Konnichiwa (Skepta album)
Konnichiwa | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 6 May 2016 | |||
Recorded | 2013–2016 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 43:11 | |||
Label | Boy Better Know | |||
Producer |
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Skepta chronology | ||||
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Singles from Konnichiwa | ||||
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Konnichiwa is the fourth
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.
Konnichiwa peaked at number two on the
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]
Background
In 2012, Skepta released two singles planned in promotion for his forthcoming fourth album – "
Konnichiwa was originally announced in early 2013, yet suffered from numerous delays and reworking. It was initially supported by the single "Lay Her Down" featuring
Conception and recording
In an interview with
Skepta explained that he considered his album to be like "a movie", "Konnichiwa is a classic, The album [was] delayed for kick drums. To put it out was a definite happy point."[13] He also talked about dealing with his critics in the grime scene, "I'm out for revenge, fam, I come into this ting pure-hearted and loving music, and people take me for an idiot, you get what I'm saying? So when I spit now people are gonna hear a madman, they're gonna hear a monster, they're gonna hear someone who's out for revenge - and I'm out for revenge".[13] Skepta stated that music would "represent the country" (Britain).[3]
Konnichiwa was executively produced by Skepta himself, who produced all but three songs on the album. During the production stages Skepta used mostly an old-school toolkit, drum and bass sounds and the odd twinkling piano riff or brass volley. Speaking about his choice to produce the album and use the latter tools Skepta stated "I want anybody from around the world to be able to listen to the album and know it comes from London."
Release and promotion
After numerous delays, it was released on 6 May 2016 by
Skepta began his "Banned From America" two-part, 14-show tour on April 16, 2017, at the
Singles
"
Critical reception
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AnyDecentMusic? | 7.9/10[29] |
Metacritic | 83/100[30] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [31] |
Financial Times | [32] |
The Guardian | [33] |
The Independent | [34] |
The Irish Times | [35] |
NME | 5/5[36] |
The Observer | [37] |
Pitchfork | 7.8/10[38] |
Q | [39] |
Record Collector | [40] |
Konnichiwa was met with critical acclaim. It received a normalized metascore of 83 out of 100 on the review aggregate website Metacritic based on 18 critics, which indicates "universal acclaim".[30] Alex Petridis of The Guardian gave the album 4 out of 5 stars saying, "The architect of grime's resurgence might have an eye on the US market, but he's a distinctively, winningly English rapper."[33] Louis Pattison of NME gave the album 5 out of 5 stars saying, "'Konnichiwa' is a landmark in British street music, a record good enough to take on the world without having to compromise one inch in the process."[36]
Konnichiwa won the 2016
Accolades
Publication | Accolade | Rank | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
Apple Music | Best Album of 2016 | 1
|
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The Independent | Best Albums of 2016 | 12
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The Guardian | Best Albums of 2016 | 9
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|
Mojo | The 50 Best Albums of 2016 | 25
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|
NME | NME's Albums of the Year 2016 | 4
|
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Pitchfork | 20 Best Rap Albums of 2016 | — | |
Rough Trade | Albums of the Year | 62
|
|
The Quietus | Albums of the Year 2016 | 15
|
Commercial performance
On 9 May 2016, the album was at number one on the UK
By September 2019, the album had sold at least 191,000 copies in the United Kingdom.[51]
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Konnichiwa" |
| Footsie | 2:47 |
12. | "Text Me Back" | Jr. Adenuga | Ragz Originale | 4:24 |
Total length: | 43:11 |
Notes
- ^[a] signifies an additional producer
- "Konnichiwa" features uncredited vocals by Fifi Rong.[52]
- "Shutdown" features uncredited vocals by Drake.
- "Detox" features guest verses by Jammer.
- "Text Me Back" features uncredited vocals by Cartae.
- "Text Me Back" is followed by a 53-second clip of "Sand Ocean", an instrumental production by Jason Adenuga.[53]
Sample credits
- "Man" features a sample of "Regular John" by Queens of the Stone Age.
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
Certifications
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Release history
Country | Date | Label | Format |
---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 6 May 2016 | Boy Better Know |
See also
References
- ^ a b "SKEPTA (@skeptagram): #Konnichiwa the album, May 6th". Instagram. 14 April 2016. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
- ^ "Skepta Announces Release Date For New Album 'Konnichiwa', Reveals Tracklist". Capital XTRA. 14 April 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
- ^ a b c "Skepta opens up about Pharrell collaboration on Konnichiwa". 15 April 2016.
- ^ a b "SKEPTA on Twitter: "RT @iiHexham: @Skepta when's the next album? << March 2015. #Konnichiwa"". Twitter. 4 November 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
- ^ a b "SKEPTA on Twitter: "#Konnichiwa the album, May 6th. Greatness."". Twitter. 13 April 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
- ^ Adam Bychawski (15 September 2016). "Skepta wins Mercury Prize 2016". NME. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
- ^ "Skepta's 'Konnichiwa': 4 years in the making". GRM Daily. 5 May 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
- ^ "SKEPTA on Twitter: "My new album is called #KONNICHIWA and after the 'Lay her Down' video, I'll be dropping the title track very soon after."". Twitter. 26 April 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
- ^ "SKEPTA on Twitter: "RT @terrykane21: @Skepta when is #KONNICHIWA due to be released? << September/October 2013."". Twitter. 28 April 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
- ^ "SKEPTA on Twitter: "Been mixing #Konnichiwa allllllll day and we've finally hit a check point that we're both happy with. One love to Oscar the engineer ✌"". Twitter. 10 August 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
- ^ "SKEPTA on Twitter: "MY NEW ALBUM #Konnichiwa 2014"". Twitter. 3 February 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
- ^ "SKEPTA on Twitter: "Got 9 songs for #Konnichiwa. Need 6 more."". Twitter. 12 April 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
- ^ a b c "Skepta discusses Drake, 'Konnichiwa' and his haters in rare BBC 1Xtra interview". NME.
