The album, Skepta's sixth, draws on sound system, club, and rave culture. Identity is a central theme: Skepta explores what it means to be British, the son of Nigerian immigrants, and to exist between cultures.

The visual world of The Fork and Knife references 1980s Nigerian-British imagery, football culture, and documentary realism. It connects the history of the Windrush generation with modern London.

The news arrives a few weeks after the release of "Innocent Smile", a collaboration with Suggs and Chase & Status. Skepta played songs from the forthcoming record during his Reading Festival set in August.

Skepta is a North London-raised artist of Nigerian heritage. He emerged from the UK underground grime scene and put out his debut album, , in 2007. He also records electronic music as Mas Tiempo and founded the fashion label MAINS.