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{{short description|British alternative hip hop music group}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject Musicians -->
{{About|the UK garage/hip hop group||Streets (disambiguation)}}
| Name = ]
{{More citations needed|date=September 2014}}
| Img = TheStreets.jpg
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
| Img_capt = Mike Skinner in concert
{{Use British English|date=September 2012}}
| Landscape =
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject Musicians -->
| Background = solo_singer
| Birth_name = Michael Skinner | name = The Streets
| Alias = | image = File:The Streets John Peel Stage Glastonbury 2019 013.jpg
| Born = {{birth date and age|1978|11|27}} | caption = Mike Skinner at John Peel Stage, Glastonbury in 2019
| Died = | img_size =
| Origin = ], ] | background = group_or_band
| Instrument = vocals, keyboards, guitar | origin = ], ], England
| instrument =
| Genre = ], ], ]
| genre = {{hlist|]|]|]|]}}
| Occupation =
| years_active = {{hlist|1994–2011|2017–present}}
| Years_active = 2000 - present
| Label = ], ] | label = {{hlist|]|]|]|]|] (worldwide)|]}}
| associated_acts = ]
| Associated_acts =
| URL = | website = {{url|https://www.thestreetsmusic.co.uk}}
| current_members = * ]
| Notable_instruments =
* ]
* Wayne Bennett
* Max O'Donnell
* Cassell the Beatmaker
| past_members = * Johnny "Drum Machine" Jenkins
* ]
* ]
* ]
}} }}


'''The Streets''' is an English musical project led by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist ]. The project was founded in the early 90s, while Skinner was still a teenager; however, no music would formally eventuate until the early 2000s. In the initial run of The Streets, the project released five studio albums: '']'' (2002), '']'' (2004), '']'' (2006), '']'' (2008) and '']'' (2011). The Streets also released a string of successful singles during this time, which reached the Top 40 on the ] – including "]", "]", "]" (the project's only ]), "]" and "]". After disbanding The Streets in 2011, Skinner pursued several other musical projects before ultimately reviving the moniker in 2017. A mixtape, '']'', was released in 2020. The Streets' sixth studio album, '']'', was released in September 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brodsky |first1=Rachel |title=The Streets – "Troubled Waters" |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2229927/the-streets-troubled-waters/music/ |website=Stereogum |date=12 July 2023 |publisher=Stereogum Media |access-date=14 July 2023}}</ref>
'''Mike Skinner''' (born ], ]), more commonly known by his stage name '''The Streets''', is a ] from ].<ref>{{cite news

| last =
The Streets is considered one of the most important and influential acts within the trajectory of hip-hop, ] and ] within the UK.<ref>{{cite web |title=What The Streets taught me: 10 top artists on the artistry of Mike Skinner |url=https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/what-i-learned-from-the-streets |website=Red Bull Music |access-date=14 July 2023}}</ref> In 2020, ''Pitchfork'' described ''Original Pirate Material'' as "a landmark for ]",<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pearce |first1=Sheldon |title=The Streets: None of Us Are Getting Out of This Life Alive |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/the-streets-none-of-us-are-getting-out-of-this-life-alive/ |website=Pitchfork |publisher=Pitchfork Media |access-date=14 July 2023}}</ref> while '']'' wrote in 2018 that the album "soundtracked the beginning of a decade – recovering from the ] hangover and comedown from ] euphoria – but also defined it."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bernard-Banton |first1=Jacob |title=How The Streets captured what it really meant to be British |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/35265/1/the-streets-original-pirate-material-retrospective |website=Dazed |date=24 March 2017 |access-date=14 July 2023}}</ref>
| first =
| coauthors =
| title = The Streets bio at Yahoo! Music
| work =
| pages =
| language =
| publisher =
| date =
| url = http://music.yahoo.com/ar-296908-bio--The-Streets
| accessdate = 2007-07-18 }}</ref>


