Skepta has released his new single “Gas Me Up (Diligent)” with an ‘image not found’ message as the artwork – seemingly a nod to its prior controversial cover.
The original artwork, released earlier this month, featured numerous men with shaved heads, with one having a tattoo on the back of his skull reading “Gas Me Up.”
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The imagery drew backlash due to it resembling Nazi concentration camps where prisoners had their hair shaved off before being sent to the gas chamber. Following public outcry, the UK talent decided to change the artwork but defended his intentions.
Listen to the Cardo-produced “Gas Me Up (Diligent)” below.
In defending his original artwork earlier this month, Skepta 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.
“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.”
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The British rapper went on to post his mood board for the cover art as proof there was no intended link to the Holocaust.
He then added: “I can honestly see how my single artwork without context can be deemed offensive, especially in a time like this but again that was not my intention.
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“But after some thought I don’t feel like I could continue being the artist you all know and love if my art is policed, I have to quit if I can’t express my art as I see it.
“So to help with context here are some pictures from our mood board for the 1980’s UK story for my album Knife & Fork. ‘Gas Me Up (DILIGENT)’ will be out January 26th as planned.”
“Gas Me Up (Diligent)” serves as the lead single from Skepta’s upcoming album Knife & Fork, which he announced earlier this month.
“It’s been years since I dropped my last album and I want to thank you for all the love during my hiatus,” he wrote on Instagram. “I’ve seen the messages, tweets and Tik Toks, I’m truly grateful that my music is still resonating with the world, even in my absence.”
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He continued: “I’m happy to announce my next studio album #KnifeAndFork is loading this year, the first single #GasMeUp (Diligent) will be out January 26th. Can’t wait to see you all @bigsmokefestival happy 2024.”
The Boy Better Know co-founder, whose last album Ignorance Is Bliss arrived in 2019, announced in 2021 that he was retiring from rapping.
