A 1-listen review of Skepta’s new EP, ‘All In’
King Skep makes a concise & typically remarkable return
Back in March, following the release of JAE5’s “Dimension”, Skepta hinted at retirement. In a series of cryptic posts on his Instastories, the grime lord hinted at being “out” after a series of drops lined up for the year. Taking to the same medium earlier this month, he refuted claims that he was planning to stop making music, insisting that he was music personified. It’s hard to discount his claim: in addition to his work with JAE5 and Rema on “Dimension,” Skepta worked on the Fast and Furious 9 soundtrack, collaborating with late New York drill rapper Pop Smoke and A$AP Rocky on a track titled “Lane Switcha.”
His refutation of retirement has also flowed into an announcement of new music, with a synchronized social media post earlier this week signalling a new body of work to be titled All In. Skepta’s first solo project since 2019’s Ignorance Is Bliss, the five-tracker has already caused some excitement on Twitter due to the presence of Alté pioneer, Teezee, on a track alongside rap-punk star, Kid Cudi, as well as a song with Colombian Reggaeton megastar, J Balvin. There are production credits for long-time collaborator, Ragz Originale, and JAE5, with many eager to see what direction Skepta heads towards on one of his shorter projects. For what it’s worth, it is a needed update from one of the most intriguing music figures of the last decade, especially one who has played such a crucial role in closing the chasm between the British music scene and Nigeria’s eruptive cultural landscape.
In the usual 1-listen review fashion, all reactions are in real-time while the music plays. No pauses, rewinds, fast-forwards or skips.
“Bellator”
There’s no time for sentiments on this opener, Skepta is going straight into it and I think these are thoughts he’s wanted to get off for a while that has had to wait. I like how the bass is not overpowering his voice, just gliding with it and anchoring his message even if his verse starts out a bit slow. Most rappers usually start these sorts of projects with introspective tracks, but Skepta isn’t necessarily approaching this one like he ever went away. The fade-out effect at the end is also classy, adds something extra to a song about being loyal to your people and living your best life. Great opener.
“Peace of Mind” (feat. Teezee and Kid Cudi)
The one everyone wants to hear. I can’t recognize that sample at the beginning but I love that it switches up for Kid Cudi to come through with that punk energy. It all feels so raw and everyone is trying to get grandiose lines off. I feel like there’s just a sense of organized chaos at the heart of this song, everyone is here for a good time and a line like “I’m not politically correct” just sums it how non-conforming this song is. Skepta’s referenced Sex Education, so he’s up-to-date with pop culture and the bit about Zinedine Zidane is quite cheeky too, would have loved some more spurts of melody but alas I don’t get to make such decisions; asides from that, a delightfully rowdy track
“Nirvana” (feat. J Balvin)
Hearing “JAE5” heave at the beginning almost feels like a promise. This is the one: melodic, tempered rapping from Skepta. That’s what operating in nexus with someone like J Balvin just does. The guitar chords that undergird the track are so subtle but defining, they add a special flavour to the song, shouts to JAE5. Balvin’s voice is so pentatonic and even though I don’t understand Spanish, I just know he’s gone and got into a perfect zone that works for him, his cadence is at a perfect level to enliven the song, too. I’m adding this to my car ride playlist.
“Lit Like This”
In a project of brags, this one stands out but it also feels odd as an attempt to engineer a party anthem. I like the chants but it just isn’t getting that response from me. But I’ll definitely try this one again tomorrow with some alcohol inside me to see how I respond.
“Eyes On Me”
Let’s go. There’s ice in Skepta’s vein on this one when he rapped that “we aren’t trying to take any L” line. The energy from the “Showtime Riddim” sample is genuinely brilliant because the way this beat is attacked demands that constant cheering sound and I like the reference to his guys pulling up like it’s Merky Fest. And he’s an African Giant too, so I don’t think anyone wants that smoke. It’s genuinely an uplifting one. I like this, I recommend this, I am replaying this after I write my final thoughts on the project.
Final thoughts
It’s hard to imagine that Skepta has anything major to prove musically, after more than 15 years spent at the forefront of Grime and black British music and culture, he’s purely in this for the sport of laying his thoughts on exciting instrumentals like he largely manages to do here successfully. And that lack of worries unburdens the rapper to make a project that leans into themes of opulence and celebration, after the shadowy experimentalism of last year’s Insomnia with Chip and Young Adz. At five songs, All In is Skepta’s most concise body of work and a much-needed statement as his creative output extends beyond music.
Favouring an eclectic mix of soul and dancehall samples across the different tracks on All In, Skepta floats across a number of music styles while accompanied by guests who fit within the narrative of just trying to make the most exciting music they can at this exact moment: think Kid Cudi and Teezee colliding chaotically on “Peace of Mind” and Skepta’s melodic verse flowing into J Balvin’s pristine delivery on “Nirvana.”
A lyric-to-lyric study of All In will reveal little about the intimate details of Skepta’s life but listened to purely as an effort in technicality and presence management, it retains the gritty magnetism that makes Skepta a compelling figure.
Listen to All In here.
@walenchi Is A Lagos-Based Writer Interested In The Intersection Of Popular Culture, Music, And Youth Lifestyle.