==History== ==History==
===2001&ndash;2003: ''Original Pirate Material''===
Skinner acquired his first ] at the tender age of five after moving to Birmingham from ], North London. As a teenager, he built a miniature recording studio in his bedroom. He began writing ] and garage music in his home in ] in Birmingham, with a crew of other rappers including best friend Chris Panton. He describes his background as "] class: suburban estates, not poor but not much money about, really boring".<ref>{{Citation |last= |first= |title=Mike Skinner: Voice of The Streets |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/2262033.stm |accessdate=2007-09-30}}</ref> Skinner started making songs at the age of fifteen. He also attended Bournville School.
] sent a demo tape to a record shop in north London, run by ] Nick Worthington.<ref name="littlebritain">{{cite web |last1=Bainbridge |first1=Luke |title=profile The voice of little Britain |url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2006/apr/09/7days4.news |website=The Guardian |date=8 April 2006 |access-date=4 April 2020}}</ref> The song developed into Skinner's first single, "]", and was released under the name The Streets.<ref name="littlebritain"/> The song peaked at number 18 on the ] in October 2001.<ref>{{cite web |title="Has It Come to This" chart history |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/has-it-come-to-this/ |website=Official Charts |access-date=4 April 2020}}</ref>


The Streets' debut album, '']'', was released in March 2002. The album was successful both with critics and the general public. In the UK, the album was nominated for the ].<ref name="mercuryprize">{{cite web |last1=Petridis |first1=Alexis |title=The Mercury Prize comment: a serious shortlist for music's serious prize |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2002/jul/30/artsfeatures.mercuryprize2002 |website=The Guardian |date=30 July 2002 |access-date=4 April 2020}}</ref> ''Original Pirate Material'' was nominated for ], and The Streets was nominated for ], ] and ] at the ].{{citation needed|date=March 2020}} '']'' named ''Original Pirate Material'' as the third best album of 2002.<ref>{{cite web |title=2002 |url=https://www.nme.com/bestalbumsandtracksoftheyear/2002-2-1045353 |website=NME |date=10 October 2016 |access-date=4 April 2020}}</ref> Subsequent singles from ''Original Pirate Material'' include "]", "]" and "Let's Push Things Forward".
He has suffered from ] since the age of seven. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://arts.guardian.co.uk/features/story/0,11710,1200042,00.html|date=], ]|title=Interview: The Streets|publisher=Guardian|accessdate=2007-09-14}}</ref>


===2004–2005: ''A Grand Don't Come for Free''===
In the late 1990s, Skinner was a student at ], near Birmingham, and was working in fast food jobs while trying to start his own ] and sending off ]s. The Streets started out as a group project but quickly became a one-man act as band members fell away. At the end of 2000, the ] label, who had had success with ] featuring ], agreed to release "Has It Come To This" under the name ''The Streets''. Skinner moved from Birmingham to ] to pursue his recording career.
In May 2004, Skinner released the single "]", which peaked at number 4 on the UK Singles Chart.<ref>{{cite web |title="Fit But You Know It" chart history |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/fit-but-you-know-it/ |website=Official Charts |access-date=4 April 2020}}</ref> The single was later used by ] as part of the soundtrack for its video game '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/6498/FIFA-2005-Soundtrack-Announced |title=FIFA 2005 Soundtrack Announced |publisher=News.teamxbox.com |date=10 August 2004 |access-date=28 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202234750/http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/6498/FIFA-2005-Soundtrack-Announced |archive-date=2 December 2013 }}</ref> "Fit But You Know It" appeared on The Streets' second album, '']''. The album entered the UK album charts at number two, but later reached number one after six weeks.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Grand Don't Come for Free chart history |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/a-grand-don't-come-for-free/ |website=Official Charts |access-date=8 April 2020}}</ref> The album's second single, "]", debuted at the top of the chart in the UK.<ref>{{cite web |title="Dry Your Eyes" chart history |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/dry-your-eyes/ |website=Official Charts |access-date=8 April 2020}}</ref> "]", the third single from ''A Grand Don't Come for Free'', peaked at number 10 on the UK Singles Chart in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |title="Blinded by the Lights" chart history |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/blinded-by-the-lights/ |website=Official Charts |access-date=4 April 2020}}</ref>


