Reviews (page 2 of 7)
This album was awesome. I didn't know about grime, grateful to have the chance to learn about it. Really catchy hip hop, with the songs focused largely on social commentary and internal reflections. That's spot on my taste for hip hop. 4.5 I'd say, rounded up this time.
Yes, loving a bit of of grime on the list. Not the strongest of the genre by a long shot, but bonus points for representation. A few cracking tracks on here, but I'd urge people to take a deeper dive.
Sacré accent, j'étais un peu skeptique mais j'ai kiffé
An enjoyable album from a rapper I had never heard of.
Not my normal listening choice. That being the case, “Crime Riddim” had my head booping. The talking didn’t bug me as much as it does on other albums. It could be music behind it or it segued better to and from the songs. Every song is rated E, so someone had to futz with the songs that made it to radio. Still, I enjoyed the album.
Solid grime album Standout songs: Crime Riddim Numbers Shutdown
That atmospheric intro had great potential that immediately evaporated when the beat kicked in. That was my first impression of this album, now considered a pillar of grime's resurgence in the UK. This is a shockingly recent album for this list, having celebrating its 10th birthday at the time I wrote this. The second track converted me back with its earth-shaking bass and Skepta's much more convincing performance. My takeaway from this album is that the shortest songs are the best ones as the longest tracks like "Corn on the Cob" get lost in looping the beat and extending the song past its natural conclusion. No need to stretch out a 3-minute song to 5 minutes. I can forgive that though because basically every song has an enormous level of care put into it. It makes sense considering the significant delays this album had; it came out nearly 3 years after it was first announced, and Skepta used that time to rework and revamp the entire thing from start to end. The effort and conviction is apparent in almost every bar and every beat is at the very least distinctive and memorable. It's also an album that really comes into its own in the back half as all the big hits and more popular singles are to be found there. This is definitely the type of release that rewards your patience and dedication, which isn't something you really see in a genre as in-your-face and immediate as grime. No recency bias to be found here; this album brings the hype and its influence on the grime scene, and on UK hip hop in general, becomes obvious as soon as you finish the album and have a moment to sit with it. Key Tracks: Lyrics, Crime Riddim, Man, Shutdown
Some bangers on here. Humour and dark beats throughout. Good grime.
The chap rhymed Fireman Sam into a rap... I can't NOT rate this highly.
So much better than I expected, great flow, great beats, if anything one too many skits between tracks for me but still a lot of fun
Best thing about this is how angry it makes the septics on here. Not sure if I enjoyed it or not- revisit later.
4*
Actually some good stuff on here. The one with Pharrell is great.
This was a nice discovery
Didn't know this one, and it's fucking brilliant. Banger after banger from start to finish, with heavy beats, impeccable flow and stellar production (even more impressive when you know Skepta is producing himself). It's also a short album that doesn't overstay its welcome, and features almost no weak song (Ladies Hit Squad and Numbers were probably the only ones that were a bit of a let-down). A ridiculously underrated record - probably due to the irritating number of Yanks getting weirdly worked up and complaining that a British rapper has... a British accent. This challenge is supposed to broaden your horizons, for crying out loud. Try getting out of your US-centric bubble for at least once in your life. I ended up listening twice in a row. A strong 4* for now, and it may even become a 5* if I come back to it often. 8/10
As someone who grew up listening to Grime, I'm happy to see it represented. This has everything you could want from a grime album. BBK
I'll give this another listen at some point but I know this was massive in UK grime
my first grime record. the beats are pretty ripper and once i got used the british accent i enjoyed the rapping as well. def gonna give this a few more spins
Ok this is good. Grime is not something that everyone will like, particularly Americans, but this I really liked this. I like when this list isn't purely American. Lots of variety, and Skepta isn't afraid to be honest and open about his thoughts at time, and it really stuck with me. Opening track hits hard, still relevant today and makes this feel somewhat timeless, and weird as that may sound. This is packed with collabs and pretty much all of them are bangers. I've had Pharell appear twice in 3 days, so I'm on a streak with him and it's been food so far. Only point of contention would be 'Crime Riddum', which I feel lacks a bit of bite with how he talks about chippendales and stuff. Fav Track: It Ain't Safe
Not bad
So good
I consider myself to be a hip-hop head but not really familiar with Grime in general. Pleasently surprised by this album, lyrics are great, album flow is great, production is fantastic, didn't know he was his own main producer. There's so many memorable beats and hooks: It Ain't Safe, Corn on the Curb, Numbers (surprise Pharrell feature), That's Not Me, Detox. Slightly repetitive though, a little more rhythm variance would've helped the pase of the album. Really enjoyed this, looking forward to learning more of UK Grime.
This was fun and it's very influential.
I didn't know he was on the scene for so long. The album was dope!
Grime er ikke min greie, men denne har mye kult for seg. Leken og kreativ produksjon.
your favorite British rapper’s favorite British rapper
Great listening to England hip hop
Really great rap album here, overall very solid
I have always loved that Skepta’s first album was called Greatest Hits. Just amazing! I’m team Dylan Mills, but Skepta’s grim is always worth the jam! The Streets
First of all, this guy looks like DMX. Similar style, but quite the different voice. The lyrics and vocals here are great; he does a great job of rapping to the beat and clearly. None of the lyrics grabbed me as life changing, but still all well done. Also, great outro to the album.
Solid stuff. Entertaining. I liked it.
goated album
It was good this One track really lets it down in the middle (Ladies Hit Squad) but I enjoyed the rest and there were some belters on there
Do I care about this album? Like really? No. No, I don't. But I'll listen to it! The beats are pretty cool and I'm very open-minded to the idea of listening to an album like this for this list. Especially since most of this site just seems to be awful about it, when it's pretty great! As I already said I like the beats a lot, and the flow's fun. The lyrics in general are pretty mediocre, but it's still an enjoyable experience. Some noteworthy songs: Lyrics has a very fun chorus, and I enjoy Skepta's contributions. The feature is pretty alright, it's like passable. Crime Riddim is great, I absolutely love the beat. The skit's a bit too long but what can ya do. I don't feel no way about any of it. I really loved Man, a really good beat, infectious chorus, and that bar about the wife… I had to do a double take. Everything about that song is actually so awesome. Shutdown immediately after is also incredible, one of the best beats here, and really good verses. Immediately after that, we have That’s Not Me, one of the best songs here. I mean… I could talk about it but you should just listen to it honestly. It’s really great. Detox is also great, and its focus on addiction and vices is approached really well, and the beat’s real dope too. Text me back is a really great way to end the album, even if it’s kinda basic to have the “introspective sentimental closer.” Some songs I didn't love: I really despise a lot of aspects of numbers. Weak ass beat, bad flow, annoying chorus. Not a fan. Some songs I thought were like in the middle: the opening track is a bit disappointing as far as opening tracks go but it's not too bad. I don't love the feature on Corn on the Curb either. I also really hate songs that are like "HAHAHAHA WE HARDCORE GANGSTAAAAAAAAS" when you're friends with Aubrey Graham and that's kind of exactly what It Ain't Safe does. It's like well rapped and I like the beat though so it gets the passing score. Ladies Hit Squad is absolutely hilarious, but the chorus is actually awesome and Skepta's verse is legitimately awesome and I don't care what anyone says. Overall this album really picked up on the second half, and I really enjoyed it as a whole! This site’s buggin so hard with that score. 7.7/10
⭐⭐⭐⭐- Britiskt Grime album. Det är mycket attityd som är smittande. Det är en genre jag inte kan något om och kan inte därför jämföra med andra artister eller album. Men tycker det finns något här. Attityden som sagt, det är coolt, det svänger och är en konsekvent produktion. Det blir nästan lite filmiskt med de inklippta dialogerna mellan spåren. Bäst är It Ain't safe, Numbers, Shutdown, That's not me. Detta Album växte med antal lyssningar är något jag nog skulle kunna leta upp igen i framtiden när jag är sugen på något med attityd. Väljer mellan en stark 3a eller svag 4a.
I've liked Skepta for a while now, he kept popping up on albums that I liked, but this is my first time actually listening to an album of his. And honestly it's about what I expected, he's not exactly full of surprises, but it's still a good time. Favorites: Lyrics, Numbers, Shutdown
Another great rap record. Strong start and strong finish, with a little bit of a lull in the middle for me that feels a bit generic. But, overall, some great and timeley (2016) rhymes with some good beats. Highlights: “Konnochiwa”, “Lyrics” and “Man”
Aside from some repetitive moments such as on 'It Ain't Safe' and some corny ones like on the closing track, this was fun and I don't regret having my first contact with grime.
