U.K. rapper Skepta has issued an apology after the artwork for his new single, “Gas Me Up (Diligent),” was accused of evoking images of the Holocaust.
The artwork depicted a white male with a shaven head with the words “Gas Me Up” tattooed on it. After previewing the artwork, some fans claimed the artwork drew parallels to images of Jewish people during the Holocaust.
Looks like another grime artist has headed into what could easily be seen as Antisemitic territory. This is ‘Skepta’s’ cover for the charmingly named “Gas Me Up”. Tattooing these words on a shaven headed man in a hunched group obviously evokes Holocaust gas chamber analogies. pic.twitter.com/IiIOnuop8j
— Alan Mendoza (@alanmendoza) January 9, 2024
In his public apology, Skepta expressed remorse that his artwork evoked such discourse but clarified that the images depicted U.K. far-right extremist groups, often referred to as “Skinheads.”
A “skinhead” or “skin” is a youth subculture distinguished by a shaven head or short-cropped hair, tattoos, and heavy boots. Originating in Britain in the 1960s, skinheads are commonly viewed as extreme right-wing nationalists or neofascists who espouse anti-Semitic and other racist views, although some believe this to be a gross misrepresentation.
“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,” Skepta wrote. “I can promise you that was definitely not our plan so I have removed it and I vow to be more mindful going forward.”
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… pic.twitter.com/59oUOPe8Hp
— Big Smoke – (@Skepta) January 10, 2024
In the U.K., “gassed” is a slang term used to “express when one is overwhelmed or cannot hold excitement in any longer.”
Skepta shared several images from his mood board to clarify his train of thought further. He also expressed his disappointment in the “policing” of his creative vision.
“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,” Skepta said. “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 U.K. story for my album ‘Knife & Fork.'”