===2006–2007: ''The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living''===
Despite having been raised in Birmingham, an area with a distinctive ] accent, he speaks with a London-influenced accent. Some critics have accused Skinner of using a "]" accent.<ref>{{cite news
The Streets' third studio album, '']'', was released on 10 April 2006. In the UK it debuted the album chart at number one.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living chart history |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/the-hardest-way-to-make-an-easy-living/ |website=Official Charts |access-date=8 April 2020}}</ref><!-- Skinner disclosed in his memoirs that the track is not about his relationship with Rachel Stevens and that she was not the pop star who smoked crack.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Streets life: stories from Mike Skinner about the Birmingham garage project |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/mar/25/street-life-mike-skinner-memoir |access-date=26 March 2012 |work=] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325152335/http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/mar/25/street-life-mike-skinner-memoir |archive-date=25 March 2012 }}</ref> -->
| last =
| first =
| coauthors =
| title = Review of Original Pirate Material on musicOMH.com
| work =
| pages =
| language =
| publisher =
| date =
| url = http://www.musicomh.com/albums/streets.htm
| accessdate = 2007-07-18 }}</ref> He can be heard speaking in his normal accent at the beginning of the song "]." Because of his accent, Skinner is identified with Birmingham; a keen supporter of ], he even wore the club's replica shirt on stage.


===2008–2009: ''Everything Is Borrowed''===
===Career breakthrough===
In September 2008, The Streets released their fourth studio album, '']''.<ref name=digitalspy.co.uk>{{cite web |author=Simon Reynolds |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a97279/the-streets-to-split-after-fifth-album.html |title=The Streets to split after fifth album |work=Digital Spy |date=2 June 2008 |access-date=28 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107230435/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a97279/the-streets-to-split-after-fifth-album.html |archive-date=7 January 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> One song from the album was on Skinner's ] page for a while before being replaced by a cover of "]". In a posting on his Myspace blog, Skinner noted that the group's upcoming LP would contain "peaceful, positive vibes" in comparison with 2006's "weird guilt-ridden indulgence" that was ''The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living.''<ref name=musicradar.com>{{cite web |author=Ben Rogerson |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/the-end-of-the-streets-158121 |title=The end of The Streets? |publisher=musicradar.com |date=3 June 2008 |access-date=7 July 2020 }}</ref>
"Has It Come To This" proved to be a breakthrough hit for The Streets, going top-twenty in March 2001. For his debut album, '']'', Skinner wanted to take ] in a new direction with material reflecting the lifestyle of clubbers in Britain. The track "Let's Push Things Forward" reflects the philosophy of the album. The album was released and proved to be successful both with critics and the general public alike. In the UK, the album was nominated for the prestigious ] and was favourite with the bookies to win it (it was later won by ]). The Streets was nominated for best album, best ] act, best breakthrough artist and best British male artist in the 2002 ]. The ] named it as one of their top five albums of 2002. The cover image is ''Towering Inferno'' by the acclaimed photographer ].


In a blurb about the album on Skinner's Myspace, he says, "This album started off life as parables but then I realised that it might get a bit cheesy so I got rid of the alien song and the devil song replaced them with more straight up songs. I've pretty much kept my promise that I made to myself not to reference modern life on any of them though which is hard to do and keep things personal at the same time."{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}
Subsequent singles included "Don't Mug Yourself", "Burn it" "Weak Become Heroes" and "Let's Push Things Forward" which all reached the top 40 in the UK. Many of his songs have a ] feel but have in the main found popularity in the ']' scene. ''Original Pirate Material'' had debuted and peaked at number 12 in the UK album charts, and wouldn't reach any higher until his next album was released.