I love the genre, That's Not Me is an absolute banger but man were the skits annoying. Let's be real, grime is not album music I would absolutely put Ghetts - The Calm Before The Storm instead of this... or any other album. I mean, just listen to All Black Winter I sung what is this diddy blud doing on the calculator to Numbers' chorus. Fits perfectly Second half is great
As someone that typically doesn't enjoy much grime music, I actually thought this album from Skepta was quite nice. It's no surprise that the songs that sounded least like typical grime were the ones that stood out to me, though: "Lyrics", "Ladies Hit Squad", "Numbers", and "Shutdown". In general, I think the over-abundance of the staccato style rapping in grime music tires me out, but I can see why Skepta is considered one of the greats in this style of music.
Full disclosure - I feel like I'm still fairly new when it comes to grime. I heard Dizzee Rascal's Boy in da Corner earlier in my album journey, and I've also heard "Thiago Silva" by Dave and AJ Tracy. That's largely it. With that in mind, I'm going into emcee/rapper/producer Skepta's fourth album, Konnichiwa, with the understanding that it helped spark a resurgence in a genre that I have limited knowledge of. How does it hold up? Honestly, I'd say this record is pretty solid. Skepta worked double duty for the majority of this record, crafting such hard-hitting, vibrant beats and synth lines while he took the mic to deliver some catchy-as-sin hooks and fiery bars. I certainly got an understanding of his work ethic on the likes of the opening title track, "Lyrics", "Numbers", "Man", and "Detox", riding the grind while maintaining integrity and self-worth. Along the way, his stories of street life on cuts like "Corn on the Curb", "Crime Riddim", and "It Ain't Safe" go into some gripping detail while highlighting his own insecurities, keeping himself calm amidst perceived adversities. Probably my favorite tracks on the record were the one-two punch of "Shutdown" and "That's Not Me" with JME, delivering on all the hype while showcasing his self-respect and giving shout-outs to Boy Better Know, the grime collective he belongs to. That said, for as much as Skepta delivered on the braggadocious firepower, I can't say the same for when he tries to dip into a more sensual side. "Ladies Hit Club" and the closer "Text Me Back" don't really work because he's going way too aggressively in his flow in describing how he's going to please this girl or explain why he doesn't always reach back to her because he's just that busy with the grind. It certainly doesn't help that both of those tracks offered the weakest production on the record, with "Ladies Hit Club" having compositional similarities to Drake's "Hotline Bling" and "Text Me Back" having this warbly, reversed synth and electronic flurries that also go too hard for this tone. At least "Text Me Back" is somewhat saved by a decent instrumental outro. Finally, even though Pharrell Williams did well on the production and hook for "Numbers", his verse definitely reads like a last-minute addition, between the lame-duck flexing and brand-name porn. All in all, I consider Konnichiwa to be a good record. It's an excellent showcase for Skepta as a producer and emcee, delivering some potent bars and beats.
The music part of the album is fantastic. The flow, the beats, the vibe is awesome. I cannot stand the skits. I want to hear music, and I don’t care for the dramatic crap.
nice hip hop, liked it
Of course, here in the US, I had never heard of this. I've only heard a little bit of what was considered "Grime" before, and I didn't care for it. Maybe I just heard bad grime? I really enjoyed this album. I don't think there was a single song I disliked. What's going to keep it from 5-star range for me is the annoying skits, and the fact that after a while, it felt like the same song over and over again.
Really liked the first couple songs but felt like it got weaker as the album went on. Will save a couple songs but didn’t love the album as a whole.
Holy moly this is a BANGERRRR, the production having that eerie, villainy, dark vibe with skepta having such a strong and aggressive voice and lyrics, it all just fits together it's all so good.
Rule brittania
Okay pas beaucoup de love au début, mais à la 2e écoute j'ai décidé de blaster le son et je me sentais comme un tru gangsta. Il y avait des airs de Public Enemy là-dedans mais avec des meilleures loops, plus dansantes et badass.
Muito bom, superou as minhas expectativas.
I haven't spent much time with this side of the pond's hip-hop, but this is great. A solid, engaging ride. Spins: 1 Playlist Additions - It Ain't Safe - Man - Shutdown - That's Not Me
Cool
This album was delayed so many times and then it came out and sounded like a collection of beats you could have made in a couple of hours. With that being said the vocals, lyrics, and features are all great, Skepta deserves his flowers for being such a long-term fixture of the scene, and both Shutdown and That's Not Me are all-timers. 3.5*
It’s good but not amazing.
I always kinda liked UK rap.
Not bad. Although I find the skits for each song to be hilarious, especially with the British accents
I like grime, and I like this. I like the mixture of hardcore and trap, and it makes me wish I owned a Roland TR-808 so I could make sick bass lines to...um... be middle-aged to? Other than that, I don't have much of anything insightful to say about this. Ooh, yeah. If you liked this and you like punk, check out Bob Vylan, a grime punk duo from Britain. Great stuff!
I liked it, i guess it was included partly because of its importance in taking grime beyond the UK (the pharrell appearance, some of the skits referenced this too). Didn't feel like it overstayed its welcome, had variety in style. Shutdown and thats not me were the obvious tracks heard before. The pharell track felt like one of the weaker ones.
This album rules. I won't be getting in the Grime, but I will replay this album every now and then.
Imagine how good this would’ve been if it wasn’t Bri*ish. In all seriousness, the front and back end songs didn’t really fit with the meat of the sandwich, and the skits were 10000x more annoying than American ones due to the slang. The core of this album was pleasantly surprising, and I could see myself returning to those fairly often.
There were moments I was really with it and moments I wasn’t. The skits are ridiculous and really pull you out. Huge influence for the UK rap scene. Enough good to give it a 4.
3.81
I've never smashed out so many emails - like having a personal hype man! This did slap!
every song is amazing, the spoken word interludes are hilarious (unintentionally so but still), 4.5 Fav song: That's Not Me or Shutdown or Text Me Back or Lyrics or
Clever rhymes and delivery. This is a fun sound
This is fun English accent rap
This was pretty fun. Had to look up the genre of hip hop - grime - not something I'd say I'm particularly drawn to, but spinning this several times didn't get old. It's hard not to take off a star for him being a Sp*rs fan, but I've gotta let the music speak for itself.
This was good - I would 100% go off to this in the ‘Sup in the festival environment but as a work day listen it probably didn’t hit as hard as I hoped it would. Probably not something I would actively listen to but still a super fun time.
Again, went in with slightly snobby impressions but the album won me over
Solid all round.
Fam was tidy hot sauce
This was kind of right up my alley. I dug it.
nice to see something different i wasnt familiar with!
Skepta taas aika ylläri tällä listalla. Vaikka grimestä tykkäänkin niin tää levy ei kuullostanut niin ihmeelliseltä. Toisaalta sit tuli Shutdown mikä on yks parhaita grime kappaleita. En nyt pelkästään sen takia haluais antaa 4 tähteä, mutta kyllä levy paranikin loppua päin. Ehkä tää on se 4 tähteä. Ei paras, mutta koska tykkään genrestä niin keskivertoa parempi. Parhaat: Shutdown, Text Me Back, That's Not Me
This definitely was not a genre I typically listen to, but I really found myself enjoying the grooves and the rapping on this. The talking tracks were too long and not interesting in the slightest, so I could've done without them, but I really enjoyed the beats, the rapping, the production quality and the sound of the record. I listened to it twice. Four stars.
A great time that I would absolutely revisit. Confident and jagged. Shoved me around in a good way. Skepta is one hell of a performer. I thought the Pharrell feature was corny at first and ended up kind of charmed by it. Glad to see UK grime represented on the list.
I liked this. Hadn’t heard this album before. There was a lot of variety of sounds, beats and raps. Good listen.
Absolutely brilliant
Really cool
Ladies Hit Squad is a horrible Drake-impression. Overall a very good ajd i fluential album and as with all hip hop albums, underrated on this list. 4/5
There are a lot of things that are outside my genre wheelhouse. Turns out "grime" is one of them. I didn't necessarily understand all of it (British slang *and* genre slang *and* I think apparently some Caribbean thrown in?) but...I did kind of like it.
