Skepta's Top 5 Greatest Ever Freestyles
Boy Better Know microphone champion Joesph Junior Adenuga a.k.a. SKEPTA needs no introduction. From his early Risky Roadz days, to ‘That’s Not Me’ renaissance, to huge hits with A$AP Rocky – Skeppy is a certified colossus in the UK rap game.
Now an award-winning artist with mad mainstream success, Skepta was firstly a founder of Grime – mixing the darker sides of Jungle and Garage to create a new sound, that has since conquered the globe and inspired loads of exciting genres.
To celebrate the King of Grime’s genius, here are our Top 5 Skepta Freestyles…
1. Skepta & JME: 1Xtra in New York (2007)
“Okay New York, New York...”
Back in December of 2007, Skepta and younger brother, fellow grime OG JME, flew over to the States to rep the UK sound. Whilst in New York, they linked up with Tim Westwood in the 1Xtra studio and spat a freestyle that will always be remembered. This is some pure fire to warm you up…
2. Skepta: Tim Westwood Freestyle (2008)
"I would hate me too if I had the same MySpace views as you…”
Fast forward a year, and Skepta links up with the notoriousFast forward a year, and Skepta links up with the notorious Tim Westwood once more for the ‘UK’s Biggest Ever Freestyle’ - and it 100% lives up to the bigged-up billing. With close to 8 million views, this really is one of the hardest freestyles you’ll find, and if we were choosing our all-time ultimate winner, this would probably be it…
3. Boy Better Know: SBTV 100M Views Freestyle (2012)
“Take my eyeball out, go blind; when I write bars, I put the I in Grime…”
What better way to celebrate a massive accomplishment like 100 million views on your channel than having the full BBK crew come and spray bars? Skepta and the full Boy Better Know team including JME, Jammer, Frisco and Shorty all weigh in, and it’s the perfect homage to SBTV’s contribution to the culture. A proper moment…
4. Skepta: That’s Not Me - All Star Remix on Toddla T (2014)
“What do you mean, you fool; go on then, go on the, draw for the tool…”
Everybody remembers the iconic, return-to-form statement track ‘That’s Not Me’ from Skepta & JME. But did you catch the legendary All Star Remix hosted live on Toddla T’s 1Xtra radio show? Be ready for the energy levels on this one, Skepta & JME bring through a load of MCs from around the country - and with Toddla running the classic Grime riddims, it’s shelling time…
5. DJ Maximum x Meridan Crew: Sidewinder Raw Vol.2 (2006)
“ I wanna go deeeeper…”
This freestyle is a bit more underground and a proper old school vibe, back from the Sidewinder Raw days of the late 2000s! DJ Maximum had the Meridian Crew down for a standout set at the second instalment of the London Grime event, which was already making stars of loads of up-and-coming MCs. Big Skeppy was accompanied by Prez T, Bossman & Meridian in this throwback mix/freestyle. This is one for the heads…