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.

The pensive, surpisingly laid-back ‘Pure Water’ arrived on Spotify last night, and marks his first solo piece of music of the year, which you can check out below.

Despite having not released his own music for a while, Skepta is carrying a huge amount of momentum, having won the Mercury Prize in 2016, with his last album Konnichiwa. The MC then went on to promote the grime genre to unprecedented levels by collaborating with and befriending Drake, appearing on the Canadian’s More Life project, even having a track named after him.

As well as this, the Boy Better Know leader was also awarded the title of chieftain in Nigeria, where his parents originate from, attending a ceremony in his family’s hometown of Ijebu Ode, on April 4.

The grime MC, whose real name is Andy Anokye, had previously been charged with 2 counts of rape, along with one count of false imprisonment, and one of causing actual bodily harm. These charges all pertained to one victim,  but the rapper has now been charged with a further 27 counts of rape, after three more people came forward with further allegations.

In regards to these previous allegations, Anokye pleaded not guilty to all charged back in July, and was due to stand trial today, in Bristol Crown Court. naturally, Solo 45  has seen his day in court postponed, and he is now due to stand trial for these latest charges on April 16 2018.

A statement from Avon and Somerset Police reads: “Detectives are still keen to speak to anyone who may be able to offer information which may assist an on-going investigation concerning Mr. Anokye. Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Ryan Matthews in investigations on 101 quoting reference 5217082649.”

The news will shock fans of the wildly popular BBK collective, who have spearheaded the recent grim movement in UK music, represented by beloved members Skepta, JME, and Wiley, and even headlined The Other Stage at Glastonbury Festival over summer. NME have approached BBK’s management, but no statement has been made as of yet.

There was a party-like atmosphere surrounding the place, as for the first time in decades there was no significant rainfall during the whole festival, and fans duly celebrated as such, before the festival takes a year off in 2018, to allow the ground and plant life of the festival site to have a summer off from the damage of hundreds of thousands of attendees.

The event was a significant one in particular for many of Britain and London’s musicians, with many having their say on the recent general election, as well as the public outrage surrounding the tragedy of the Grenfell Tower Fire, and the Tory government’s neglect of housing standards, that cost the lives of so many.

And the winner of the best flag at #Glastonbury2017 goes to… pic.twitter.com/4rjKpvUb8Q

— easyodds.com (@easy_odds) June 23, 2017

Friday night saw Radiohead headline the Pyramid stage, as they brought their usual array of ethereal brilliance, with Johnny Greenwood twiddling his boxful of buttons, and Thom Yorke bringing out his perennially outstanding dance moves.

Despite a somewhat avant-garde setlist (15 step and Myoxomatosis, anyone?), fans were treated to a rare performance of the band’s first ever hit in ‘Creep’, which was a massive surprise for those in attendance, given Radiohead’s less-than-glittering relationship with their own breakthrough hit.

Not only are Radiohead playing 'Creep', but it actually looks like they practiced it beforehand #Glastobury

— Daniel Jeakins (@DanJTweets) June 23, 2017

Thom Yorke and co. pulled out the big guns towards the end of their set, and set the fans home very happy, with a spine-tingling rendition of ‘Karma Police’ rounding off the night.

Meanwhile, Grime veteran Dizzee Rascal was pleasing his own fans, with a hit-laden headline slot on the West Holts stage, set the benchmark for the rest of the weekend’s Grime acts to aspire to.

Prior to the triumphant return of Grime to Worthy Farm, Anderson .Paak and the Free Nationals caught the eyes of thousands, with a blisteringly good set just before Dizzee, bringing funk, soul, and more glorious dance moves to a baying crowd, lit beautifully by the Friday night sunset. It was a star-making performance for the band, and you can watch their set in full here

Saturday was the day the politics came, as Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn- whose name had already been heavily chanted by fans on Friday night- received a heroes welcome on the Pyramid stage, as he gave a speech, before Run the Jewels’ set.

At #Glastonbury I spoke with thousands of people. Over 4 million have watched my speech online since. We're building a movement #ForTheMany. pic.twitter.com/s10U6yuTO8

— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) June 27, 2017

Killer Mike and El-P then laid waste to the festival, in their typically incendiary fashion, with extra emotional value placed on the performance due to the passing of Mike’s mother just days before the festival.

❤️ https://t.co/FVvdrSPo0r

— el-p (@therealelp) June 22, 2017

Stormzy packed out the Other Stage for his evening set, and undid his tracksuit jacket part-way through his set to reveal a t-shirt paying tribute to the victims of the Grenfell fire. He then demanded answers and ownership of responsibility of both the government and authorities involved, before rapping a short verse lamenting his sadness over the tragedy.

Liam Gallagher also paid tribute earlier in the day, but to the victims of the Manchester terror attacks of last month, before a rousing rendition of Oasis’ classic ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’, which was shared beautifully with a very emotional crowd.

For the victims of Manchester and London attacks, and #GrenfellTower
For the first time EVER, @LiamGallagher sings Don't Look Back in Anger pic.twitter.com/730OxB8C7u

— bbcglasto (@bbcglasto) June 24, 2017

Saturday night- a very nearly Sunday morning- was polished off in style by the Foo Fighters, who played nothing but hits, repaying the fans’ patience after pulling out of 2015’s festival, due to frontman Dave Grohl breaking his leg.

As is customary with a Foos set, there was fantastic rapport with the crowd from Grohl, and deafening crowd singalongs, particularly for the likes of ‘Best of You’ and ‘Monkey Wrench’, the breakdown of which was dragged out for so long, it would’ve been annoying if it had been anyone else doing it. Grohl and Foos drummer Taylor Hawkins also switched places for a great cover of Queen and David Bowie’s ‘Under Pressure’, with Hawkins surprising many, and doing very well with the not-so-enviable task of covering Freddie Mercury’s vocals.

Many congratulations to our friends the @foofighters on their @GlastoFest headlining show! #underpressure pic.twitter.com/waW0jx7iMb

— Queen (@QueenWillRock) June 24, 2017

After a surprise set from Elbow on Friday night, there was much speculation about the unannounced act on the John Peel Stage on Sunday afternoon. Festivalgoers were then sent into complete overdrive when The Killers made their triumphant return to a tent so packed out, the Festival Twitter page had to tell fans to turn back from trying to see the band, as it was already totally full.

Glastonbury! pic.twitter.com/W9iBKCKIyY

— The Killers (@thekillers) June 26, 2017

Boy Better Know continued Grime’s strong showing at the festival, with a raucous headline slot on the Other Stage, with Justice providing a similarly emphatic end to the weekend with a live set on the West Holts Stage, for the fans that hadn’t yet been burnt out by the weekends events.

It was left to ginger songsmith Ed Sheeran to close the Pyramid Stage, and he did so fantastically well. Whether you’re a huge fan of him or not, there’s something thrilling about watching him build and entire song up using only a loop station- even if some people didn’t understand that that’s what it was.

Never thought I'd have to explain it, but everything I do in my live show is live, it's a loop station, not a backing track. Please google x

— Ed Sheeran (@edsheeran) June 26, 2017

Sheeran also ‘did a Radiohead’ by finishing his set with the previously retired ‘You Need Me, I Don’t Need You.’ Draped in a gay pride flag, Sheeran sat on the edge of the stage, surveying the enormous, female crowd, an infectious smile on his face, ending the festival in a way that can’t help but make you smile.

Thanks for coming, and for making #Glastonbury2017 such a special one. Roll on #Glastonbury2019! pic.twitter.com/SY5SgddSKK

— Glastonbury Festival (@GlastoFest) June 26, 2017