===2010–2011: ''Computers and Blues'' and ''Cyberspace and Reds''===
The success of ''Original Pirate Material'' in the UK led to a US release of the album through ] in late 2002. Despite Skinner's lack of understanding of ] culture in the US and failure to catch on with American audiences it quickly became a critical favourite with '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'' and the '']'' all nominating it as one of the albums of the year. The album was named Entertainment Weekly's "album of the year". The album reached number two on the Billboard electronic charts and the top 20 on the independent and Heatseeker charts in the US in 2003.
]
In November 2010, Skinner announced on the official The Streets website, that he would release what he referred to as a ] album called '']'', consisting of various recordings he had made since he had finished work on the final Streets album, '']''.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Skinner |first=Mike |title=***cyberspace and reds*** |url=http://the-streets.co.uk/2010/11/cyberspace-and-reds/ |date=November 2010 |access-date=5 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202040605/http://the-streets.co.uk/2010/11/cyberspace-and-reds/ |archive-date=2 December 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Cyberspace and Reds'' was released in January 2011, initially only for download via the Streets ].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Skinner |first=Mike |title=***cyberspace and red soup*** |url=http://the-streets.co.uk/2011/01/cyberspace-and-red-soup/ |date=January 2011 |access-date=5 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110129022119/http://the-streets.co.uk/2011/01/cyberspace-and-red-soup/ |archive-date=29 January 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> A so-called "deluxe" edition was later made available for general download through the Streets website.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Skinner |first=Mike |title=***cyberspace and reds deluxe edition*** |url=http://the-streets.co.uk/2011/01/cyberspace-and-reds-deluxe-edition/ |date=January 2011 |access-date=5 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110130043659/http://the-streets.co.uk/2011/01/cyberspace-and-reds-deluxe-edition/ |archive-date=30 January 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>


The fifth album '']'' was released on 7 February 2011,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.computersandblues.com/ |title=The Fifth And Final Album From The Streets - Computers And Blues |publisher=Computers And Blues |access-date=28 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530040326/http://computersandblues.com/ |archive-date=30 May 2013 }}</ref> the first single being "Going Through Hell".{{citation needed|date=April 2020}} <!--The band played live in 2011 at ] festival for the first time. Skinner performed at ] 2011, co-headlining the NME/Radio stage with 2manydj's. Skinner performed at the 2011 Freeze Festival at Battersea Power Station which was his final gig in London performing as The Streets. The Streets ended after their final show at The Big Reunion.-->
===Live Line-up===
The Streets regularly plays live, and has also performed at several festivals.


===2017–present===
Up until recently his playing line up was Mike Skinner, ] singing backing vocals, Eddie "The Kid" playing keyboard, Johnny Drum Machine playing drums, and long-time friend ] playing bass and guitar.
On 22 December 2017, The Streets released two new tracks: "Burn Bridges" and "Sometimes I Hate My Friends More Than My Enemies".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/the-streets-release-first-new-songs-in-6-years-listen/|title=The Streets Release First New Songs in 6 Years: Listen {{!}} Pitchfork|website=Pitchfork|date=22 December 2017 |access-date=2017-12-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226021334/https://pitchfork.com/news/the-streets-release-first-new-songs-in-6-years-listen/|archive-date=26 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> It was The Streets' first new music released in six years.


In 2018, The Streets released three singles: "If You Ever Need to Talk I'm not Here" was released on 31 January,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-the-streets-new-song-if-you-ever-need-to-talk-im-here/|title=Listen to the Streets' New Song "If You Ever Need To Talk I'm Here" {{!}} Pitchfork|website=Pitchfork|date=31 January 2018 |access-date=2018-02-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201192902/https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-the-streets-new-song-if-you-ever-need-to-talk-im-here/|archive-date=1 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> "You Are Not the Voice in Your Head..." was released on 30 March,<ref>{{cite web |title=The Streets share new track 'You Are Not The Voice in Your Head' |url=http://diymag.com/2018/04/04/the-streets-new-track-you-are-not-the-voice-in-your-head-listen |website=DIY |date=4 April 2018 |access-date=29 October 2018 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030035435/http://diymag.com/2018/04/04/the-streets-new-track-you-are-not-the-voice-in-your-head-listen |archive-date=30 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> and "Call Me in the Morning" was released on 22 November.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mike Skinner returns as The Streets share new single: 'Call Me in the Morning' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/mike-skinner-and-the-streets-share-new-single-call-me-in-the-morning-2411141 |author=Elizabeth Aubrey |website=NME |date=22 November 2018 |access-date=23 November 2018 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122164922/https://www.nme.com/news/music/mike-skinner-and-the-streets-share-new-single-call-me-in-the-morning-2411141 |archive-date=22 November 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
His current live-line up consists out of ] on backing vocals, Wayne Vibes on guitar and bass, Chris Brown on keyboards, Magic Mike on samplers and Johnny Drum Machine as drummer and musical director.


