Skepta teams up with Ryder and Dré 6ix on ’48 Hours’ EP

“Beast,” “Vicious,” “Stupendous!”—for a moment, you might’ve been puzzled, for a minute or two, wondering about the choice of these words. I mean, they don’t exactly rhyme with Skepta. Then again, who’s checking? These descriptors aptly capture the essence of the British-Nigerian maestro, Joseph Olaitan Adenuga Jr., especially when it comes to the multifaceted world of music, for it seems no other words quite do justice to his musical prowess.

Skepta has seamlessly navigated various facets of the music industry, showcasing his talent as a DJ, MC, record producer, and, of course, a globally recognized rapper. How extraordinary is that? It’s no surprise that people are running out of adjectives to define him.

Skepta’s music career began in 2007 with the release of his inaugural mixtape, “Joseph Junior Adenuga,” which hit the scene in 2006. Shortly after, he unveiled his debut studio album, “Greatest Hits,” in 2007. Since then, he has treated fans to five additional mixtapes, including “Been There Done That” (2010), “Community Payback” (2011), “Blacklisted” (2012), “The Tim Westwood Mix” (2015), and “All In” (2021).

He has also released four albums after his first— “Microphone Champion” (2009), “Doin’ It Again” (2011), “Konnichiwa” (2016), and “Ignorance Is Bliss” (2019). In 2021, he collaborated with Chip and Young Adz to drop “Insomnia,” a joint album that swiftly ascended to the top ten charts.

With a rap career spanning over 17 years, Skepta’s ability to consistently deliver fresh and exceptional music is nothing short of astonishing. Each release not only maintains his standing in the industry but also surpasses previous feats. His excellence has earned him numerous award nominations and victories at prestigious events such as the MOBO Awards, the Mercury Prize, and the BET Awards.

Now, after a three-year hiatus, Skepta has graced the eager ears and music feeds of his audience with another remarkable collaborative project. Teaming up with the emerging artist Ryder, the Extended Playlist features the talents of another artist, Dré Six.

With a total of five songs, the EP resonates with pure musical brilliance and true to expectations, Skepta has once again proven to us all why he defies classification, emerging as nothing short of a musical beast.