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Skepta admits he ‘hates being famous’ and ‘dreams of going back to his normal life’ as he teases his next album will be ‘best he’s ever made’

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As a devoted admirer, I’d like to share that even with his unprecedented international fame, countless followers, and numerous accolades, Skepta openly confessed that he finds stardom a source of discomfort.

Ever since making a big entrance with his first album in 2007, this prominent figure in grime music, now 42, has garnered the Mercury Prize, dominated various realms such as music, fashion, modeling, and cinema.

In an uncommon conversation with Dazed, the rapper admitted that he is not fond of the perks of fame and yearns for a return to his ordinary life.

In a conversation with the publication, Skepta, whose real name is Joseph Junior Adenuga, expressed that he places little importance on fame. Instead, his focus lies in creating art, crafting exceptional songs, and resonating with listeners through his poetry. He strongly dislikes being well-known or famous.

It seems to me that the recognition I’ve received is something I possessed all along. If you get what I’m saying, my abilities, my scrutiny – I’ve always had those. In the past, they shaped and hardened me for the present. Yet, I no longer require them in the same way.

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A star from Boy Better Know openly shared that he prefers not to embrace the popular perception of celebrity life and aspires to enjoy simple outings with his daughter, free from requests for selfies.

He mentioned: ‘Each time people expect me to become a red carpet star-of-the-moment, I deliberately avoid it. Even after winning the Mercury, my expression clearly showed I didn’t want to take on that role, as one can easily slip up if they aim too high.’

‘My constant ambition is to return to a routine life. Ultimately, I long for days spent painting at home, occasional DJ gigs, and frequent trips to the store for limes and bread.’

Contemplating how he wishes to be remembered should that moment arrive, Skepta expressed his conviction that the genuine purpose of life is serving as a bridge to provide chances for those who follow in his footsteps.

He conveyed: ‘It’s my wish that I gave back as much as I used, and created opportunities and clues for those following in my footsteps.’

I believe that’s the genuine essence of existence. At one point, I grappled with this concept, but now I understand that it isn’t solely about my personal journey. Instead, I’m merely a traveler on this path.

The acclaimed festival host is returning to the Big Smoke Festival in August for the second time, boasting an impressive roster of artists such as his brother Jme, Central Cee, Skyla Tyla, and BXK.

He shared that his enthusiasm for opening opportunities was one of the driving forces behind setting up a platform to highlight the skills of other performers, expressing his intention to step aside and let them shine without him overshadowing their talents.

Apart from discussing his forthcoming album, initially unveiled in January of last year, he elaborated on the postponement, citing the continuous creation of potential chart-toppers as the reason. He hinted that he anticipates this final output to be ‘the finest album I’ve ever produced’.

Each day, I aim to finalize my mix, but instead, I create something new and must adjust the playlist order.

Due to a steady stream of visitors at the studio, I’ve been consistently producing one song after another, and it becomes challenging to slow down the creative process when everything is sounding fantastic.

Last year, in an exclusive chat with TopMob back in January, I, the die-hard fan, can’t help but echo Skepta’s sentiments. He’s adamant that he’s never truly arrived, because there’s always another milestone to reach, another goal to conquer.

When queried if there was a moment when he felt like pinching himself or realized he had ‘arrived’, he replied: ‘No, not really. I used to fantasize about achieving it, but I haven’t. I’ve accomplished so much that I find it hard to accept the idea that I’ve succeeded because there’s always more to strive for…’

As a lifestyle expert, I once held the belief that achieving success meant “making it,” but now, I find myself moving away from that notion. To be honest, the concept of “having made it” no longer occupies my thoughts.

At a moment when he was awestruck, he jokingly said, “Occasionally, as I pass by, even if it’s just a mirror, I catch a glimpse of myself and feel like I’m walking past someone else.

Apart from Skepta, the Adenuga family also boasts two other notable figures: his rapper brother, Jamie Adenuga (also known as JME), who’s part of the Boy Better Know collective, and their sister, Julie Adenuga, a well-known broadcaster and radio host.

2003 marked the start of his musical journey when he began working as a DJ for the Tottenham-rooted grime group, Meridian Crew. Later, prior to their dissolution in 2005, he took on the role of an MC (Master of Ceremonies).

In the year 2005, after spending a brief spell with Roll Deep, Skepta and JME went on to establish Boy Better Know as their founding members.

In the year 2007, his first-ever studio album, titled Greatest Hits, was warmly received by many. Then, in 2009, he came out with another album called Microphone Champion, and yet another studio album, Doin’ It Again, was released in 2011.

In 2016, the fourteenth album of a musician who had been nominated for three Brit Awards received critical acclaim, titled “Konnichiwa.” This record included popular hits like “That’s Not Me” and “Shutdown,” ultimately earning him the Mercury Prize that year.

In addition to releasing popular mixtapes and songs, rapper Skepta has dabbled in acting as well. He made his film debut in the 2015 crime drama “Anti-Social,” sharing screen time with Meghan Markle.

As a diehard fan, I can’t help but share my excitement about the groundbreaking debut of my beloved artist last year. Instead of just acting, he stepped into the director’s chair with “Tribal Mark,” a gripping short film that brought to life the story of a Nigerian-born hitman. The film was a collaborative effort, with Skepta and Jude Carmichael sharing the role on screen.

In the year 2019, his standalone album was titled “Ignorance Is Bliss,” but in the following year, 2020, he teamed up with Chip and rap artist Young Adz from D Block Europe for a joint album named “Insomnia.

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2025-06-05 02:49

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