In the announcement post on Instagram, Skepta expressed gratitude to his fans for their unwavering support and proclaimed his anticipation to reconnect with fans at the Big Smoke Festival in 2024, writing, “It’s been years since I dropped my last album and I want to thank you for all the love during my hiatus. I’ve seen the messages, tweets and Tik Toks, I’m truly grateful that my music is still resonating with the world, even in my absence. I’m happy to announce my next studio album #KnifeAndFork is loading this year, the first single #GasMeUp (Diligent) will be out January 26th Can’t wait to see you all @bigsmokefestival happy 2024″

‘Knife and Fork‘ is set to be Skepta’s sixth solo project, with the first single, ‘Gas Me Up (Diligent),‘ scheduled to drop on January 26. The album signifies Skepta’s long awaited return after a five-year hiatus following the acclaimed ‘Ignorance is Bliss’ LP in 2019.

In the absence of his solo work, Skepta has been active in collaborations, releasing the EP ’48 Hours’ with 19-year-old producer Ryder in November 2023. Ryder’s TikTok remix of Skepta’s ‘Konnichiwa’ track ‘Text Me Back’ achieved viral acclaim with the hashtag #skeptacore, prompting the rapper to make contact. Additionally, Skepta and BBK collaborator Jammer also delved into club culture, founding the house music label Más Tiempo, and acting as producers and DJs for the project. The duo celebrated with a sold-out event at London’s Drumsheds venue late last year.

In November, Skepta revealed plans for the inaugural Big Smoke Festival scheduled for July 6 at Crystal Palace Park in London. The festival promises a full live performance by Skepta, complemented by a Más Tiempo DJ set side-by-side with Jammer. Big Smoke Festival stands as Skepta’s only announced live performance for 2024, and tickets are already available here.

Hailing from North London, Skepta’s influence on the grime scene is unmistakable, evident in both his solo projects and contributions to the musical collective BBK (Boy Better Know). His groundbreaking album ‘Konnichiwa,’ released in 2016, earned him the prestigious Mercury Prize Award, solidifying his place as a heavyweight within the music industry.

With the impending release of ‘Gas Me Up (Diligent)’ this month and the promise of ‘Knife and Fork,’ Skepta’s return is set to make 2024 an exceptional year for grime enthusiasts.

Frisco is responsible for the single’s hook, and contributes a dynamic verse. BBK’s Skepta, JME, Jammer and Shorty all feature. These artist constitute Boy Better Know’s A Team, because they are the groups most dynamic talents. Therefore, ‘Red Card‘ bubbles with a variety of smooth flows, punchy lyrics and expert delivery. It serves as a showcase of BBK’s extensive abilities.

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THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN! My new single RED CARD Out Now EVERYWHERE P.s Big ups to @anniemac for making this hottest track in the world right now!

A post shared by Frisco (@bigfris) on Sep 2, 2020 at 1:51am PDT

‘Red Card‘ is a typical grime track. The instrumental has a home studio feel, which rolls over a chilling pipe sound and a fast-paced drum beat. The emcee’s are no strangers to the genre, and therefore it comes together with a vintage sound which will fill raves and dance tents.

Frisco released the track alongside a music video. The clip is simple. It depicts the rap group delivering their respective verses in front of Nelson’s column. It is a visual statement that affirms the rap groups iconography. This is because the group shot it in front of London’s most renowned landmarks. Through the clip, BBK essentially convey a sentiment that they are the Grime scene equivalent of the column; a towering beacon that represents London’s global influence.

Boy Better Know’s iconic squad of Grime artists flood ‘Red Card‘ with a potent sound. The recognisable deliveries of Skepta, JME and Frisco are iconic, and this is recognised by the music video which places them alongside Nelson’s column.