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Asake Links With Tiakola On Gritty “BADMAN GANSTA”
Another step towards ‘Money,’ his fourth
Street-pop star, Asake, has released a surprise new single titled “BADMAN GANSTA.” Produced by super producer, P.Priime, the single, Asake’s second of the year, arrives with a crisp black and white feature and a stellar guest verse from French rapper and singer Tiakola.
The singer posted the full music video–a monochromatic montage of dazzling shots and scenes of his opulent lifestyle–across his different social media handles on Thursday evening, July 24, with a caption that read, ‘The World Of Money.’
Earlier in June, the ex-YBNL star announced a new album titled ‘Money.’ A few months before that, he released a loosie titled “Military” and then “WHY LOVE,” his first official single under his new imprint Giran Republic. “Military” served as a bookend to the first arc of his impressive career as much as an announcement of a new era, while “WHY LOVE” officially kicked off season two.
Following the release of “WHY LOVE,” Asake has also featured on songs like Olamide’s “99,” J Hus’ “Gold”, and Young Jonn’s “Che Che,” delivering standout verses that favour a melodious, laid-back approach as opposed to the spirited, fast-paced style that earned him success early on. “BADMAN GANSTA” also excels with this approach, as Asake’s melodious musings about his current lifestyle dovetail nicely with Tiakola’s equally sturdy verse over a plush beat that samples Amerie’s 2005 classic “1 Thing.”
With Asake releasing three albums in as many years, it’s not unreasonable to assume ‘Money’ might arrive before the end of the year. There’s also the possibility that he might be willing to take his time a little more now, seeing as he his under his imprint now.
Whatever the case may be, ‘Money’ is likely to arrive sooner rather than later, and it will be fascinating to see what other aces Asake has up his sleeves.
Listen to “BADMAN GANSTA” here.
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An 11th-hour summer anthem for the
Ayra Starr has released her highly anticipated single “Hot Body.”
The Mavin popstar has been teasing the new single for a few weeks now, posting multiple promotional videos across social media that built up significant excitement for her third official release of the year. The release of “Hot Body” comes on the heels of recent reports that confirmed the Grammy-nominated singer had officially joined Roc Nation’s roster, the American music label, entertainment, and sports services company founded by rapper and business mogul JAY-Z.
Earlier in February, Ayra Starr shared “All The Love,” a sumptuous Afropop ballad produced by labelmate Johnny Drille and Teemode, before releasing the sleek and sensual Wizkid-assisted “Gimmie Dat” about months later. In that time period, the singer picked up two awards at the 2025 MOBO Awards for Best African Music Act and Best International Act before also clinching her first BET award for Best International Act in June.
It was recently announced that the pop singer would be joining Coldplay on the UK leg of their Music Of The Spheres World Tour between August to September, and her impressive year continues with the release of “Hot Body.” Once again, teaming up with close collaborator Ragee and UK production duo The Elements, Ayra Starr manages to deliver a sweetly erotic summer jam that’s sure to elicit plenty lip-biting, hip gyrating, and flirty winks. “Look what a hot body can do,” she sings repeatedly, almost like an enchantress performing a magic trick.
With her current deal with Mavin and Universal Music still running and the recent confirmation of her management deal with Roc Nation, it’s safe to assume that “Hot Body” might garner significant momentum both at home and abroad. Outside of her music, the singer recently wrapped up the shooting of the film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone which is reportedly set for release in early 2027.
Listen to “Hot Body” here.
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Packed with his reflections on faith, love, and cultural pride, ‘Z’ distills ZULO’s thoughts into a...
ZULO is no stranger to reinvention. Formerly known as Lil Trix, the rapper rose through the ranks with a series of gritty mixtapes that chronicled his upbringing, thrills, and connection to the community. Since his rebrand, he’s steadily grown into a renowned voice in South African Hip-Hop, regarded for his storytelling, cultural homage, and genre fusion.
Three years after the release of ‘Talk To Me Naace,’ his reintroduction to the scene, ZULO has returned with ‘Z,’ a three-track EP that shows a glimpse of his evolution as an artist and human. Packed with his reflections on faith, love, and cultural pride, ‘Z’ distills ZULO’s thoughts into a refined sound that’s bold, emotional, and distinctly South African.
The three-tracker opens with “God’s Armour,” a gospel-inflected protest anthem layered with brass and trap drums. It is followed by “Sweeter Success,” an infectious Afropop-inspired groove built around a nostalgic sample of UPZ’s iconic “Pure Surprise”. Beneath its shine lies a darker message: the emotional cost of ambition, the toll of always pushing for more. ZULO produced the track himself, with additional production from Miglow and SpiceDrums.
‘Z’ closes with “Spaan”, a gritty street anthem that samples Kamazu and confronts addiction, poverty, and the lingering scars of apartheid through the lens of coloured identity. “These songs are battle cries and war journals,” ZULO says. “‘Z’ is everything I’ve fought through to stand where I am. The EP follows a strong run of 2024 singles, including “Adawise,” “JOL,” “Garden,” and “Smaak To Love (Lamza).”
Listen to ‘Z’ here.
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