- ^ "Skepta's Mission".
- ^ "SKEPTA (@skeptagram): Pre-order #Konnichiwa the album tonight on iTunes @ 00:00 GMT". Instagram. 14 April 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
- ^ "Stream Skepta's Konnichiwa Launch Party, Live From Tokyo". The FADER. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
- ^ "Skepta Just Launched His New Album With A Lively Live-Streamed Show In Tokyo – Here's What We Learned". NME. 5 May 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
- ^ "Listen to Skepta's new album Konnichiwa now". Crack Magazine. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
- ^ Staff, Magnetic (6 May 2016). "Listen to highly anticipated new album from Skepta, Konnichiwa, featuring Wiley, Pharrell + more". Magnetic. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
- ^ "Watch Japanese Rappers Spit Grime in the Video for Skepta's 'Konnichiwa' Album Launch | Thump". Thump. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
- ^ "Album Review: Skepta – Konnichiwa". Impact Magazine. 8 May 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
- ^ "Skepta's Konnichiwa album plugged by Drake". International Business Times UK. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
- ^ "Live Stream Skepta's Album Launch Of "Konnichiwa"". HotNewHipHop. 5 May 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
- ^ "The Quietus | News | LISTEN: New Skepta Album". The Quietus. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
- ^ "Skepta is premiering his album on Boiler Room today". The 405. Archived from the original on 6 May 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
- ^ "Skepta Announces 'Banned From America' Tour Dates". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ "Skepta Announced The Dates For His Banned From America Tour". The FADER. 19 March 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ "Skepta denied entry to America after being refused a visa". Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ "Konnichiwa by Skepta reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
- ^ a b "Reviews for Konnichiwa by Skepta". Metacritic. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
- ^ Kellman, Andy. "Konnichiwa – Skepta". AllMusic. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
- ^ Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (13 May 2016). "Skepta: Konnichiwa — review". Financial Times. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
- ^ a b Petridis, Alexis (12 May 2016). "Skepta: Konnichiwa review – dextrous, sharp and very British". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- ^ Gill, Andy (11 May 2016). "Album reviews: Skepta – Konnichiwa, Corinne Bailey Rae – The Heart Speaks In Whispers, Twin Peaks – Down In Heaven". The Independent. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- ^ Carroll, Jim (19 May 2016). "Skepta: Konnichiwa review – at his best when he does things his own way". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- ^ a b Pattison, Louis (10 May 2016). "Skepta – 'Konnichiwa' Review". NME. Archived from the original on 11 May 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
- ^ Fox, Killian (8 May 2016). "Skepta: Konnichiwa review – pulses with nervy energy". The Observer. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- ^ Lozano, Kevin (14 May 2016). "Skepta: Konnichiwa". Pitchfork. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
- ^ Yates, Steve (2016). "Skepta: Konnichiwa". Q (361) (30th anniversary special ed.): 115.
- ^ Daly, Rhian (August 2016). "Skepta – Konnichiwa". Record Collector (456). Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- ^ "SKEPTA (@skeptagram): Jheeze @applemusic thank you, thank you, thank you. 🌍". Skepta, Instagram. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
- ^ "Best Albums of 2016". The Independent. 30 November 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ^ "Best albums of 2016: No 9 Konnichiwa by Skepta". The Guardian. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
- ^ "The 50 Best Albums of 2016". Mojo. 22 November 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ^ "NME's Albums of the Year 2016". NME. 24 November 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
- ^ "The 20 Best Rap Albums of 2016". Pitchfork. 5 December 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
- ^ "Albums of the Year". Rough Trade. 14 November 2016. Archived from the original on 16 November 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
- ^ "The Quietus Albums of the Year 2016". The Quietus. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
- ^ "Skepta faces challenge from Radiohead on this week's chart". Officialcharts.com. Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Radiohead score sixth Number 1 album with A Moon Shaped Pool". Officialcharts.com. Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Mercury Prize: The best-selling winning albums". Officialcharts.com. Official Charts Company. 19 September 2019.
- ^ "Jme (@JmeBBK) on Twitter: It's @fifirong 🔊🎶 RT @sharifgk: @JmeBBK @Skepta please man who is the singer at the start of konnichiwa". Twitter. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
- ^ "Sand Ocean".
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – Skepta – Konnichiwa". Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Skepta – Konnichiwa" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Skepta – Konnichiwa" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Skepta – Konnichiwa". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- ^ May 2016/40/ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Skepta – Konnichiwa". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Skepta – Konnichiwa". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
- ^ May 2016/131/ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
- ^ May 2016/115/ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
- ^ May 2016/7502/ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
- ^ "Skepta Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2016". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
- ^ Myers, Justin (15 February 2017). "Who would win this year's BRIT Awards if they were decided on sales alone?". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
- ^ "British album certifications – Skepta – Konnichiwa". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 17 June 2016.