Nu komen we een beetje op een soort guilty pleasure terrein, want ik wil best toegeven dat dit misschien niet mega-hoogstaand is, maar ik vind dit wel heel vet. Bij Dizzee Rascal zei ik nog dat ik grime vaak tegen vind vallen, maar dat is nu niet het geval. Hier krijg ik gewoon een vieze glimlach van op m'n gezicht. Van die semi-gevaarlijke beats met zieke basdreunen, met één been in de dubstep, gekke game-geluidseffecten, die trap-achtige triolen op de hihat, gasten die bloedserieus 'PRRRRR' staan te doen in de microfoon. En zo'n Londens accent vind ik sowieso vet bij rappers. Ik hou de 5e ster alleen op zak omdat ik een hekel heb aan matige skits. Zo'n 'It Ain't Safe' vind ik wat gaar en ook dat nummer met Pharrell doet me weinig. Maar ik heb hier zeker plezier aan beleefd.
mi è piaciuto
Grew on me the more I listened. British rap is so good
I'd only heard Man off of this album, enjoyed it more than I expected. It's hard to take him seriously when he's talking about killing people with a funny British accent. Some interesting beats, some funny sayings, decent bars, sometimes repetitive.
this is dope wow
The only thing I've heard that sounds similar to him is the song Hi, Ren. So apparently I've never really listened to British rap before! I like his accent, it definitely creates a unique sound, and I enjoyed his lyrical pacing too. There weren't necessarily individual tracks that stood out more than others, but I thought this was really well produced as a whole album, and it was easy to groove to.
Dope
Solid listen. Not my cup of tea, but I appreciate the production quality!
Uh this website is very biased against rap. This was fun. 84/100
I had to check that Boy in Da Corner was on here before rating this. This album was the first time I heard a privately educated white girl say “have you heard the new Skepta album, rah”
like most of these songs but some are eh pretty cool tho track 4 will be in my rotation
Now this is some UK rap that I can get behind!
Big band supper club album
Meh
It was really classic trap, with some more meaningful messages in between.
oh damn, now we have some grime rap straight from the north of london. belligerent bars mouthing off on all sorts of things while fat electronic beats accompany... pretty standard for this genre i think. we're taken straight to the streets the moment one presses play. it's got a sound all its own even with the typical uk grime vibes, many beats are haunting and inspired from underground uk electronic music and maybe a bit of chiptune too? skepta is rough and tough, spitting bar after bar, about image, his community and the place he calls home... this album presents as a manifesto for this guy. it's very... british. album is pretty solid, but i can only get into this genre so much. i've heard some REALLY irritating uk rap music and this thankfully isn't the case. drinking game! every time he says "fam" take a shot.
Fete drops
Man > Shutdown > That’s Not Me is a crazy run
Not my usual genre, but I enjoyed this.
Loved it
I have listened to this album before and really enjoy Skepta. I like it but consider it like a 7/10. Its great but it doesn’t pull me back for repeat listens.
This American really enjoyed this album. Can't say I've listed to much UK rap, let alone grime music, but the production is slick and the rap has excellent flow. A modern-ish album that goes hard and earns its spot on this list.
mandem british innit
I see the vision. Listening to it for the beats first and lyrics second, per this album's grime lineage, definitely helped me appreciate it more - and the lyrics, despite the occasional clunker and the overall British, were solid! Now if only the skits were separated out on the tracklist...
Don't expect any conscious rap here -- the focus is all on vibes, production, and the rapid-fire flow of UK Grime. Said style is easy to dunk on as a first-time listener, but very fun if you can get used to it. More importantly, Skepta pulled off something rare here: a full-on genre innovation, putting Grime on the global map, and defining a style for the UK in the greater rap landscape. It's a shift I didn't even notice consciously at the time, but looking at it now, it's clear Konnichiwa was the turning point. You don't often get to see genres evolve in real time like this. As for the album itself -- there's only one true stinker in the tracklist, and it's Ladies Hit Squad. It goes for a Hotline Bling-style hook that was all the rage in 2016, but has aged terribly. It's followed by one of many phone call skits that really should've been separated into their own track. But what I find ABSOLUTELY CRIMINAL is what comes after: the most beautiful beat on the whole album, completely buried after the skit....... and it lasts all of 30 seconds. What was Skepta thinking??! Standouts: Corn on the Curb • Numbers • Man • Shutdown • That's Not Me
I liked this more than I was expecting to. I have found British hip rop and rap a little silly but I think it works better on this album. Wasn't expecting references on back to back tracks about the same Dizzee Rascal song. Also why does he compare his relationship with his girlfriend to Mufasa and Simba
12/1089 i’ve already heard a couple of Skepta’s songs (love the one that samples sophie ellis bextor) maybe i like grime more than i thought?? Konnichiwa and Lyrics are great, Corn on the Curb too It Ain’t Safe is the first kinda miss for me it’s too repetitive imo Numbers is so catchy and so mid 2010s Pharrell That’s Not Me is a hit and JME is once again a great featured artist Konnichiwa, That’s Not Me and Numbers >>> It Ain’t Safe <<<< really enjoyed this listen and will probably return to a few tracks 4 stars or 78/100
So, I wasn't sure about this album on my first listen. I thought it was a little underwhelming, and frankly disappointing. But my listen was a bit disjointed, and split over two days, so I decided to listen to it a second time, and the second time through was *much* better! One thing I was able to do was skip the stupid skits, so that instantly raised my regard for the album. I still think it's a tough album to score, though. I like British rap, I think it's fun. That said, I kind of feel like this album tries really hard to be regular old American rap. Not a bad thing, per se, but I've heard dozens of artists do that better. I think it's a really catchy album and I like it. I'd probably give it a 3.5 if I could. I'm going to bump it to 4 stars because rap is generally pretty hated on this project, so I'm sure it'll be under-heralded. As an aside, I just learned that this album beat Radiohead's A Moon Shaped Pool for the 2016 Mercury Award. That's so absurd that it made me feel a bit angry towards this album...until I learned that Radiohead has been nominated for five Mercury Awards and have NEVER won: 1997: OK Computer lost to Roni Size - Represent. A good album, but not even on the same PLANET as OK Computer. 2001: Amnesiac lost to PJ Harvey - Stories. This is a BANANAS decision. There are four nominated albums that year better than Stories. 2003: Hail to the Thief lost to Dizzee Rascal - Boy in da Corner. Get fucked. 2008: In Rainbows lost to Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid. I do not agree with this decision, but I will say that this album is genius and criminally underrated. 2016: A Moon Shaped Pool lost to Skepta - Konnichiwa. A travesty, but probably the second best of the albums to incorrectly win against Radiohead. So I'm not mad at this album anymore, but it's obvious that the Mercury Awards are a joke.
i mean it goes hard as fuck and thats all you need really
Fun British rap hip hop
I liked it
I like this album quite a bit. Skepta's performance has a snappiness to it that makes this album, if nothing else, a refreshing change of pace from the albums I have listened to the last few days. Favorite track: "Konnichiwa"
Real good rapping 2
Positiv overraskelse
I had a lot of fun listening to this one, I thought this was drill rap, but it is actually grime. Either way it's catchy, funny, and great to dance to.
Not my genre and nothing I heard before, but I liked it. Solid all the way through. Kind of a cross between hiphop and London rave music, ala Tricky.
Buen album de rap de uk me ha molado
The north London dialect just goes so hard in rap. The writing feels juvinile and the title track feels like a nonsequitor, but the production works well
Wagwan fam. Great energy, great flow.
It’s a go!
This album felt like the reason this exercise exists. More please.
I love British rappers! I bet I'll like this.
I'd never really given much UK hip hop or grime a chance for some reason, but wow, this is great. Propulsive beats, clever samples (queens of the stone age, nice), high energy delivery. Perfect soundtrack for my run. I even enjoyed some of the little skits which I rarely do on rap albums, the one with the American gamer edgelord was kinda funny. The two track run of Man into Shutdown made me a Skepta fan, goes hard. Wish it went a little deeper lyrically, a bit heavy on the bravado, and theres one or two flops, especially Ladies Hit Squad, but he's clearly a serious talent
British rap always has an odd sound to me for some reason. Sounds enough though.
Love the opener I think it sounds very good and skepta has some really good bars. It kind of sets the mood for the rest of the album. In my opinion the little skits at the end of songs like crime riddim bring the whole theme of the album together, that being showing the lifestyle of young people in London's streets. A very important album in the UK grime and rap scene. Only gripe I have with the album is that I feel that Ladies hit squad doesn't really appeal to me. Although I like the beat, asap nast's hook doesn't really do it for me. Overall, 8/10
Favorite Track: It Ain’t Safe
Maybe a 3
Some pretty good grime, could’ve been better liked the overall vibe. 4 stars
This goes pretty hard. I’d much prefer more British and international hip hop varieties than all the mid britpop here
I can leave the skits, as usual, but there's loads of energy and intelligence here. Really solid grime album.
