SOUTH Essex beat poet Scroobius Pip is the talk of the art world following an online interview with leading producer and DJ Goldie which appeared to unmask world-famous street artist Banksy.

During a conversation with Goldie, the topic turned to street art with the DJ referring to Banksy as “Robert” leading to renewed speculation about the artist’s real identity.

Many are convinced that Banksy is in fact Robert Del Naja -– known as 3D – of the renowned trip-hop band Massive Attack.

Goldie spoke freely during the podcast about his life creating graffiti pieces on walls in Bristol with “Robert”.

Bristol is coincidentally the city where Massive Attack were formed and enjoyed initial acclaim before going on to global success with hits such as Teardrop, Unfinished Sympathy and Protection.

Much of the speculation has centred on the fact that new work by Banksy has regularly appeared in cities at the same time as Massive Attack were playing gigs.

Last year Del Naja denied he was Banksy, saying: “It would be a good story but sadly not true.”

However, many have suggested that Banksy is not in fact one person, but rather a collective with Del Naja, 52, as the undisputed ringleader of a guerilla art movement.

In the interview with Scroobius, who hails from Stanford-le-Hope, Goldie said: “Give me a bubble letter, put it on a T-shirt and write ‘Banksy’ on it, we are sorted, we are OK, we are good, we can sell it now.”

He continued: “No disrespect to Robert, I think he is a brilliant artist, I think he has flipped the world of art.”

The statement came as a result of Goldie’s frustrations with Bristol graffiti and dance culture.

He added: “As a central wild-style, it is still misunderstood.”

During the podcast, Goldie said that he believed the social effect of his music and Banksy’s art had been decreased by ‘gentrification’, with drum ‘n’ bass music becoming more industry safe in recent years.

Banksy has been one of the famously blank faces in modern art throughout the 21st century.

His identity has been speculated on many times in the past, especially in a documentary about Banksy, Exit Through the Gift Shop, which followed the opening of the artist’s own theme park, “Dismaland”, in 2015.

So, just who is the real Banksy? 

Thus far, no one is saying for sure, but this time there has been no denial from the elusive Del Naja, who may well have been unmasked at last.