Skepta’s Big Smoke Festival, Surprise Performances, and New Collaborations

Through a number of important announcements, the influential British grime artist, Skepta, again draws attention to himself because of his huge influence. The rapper has shared some plans for the next year after having a series of successful collaborations and live performances. He is going to reintroduce his famous British music festival called Big Smoke Festival and he and his loyal fans will also see new music videos and special appearances from him.

Skepta’s Big Smoke Festival Returns to London (in) 2025

Among the many revelations to come from Skepta, he proclaimed the news of the return of his Big Smoke Festival which will be happening in London in August 2025. The Crystal Palace Park has been chosen as the venue for this (music) gathering, which is experienced by fans. Skepta will be the main entertainer of the first day of the festival, while his House DJ collective, Mas Tiempo, will be the second-day performers. This will be one of the best and most thrilling festivals in the UK and worldwide, with big and new names of the music industry lined up to perform. This is the second year in the brutal of the Big Smoke Festival, so that time will tell it was.

The first Big Smoke Festival was a huge hit, and the new lineup will be more successful than before. Skepta, music’s leading grime personality, has produced numerous groundbreaking occasions. With his skill in fusing music, culture, and high energy, the fans are waiting to experience the miracle of Big Smoke again. The festival is an announcement by the rapper of his live music experiences that are part of his ongoing promotional endeavors, which are intended to connect him to his audience on a larger scale.

Skepta’s Surprise Performance at Rolling Loud California 2025

Besides the announcement of his festival, Skepta is making headlines with his performance at big events. On March 15, 2025, Skepta stunned the audience by joining rapper A$AP Rocky on stage at the festival. They gave an amazing performance that remained in the memory of the attendees. The two musicians did their collaborative track “Praise The Lord (Da Shine)” together and the show was an absolute joy to the fans who were there. This impromptu show was a splendid moment at the festival and the rapper furthers his reputation of a global hip-hop and grime heavyweight.

The Rolling Loud Festival, which is known for the gathering of all the greatest names in music, was the right setting for Skepta to show what he can do. When he performed the song with A$AP Rocky, he didn’t only excite his fans but also showed the international audience his own charm. This was a great example of Skepta, who introduces grime music to global listeners and, therefore, is a significant figure apart from the regular participants in the international music environment.

Teaser for “Why Lie” Music Video Featuring Flo Milli

Skepta is also joining his fans’ excitement with the incoming release of his new music. In October 2024, Skepta published the preview of the music video for his solo track “Why Lie (Wave Your Wrist)” which includes American rapper Flo Milli. The teaser was broadcast on TikTok and it has caught the attention of the people via the internet. Fans were given a sneak peek of the preview of the behind the scenes, and they are just wondering the visuals and energy that will be featured in the final release. A collaboration with Flo Milli is something that many fans are waiting for, as both the artist’s distinct styles and attitude towards music are seen as breakthroughs in music circles.

Not only that, but also the popularity of Skepta’s collaborations can be observed through the fact that there is great enthusiasm about this video. At the same time, the international fame of grime music is being expanded, and such artists as Skepta are doing their part in explaining the message of grime to us. Along with the release of the “Why Lie” video yet another masterpiece from Skepta will be added to his already impressive collection of music videos, where he is showing how versatile and artist he is.

Surprise Street Performance with JME

Next in this series of great and unexpected moves, Skepta and his brother JME completed a street performance out of nowhere in October 2024. The set took place just near King’s Cross Station in London and the two tracks performed were “Pure Water” and “96 F**kries.” The performance was so lively that people who passed by were intrigued, and it was not long before it started to be viral on social media. The fans who managed to be on the spot were given this unique and memorable experience.

The street performance was not just a way for Skepta to show that he cared about his past, it was a gesture highlighting his commitment to the cause of making music to the people. It was also a testament to the fact that no matter how big he becomes, Skepta never forgets his community, which made him. The surprising part of the performance is what made it so attractive, leaving fans to crave more such spontaneous events by the artist.

Addressing Artwork Controversy

The story of the critical remarks against Skepta and his single artwork titled “Gas Me Up (Diligent)” began in January 2024. The artwork, which was inspired by the skinhead culture of the 1980s, received some backlash as some people unwittingly associated it with the Holocaust imagery. Skepta offered his apology right away for any offense that was the result of his unintended treatment. He stressed that the purpose of the artwork was not to trigger the negative reaction of Holocaust but to represent his feelings about culture. He furthermore made the point that he will be more aware and selective in the future with the content he puts out.

The incident of which spoke was a reflection point for the artist, and, at the same time, it represented the role of the visual art in today’s music industry. Skepta’s open discussion on the issue is proof of his maturity and commitment, as he not only makes his music relatable but at the same time is also very sensitive to cultural issues.

Collaboration with Playboi Carti

Skepta is still working with some of the biggest names in the music. In the year 2025, he featured in Playboi Carti’s much-discussed album Music, where he took part in the song “TOXIC.” This joint project made quite a stir in the hip-hop sector, given the fact that they are both breakaway musicians, each with their medium. The collaboration of Playboi Carti with the project serves as a proof of the extent of his influence in the world music milieu and his ability to be a kind of bridge between grime and the rest of the world with the international rap.

The most recent announcements and performances from Skepta underscore his present-day as well as his continuing weight on the music scene. Right from his Big Smoke Festival down to the unexpected street performances and the exciting collaborations he is involved in; Skepta is simply out there pushing the boundaries of what grime music can accomplish. Fans are particularly looking forward to the upcoming release of the “Why Lie” music video as well as his involvement in the international music scene. With his indestructible connection to his background and his ability to create new things, Skepta’s prospects in the music business are better than good.