Skeete – I went from whispering lyrics in my living room to fans singing them back to me

In this exclusive Studio Talks interview with rising UK artist Skeete, we delve into the dynamic musical journey that has shaped his sound. From his childhood in a Caribbean household immersed in a rich blend of music to his evolution into an artist defining his own style, Skeete’s path has been anything but ordinary. In this candid conversation, he opens up about the pivotal moments that transformed him from a listener to a creator, exploring how personal challenges and a shift in focus from football to music ignited his passion for songwriting. Skeete also shares the story behind his unexpected hit “Tek Buddy,” the evolution of his creative process, and the deepening connection with his growing fanbase. This insightful interview was conducted by Tadeáš Jánoš via video call on January 15, 2025.

How did you get started in music, and what led you from being a listener to a creator?

To be fair with you, from when I was a kid, growing up in a Caribbean household music was the main thing. I think waking up and hearing music in the mornings—during breakfast time, on cleaning days—music was always something that was heavily present in my house. My older sister would always have UK garage, house music, and R&B playing in her room, and I’d often go in and listen as a child. There was so much going on. So I think even as a child, I was always surrounded by it. And to be fair, my sister was a singer too, so I always used to hear her singing and stuff. But honestly, at the time, I didn’t see it as something I’d pursue—it was just always there.

By the time I turned 16, my family went through some challenges, and a lot began to change. I was always a footballer from when I was a child until maybe 16. When life got challenging, and I stopped playing football around the same time, I realized I needed an outlet. I wasn’t sure what that outlet would be, but once I started writing music, it became clear that this was my path. From the moment I started, I never stopped.

When you first started making music, what did your process look like, and how has it changed now?

I started in my living room with a program called Audacity. I didn’t know much about it, but it was all I had before discovering Logic or FL Studio. I used Audacity and an iPhone 4. I'd record on the iPhone, email the audio to myself, drag it into Audacity, and look online for effects like reverb. Autotune didn’t come into play until years later. I was just learning the basics. I kept doing this in my living room, sending covers to my sister. Eventually, I posted one on social media, and people from London started commenting, saying I had talent. I used to sing John Legend and R&B, which is far from what I do now—but that’s where it all started.

At 16 or 17, I had my first studio session in Nottingham—that’s when I really started pursuing music. Back then, I just recorded whatever I felt. I didn’t have a process—just vibes. That’s still true today. If I connect with a beat, it flows naturally. If not, it either takes longer or doesn’t happen. The process hasn’t changed—it’s always about what I feel. To this day, I’ll hear a beat, step aside, and quietly whisper the vibe to myself. People know I stay quiet until I hit the booth, then the reaction is always, “Whoa, that’s what you were doing.” The process now is the same as back then: a natural, organic connection with music.