The Story of The Streets - Tapa blanda

In 2001, at the age of only 22, the virtually unknown Mike Skinner was signed for a five album record deal. Since then, Mike Skinner has won a worldwide reputation for fusing home-grown hip-hop with the proud British tradition of observational song writing, which stretches from The Beatles and The Kinks to Blur and the Arctic Monkeys. In the multi-faceted guise of The Streets he, along with the likes of his friend and peer Dizzy Rascal, has been largely responsible for giving British rap its own identity, distinct from that of its American influences. Alternating between spells of reckless indulgence and sardonic commentary on his own excesses, Mike Skinner has established the kind of instantly accessible pop persona which only comes along once or twice a generation.

Now he brings us The Story of the Streets. Moving chronologically through five albums, and the different phases of his life that they represent, Mike shares personal details of his modest upbringing in Birmingham, as well as the wild extravagances of life in the showbiz fast lane. Personal, shocking and funny; but deeply intelligent, insightful, opinionated and searingly honest - this is a lesson in the making of pop history, narrated by a voice that has informed a generation.

Mike Skinner was born in North London and grew up in West Heath, Birmingham. He started listening to hip-hop aged eight, with the Beastie Boys' Licensed to Ill, and began writing songs aged fifteen. Later he moved to Brixton, London and in 2001 signed a five album record deal as The Streets. The Streets' first album 'Original Pirate Material' was nominated for both The Mercury Prize and Best Album at the BRIT Awards. Skinner went on to record tracks such as 'Dry Your Eyes' and 'Fit But You Know It', which became instant classics.In 2011 Skinner released his fifth album 'Computers and Blues' to critical acclaim, and announced he would be putting The Streets on hiatus, to work on other projects.