 collaboration with Rema and me was recorded and filmed last year in Ghana.”
“I’ve got one more track with Bando and L’s that we also recorded in 2020, and once that one drops, I’m finished.”
Yet as he readies the release of his sixth studio album, The Fork and Knife, set for Friday (06.11.26), the Boy Better Know chief asserts that he will only pause when necessary and isn’t about to drop the mic for good anytime soon.
In a chat with Complex UK, he stated: “I don’t think I’ll ever retire.”
“I don’t treat music as a hobby. It’s the way I think. If my card gets declined right now while I’m buying a bottle of water at the airport, a fierce lyric will pop into my head. That’s just how my mind operates. It drives me, it’s how I express myself, and it’s how I enjoy life.”
Responding to his prior remarks, he added: “Obviously I’ll take breaks and step back when I need to rest my mind, but I’ll never retire from making music.”
While promoting the follow-up to 2019’s Ignorance Is Bliss, Skepta has hinted that his new material digs deeper than ever.
He said: “I truly owe you honesty.”
“I owe it to you to probe deeper, put aside any childish ego, and look inward to discover some freedom that can help all of us. I can’t wait for you to hear it.”
In a conversation with Esquire UK earlier this year, the Shutdown rapper explained that although the album will feature plenty of party tunes, he also aims to infuse it with a more meaningful message and give a voice to the children of immigrants.
He said: “Alongside the celebratory tracks, I want some consciously themed material on there too. Especially now …”
“I feel it’s crucial to speak on matters rather than releasing something that’s out of touch with the world. So I’m adding depth. There’s a lot of party music, sure. I’m essentially a festival artist, crafting songs for stages and clubs. I’m just making sure I explore every angle and speak up for the voiceless.”
Skepta also clarified the meaning behind the album’s title, revealing that it draws from his own upbringing as the child of immigrant parents.
“The core concept behind Fork and Knife is rooted in being a child of immigrants—simply the aspiration to eat well and sit at a table with proper cutlery. That was the spark that started it all.”
