Rapper Skepta has issued an apology after being accused of using antisemitic imagery as the cover art for his latest single. 

Skepta announced his new single ‘Gas Me Up’ using the image of a guy with a shaved head with the words the title of the single inscribed.

Reacting to the criticism that followed, Skepta completely owned the screwup, apologizing and also explaining what he was going for. 

He wrote; 

“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 U.K. in the 80’s, Skinhead, Football culture and it has been taken offensively by many. I can promise you that was definitely not our plan so I have removed it and I vow to be more mindful going forward.”

He posted more images he was considering as a “mood board” for this project, and it features other shaved-head men/boys, which he said served as inspiration. He stated that it has nothing to do with the Holocaust, but British trends from the 20th century.

Skepta 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. 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.”