Konnichiwa (Skepta album)

Konnichiwa
Studio album by
Skepta
Released6 May 2016
Recorded2013–2016
Genre
Length43:11
LabelBoy Better Know
Producer
Skepta chronology
The Tim Westwood Mix
(2015) 		Konnichiwa
(2016) 		Vicious
(2017)
Singles from Konnichiwa
  1. "That's Not Me"
    Released: 8 June 2014
  2. "Shutdown"
    Released: 26 April 2015
  3. "Ladies Hit Squad"
    Released: 14 February 2016
  4. "Man"
    Released: 14 April 2016

Konnichiwa is the fourth studio album by British rapper Skepta. The title is the greeting "hello" in the Japanese language. After numerous delays, it was released on 6 May 2016 by Boy Better Know.[1] Konnichiwa features guest appearances from Jme, Boy Better Know, D Double E, Novelist, Wiley, Chip, Pharrell Williams, ASAP Nast and Young Lord.[2] Konnichiwa was executively produced by Skepta himself, who produced all but three songs on the album. Pharrell also worked on production with Skepta on the album.[3]

Konnichiwa was originally announced in early 2013, yet suffered from numerous delays and reworking. In November 2014, Skepta stated that Konnichiwa was to be released in March 2015, however this release date was delayed once again.[4] In April 2016, Skepta restarted the album campaign by announcing the finalised release date.[5] The album was launched with a party in Tokyo on 5 May 2016 arranged and broadcast globally by live streaming platform Boiler Room.

Konnichiwa peaked at number two on the UK Albums Chart. The album also charted in Australia, Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States. It was supported by four singles, including the top 40 entries "That's Not Me", "Shutdown" and "Man". Konnichiwa is certified Gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). The album received acclaim from critics as well, who praised its role and success in the resurgence of grime music and its cultural identity.

It was included in numerous end-of-year lists for best albums of 2016 by many publications, including NME, The Guardian and Apple Music, who named the album as the best of 2016. Konnichiwa won the 2016 Mercury Prize.[6]

  1. ^ "SKEPTA (@skeptagram): #Konnichiwa the album, May 6th". Instagram. 14 April 2016. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  2. ^ "Skepta Announces Release Date For New Album 'Konnichiwa', Reveals Tracklist". Capital XTRA. 14 April 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference factmag.com was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Adam Bychawski (15 September 2016). "Skepta wins Mercury Prize 2016". NME. Retrieved 15 September 2016.