Skepta is back to rapping, and he brought Suggs along for the ride. The London grime artist’s new single “Innocent Smile,” featuring Chase & Status and Madness frontman Graham “Suggs” McPherson, arrives with a chorus that carries a grin. The track is a return to rap after a period of genre-hopping, and it pairs Skepta’s skeptical verses with Suggs’s melodic chorus.
Opening the Track
Skepta has recently shifted between genres. Last year he released a collaborative EP with superstar DJ Fred again.. Then he started spinning house records at Más Tiempo, his DJ residency at Hï Ibiza’s Club Room.
Now he’s back to rapping, and the single shows a different kind of ambition. Chase & Status co-produced the track, and Suggs takes the lead on the chorus. The song marks a return to rap for Skepta after a stretch spent in dance music, and the single features two collaborators with very different strengths: Chase & Status bring their drum ‘n’ bass background to the production, while Suggs brings his singing voice to the chorus.
The Fake News Line
Skepta opens “Innocent Smile” with a line that lands with a thud. He raps: “What’s the story, morning glory? / More fake news tryna mind-control me.” It’s a big, obvious commercial play about media manipulation, and it may or may not go off at festivals.
For the first minute or so, the song feels like it’s headed somewhere uncomfortable. Then it shifts. The track goes hard, and the change is sudden enough that listeners might need to sit through the opening to get there. The shift is part of the track’s design — Skepta sets up a mood of unease before letting the energy release.
The Chorus and Its Guests
The chorus is sung by Suggs. Chase & Status, the drum ‘n’ bass hitmakers, co-produced the track, giving it a driving energy throughout.
The combination of Skepta’s rap verses and Suggs’s chorus creates a split personality. One half is grim and skeptical, the other is warm and inviting. It’s a strange pairing, and it works. The contrast between the two voices is central to the track’s appeal.
The Video and What Comes Next
The song comes with a video from Aidan Zamiri, the frequent Charli XCX collaborator who also directed her movie The Moment. Zamiri’s work with XCX gives him a track record with pop visuals, and his direction here matches the song’s restless energy.
Skepta is also reportedly preparing a new album called The Fork And Knife. The single stands as a preview of where he’s heading next. It suggests a broader project on the horizon beyond just this one track.
The Numbers Behind the Single
- New single: “Innocent Smile”
- Featuring: Chase & Status, Graham “Suggs” McPherson
- Album reportedly coming: The Fork And Knife
- DJ residency: Más Tiempo at Hï Ibiza’s Club Room
How the Song Works
The track is built on breakbeats, which keep the energy high and the pace restless. Chase & Status’s production gives it a driving force, and the result is a song that feels fast and alive.
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Rap verses | Delivered by Skepta, questioning fake news and media control |
| Chorus | Sung by Suggs, melodic |
| Production | Co-produced by Chase & Status, with a driving breakbeat feel |
| Video | Directed by Aidan Zamiri, known for his work with Charli XCX |
The song is a product of Skepta’s restless career. He’s moved from grime to EDM to this hybrid track, and each move has carried its own logic. This one pairs a rapper who distrusts the media with a singer whose chorus carries a smile.
Final Word
“Innocent Smile” is a song about suspicion that sounds happy. Skepta questions fake news and mind control while Suggs sings a chorus that recalls the Gorillaz mold. It’s a strange combination, and it works.
The song is a reminder that Skepta can still surprise. After his turn toward EDM and his residency at Hï Ibiza, he’s now back to rapping with a guest chorus that recalls Gorillaz. It’s a bold move, and it’s worth hearing.
See the video the story is built around at Stereogum.
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