Skepta - Hold On

When it comes to mixing the best of British rap with precision-targeted dance beats, Skepta remains resolutely at the top of the game. With chart successes like Rescue Me and Cross My Heart helping to propel his Doin' It Again album into the Top 20, the gauntlet falls to new single Hold On.

At its heart, Hold On is probably Skepta's most 'pop' track to date - and while it doesn't quite have the indelible hooks of Rescue Me or Amnesia (which deserved to do so, so much better than it did) - it projects a slick Written In The Stars-esque vibe that speaks of new ambitions (and a new record deal with Universal/Island.

With its up and at 'em "you're undefeatable..." chorus and plunging, gritty guitar bassline, Hold On feels like a call to arms for a new era, a make or break assault on the charts.

Wearing its commerciality for all to see, there's a refreshing streamlined feel to this new incarnation of Skepta, and while the wry, arched eyebrow coyness of previous singles may have been sanded away, the punch and swagger remains, stronger than ever.

Hold On is released on the 2nd January.

Skepta - Amnesia

Who hasn't had a night like this? When you're so drunk you literally can't remember a thing the next day. And who better than Skepta to pen an anthem like this - as ever, his raps are supremely witty. There's an immense chorus too that is sure to become the soundtrack to many a future night out on the tiles. Coming hot on the heels of his brilliant single with N-Dubz, Skepta is shaping up as one of my favourite British artists of the moment.

Skepta vs. N-Dubz - So Alive

I’ve always had a soft spot for N-Dubz, there’s just something about them that stands out. They kind of exist as their own entity, quite apart from anything else in the current musical landscape – not quite the sound of underground hip-hop and grime, but equally not quite part of the mainstream either. And it’s tracks like this, a brilliant collaboration with Skepta, that sum that essence up best.

Probably the band’s best work since the synth-based bounce of I Need You and the epic Number 1, the buzzing bassline leading into creepy, echoing chants, it’s the frenetic piano-laced chorus that really hits the spot. There’s a nervous-ness, a twitchy raw energy to the whole song that really plays to the best of both N-Dubz and Skepta. It makes you stand up and listen. Radio friendly and club friendly, we’d love to see this become one of the new year’s first big hits.