A Late Review of Skepta's "Ignorance is Bliss"
With his first full LP release since the Mercury winning “Konnichiwa,” Skepta returns with “Ignorance is Bliss”, a project that emphasizes his superstar status across the pond, while highlighting the roots of one of the more mysterious and hidden rap artists on the international stage. Both in music and fashion, Skepta’s innate ability to mix honesty and purpose, while being nonchalantly unapologetic, has allowed him to cut through the UK’s artistic elite and the overcrowded US Hip-Hop market, notably collaborating with Nike on footwear. The coolest aspect of the album besides Skepta himself may be the features, a mixture of old and new faces of the UK stage Skepta shows that he’s stayed tapped in even while he was gone. Overall, Skepta’s 2019 release “Ignorance Is Bliss” is a project made up of 13 songs that equate to about 42 minutes of music. With a mix of features from international artists like Nafe Smallz, J Hus, Cheb Rabi, B Live, Lancey Foux, Lay-Z, WizKid and Boy Better Know, Skepta continues to put the international rap community in the forefront, by exposing them to his fanbase in the United States. With this being said, the only American feature on this project comes from KEY!, an artist from Atlanta.
Categories:
Mature & Introspective
Skepta takes time to tell us how he’s been doing, as well as give us a lens into the depths of his mind.
• “Bullet From A Gun”
• “What Do You Mean?” ft. J Hus
• “Glow in The Dark” ft. Lay-Z & WizKId
God Father Skepta
Without trying to sound like ANYONE Skepta highlights some of UK’s fresh faces as well as an American.
• “Greaze Mode” ft. Nate Smallz
• “Redrum” ft. KEY!
• “Animal Instinct” ft. Lancey Foux
King Skepta
Being one of the main pillars of the UK grime since the mid-2000s, Skepta’s influence on Grime and UK culture in unprecedented. Just in case you forgot what got Skepta here, he reminds you in epic fashion. Heart, family, and self-belief.
• “No Sleep”
• “You Wish”
• “Gangsta” ft. Boy Better Know
• “Pure Water”
Heartbroken
Since taking a break Skepta has dealt with a lot of different emotions, as well as high profile Girlfriends like Naomi Campbell (model) we only get a small lens into it, but a lens none the less.
• “Same Old Story”
• “Love Me Not” ft. Cheb Rabi & B Live
Final Review
Three years since “Konnichiwa” which saw Skepta appear on the radars of many American fans as well as solidify his status among his British counterparts, “Ignorance is Bliss” has proven to be a mature, refined and to the point project. Featuring mostly self-produced tracks, Skepta crafts sounds that perfectly compliment his stories, warnings, rants of wisdom, and declarations of greatness. “Ignorance is Bliss” could’ve been the encore to “Konnichiwa” that screamed, “want to see me do it again?” Instead, we got a perfectly crafted project of ideas, sounds, and emotions that don’t just emphasize what his core fans already knew, (that he’s an undisputed king) but that everyone has to deal with the ups and downs of life, relationships, and the many decisions that come with being an adult. The once young and stupid Skepta is now a man.
Go out and listen to Skepta’s “Ignorance is Bliss” wherever you listen to your music. Also, don’t forget to check out OLDMLK’s Instagram page (@OLDMLK) and Twitter (@OLDMLKDOTCOM) for updates on OLDMLK.COM: The Most Essential Hip Hop Blog, The OLDMLK.Com Playlist, The OLDMLK Radar and more!
