Legendary British MC Skepta has been going back and forth with American rapper Joyner Lucas on social media, amidst drawing up a hypothetical string of clashes between UK and US rappers.
Last week on July 3, Skepta posted “I want to clash an American rapper” on X, to “get this UK/US rap debate sorted”. In following posts, he selected some lyrical lineups to battle it out. In full, he suggested Chip vs Kendrick Lamar, Dave vs Lil Wayne, Central Cee vs Jack Harlow, Queenie vs Megan Thee Stallion, JME vs Tyler, the Creator, Eminem vs Ghetts, Lancey Foux vs Travis Scott, Youngs Teflon vs Meek Mill and Blade Brown vs Pusha T.
I wanna clash an American rapper anyway, finally get this UK/US rap debate sorted.
— Big Smoke – (@Skepta) July 3, 2025
Skepta even put himself forward for a clash with a surprising opponent: friend and longtime collaborator, A$AP Rocky. Some fans were confused at the idea given the two’s close relationship, but Skepta emphasized that the competition is all in good nature. “It’s not beef, Rocky is my family,” he posted. “Rap is a sport, same way we have dissing matches on the block we can do it on record.” He wrote that it’d be a “fire clash,” between him and Rocky, with “No violence, just bars, punchlines and counteractions.”
The Tottenham grime veteran also argued that the Brits would have the upper hand in this match up, as they’ve gotten to know the styles of their American counterparts over the years, whereas UK rap has been under appreciated (and sometimes unnoticed) by US artists and fans: “The average American rapper don’t even listen to UK rappers, but we’ve listen to them (for years) and that is exactly why the UK can’t lose”
While none of the proposed clashes have been confirmed, American rapper Joyner Lucas confidently came forward to join in battle, posting on X: “The moment I’ve been waiting for… say the word, Joyner Lucas vs Skepta #UKvsUS”
The moment I’ve been waiting for… say the word, Joyner Lucas vs @Skepta #UKvsUS pic.twitter.com/G78knC2ySE
— Joyner Lucas (@JoynerLucas) July 4, 2025
In response, Skepta goaded Joyner, while offering him some respect for stepping up to the plate. In a short video, he said: “I’m gonna respect the fact that you stood up and said something. The first man, you get me? But this is just another example of the ignorance. Jonah, if you was from the UK, fam? Quiet, bro, understand?”
“So, when I make my diss track for Rocky, I’m gonna give you two bars and then make one of the young Gs just rub you out… I didn’t do the work that I did for Jonah Lucas just to be saying my name anyhow. I got diss track on YouTube with 30 million views, no ad-libs. It’s levels, bro.”
Skepta responds to Joyner Lucas calling him out to battle him:
“You make up the numbers out there”
“When I make my diss track for A$AP Rocky I’m gonna give you 2 bars”
“I didn’t do all the work I did my life just for Joyner Lucas to be saying my name” pic.twitter.com/eYyiu1YU9C
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod (@big_business_) July 6, 2025
Skepta recently made a surprise appearance at Glastonbury, filling in last minute after Deftones dropped out of their set. You can read our coverage on that here.
