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Skeptas Konnichiwa Turns 10, Marks a Decade of Grimes Global Reach
Skepta’s fourth studio album, Konnichiwa, celebrated its 10th anniversary on 6 May 2026. The album, released by the artist’s independent label Boy Better Know, won the Mercury Prize in 2016 and has remained a touchstone for the grime genre.
The album’s origins trace back to 2012, when Skepta posted a 25‑minute YouTube video titled “#UnderdogPsychosis no.1.” In the clip the MC speaks in a fragmented, urgent tone, expressing frustration with the commercial direction of his music and the industry’s treatment of grime artists. The video was a prelude to the creative process that would culminate in Konnichiwa.
In 2014 Skepta released the single “That’s Not Me,” a track that would later appear on the album. The song was a declaration of artistic integrity and a promise to stay true to his roots. It attracted international attention when Drake incorporated lines from the track into his 2015 single “Used To.” The same year, A$AP Bari joined Skepta on “It Ain’t Safe,” and the artist performed with Kanye West at the 2015 Brit Awards, a collaboration that further raised his profile abroad.
Despite these high‑profile moments, Skepta remained focused on producing an album that reflected grime’s original DIY ethos. He sampled three Wiley instrumentals—“Jam Pie,” “Ice Rink,” and “Pies”—to create the sparse, cold beat that underpins “That’s Not Me.” The track also references the 2001 clash between Pay As U Go Cartel and Heartless Crew, a nod to the genre’s early confrontational culture.
Konnichiwa was delayed multiple times. An initial release window in September/October 2013 was scrapped, and the album was pushed back twice more before finally dropping on 6 May 2016, a month earlier than the final announced date. In an interview with Ransome Note, Skepta explained that the album’s production demanded extensive time and effort.
The album’s impact was immediate. In its first week it outsold Beyoncé’s Lemonade and Drake’s Views in the UK, a rare achievement for an independent release. Pitchfork rated the album 7.8/10, and Metacritic gave it an 83/100 score. Konnichiwa won the Mercury Prize, and sales rose 226 % in the week following the award, according to the Official Charts Company.
Beyond commercial success, Konnichiwa served as a blueprint for UK MCs seeking international reach without compromising authenticity. Skepta has said in interviews that breaking into the American market was no longer a goal in itself; rather, the aim was to export London’s sound globally. The album’s limited American collaborations—only two tracks featuring U.S. artists—underscored this intent.
The album’s influence is evident in the careers of newer grime artists. Stormzy’s debut album Gang Signs & Prayer followed a similar path of staying true to grime’s core while achieving mainstream success. Stormzy publicly credited Skepta for paving the way, stating that Skepta deserved a Brit Award for his contributions.
Today, Konnichiwa remains a reference point for discussions about authenticity, independence, and the global reach of grime. The album’s 10th anniversary is being marked with a series of re‑issues and anniversary streams, reaffirming its lasting significance.
In sum, Skepta’s Konnichiwa not only won critical acclaim and commercial milestones but also reshaped the trajectory of grime, demonstrating that an independent, authentic approach can achieve both artistic integrity and international impact.
The album’s origins trace back to 2012, when Skepta posted a 25‑minute YouTube video titled “#UnderdogPsychosis no.1.” In the clip the MC speaks in a fragmented, urgent tone, expressing frustration with the commercial direction of his music and the industry’s treatment of grime artists. The video was a prelude to the creative process that would culminate in Konnichiwa.
In 2014 Skepta released the single “That’s Not Me,” a track that would later appear on the album. The song was a declaration of artistic integrity and a promise to stay true to his roots. It attracted international attention when Drake incorporated lines from the track into his 2015 single “Used To.” The same year, A$AP Bari joined Skepta on “It Ain’t Safe,” and the artist performed with Kanye West at the 2015 Brit Awards, a collaboration that further raised his profile abroad.
Despite these high‑profile moments, Skepta remained focused on producing an album that reflected grime’s original DIY ethos. He sampled three Wiley instrumentals—“Jam Pie,” “Ice Rink,” and “Pies”—to create the sparse, cold beat that underpins “That’s Not Me.” The track also references the 2001 clash between Pay As U Go Cartel and Heartless Crew, a nod to the genre’s early confrontational culture.
Konnichiwa was delayed multiple times. An initial release window in September/October 2013 was scrapped, and the album was pushed back twice more before finally dropping on 6 May 2016, a month earlier than the final announced date. In an interview with Ransome Note, Skepta explained that the album’s production demanded extensive time and effort.
The album’s impact was immediate. In its first week it outsold Beyoncé’s Lemonade and Drake’s Views in the UK, a rare achievement for an independent release. Pitchfork rated the album 7.8/10, and Metacritic gave it an 83/100 score. Konnichiwa won the Mercury Prize, and sales rose 226 % in the week following the award, according to the Official Charts Company.
Beyond commercial success, Konnichiwa served as a blueprint for UK MCs seeking international reach without compromising authenticity. Skepta has said in interviews that breaking into the American market was no longer a goal in itself; rather, the aim was to export London’s sound globally. The album’s limited American collaborations—only two tracks featuring U.S. artists—underscored this intent.
The album’s influence is evident in the careers of newer grime artists. Stormzy’s debut album Gang Signs & Prayer followed a similar path of staying true to grime’s core while achieving mainstream success. Stormzy publicly credited Skepta for paving the way, stating that Skepta deserved a Brit Award for his contributions.
Today, Konnichiwa remains a reference point for discussions about authenticity, independence, and the global reach of grime. The album’s 10th anniversary is being marked with a series of re‑issues and anniversary streams, reaffirming its lasting significance.
In sum, Skepta’s Konnichiwa not only won critical acclaim and commercial milestones but also reshaped the trajectory of grime, demonstrating that an independent, authentic approach can achieve both artistic integrity and international impact.