The concert hall was wall to wall for Skepta‘s debut at the Sydney Opera House – the first time that a UK Grime artist had ever performed on the coveted stage.
Tearing through an hour-long set that ranged from his earlier work through the label he runs with his brother, Boy Better Know (BBK), through to his most recent album, Konnichiwa.
Joined onstage for the most part by only DJ Maximum, and by BBK collaborator Shorty for a good spell, the Tottenham-based rapper burst out onto the stage in his own merch over a hoodie with a print that reminded me a lot of that episode of The Simpsons where Homer goes into the different dimension behind the bookshelf. You know the one.
Admitting that he was “proper gassed” about not only being back in Australia after being denied a visa and canning a tour last year but also playing in one of the country’s most iconic venues, Skepta kept punters breathless as he whipped across the stage, making his presence known – and I’m sure they would have felt the good vibe all the way down in Canberra.
Also, a quick note that if you think the Opera House, a literal Australian icon, is a space that’s immune from folks choofing down a jazz cigarette mid-gig, you’re extremely wrong.
Before launching into ‘Crime Riddim‘, Skepta took a moment to explain the meaning behind the lyrics – because in grime the lyrics are what demands the most attention. Skepta revealed that the incident he raps about was the same one that allegedly happened in a nightclub in Melbourne in 2016, which ultimately led to him paying around $10k in damage and cost him his 2017 Aussie tour.
Pulled up in a taxi, text my bredrin, tell him I’m on the strip
I stepped in, went to the bar, made my order
I got my drink, I posted up in the darkest corner
This guy frantically jumping around and spilled my drink twice
But I really ain’t tryna fight, really ain’t tryna see no jail tonight
Not one to misuse an encore, Skepta brought out A$AP Rocky for the final track of the night, and the pair bounded around the stage, spitting out a perfect performance of A$AP’s ‘Praise The Lord‘, making sure that the Opera House truly shut the fuck down before they were done.
Skepta and A$AP Rocky are in the country to play Listen Out Festival across Aus, playing Sydney and Brisbane this weekend before rounding things out in Perth.
