Skepta is on top of the world right now. The Grime artist who is best known stateside for his booming track “Shutdown” beat out some heavy hitters in his native England to win the Mercury Prize, the award handed out to the year’s greatest album in Britain. Who was the competition for the BBK boss, you might ask? Well Skepta beat out the likes of Radiohead, David Bowie, The 1975, Anohni, Bat For Lashes, Savages, and many more.
His album Konnichiwa was up against some tough competition, but now it and he hold the right to be held in the same regard in Great Britain as former winners The xx, James Blake, PJ Harvey, Arctic Monkeys, Pulp, and Franz Ferdinand. Going into the night, the “Man (Gang)” rapper wasn’t exactly feeling his chances, as he Instagrammed the betting odds.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKYaY1ahfAN/
But things picked up as he got to the actual ceremony. He performed “Shutdown” at the award show and when he was lucky enough to win, he very humbly thanked those who came before him and said “Rest in peace David Bowie. Rest in peace Amy Winehouse,” according to Pitchfork.
After the win, fellow BBK founder JME clearly was ready to let loose.
— Jme (@JmeBBK) September 15, 2016
Sometimes, Shia just says it all.