On 1 April 2020, Skinner announced a new single featuring Australian music project ], included on a ] titled '']'', released 10 July 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-streets-tame-impala-new-collaboration-mixtape-2638704|title=The Streets and Tame Impala preview their exciting new collaboration|date=2020-04-01|website=NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs {{!}} NME.COM|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-04-02}}</ref> The track premiered on ] ] show.
===Topping the charts===
In May 2004, he released a new single, "]" which became his highest debuting and highest selling single to that point, reaching number four in the UK. Skinner revealed the song was an ode to his lust for pop star ].


In March 2021, following the UK Government's announced ] restriction easing timetable, The Streets released the single ''Who's Got the Bag (21st June)''. Referencing the earliest possible date when nightclubs could reopen and the names of members of government<ref>{{Citation|title=The Streets – Who's Got The Bag (21st June)|url=https://genius.com/The-streets-whos-got-the-bag-21st-june-lyrics|language=en|access-date=2021-04-29}}</ref> the single was described by Skinner as a "end of lockdown celebratory track".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-05|title=Listen to The Streets' new song 'Who's Got The Bag (21st June)'|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-to-the-streets-celebratory-new-song-whos-got-the-bag-21st-june-2894917|access-date=2021-04-29|website=NME|language=en-GB}}</ref>
"Fit But You Know It" is from his second album, '']'' which is a ] about a short period in the protagonist's life. The events depicted include losing a thousand ], the start of a new relationship, going on holiday, breaking up, and eventually finding the grand again. The MC's remix of "Fit But You Know It" features formerly underground MCs such as ], ], Donae'o and ].


In October 2023, the first studio album in twelve years, '']'', was released.
The album debuted at number two in the UK album charts, but later reached the number one position. Soon after the album was released, his success grew even larger in July 2004, with the second single "]" debuting at the top of the chart in the UK. The success of this album and its singles led to a re-kindling of interest in the first album ''Original Pirate Material'', which re-entered the UK album charts and beat its original chart peak of two years earlier. "Blinded By the Lights", the third single from "A Grand Don't Come for Free", hit the Top 10 in September 2004, and a fourth and final single, "Could Well Be In", was released in late 2004.


==Band members==
===''The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living''===
'''Current members'''
* ] – vocals, arrangement, composition, mixing, keyboards, synthesizers (1994–2011; 2017–present)


'''Current contributors and live musicians'''
Skinner's third studio album under The Streets moniker, '']'', was released on ] ] in the ] and on ] ] in ]. In the UK it debuted at #1 on the album chart. It was a change in direction from the last two albums, the lyrical theme of "Hardest" moved away from the stories about ] Britain and now studying on the ups and downs of fame, a problem Skinner has encountered since the huge success of his last album.
* ] – vocals, production, composition (1994–2003, 2007–2011, 2018–present)
* Wayne Bennett – bass guitar, composition, guitar (2007–2011, 2018–present)
The lead single, titled "]", was released two weeks prior to the album. The song is about Skinner's troubles with trying to date a famous person, following his new found fame. It was also named 'Track of the Week' by NME in early March 2006, but when it came into the UK singles charts, it only reached the latter course of the top 10, peaking at #8. There has been much speculation over which celebrity "When You Wasn't Famous" is about - ] and ] are two names that have been ruled out, despite Skinner dedicating the song to Cole on ].<ref>{{Citation |last= |first= |title=You're fitted up and don't you know it |url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,4-2006130863,00.html |accessdate=2007-09-30}}</ref> This reluctance to reveal the subject may be more than simple politeness, as some of the descriptions of the unnamed starlet in the track are potentially damaging. At one point, Skinner discloses "my whole life I never thought I'd see a pop star smoke ]".
* ] – vocals, guitar (2011, 2018–present)
* Cassell the Beatmaker – drums (2011, 2018–present)