Never heard of this guy before. I like the backing tracks! Smooth voice. Lyrics don’t do a ton for me but I don’t hate them either. Rap isn’t usually my thing. Apparently this is grime music, which I may have to explore because I’m kind of digging it. This is what makes this project great.
British Grime is such a treat.
It ain‘t safe for the block Not even for the coo. Skepte, eifach biz kennt vo 2-3 songs und sporadischem drischnuppere. Biz hyped gsi zum is album ihtauche und au sehr spassig gsi. Has gnosse. 4 blocks, init fam?
breeee was für eins überraschunggggg eifach drill rap ih de top 1001 albüms im clöppppp waaaaas hans sehr toll gfunde und au grad 2 mal gloset eimal diheim mit viel head boping wäredem schaffe und eimal im lidl, han mi gfühlt wie de krässischti south london roadman aer eigentlich hani nume süesshärdöpfel und gouda postet anstatt paar lüt abzoge, schade 4 flykicks in ya face till ya teeth come out bruvvvvvv
I've got a soft spot for heavily accented English rap.
This was good - would have been better without the skits.
I'm surprised how much I'm actually enjoying this album. It's not a genre that I generally was not partial to, but after a year and a half or so of listening to albums here, I'm at least able to vibe with albums like this. I wouldn't say that this album is great, but it is really enjoyable. Skits still suck ass, but the beats are steady, and the rapping is really strong. I'm also generally not a fan of over-produced music, but this honestly sits in a pretty good place. It's pretty clear that almost nothing on the album is coming from actual instruments, but the music isn't jarring or abrasive. It can sometimes be a little excessive, but never really annoying. Favorite Song(s): Konnichiwa, Man
I am so glad this album is included on the list. Grime and UK hip-hop in general deserves its place. Probably not my favorite, but it’s still pretty good. The beats are really great. The second half here is better than the first. Favorites are Konnichiwa, Ladies Hit Squad, Numbers, Shutdown, and That’s Not Me.
4/5
Surprised how much I enjoyed this, given that I don't listen to Grime, or much UK hip hop in general (apart from Little Sims). I was aware of Skepta, but I think That's Not Me was the only song I recognized. Some other good songs on here too: Shutdown, Detox, It Ain't Safe. I liked Corn on the Curb and Crime Riddim too, but found the skits a bit annoying. Great beats too, sounded really good on some bassy headphones.
I wound up really liking this once I got into it. The beats are fire. Who would’ve thought…British grime rap.
I like British rap a lot. Tiny Tempah was my first. 4 stars.
Oi bruv! I be right straight chuffed bout dis 'ere geezah Skepta's brilliant production and fire bars. Noice surprise innit?! Seriously though this one grew on me with each new production choice (YES, Queens of the Stone Age first album being sampled absolutely threw me for a loop!) Not to mention the lyrics were extremely well executed. This was about the craft and I appreciated that very much. I feel like this one has layers that could grow on you over time and I'm looking forward to digging back into it. Cheerio!
こんにちは de title reack hani jz um einiges weniger grimey gfunde alsi erwartet han AAHH jz FAM FAM FAM FAM FAM FAM FAM crime riddim gaht na dumm, de rest hetmi nanig so umghaue getting lovey dovey with the hoes😭😭 ladies hit squad kenni glaub?? find de beat sehrsehr geil I HIT THE G SPOT WHEN MY JEANS OFF WISOOOOOOOOOO ja jz hets es gad chli verkackt für mich hahaha pharrelllll puuuh die beats ich han immer s gfühl ich bruch es ziitli, bis ich mich ah grime gwöhnt han, aber denn BOUM man dumm shutdown kenni vom drey? so oder so en bangggggger bin momentan zwüsche 3 undeme 4 text me bsck wieder seeehr cool bin seeehr gspalte iwie okk ich han nomal chli drii glost, es git es 4i
Я так и знал, что топовое ревью будет на 1 звездочку с каким-нибудь кринжовым комментом про то, что хип-хоп уебская музыка. Честно сказать, "сайонара" даже вот норм, хотя, на мой взгляд, совсем незаслуженно. Альбом вплоне себе. Лучшая песня - Man.
3.7 2x liked it better than expected. never heard of this British rapper
Wow what a throwback. I learned about Skepta in 2014 and was immediately blown away with UK grime. I remember the build up to this album and listening to it the day it dropped and being impressed. There are definitely some songs that were made to be more radio-friendly and commercially successful that stray away from his previous more underground style, but nearly 10 years later this still holds up insanely well.
I'm not deep in the grime. I've listened a little and liked what I've heard. Never heard this before. Cool album cover. This has great energy. His flow is sharp. Some of these beats are so good for being so stripped down. They grab my attention in the first couple seconds and hold it. I'm not feeling Ladies Hit Squad, skits can be ignored, but most of the tracks click for me. I'd listen to some of this again.
I liked a lot actually - wouldn't say I'm a particular fan of grime but very listenable and Skepta's definitely got a more main character rap style compared to some of the collaborators on some of the songs which I enjoyed less. 2014 passed me by in a tired haze of young children so nice to revisit and enjoy the album.
Skepta's *Konnichiwa*, released in 2016, is a landmark album that propelled grime—a uniquely British subgenre of hip-hop—into mainstream consciousness globally. The album is a bold statement of Skepta’s artistic identity, blending raw lyricism, gritty production, and themes of self-belief, struggle, and cultural authenticity. Below is an in-depth review focusing on its lyrics, music, production, themes, influence, and an evaluation of its strengths and weaknesses. --- ## **Lyrics** Skepta’s lyrics on *Konnichiwa* are a mix of introspection, braggadocio, and socio-political commentary. Tracks like “Konnichiwa” and “Shutdown” showcase his ability to balance personal storytelling with sharp observations about fame, identity, and the music industry. For instance, in the title track “Konnichiwa,” Skepta juxtaposes his rise to fame with his grounded lifestyle: *“Boy Better Know a man went to the BRITs on a train”*—a line that underscores his rejection of industry pretensions[1][3]. The album also delves into darker themes. Skepta reflects on personal losses, such as the death of his friend Lukey and struggles with self-doubt. In tracks like “Text Me Back,” he explores vulnerability in relationships, offering a rare emotional depth within grime’s typically aggressive framework[1][4]. However, some tracks like “Ladies Hit Squad” fall short lyrically, leaning on generic themes that lack the punch of the album’s stronger moments[3]. --- ## **Music and Production** Musically, *Konnichiwa* is deeply rooted in grime’s sonic traditions—fast-paced beats, sparse instrumentation, and heavy basslines. Skepta produced much of the album himself, ensuring it stayed true to grime’s raw aesthetic. Songs like “Lyrics” and “Crime Riddim” are prime examples of this minimalist yet hard-hitting approach[5]. The album also experiments with cross-genre influences. Tracks like “It Ain’t Safe,” featuring A$AP Bari, blend grime with American rap elements, creating a hybrid sound that bridges UK and US hip-hop styles. However, this experimentation is not always successful. Pharrell Williams’ production on “Numbers” feels out of place within the album's gritty context, diluting its cohesive grime identity[3][4]. Despite these occasional missteps, Skepta’s production shines in tracks like “Man (Gang)” and “Shutdown,” where he crafts infectious hooks over innovative beats. The closer "Text Me Back" stands out for its propulsive yet emotional soundscape, showcasing Skepta's versatility as both a producer and artist[3]. --- ## **Themes** *Konnichiwa* revolves around themes of authenticity, resilience, and cultural pride. Skepta uses the album to assert his identity as an independent artist who refuses to conform to industry norms. This DIY ethos is evident in both his lyrics and the fact that the album was released under his own label, Boy Better Know[3][6]. Another recurring theme is Skepta’s role as a cultural ambassador for grime. The album celebrates the genre’s roots while pushing it into new territories. Tracks like “Shutdown” are anthems of defiance against institutional gatekeeping in music and culture[4]. At the same time, songs like “Corn On The Curb” reflect on the challenges of navigating fame while staying true to one’s roots[3]. --- ## **Influence** *Konnichiwa* had a monumental impact on grime and UK hip-hop. It marked a turning point for grime’s global recognition, particularly in the United States—a market historically resistant to UK rap due to accents and cultural differences[2][3]. Skepta’s collaborations with artists like A$AP Bari and Pharrell Williams helped bridge this gap while maintaining grime's core identity. The album also inspired a new generation of grime artists to embrace their authenticity rather than chasing commercial trends. By winning the Mercury Prize in 2016—a rare feat for grime—*Konnichiwa* cemented its status as both a critical and cultural milestone[6]. --- ## **Pros** 1. **Authenticity**: Skepta stays true to grime's raw essence while addressing personal and societal issues. 2. **Production**: The beats are innovative yet faithful to grime's minimalist roots. 3. **Cultural Impact**: The album elevated grime onto the global stage without compromising its identity. 4. **Standout Tracks**: Songs like “Shutdown,” “Man (Gang),” and “That’s Not Me” are iconic examples of Skepta's artistry. --- ## **Cons** 1. **Inconsistent Middle Section**: Tracks like “Ladies Hit Squad” and “Numbers” disrupt the album's flow with less compelling content. 2. **Repetition**: Some songs feel sonically similar, leading to moments where the album risks sounding monotonous. 3. **Limited Accessibility**: While fans of grime will appreciate its authenticity, listeners unfamiliar with the genre might find it challenging to engage with its dense lyricism and unconventional rhythms. --- ## **Conclusion** *Konnichiwa* is a landmark album that solidifies Skepta’s position as one of grime’s most important figures. Its strengths lie in its raw lyricism, innovative production, and cultural significance as a bridge between UK grime and global hip-hop audiences. While it has some weaker moments in terms of pacing and experimentation, these do little to detract from its overall impact. Ultimately, *Konnichiwa* is more than just an album—it’s a declaration of independence for both Skepta as an artist and grime as a genre. It stands as a testament to the power of staying true to one’s roots while pushing boundaries—a balance few artists achieve so effectively.
