Genre spanning and deftly executed, ‘All In’, Skepta’s apparent last hurrah, doesn’t disappoint.

Skepta has been a heavily significant figure in the UK rap scene for over a decade. The Boy Better Know stalwart has done it all; 2016 Mercury Prize winner, shut down the biggest stages in the country, and has been one of the only UK rappers to gain solid recognition from our hit-hungry cousins across the pond. Skepta’s presence in music has been somewhat sporadic in the last few years, but we have been blessed with the odd feature since his truly brilliant 2019 album ‘Ignorance is Bliss’, as well as the surprisingly affecting and cohesive joint project with Young Adz and Chip, ‘Insomnia’. After months of rumours, judgement day finally arrived, with Skepta announcing his artist retirement, with climatic EP ‘All In’ marking his exit from the rapping game.

The EP itself is diverse, cinematic and surprising. Opener ‘Bellator’ feels like a revamped classic hip hop sound, with crunchy production and snappy flows constant and Skep speaking on his journey to the top, protruding to the early year ferocity still lurking within his nonchalant psyche. There is a sharp change of direction for the following cut ‘Peace of Mind’, as we hear Skepta like never before. Alongside contributions from Teezee and Kid Cudi, Skepta’s hook is dipped in autotune on a track that feels like a marriage of the UK and US sounds.

The middle track ‘Nirvana’, which is accompanied by a visual, is the most commercially friendly track on the EP, with summery cadence and laidback delivery present from both Skepta and left-field feature J Balvin, the hugely popular reggaeton artist. ‘Lit Like This’ sees Jae5 bring an Afrobeats influence and an arena friendly sound, while Skepta spars with sophisticated sibilance. The finale ‘Eyes on Me’ sees a return to the grime sound that saw Skepta rise to acclaim to begin with, as he illustrates exactly why he is regarded so highly, offering incredible clarity and effortlessly genius bars.

Accordingly to Skep himself, he wants to focus on other avenues, such as business and production. There is talk of an all female album produced by him, which is an exciting concept. However, it doesn’t diminish from the blood-curdling prospect of never hearing a new Skepta verse. If this is truly the end, then we wave goodbye to one of the greatest, if not the greatest, in the UK to ever do it. The scene owes him everything.