'''Former contributors and live musicians'''
The second single, "]", is a tribute to Skinner's late father, and appears to use the chord progression of ]' "]" as a backing beat.
* Johnny "Drum Machine" Jenkins – drums, percussion, orchestration, production (1994–2011)

* ] – bass guitar, guitar, percussion, programing piano, synthesizers (2003–2005; 2008)
The Streets appeared on '']'' on ], ] to promote the new album.
* ] – vocals (2003–2007)

* Mike Millrain – synths, soundboard, guitar, bass guitar, production
===The 4th Album===
* Chris Brown – synths, piano, keyboards

* Eddie Jenkins – keyboards, piano
Skinner is currently in the process of mastering his fourth studio album which is, as of yet, unnamed.<ref>{{Citation |last= |first= |title=Official Myspace Page |url=http://myspace.com/thestreets |accessdate=2007-11-25}}</ref> One song from the new album, entitled ''Everything is Borrowed'' was on Skinner's myspace page for a while before being replaced with a cover of "]." The sound is reminiscent of Skinner's earlier work on ]. In a blurb about the album on Skinner's myspace, he says "This album started off life as parables but then I realised that it might get a bit cheesy so I got rid of the alien song and the devil song and replaced them with more straight up songs. I've pretty much kept my promise that I made to myself not to reference modern life on any of them though which is hard to do and keep things personal at the same time."
* ] – bass guitar

* Steve Corley – keyboards
He has stated on his blog on his website that the fourth Streets album will be released in 2008.<ref>{{cite news
* Laura Vane – vocals
| last =
* Rich Wheatley - keyboards (2002-2003)
| first =
| coauthors =
| title = The Streets Official Website
| work =
| pages =
| language =
| publisher =
| date =
| url = http://www.the-streets.co.uk/
| accessdate = 2007-07-18 }}</ref>, and he turned in the unmastered tracks on Monday, October 1.

==Promotional and campaign work==
*Skinner is an ardent fan of ] Classics shoes; he is often seen wearing a pair of white Workout Plus trainers, and has even mentioned them in the lyrics for his song "Let's Push Things Forward," in which he raps, ''"Let's put on our Classics and have a little dance, shall we?"''. In 2005 he signed up to appear in a 12 month ad campaign for Reebok, joining other prominent celebrities in Reebok's "I Am What I Am" campaign.<ref>{{cite news
| title = Softpedia article detailing relationship between Skinner and Reebok
| publisher = Softpedia
| date = ] ]
| url = http://news.softpedia.com/news/The-Streets-Star-Mike-Skinner-the-New-Face-of-Reebok-6971.shtml
| accessdate = 2007-07-18 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| last = Farey-Jones
| first = Daniel
| title = Brand Republic article detailing relationship between Skinner and Reebok
| publisher = Brand Republic
| date = ] ]
| url = http://www.brandrepublic.com/login/News/492425/
| accessdate = 2007-07-18 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| title = Evening Standard article detailing relationship between Skinner and Reebok
| publisher = This Is London
| date = ] ]
| url = http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/article-20175989-details/Streets+star+is+new+face+of+Reebok/article.do;jsessionid=PW1wGfTQ18h54R1b0DSnm7vYFptpLyLNT613fLQw8h21R2L7DbHn!-1763085256!-1407319224!7001!-1
| accessdate = 2007-07-18 }}</ref>
*Skinner collaborated with ] in a campaign urging ] to demand that chickens raised for them be treated more humanely.<ref>{{cite news
| last =
| first =
| coauthors =
| title = Mike Skinner's letter to KFC on PETA2
| work =
| pages =
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| publisher =
| date =
| url = http://www.peta2.com/OUTTHERE/o-MikeSkinner.asp?c=67
| accessdate = 2007-07-18 }}</ref>


