Skepta Vows to 'Never Retire From Music' in Complex UK Cover Story

Skepta retiring? Never gonna happen.

That’s one of several takeaways from the Grammy-nominated artist’s new interview with Joseph “JP” Patterson, which marks Complex UK’s first-ever cover story.

“I don’t think I’ll ever retire,” Skepta, soon to roll out his new album The Fork and Knife, said when asked if he’s given the idea of retirement any thought. “I don’t do music as a hobby. Music is how I think. If my card declines right now, as I’m buying this bottle of water at the airport, a mad lyric will come into my head. That’s just how my mind works. It’s how I move, how I express myself, and how I enjoy my life.”

As you may recall, fans speculated that Skepta was perhaps hinting at a possible retirement, or at least an extended break, thanks to some social posts he shared back in 2021. But in his Complex UK conversation, Skepta was seemingly definitive when asserting that full-fledged retirement was not on the table.

“Obviously, I’ll have breaks and take time out whenever I need to rest my mind, but I’ll never retire from music,” he said.

Check out the full interview here via Complex UK.

The retirement talk is timely, as new music from Skepta is imminent. In a recent note to fans, Skepta reflected on having “poured my fucking heart out” on The Fork and Knife, his latest album.

“I really do owe you honesty,” he said “I owe it to you to dig deeper, put my childish ego to the side, and look inward to find some liberation that can help all of us. I can’t wait for you to hear it.”

The Fork and Knife is out this Friday (Nov. 6).