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The Streets is a musical project created and led by Mike Skinner, a rapper, producer, and songwriter from Birmingham, England. The Streets is known for its distinctive blend of UK garage, grime, electronica, and alternative hip-hop, as well as its witty and honest lyrics that reflect the realities and experiences of British urban life. The Streets has released six studio albums, two mixtapes, one EP, and several singles, and has collaborated with artists such as Kano, Tame Impala, Gorillaz, and Idles.
Origins
Mike Skinner was born on 27 November 1978 in Barnet, London, but moved to Birmingham when he was five years old. He grew up in a working-class family, and developed an interest in music at an early age. He taught himself to play keyboards, guitar, and drums, and started making music on his laptop when he was 15. He was influenced by a variety of genres, such as hip-hop, dance, rock, and pop, and by artists such as The Beastie Boys, The Clash, The Smiths, and The Specials.
Skinner moved back to London in 1999, and started working on his music under the name The Streets. He sent a demo tape to a record shop in north London, run by A&R Nick Worthington, who was impressed by his originality and talent. Worthington helped him secure a contract with Locked On Records, a subsidiary of 679 Recordings, and introduced him to producer and arranger John Lewis, who became his mentor and collaborator.
Breakthrough
The Streets’ debut single, “Has It Come to This?”, was released in 2001, and became a hit on the UK garage scene. The song featured Skinner’s trademark style of rapping in his natural accent, over a catchy and minimal beat, and captured the mood and atmosphere of urban life in Britain. The song reached number 18 on the UK Singles Chart, and received critical acclaim from publications such as NME and The Guardian.
The Streets’ debut album, Original Pirate Material, was released in 2002, and was a huge success, both critically and commercially. The album was praised for its innovation, authenticity, and relevance, and was nominated for the Mercury Prize and the BRIT Awards. The album reached number 10 on the UK Albums Chart, and was certified platinum by the BPI. The album featured several singles, such as “Don’t Mug Yourself”, “Weak Become Heroes”, and “Let’s Push Things Forward”, which showcased Skinner’s versatility, humor, and storytelling skills.
Masterpiece
The Streets’ second album, A Grand Don’t Come for Free, was released in 2004, and was a concept album that told the story of a series of events in Skinner’s life, such as losing a thousand pounds, breaking up with his girlfriend, and finding love again. The album was a musical and lyrical masterpiece, featuring some of Skinner’s best songs, such as “Fit but You Know It”, “Dry Your Eyes”, and “Blinded by the Lights”. The album was a critical and commercial success, reaching number one on the UK Albums Chart, and selling over a million copies. The album was also nominated for the Mercury Prize and the BRIT Awards, and won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Song for “Dry Your Eyes”.
The Streets’ third album, The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living, was released in 2006, and was a darker and more personal album, reflecting Skinner’s struggles with fame, drugs, and money. The album was less successful than its predecessors, but still received positive reviews and reached number one on the UK Albums Chart. The album featured singles such as “When You Wasn’t Famous”, “Never Went to Church”, and “Prangin’ Out”.
Legacy
The Streets is widely regarded as one of the most influential and important acts in British music history. The Streets has influenced a diverse range of artists, such as Ed Sheeran, Stormzy, Lily Allen, and Arctic Monkeys. The Streets has also received numerous honors and awards, such as the NME Award for Best Solo Artist, the Q Award for Best Album, and the MTV Europe Music Award for Best UK & Ireland Act.
The Streets continued to release albums and singles, such as Everything Is Borrowed (2008), Computers and Blues (2011), None of Us Are Getting Out of This Life Alive (2020), and The Darker the Shadow the Brighter the Light (2023), which have received acclaim and recognition for their quality and originality. The Streets has also performed at various festivals and venues, such as Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds, and the O2 Arena.
The Streets is a unique and visionary project that has created a rich and diverse body of work that transcends genres and boundaries. The Streets is a true icon of British urban culture and music, and a source of inspiration for many.
