Get the latest gossip

UK rapper Skepta apologises after criticism of artwork for evoking Holocaust

Rapper says ‘I vow to be more mindful going forward’ after image of shaven-headed, tattooed people was used on artwork for single Gas Me Up (Diligent)

The Mercury prize-winning British rapper Skepta has apologised after artwork for his single Gas Me Up (Diligent) was criticised on social media for having unintentional but palpable allusions to the Holocaust. He wrote on X: “I’ve been waiting to drop Gas Me Up (Diligent) since teasing it April last year, worked hard getting the artwork right for my album rollout which is about my parents coming to the UK in the 80’s, Skinhead, Football culture and it has been taken offensively by many and I can promise you that was definitely not our plan so I have removed it and I vow to be more mindful going forward.” Promotional materials describe it as “an origin story, signalling a wider cinematic universe which will centre on our anti-hero character, Tribal Mark, and his role within the undercover Black Secret Service – with more to be revealed later this year”.

Get the Android app