New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Coventry's hardest spitter, Skatta, is standing up on new EP Hardships.
Recognising his position in the grime scene and wider society, Skatta raises a megaphone for the voices of the downtrodden.
Hardships is the second project to drop this year from the inspired grime MC, following his knockout EP Fight Night Flows.
Speaking up against social injustices, Skatta channels life's struggles into an impressive project that further cements his name into West Midlands' top newcomers.
The 7-track EP is out now, and features vocal input from Clipson, LDizz, OneDa, Kriptik, Tarju Le'Sano, Lawless and Mac James.
Production comes courtesy of transatlantic range of producers OH91, J-Fresh, Trap Jesus, DJ KDubz, Juberlee and Swat Team Beats.
The title track's music video dropped last week, including footage from Skatta's experiences in recent anti-racism protests.
'Hardships' was created in lockdown, so its energy and themes are glaringly 'of the moment'. Skatta had to get these bars off his chest.
Solo heaters like 'Srayground' showcase his own style and flow, while multi-guest tunes like 'Homage' see the MC amidst a broad culture of fire artists.
Recurring collaborators Kriptik and Tarju Le'Sano come through again, with 'We Run Tings' connecting a train of MCs shelling for their respective cities.
"Too many crime scenes covered in blood / If I've got something to say I step in the booth."
'King Kong' represents Skatta's stance on words versus weapons, choosing to tackle problems through the power of lyrics and protests.
Next up is the haunting 'No Machine' which hits out at machines as big as the criminal justice system and as small as your phone.
Closing track 'Spooky' takes us year-by-year through Skatta's timeline, with DJ KDubz returning to produce the MC's journey into music and promoting lives over knives.
"We all struggle going through hardships /
Got our masks on and were still marching /
Done a few protests now everyone's talking /
Black Lives Matter movement needs supporting."
The Coventry rapper addresses key issues accross the EP and grounds his verses in the personal fights he's fought, be they financial or emotional hardships.
