Skepta Cancels India & Australia Shows To Put Family First

Skepta is putting his overseas festival run aside for family, pulling out of performances in India and Australia.

The decision removes the London rapper from a stretch of international dates just as his first solo album in seven years reaches listeners.

In his November 11 announcement, the grime veteran said personal circumstances would keep him away from those shows. He described the decision as painful, particularly because the Indian appearance would have been his first performance in the country.

“I hope you understand that I have to put my family first,” Skepta wrote in his statement on X. He did not disclose the private circumstances behind the cancellation.

The message also made clear that Australia already held a special place in his touring history. He told supporters he disliked canceling performances and had been looking forward to returning, while stopping short of announcing replacement dates.

The Australian bookings included Lost Paradise, Beyond The Valley and Wildlands.

Lost Paradise and Beyond The Valley both run from December 28 through January 1, with the former in New South Wales and the latter in Victoria.

Wildlands has Brisbane Showgrounds booked for December 31 before its Perth stop at Arena Joondalup on January 2.

His withdrawal also changes the picture for Rolling Loud India’s second edition. Skepta had been announced alongside Karan Aujla at the top of the second day’s lineup, while Big Sean, Metro Boomin and Burna Boy were booked for the first day.

The announcement arrives less than a week after The Fork and Knife, released November 6 through Big Smoke Records and Epic.

The 15-song project follows 2019’s Ignorance Is Bliss, ending a lengthy gap between his solo full-length records.

Its guests include Project Pat, Asake and Aya Nakamura, with Jme and Frisco also appearing. That new material now reaches listeners without the planned festival appearances in two of the markets on his calendar.

“I’m sorry and I hope to be back with you soon,” Skepta added. His statement offered an apology rather than a new timetable for those performances.

Rolling Loud India’s Mumbai event is scheduled for December 12 and 13.