10 Essential Skepta Tracks

Skepta is a grime MC from North London. For those who don't know, grime is a form of hip-hop that emerged from the English club scene in the early 2000s. MCs who would hype up the crowd during UK Garage eventually started seeing more and more love when they rhymed. One bar turned to two, two bars turned to eight, and before you know it these MCs were making music based around them.

In 2015, grime is seeing a huge surge in popularity in the United States. Artists like Tinie Tempah and Dizzee Rascal have seen a bit of success over here already, but now there's a new dude making a bunch of waves: Skepta. With cosigns by Kanye and Drake, Skepta is poised to have a massive 2015.

After giving you five things you need to know about Skepta, let's break down the rapper's most essential tracks, including some of the great new ones that have him on the tip of everyone's tongue.

With three million+ views on YouTube, it's clear "#ThatsNotMe" gets a lot of love. The fast-paced vocals and catchy chorus are a good introduction in to what Skepta brings to the table.

Skepta invites A$AP Mob's Young Lord for a fire cut on this one. "It Ain't Safe for the block, not even for the cops!" they chant over a hyphy beat.

If you're a fan of EDM, you might really like this one. It's definitely poppier than the rest of the rest of the list, but it's a pretty solid party cut nonetheless.

Skepta's Blacklisted project didn't bother with track names, but the rhymes on this one are furious. Over an ambient beat, "Track 1" is an ill intro that also proves homie makes some music you can chill to.

This one returns to that raw and rugged style Skepta is mostly known for. As he boasts about his work flow, touring status, and his team, an eerie beat follows along.

"I don't care what gun you bang
I don't care what drug you sell
Fuck you man
Because I got a manager, a DJ
7 MC's and five producers on my label
So before you start eating food in the game
Better bring something to the table"

Most recently, this one went viral on the blogosphere. With its bouncy beat, grimey vibe, and killer flow, this one has brought Skepta in front of a lot of eyes over the past month. 

Skepta got invited to jump on an Ace Hood track called "Supposed To Do", and the result is great. The atmospheric beat is light, but both MCs go in hard as nails.

"RedEye to Paris" is a spacey beat that you would expect from the Brooklyn collective, but Skepta proves he can hang on it too. This one was just released about a week ago, but it's catching on all over the place.

Skream's remix of "Bad Boy" takes the poppy grime adventure down just a notch. It's a synth-led affair perfect for that 3am vibe.

Straight grime, straight bars. Get down with some Skepta, and become acquianted with Krept and Konan.