I like the beats the best so shout out to the main producer, Skepta. His flow is pretty decent too. British rappers always seem to make it sound elegant.
Wildly inconsistent, but i'm still nostalgic for it. You get some insane bangers like It Ain't Safe and That's Not Me, but also duds like Ladies Hit Squad and Numbers. One thing you can't deny is it has some infectious energy.
Never heard of this guy but I liked it. Good rapping, some clever lyrics, good beats. Dumb interludes. But overall good effort from a modern rapper from the UK. Favorite songs were the title track, Lyrics, Crime Riddim, Ladies Hit Squad, Man (sampled Queens of the Stone Age's Regular John? Loved it), Shutdown, That's Not Me.
I actually dug this but noticed that it came out in 2016. In a year that had an amazing A Tribe Called Quest comeback album (the first in 17 years, and the same year that Phife Dawg died) and the phenomenal Danny Brown album Atrocity Exhibition, of course this list went with a British rap album. Still good, but come on, we get it, you're British and you like British stuff. Great album but the skits attached to the end of a few songs dragged it down. I thought we stopped doing that shit a decade or two ago
#1001Albums I came to this with no idea what to expect and ended up being pleasantly surprised. It’s interesting to compare this with the Genius SZA album that I listened to recently - they have some similarities - the spoken interludes and martial arts movie samples - but I ended up liking this album a lot more. It’s probably because I could understand what he was rapping about and I got a lot more of the cultural references from Fireman Sam to Knock Down Ginger. Good stuff and righteously angry.
That was surprisingly good! I'm not really familiar with this subgenre of hip hop, but I liked the pretty minimalist background music and the flow. I love Bob Vylan, now I understand better their hip hop side.
Solid grime
Was not familiar with his music and his work. Good surprise, great beats and lyrics. Bunch of good songs for a different listen.
Alors voilà, le Grand Grimoire, ce pavé de 1001 albums qui dicte ma vie musicale depuis des mois, a décidé de me sortir de ma zone de confort. Et pas qu'un peu, car il vient avec l'album de Skepta "Konnichiwa", de me jeter sans ménagement, dans les rues froides et humides de Tottenham, au coeur de ce truc qu'on appelle "le Grime". "Konnichiwa", bonjour, en japonais. Le rapport ? Je le cherche encore. Mais qu'importe le flacon, pourvu qu'on ait l'ivresse, ou au moins un bon mal de crâne. Soyons honnêtes, quand j'ai vu le nom sur la liste, j'ai soupiré. J'ai pensé : "Encore un rappeur." Et je ne parle pas du Grime... ce mot seul évoquait pour moi une culture lointaine, hermétique, une affaire de jeunes en survêtement qui communiquent par onomatopées sur des sonneries de portable. J'avais tort, enfin, pas sur toute la ligne, mais j'avais tort sur l'essentiel. "Konnichiwa" n'est pas un album qui cherche à te plaire, il s'en contrefout, il t'attrape par le col et te hurle sa vérité à la gueule. C'est brut, c'est minimaliste, c'est d'une froideur quasi industrielle. Et là, forcément, ça a commencé à me parler. Les productions sont squelettiques, métalliques. On n'est pas dans le G-Funk californien, ensoleillé et plein de basses rondouillardes. Non, ici, la basse est une lame de rasoir, les beats sont des coups de matraque sur un conteneur en métal. C'est l'architecture brutaliste des council estates londoniens mise en musique. C'est gris, c'est anxiogène, c'est claustrophobique. Et putain, c'est efficace. L'énergie qui se dégage de ce disque est sidérante, c'est l'urgence de ceux qui n'ont rien à perdre. Skepta ne rappe pas, il débite et son flow est tendu comme un arc, précis comme un sniper. Et surtout, il a cet accent du Nord de Londres à couper au couteau, qui ancre chaque syllabe dans une réalité sociale et géographique bien précise. On n'est pas à L.A., on n'est pas à New York. On est à Londres, et ça s'entend. C'est cette authenticité crue, cette fierté d'appartenir à une scène locale qui a fini par conquérir le monde, qui fait toute la force de l'album. Il y a une filiation évidente avec le punk, la même rage, la même esthétique du "Do It Yourself", la même défiance envers l'establishment. Quand Skepta balance un "Shutdown", c'est un "Anarchy in the U.K." de son temps. C'est un grand "allez vous faire foutre" balancé à l'industrie musicale, aux politiciens, à la police, à ceux qui regardent sa culture de haut. Et le fait qu'il ait remporté le Mercury Prize avec cet album, coiffant au poteau des Bowie et des Radiohead, c'est la cerise sur le gâteau et la plus belle revanche qui soit. Le système a été obligé de reconnaître la pertinence d'un son qu'il avait longtemps ignoré, voire méprisé. Maintenant, pourquoi 4/5 et pas le sans-faute ? Parce que l'album, malgré sa cohérence, n'est pas parfait. Si des morceaux comme "That's Not Me", "Man" ou l'hymne "Shutdown" sont des classiques instantanés, des bombes d'une efficacité redoutable, d'autres titres peinent à maintenir ce niveau d'intensité. L'album est une déclaration d'indépendance, mais il cède parfois aux sirènes du marché global. Les featurings avec des pontes américains comme Pharrell Williams ou ASAP Nast sont prestigieux, c'est certain. Ça montre que Skepta est respecté, qu'il a "réussi". Mais musicalement, ça dilue un peu le propos. "Numbers" avec Pharrell, par exemple, sonne presque trop propre, trop lisse, comparé à la crasse magnifique du reste du disque. C'est un peu comme mettre une nappe en soie sur une table de pub poisseuse. Ça jure un peu. On sent une légère tension entre la volonté de rester fidèle à ses racines grime et la nécessité de produire des "tubes" pour le marché international. Mais ne boudons pas notre plaisir car ces quelques moments de flottement n'enlèvent rien à la puissance de l'ensemble. Konnichiwa est un album capital, pas seulement pour le Grime, mais pour la musique britannique en général. C'est un disque qui documente une époque, une culture, une colère. Il a fallu que le livre me force la main pour que je m'y penche, et je ne le regrette pas une seconde. Je n'en écouterai probablement pas tous les jours, ce n'est pas le genre de son que je mets pour lire le journal le dimanche matin. Mais c'est une claque, une putain de claque nécessaire et salutaire. Un rappel que la musique la plus pertinente vient souvent de la marge, du froid, du béton. Et rien que pour ça, il mérite amplement sa place dans ces 1001 albums. C'est un témoignage, un monument, un parpaing dans la gueule. Et parfois, ça fait un bien fou.
