Skepta releases The Fork and Knife, his first solo album in seven years
British rapper Skepta released the album The Fork and Knife on 6 November 2026. It is his first solo record since 2019, rooted in grime and about the identity of an immigrant's child.
Author: Editorial teamPublished: 2 min read
Skepta, one of the leading figures of the British grime scene, released his sixth studio album, The Fork and Knife, on 6 November 2026. It is the rapper's first solo album since 2019, when Ignorance Is Bliss came out. The record is released by Big Smoke Records and Epic Records.
Sound and guests
On the album the artist returns to his grime roots, but also draws on UK garage, house, jungle and rave. According to the album's description, the music is rooted in British culture but is meant to reach far beyond its borders.
Two singles came out before release. The first is Innocent Smile, recorded with the duo Chase & Status and Suggs, the singer of Madness. The second, Pandora's Box, shows a more reflective side of the rapper's work. The track Broken Hearts features Central Cee and Jorja Smith. It was originally made with Dave in mind, but Central Cee ultimately took his place.
Identity and migration
One of the album's main themes is identity. Skepta grew up in north London and has Nigerian roots. On the album he returns to life between cultures, his family history and the effect of migration on later generations. According to the album's description, he treats the diaspora experience not as a burden but as a source of strength.
The visual side draws on the life of Nigerian-British communities in the 1980s, football culture and a documentary aesthetic. It links the story of the Windrush generation with contemporary London.
Skepta has said that making the album was a long and difficult process. He wanted to create material with an important message that would not lose the energy of his earlier records. He also said he put his whole heart into the album.
The title of the BBC News interview referred to by the feed uses the rapper's words: "I'm what it looks like if you give an immigrant child a chance". The BBC piece could not be retrieved, so the quote comes from the publication's title.
The album had been announced for more than two years, and its title and release date changed in the announcements.
Sources
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Photos
- Cover: „microphone, headphones, music, mic, audio”, author: AndNowProjekt, licence Pixabay Content License; cropped or resized.
- Photo 1: „book, person, reading, railway, train”, author: TheOtherKev, licence Pixabay Content License; cropped or resized.
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