Skepta unveils new artwork channelling the power of words

The public artwork Diligent, a new commission by the British rapper, record producer, fashion designer, film director and DJ, Skepta, premiered tonight (16th September) at London’s Piccadilly Lights (the famous billboards at Piccadilly Circus) as well as across screens in Africa, and will be shown in London every evening at 8pm until 31st October, 2026.

The commission features a series of 24 statements developed by Skepta, which explore identity, environment, perception and ambition – “the forces that shape who we become” – organised by Circa (the Cultural Institute of Radical Contemporary Arts) – a digital art and culture platform that pauses commercial advertising on iconic global billboards to broadcast public contemporary art.

Skepta's statements include: “I’M A PRODUCT OF MY ENVIRONMENT, BUT I REFUSE TO BE DEFINED BY IT”, “FEAR IS A CHOICE” and “A NIGERIAN CHIEF". Each statement is also produced as a limited edition of 150 two-colour screen prints on Somerset 300gsm paper, which are hand-signed by Skepta, and available exclusively from circa.art for £150.

“London is the city where I grew my voice. With this project, I wanted to take a look back at my journey and put some of my words back into the city that shaped them,” Skepta says. “Words have always been a powerful part of what I do, and over the years some of them have taken on a life beyond the music. I wanted to give them their own space and see them in a different context.”