Grime is an interesting take on hip hop/rap and I’m definitely intrigued enough to want to listen to more. I think this album/artist has potential for me to fully like it. I did skip through the skits. I do that for pretty much any rap album. They get pretty redundant after a first listen through.
I've had one or two grime albums so far, and thought they were kinda corny. But this guy has a great delivery and some pretty nasty beats. Best grime album I've heard yet
I have a real soft spot for grime.
Damn near solid. Glad this popped up, been looking for some good Rap/Hip-Hop.
Yllättävän hyvä räbälevy. Sanoista saa hyvin selvää ja tekstit tuntuu tasapainolevan hyvin räppiuhon ja itseironian välimaastossa.
Not bad
Oi issa mostly enjoyable an' straightforward album frah Skepta, innit? Bare bangers throughout ya 'ear but the bloody mobile call tings are making meh softer than a fresh baked biscuit in tea, eh! 8/10
I have heard of Skepta before but I never heard any of his songs or albums. I was truly surprised about him as an artist and his songs. It really was a pleasant surprise. My favorite tracks were Crime Riddim, Numbers and Shutdown.
As far as as grime goes, it's really good, you can do alot worse but I've never been too fond of grime.
Favourite song - Konnichiwa
Nothing like skits baked into the songs completely ruining them. Great album but skits need to be their own tracks
pretty good
The flow didn’t quite grab me but I know what he was going for. Great piece of grime.
Το καλυτερο που μπορει να δωσει η uk grime σκηνη
Skepta goes in, fam, bare cold bars from the ends, big man ting, man’s moving mad, patterned it worldwide, fam, merking every ting, every wasteman, mandem, ya get me, fam?
Fun
grime gospel
Verrassend leuk, britt hop met het juiste accent.
I had never heard of Skepta and was unfamiliar with the Grime genre. I had read it's EDM, but this seems more like dirty hip-hop to me. I really enjoyed this record, great energy, flow, and had definitely heard a couple tracks before. This record was a pleasant surprise, very much enjoyed it.
So listen, I love real hip hop and have never cared for grime but this is alright. I enjoyed the fact he’s respectful to his mum and chats about getting tucked in at bedtime. The low point of the album was definitely the US guest rapper A$AP Floppy or some punk. It reminded me how bad enunciation has become for some and I appreciate the clarity of Skapta all the more. He’s got a cool enough tone, but grime beats don’t do it for me. All in all I’m landing in the positive side.
• 4/5 • Grime is probably my favorite flavor of rap/hip hop and Skepta is among the best • Favorite tracks: Konichiwa, Shutdown, and That's Not Me
4 - I got really excited for a rap album from 2016, but there wasn’t much depth. Some good tracks but if I wanted to listen to bravado I’d listen to something with better bars—all to say it was still very good
Liked this a lot more than I thought I would. I know Dizzee came first but I found this much more enjoyable!
Quanto British è sto album
This might only be the second or third grime album I've heard, and I found Skepta's Konnichiwa to be better than the others. These songs were catchy, so much so that the electronic noises were captivating. The combination of electronic and hip hop is unusual and engaging. I couldn't help but be excited for the next song. And of course, the social themes were aces. Not much else on this list sounds like Konnichiwa; while I genuinely enjoyed it, I appreciate its unique sound more. 3.5
5 stars except for Ladies Hit Squad which is just completely not my sound. Skepta (+Wiley and JME who were here too!) was one of my ipod shuffle artists back in the day, so if there's any rap music I speak the language of, this has to be the closest. I don't even mind about the lack of variation in topics because his lyrics are consistently fun and catchy anyway. Fireman Sam reference!? Shutting down the Shoreditch car park straight out of PE!? Fire.
Feel bad for people giving this album bad reviews because this is great
Brilliant album, great lyrics, and great music. 4/5. I shall delve into the back catalogue. Favourite song: Lyrics and shutdown Least favourite: Numbers Album artwork: Average cover
I have to say that I like this more than most of the American rap offerings on here. Forgot he won the Mercury with this. It’s a 4 from me
This shit is so good
pre: Oooh, genuinely excited, I have no idea what this is going to be is the sample under "Man" from Queens of the Stone Age? (I found it, Regular John from s/t) I don't know enough to comment intelligently but I liked this, would listen again
Even when I didn’t quite understand the lyrics, I loved the beats and the general attitude. Maybe I should listen to more grime!
surprisingly low on the typical grime sound, but it is quite a brash and confident album about Skepta's capabilities.
Americans, skip this, this is for UK people only. Skepta is probably the king of Grime, not necessarily the best Grime artist to ever do it be definitely the most successful and the face of the genre. The album is really solid, not all tracks are amazing, but it's a cornerstone for British music after the 20th century.
I really wonder what this album will sound like in 20+ years. It’s still young enough that it’s cool, but also starting to get old enough to be considered for the seminal work it is. Pharrell kills it on Numbers, and of course Shutdown is quintessential UK grime listening - this whole album is, really.
that one line on that one song
It's been a hot minute since I've listened to Skepta but this album pleasantly reminded me that I've always enjoyed his music. The album as a whole was well executed. I think it's one of those albums where you can choose to listen to it in it's entirety, or pick and choose your bangers (being Shutdown and That's Not Me). I don't think it's a 5 for me though but to be fair it's 7am so maybe I'm just not hyped enough for it to be a 5.
Spectacular! Really a tour de force. Totally caught me by surprise, because I had not even heard of Skepta before today. How'd I miss?!
Excellent, a well-done album overall. Several bangers that stay in your ear with only a few misses here and there.
Grime. Japanese language. British rap. Cool beats. 4
Good quality grime but lags in places
græm. skemmtilegt. 4
Oh, the skits on this one. Has there ever been someone who listened to an album and was like, "I enjoyed it, but I really could have used more skits"? Like most skits, those that are on this album and not even separated out as a separate track remove the flow. I did not expect to like this album, mostly because I had heard Dizzee Rascal's version of Grime and dumbly assumed it would be similar to what Skepta's style is. I also don't love the name of the album. Overall, there are a lot of good songs here. I like angry rap and there are several diss tracks on here and none of the songs go too long (minus the skits at the end). I would recommend this album to those who have not ever heard Grime as a genre. Standout tracks are Lyrics, Numbers, Man, Shutdown, That's not Me and Text Me Back.
Finally some newer hip-hop. Amazes me how much representation ancient, elementary hip-hop gets on this list, but there's so much more variety in modern stuff like this Skepta record. Definitely some misses on here, but mostly enjoyed this. Not totally familiar with this genre of rap but as I say, a welcomed change.
Interesting
I'unno who I heard say that UK rap sucks, because, honestly, I thought this "banged"—as the kids say. "Ladies Hit Club" or whatever it's called kinda sucks, but otherwise, yeah, I'm happy I heard this.
While not really familiar with the grime genre, this is a pretty good rap album (better than A Grand Don't Come For Free, at least). Straight 4 stars for me.
Pussyhoe fam
Album bangs. The second half is better than the first. My introduction to UK Grime back in the day. The first half has too much “proving myself” energy and is kinda juvenile with the cod chat, but “It Ain’t Safe” and “Shut Down” are timeless
Never really liked Skepta before I listened to this album , and I thought I was going to continue to not really like his music , but this album changed my opinion. Pretty good overall, the energy of the album really picked up after “It Ain’t Safe”. Can see myself putting this album on again the future. IT AIN’T SAFE FOR THE BLOCK, NOT EVEN FOR THE COPS
I think this all melds well together. Skepta's tough-guy persona is aided by the space that the very sparse instrumentals provide. Even on tracks I find cheesy (specifically "Ladies Hit Squad"), I walk away having the melody and instrumental stuck in my head. If you don't mind the semi-single-focus bars (aside from "Every Thug Needs A Lady"-style closer "Text Me Back"), I think there's enough here to call this one a solid 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Crime Riddim", "Numbers", "That's Not Me"
Loving the introduction to UK rap for me. I'll definitely be adding a lot of these songs into my rotation.
