Rising from local MC battles to international stages, Harry Shotta became a drum and bass titan who even holds a Guinness World Record for the most words in a single track (2015’s Animal), surpassing Eminem’s Rap God. With millions of streams and numerous awards to his name, Shotta has long been a prominent figure bridging the UK’s hip-hop and D&B scenes.

In 2025, Harry delivered us Odyssey, a project that reconnects with the hip-hop foundations of his craft while leveraging the energy and experience from his D&B career, as well as being his most ambitious project to date. Released via High Focus Records, the UK’s leading independent hip-hop label, Odyssey is an ambitious 21-track opus, far larger in scope than any of Shotta’s prior albums or mixtapes. Clocking in at over an hour of music, it’s a comprehensive and expansive personal vision, and a clear step up in ambition. Musically, Odyssey boldly blurs moods, styles and BPMs showcasing his ability to mix tempos and genres that shaped him as an MC. The result is a record that fuses raw hip-hop with the energy of jungle, grime, and R&B. From content to production to presentation, Odyssey comes across as a big, conceptually unified statement intended to leave a mark on the culture and solidy Shotta’s legacy. High Focus brought a plethora of talented artists and producers to the table, and bridging two scenes. It’s rare for a D&B MC of Shotta’s stature to sign to a hip-hop label, but the move represents a creative homecoming and a bold crossover all at once.

Rich with themes and narratives drawn from Shotta’s life, he uses Odyssey to tell stories rather than just flexing his skills, with many tracks delving into personal challenges and triumphs, refusing to shy away from mental health and vulnerability. The album feels like a diary of personal truths, frequently touching on legacy, mortality and purpose, with reflections on responsibility, gratitude, and hopes for his family’s future. Odyssey is the story of an artist’s life, with universal themes of overcoming hardship, honouring one’s roots, and pushing creative boundaries, with a who’s who of talent from both the UK and US underground.

We caught up with Harry Shotta to ask him about the creation of Odyssey:

What does the title ‘Odyssey’ mean to you personally?

This album is your most ambitious project yet. In what ways were you keen to push yourself?

Was there a major difference writing a hip-hop album as opposed to bars for D&B? Is there a different approach to writing?

Why was now the time to make such an expansive hip-hop album?

Can you tell us about what you learned from Skibadee?

Did you find it a challenge to open up and be so vulnerable on record, or is it something you feel completely comfortable with at this point?

Let’s talk about the collabs. Who are some of your favourite MCs and producers to work with?

Did you think consciously about how to fit all the different styles together on the album? Or do you not see genre boundaries so clearly?

What did teaming up with High focus bring to the table? How do you feel about their ethos over the past 15 years?

Finally, what is the ultimate goal of Harry Shotta?