==Discography== ==Discography==
{{Main|The Streets discography}}
<gallery>
<!-- As per ], only major works (studio albums) are added -->
Image:OriginalPirateMaterial.jpg|<center>''''']'''''<br><center>], ]<br><center>]
* '']'' (2002)
Image:The Streets-A Grand Don't Come For Free.jpg|<center>''''']'''''<br><center>], ]<br><center>], ]
* '']'' (2004)
Image:The Streets-thehardestwaytomakeaneasyliving.jpg|<center>''''']'''''<br><center>], ]<br><center>]
* '']'' (2006)
</gallery>
* '']'' (2008)

* '']'' (2011)
===Album sales===
* '']'' (2020)
{| class= "wikitable"
* '']'' (2023)
!Album
!Year
!UK Chart
!US Chart
!FRA Chart
!AUS Chart
!AUT Chart
!IRE Chart
!DEN Chart
!BEL Chart
!SWE Chart
!NZ Chart
!GER Chart
!NOR Charts
!Album Sales
|-
| "'''Original Pirate Material'''"
| ]
| 10
|
| 97
|
|
|
|
|
| 43
| 36
|
| 10
| 1,000,000 (Platinum UK)
|-
| "'''A Grand Don't Come for Free'''"
| ]
| 1
| 82
| 38
| 11
| 24
|
|
|
| 9
| 7
| 25
| 5
| 3,000,000 (Triple Platinum UK)
|-
| "'''The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living'''"
| ]
| 1
| 68
| 122
| 16
| 42
| 3
| 9
| 19
| 19
| 21
| 25
| 10
| 554,000 (186,000 UK)
|-
|}

===Singles===
{| class="wikitable"
! width="3" rowspan="2"| '''Year'''
! width="150" rowspan="2"| '''Title'''
! colspan="5"| '''Chart positions'''
! width="120" rowspan="2"| '''Album'''
|-
! width="36"| <small>]</small>
! width="36"| <small>]</small>
! width="36"| <small>]</small>
! width="36"| <small>]</small>
! width="36"| <small>]</small>
|-
| rowspan="1"|2001
| "Has It Come To This?"
| <center> 18
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
| rowspan="6"|<center>'']''</center>
|-
| rowspan="5"|2002
| "Let's Push Things Forward" <small>(Feat. ])</small>
| <center> 30
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
|-
| "]"
| <center> 21
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> 74
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
|-
| "Don't Mug Yourself"
| <center> 21
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
|-
| "]"
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
|-
| "It's Too Late" / "Weak Become Heroes"
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
|-
| rowspan="4"|2004
| "]"
| <center> 4
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> 37
| <center> 85
| <center> 42
| rowspan="5"|<center>'']''</center>
|-
| "]"
| <center> 1
| <center> 1
| <center> 42
| <center> 53
| <center> 24
|-
| "Blinded By The Lights"
| <center> 10
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> 92
| <center> 63
| <center> &mdash;
|-
| "Could Well Be In"
| <center> 30
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
|-
| rowspan="1"|2005
| "Get Out My House (Remix)"
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
|-
| rowspan="3"|2006
| "]"
| <center> 8
| <center> 26
| <center> 67
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> 60
| rowspan="3"|<center>'']''</center>
|-
| "]"
| <center> 20
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
|-
| "]"
| <center> 25
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
| <center> &mdash;
|}


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{Reflist}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{Commons category|The Streets}}
*
* {{official website|https://www.thestreetsmusic.co.uk}}
* {{MySpace|thestreets}}
* {{Allmusic|B4djn7ip3g75r}}
*


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Latest revision as of 13:31, 13 December 2024