Gear: DCA ÆON 2 Noire Artwork: ⬜🟥📬 Mix: 🧨🔊💎 Musik: 🇬🇧 🇯🇵 💀 Wertung: ♨️♨️♨️♨️/5
first listen fire production
A very good listen. Each song had a nice blend of humor and clever lyrics to keep me engaged, and the beats themselves were energetic and also interesting. My only complaint is there is a definite disparity between the quality from song to song on this album. Nothing is horrible, but there is a but of inconsistency between the tracks. I would have ordered the sings differently, but very good as a whole. Top tracks: Konnichiwa, Man, Detox
I'm surprised how much I like this. I'd previously heard Shutdown a bunch when it came out and had the impression I didn't like grime, however this was a solid album with a lot to get behind. Skepta is a storyteller and I think I'll give this album another whirl at some point to see what else I can pick up on. Does it deserve to be on a greatest of list? I guess time will tell, but I'm glad I heard it.
8/10
Never heard of Skepta but this is something I’d buy.
I should 'ave rated Boy in Da Corner higher. Grime is growing on me
Wasn't sure at first but then I went back, got to Shutdown and That's Not Me and something clicked. The rest of the album just made sense after that. And i really really like it. Urban poetry gliding over some wicked rhythms. Nice His other stuff is great too. I'm a new fan for deffo.
First time with the grime fam
Mad ting innit
I remember when this one came out, I was all over Lyrics and Man. This is some high quality grime. Album kicks off with a solid demonstration in typical "I'm the shit" bombast. Lead by a catchy beat that centers around a fuzzed out 808 bass line and some bright plinky keys. This bleeds over into Lyrics (one of my favorite on the album) which roots its eccentric instrumental around a pulsing bass warble. Love the flow here. Outro skits on Corn on the Curb and Crime Riddim are a bit much for my taste, but the songs themselves are cool. Particularly Crime Riddim, which has a nice bob to it. It Ain't Safe is the first thing that has the markings of a single. The instrumental taps something distinctly "old school" and the shouted vocal "chorus" is pretty weak, but Skepta's voice flows so nicely over the burble. Amazing how little time it takes to spot a Pharrell Williams beat. Sure, he is vocal sampled on Numbers, but I think even without it his fingerprints are all over it. The vocal aspect of the beat is kind of silly, but the bass has a really cool hop to it. Man is one of the coolest songs here IMO. Really interesting beat selection, with the unsettling back and force strings(?) overlaid with a pretty standard bass lines. All around solid grime album. It has some weak spots, and I'm not huge into the skit interludes, but the high points are high for me. Solid 4 / 5
I have such a soft spot for British rap because it just sounds hilarious. Big tings and such. The interludes were pretty dumb, but the beats, flow, and energy are all there. A couple blemishes, but a really solid 4 otherwise!
Listened to this the year it came out and remember having some jams. Especially Man. What a jam of a song. Few songs in and loving it Skepta has some serious flow and the beats are legit. Could shorten up some of these interludes but still invested. Some of the beats are dirty af so I get why they call it grime. I like it. Hearing some brown noise in It Ain't Safe. Man is just as baller as I remember.
This was a super cool listen. Spotify sort of pranked me though as when I clicked play "Konnichiwa", the description for the artist said "A veteran of the U.K. grime scene", so I was expecting some gritty EDM music but I was excited when I heard his voice. Super smooth voice, fun and quick lyrics, and interesting instrumentals under his voice. I really liked "Shutdown". Cool song and instrumental. I did feel like he overused the title word though, and after finishing the album I realized that he kind of does that a bit throughout. It's not a bad thing but something I noticed. Will be listening again!
Stone cold
Insane beats. Hard hitting flow from Skepta. Weak skits. Average lyrical content.
Listened to this on the Vicky Line while passing through Tottenham feeling like a proper North London Roadman. Skepta has also done some stuff with us at work, so by all accounts a nice geezer. Simpsons: No
I'm floored by this one. I was skeptical since it's a relatively new record by an artist that isn't promoted in the US (as a bunch of records of its kind on this list have been boring and disappointing), so I'm glad to be proven wrong with Konnichiwa.
Hell yeah, really love this one. Skepta has to be my favorite UK/grime artist, I don't care how mainstream of a pick that may be, he kicks ass. I heard this album years ago and loved it, glad that's it's on the list. Can't even claim British bias here because it's just a super hard album. Favorite tracks: Konnichiwa, Corn on the Curb, Numbers, Man, Shutdown, That's Not Me, Detox, Text Me Back. Album art: Not very interesting, but it's well-designed. A sort of stamped envelope look, a bit of passport vibes, is that Skepta's head and hat featured on the stamp? First time I'm noticing that. 4.5/5
If nothing else, this project makes me feel like I've established an appreciation of rap and can discern what I like and don't like. I liked this. Flow was good, dude has something to say, I felt like I got a snapshot of what his life is all about, and I'm there for the beats and vibe.
Wel prima geinig. Hey helemaal mijn muziek though
one line flows yeah i got some of those
Yoooooooo wat, er zijn wel albums na 2006 hierin opgenomen?? Wagwan fam, wiv da mandem North London is here bruv, Big man ting ya dickhead Ik vibede hier wel mee. Zitten ook wel echt fa2 nummers tussen, Numbers is kaulo droog en It Aint Safe ook. That's Not Me is heel hard Nee leuk, ga hem vaker op zetten als ik me wil voelen als een big man uit North London (North London is red, fuck Tottenham)
uk grime goated
Grime is my guilty pleasure. I really enjoyed this, the use of samples were really fun. Will listen again.
British GR, well worth a listen.
Groovy Brit hip hop album - it’s fun but very self absorbed man child vibes going around. Then again it is the state of most hip hop of the period.
Great bass on this album, lyrics a bit gloomy. But had the great shutdown. Used to sing this to the kids when they were naughty they got 'shut down'
Well, the pattern ends. I have now gotten 5 new artists in a row. Damn. Anyways, this is a fun album. My first experience with grime through Dizzee Rascal's "Boy in Da Corner" wasn't the most positive one. Maybe I just wasn't in the right headspace, but my thought upon listening to that album was "I don't think grime is for me." However, the great thing about listening to multiple albums from a certain genre is that preconceived notions can be disproved. I actually did go back to a few songs from that album after this, but I still am not really a fan of that album. Despite that, I actually like Skepta's "Konnichiwa." This album isn't the most serious thing out there, but it doesn't have to be. The rapping is enjoyable to listen to. The writing is solid and not too problematic. The beats are probably the best part. They just go so hard for no real reason. The album's not perfect, don't get me wrong. I did feel like the appeal of the album did start to dwindle by the end of the album. That's not to say that this album dragged or went on for too long. 44 minutes is like the perfect album length. However, it didn't feel quite as special after twelve songs. The features are also just fine. Overall, this is a surprisingly enjoyable album. Fantano was in the right when he gave this a 7/10. That would be equivalent to a 3.5/5, so I'll round up and give this album a light 4/5.
Ziemlich cooles Hip Hop Album
The sense of seriousness that this album conveys seems a bit unnecessary, but if taken into through the context of theatricality, the album hits that mark. Skepta himself is a very capable, very brilliant artist. If anyone were to put British/London rap on the map, it is going to be him. Aggressive beats, well-placed melodies, made for a real surprise at how much this album truly can be enjoyed.
Fucking insane this album hit hard
Excellent production and Skepta can really rap - don’t know why I can’t get totally behind grime though
Not big on hip hop, but enjoyed the British delivery and interwoven skits. Is skits the right word? Idk idc
It's a banger, what more can I say
stonewall classic
I have never heard this before, it's really good. I'm adding the album to my favorites so that I can listen again at home.
The production's good Shutdown and That's Not Me suck Numbers is great - Love Pharrell Text Me Back is best song
I’m defo not the target audience however, I really did enjoy this. Hints of Dizzee and Kendrick
Listened to it—not my taste or era but appreciated the overall expression.
Thought I was gonna struggle with this one but on the contrary it’s a banger! The production is excellent, the flow great and it holds for most of the record. I don’t have any issue with the accents so there goes that. That Lyrics track goes hard!
I've been really trying to get into grime as it's a genre I know very little about, this is where I should have started. Great stuff m, hard hitting at times, overly cringe macho at others, but still enjoyed it
Was very surprised how into this album I got. Was impressed and immersed in a number of songs. The only issue I have is the voice recordings in between song. Never been a fan
Good
This impressed me more than I thought it would. Lots of cool sound effects and instrument uses. Great features and crispy clear production!! Standout tracks: Lyrics, Corn On The Curb, It Ain't Safe, Man, Shutdown, That's Not Me, Text Me Back 7,5 out of 10
Dizzee Rascal walked so that Skepta could run. Weird to get two grime albums so close together, but I think it helps me to see how much better this album is then the other one and how the genre progressed. Its also funny to hear all the British slang Drake took for his own use later. Unlike most albums we listen to here, I would have been happy if it kept going a little longer. Would do a 4.5 if possible, but it does't deserve a 5.
Excellent, Skepta viens montrer a Dizzee Rascal qui est le meilleur rappeur britannique du générateur, le maltraitant sur ses propres Dizzee Rascal Type Beats
I remember first listening to this album when there was a bit of backlash to it winning the Mercury Prize over Blackstar and A Moon Shaped Pool among others. I’ve never really got into grime, and much prefer the US hip-hop aesthetic, so didn’t really know what to expect but was very pleasantly surprised by this. Revisiting a few years later it’s still got back to back bangers and is just an incredibly fun listen - the beats are all super catchy and Skepta’s energy and mic presence are next level. Blackstar may be more my thing and was a very fitting ending to an illustrious musical career, but Konnichiwa is a better time capsule for the British music scene in 2016 and really captures the spirit of what music awards should be about
There are a few actually good tracks, and the rest are at least entertaining. It could be the British accent making them sound deeper and simultaneously funnier, but here's 4 stars anyway.
Love grime. Love Skepta. Great production. 4/5
Innit
- Ich finde Grime ist die spannendste Bewegung im Hip-Hop der letzten 15-20 Jahre. Während ich mit Trap und Cloud Rap wirklich wenig anfangen kann, rückt Grime wieder eine gewisse Härte und vor allem lyrisches und technisches Können in den Fokus. - Skepta war mir bisher aus meiner Grime-Liste ein Begriff, ist in meiner Wahrnehmung aber neben Genregrößen wie Wiley, Stormzy, Bugzy Malone, oder Dizzee Rascal irgendwie untergegangen. - Das Album gefällt mir extrem gut! Mit "Konnichiwa" geht es nach einem schönen Intro direkt in die Fresse. - Die drei folgenden Songs halten das Level - Mit "It Ain't Safe" und diesem Synthie, der klingt wie ein Kröte, und der eher langweiligen Hook, konnte ich eher wenig anfangen - "Ladies Hit Squad" mit dem möchtegern-Drake A$ASP NAST und "Numbers" mit Pharrell zeigen wunderbar was mein Problem mit US-Rap in den letzten Jahren ist: Langweilige und ultrablangenlose Lyrics, nicht mal besonders gut gereimt oder gerappt mit einer nervigen "Melodie" oder nervigen Beats. Man merkt, den Einfluss der Amis in diesen Tracks -> Grime geht hier gänzlich verloren. - Mit "Man" geht's dann zum Glück wieder geil zurück in die gefühlte Londoner Unterwelt. - "Shutdown" kannte ich aus der Grime-Liste und würde ich auch als einer der stärksten Tracks des Albums bewerten. - Die letzten Songs ebenfalls wieder cool Rating: 3,5-3,75/5
- Grime holt mich einfach ab. Diese düstere Atmosphäre, dieses häufig breite elektronische Bett unter diesem ARSCHGEILEN "Dialekt" und dann sind die Texte häufig auch einfach richtig gut geschrieben und heftig geflowed. - Stichwort elektronisches Bett: Manchmal fehlt mir in diesem Album was die instrumentalisierung angeht etwas an Abwechslung. Und ab und zu wirken die Beats auf mich etwas outdated. - Skepta flowed aber die Scheiße aus dem Beat und reitet über die Bars wie ein absoluter Madman. - Im Gesamteindruck fehlt mir aber, wie gesagt, doch etwas Varietät 3,75
It's good, obviously, but I feel like "Man's Not Hot" ruined any chance of me taking this kind of stuff seriously
Uk rap or uk grime, ik ben hier fan van. Minder wel door die telefoontjes tussendoor..
ja ik heb stiekem toch een ding met britse en franse rap
ewa blood fam, ik vond het gaaf!
It reminds me of early trap music where the beats were basic but the energy just felt different. It makes me want to watch top boy to see what this London trap is all about.
I would have preferred JME's "Integrity" on this list 4+/5
lol was not expecting to see skepta on here. I got hip to him bc he was featured on a carti song. never listened to this whole album but it goes unreasonably hard. shutdown is an absolute banger
This really goes hard. I loved this.
British rap that still sounds fresh
I'm generally dismissive of grime and UK rap in general after discovering some of the most horrendous rap I have ever heard from those genres. But this one actually slaps much harder than I expected.
If I listen to hip hop, it is usually 90s. But I liked this. Would listen again
Bangerz
Can I get a pic for the gram? Great album. I liked the background music, energy, wished I had been listening on something that had a little more bass.
one of the best grime albums ever. bonus points for putting a recording of a cod lobby on a track
Very listenable. This is not the type of music I would normally listen to, but I really enjoyed it. I liked the phone calls/skits that were near the ends of certain songs.
Great grime album
I probably need to listen a few more times to really appreciate it.
Pretty good stuff actually, felt the beat and got pretty hyped
This is the 3rd British rapper I've gotten in only 2 weeks of doing this. And this was the best yet. It seemed more composed than the others (no names mentioned - this isn't about them haha). It was thoughtful, well produced, strong performance, good mix of other genre influence, and an all around bop.
British grime rap? I'm in. Solid 4
This started out very strong for me, but I got a little bored and annoyed by the end of it.
Enjoyed this album. Not something I would normally listen to but very good.
Hmmm, I was leaning towards a 3 to begin with, but it won me over as it went on. It's a very distinctive sound he's got - the inclusion of "Ladies Hit Squad" which is much more than slowed down US sub-genre I don't know the name of really highlights how different the rest of the tracks are to standard US fare... Content-wise I'm a bit ambivalent - prefer my hip-hop to be of the more conscious variety, and this has made me realize there's no Roots Manuva in the list, what the hell is that about! Fave track - "Man (Gang)" maybe, or "Shutdown"
Skepta låter bara så sick man... shoutz out. Och alltså det här är ett av få album på listan från 2010-talet som inte är av en gammal artist eller tillbakablickande trash indie. Bra pick!
HL: “Numbers”, “That’s Not Me”, “It Ain’t Safe”, “Lyrics” Nothing dates something to the mid-2010’s like the airhorns in “Lyrics” (see also: “Hold Up” by Beyoncé), but as a full-length introduction to grime, Konnichiwa impressed me. Approaches something menacing in some tracks, while others are more offbeat & jovial. I know my biased self would give A Moon Shaped Pool or Blackstar the 2016 Mercury Prize over this, but on the other hand it goes to show how much good music came out at the same time. October 2, 2023
8/10
My first grime album, what a place to start.
Finally a hip hop album with a bit darker beat and atmosphere. I like this style of music and additionally Skepta's style and flow was pretty inclusive for fans of different genres. A real positive surprise, I would be happy to check the rest of his discography.
Solid
I remember coming across Skepta’s name a good few years ago and disregarding it because I thought it was dubstep (which is silly because I did end up caving and enjoying dubstep later). Since then, I guess he hasn’t come up on my radar again so I never thought to listen. But today that will change! Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Crime Riddim, Shutdown This was pretty great. Skepta has one of those voices in hip hop that makes it sound easy as he seems so natural with it. The lyrics are mostly fantastic, but I’ll be honest and say that a lot of the roadman talk went straight over my head. I can’t help but cringe when people call each other “fam”, just as much as people describe workplaces as a “little family”. It’s all the same level of ridiculous to me, but I could digress about that for longer than I’d necessary here. Anyway, this album is good. Give it a listen.
J'aime le style. C'est aggressif et ca déménage. Le mélande de hiphop avec des beats vraiment intense. Ca s'écoute super bien. c'est vraiment un bon album. 4.5
You know what I really enjoyed this, much more than I thought it would. The beats and samples are great, much more tuneful than expected. His flow is great, and some niche shout outs including Hublot watches. Needs a relisten so giving this the benefit of the doubt.
Cool grime record, cool samples.
In some ways (the skits + "turn up my headphones," for starters), this album sounds like it's 15 years older than it is. It still goes, though. This is the second London rapper I've really enjoyed, which makes me wonder if there's a Geordie rapper out there that should be on the list. I'll investigate. Best track: Shutdown
Actually enjoyed — wasn’t sure I’d like grime. The production is nice, and there are some catchy songs in there. I’d have to go through the lyrics again but overall I liked the music. I understand this is a fairly influential record in UK grime scenes so I’m gonna give this a 4.
I've loved That's Not Me since it dropped, and I'm glad that the rest of the album holds up to it; I just wish the skits were shorter.