British alternative hip hop music group This article is about the UK garage/hip hop group. For other uses, see Streets (disambiguation).
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The Streets
Mike Skinner at John Peel Stage, Glastonbury in 2019Mike Skinner at John Peel Stage, Glastonbury in 2019
Background information
OriginBirmingham, West Midlands, England
Genres
Years active
  • 1994–2011
  • 2017–present
Labels
Members
Past members
Websitewww.thestreetsmusic.co.uk

The Streets is an English musical project led by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Mike Skinner. The project was founded in the early 90s, while Skinner was still a teenager; however, no music would formally eventuate until the early 2000s. In the initial run of The Streets, the project released five studio albums: Original Pirate Material (2002), A Grand Don't Come for Free (2004), The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living (2006), Everything Is Borrowed (2008) and Computers and Blues (2011). The Streets also released a string of successful singles during this time, which reached the Top 40 on the UK Singles chart – including "Has It Come to This?", "Fit but You Know It", "Dry Your Eyes" (the project's only number-one single), "When You Wasn't Famous" and "Prangin' Out". After disbanding The Streets in 2011, Skinner pursued several other musical projects before ultimately reviving the moniker in 2017. A mixtape, None of Us Are Getting Out of This Life Alive, was released in 2020. The Streets' sixth studio album, The Darker the Shadow the Brighter the Light, was released in September 2023.

The Streets is considered one of the most important and influential acts within the trajectory of hip-hop, garage and grime music within the UK. In 2020, Pitchfork described Original Pirate Material as "a landmark for UK rap", while Dazed wrote in 2018 that the album "soundtracked the beginning of a decade – recovering from the Britpop hangover and comedown from New Labour euphoria – but also defined it."

History

2001–2003: Original Pirate Material

Mike Skinner sent a demo tape to a record shop in north London, run by A&R Nick Worthington. The song developed into Skinner's first single, "Has It Come to This?", and was released under the name The Streets. The song peaked at number 18 on the UK Singles Chart in October 2001.

The Streets' debut album, Original Pirate Material, was released in March 2002. The album was successful both with critics and the general public. In the UK, the album was nominated for the Mercury Prize. Original Pirate Material was nominated for British Album of the Year, and The Streets was nominated for British Urban Act, British Breakthrough Act and British Male Solo Artist at the 2003 BRIT Awards. NME named Original Pirate Material as the third best album of 2002. Subsequent singles from Original Pirate Material include "Don't Mug Yourself", "Weak Become Heroes" and "Let's Push Things Forward".

2004–2005: A Grand Don't Come for Free

In May 2004, Skinner released the single "Fit but You Know It", which peaked at number 4 on the UK Singles Chart. The single was later used by EA Sports as part of the soundtrack for its video game FIFA Football 2005. "Fit But You Know It" appeared on The Streets' second album, A Grand Don't Come for Free. The album entered the UK album charts at number two, but later reached number one after six weeks. The album's second single, "Dry Your Eyes", debuted at the top of the chart in the UK. "Blinded by the Lights", the third single from A Grand Don't Come for Free, peaked at number 10 on the UK Singles Chart in 2004.

2006–2007: The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living

The Streets' third studio album, The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living, was released on 10 April 2006. In the UK it debuted the album chart at number one.

2008–2009: Everything Is Borrowed

In September 2008, The Streets released their fourth studio album, Everything Is Borrowed. One song from the album was on Skinner's Myspace page for a while before being replaced by a cover of "Your Song". In a posting on his Myspace blog, Skinner noted that the group's upcoming LP would contain "peaceful, positive vibes" in comparison with 2006's "weird guilt-ridden indulgence" that was The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living.

In a blurb about the album on Skinner's Myspace, he says, "This album started off life as parables but then I realised that it might get a bit cheesy so I got rid of the alien song and the devil song replaced them with more straight up songs. I've pretty much kept my promise that I made to myself not to reference modern life on any of them though which is hard to do and keep things personal at the same time."

2010–2011: Computers and Blues and Cyberspace and Reds

Mike Skinner and Kevin Mark Trail performing live in Sydney, 2011

In November 2010, Skinner announced on the official The Streets website, that he would release what he referred to as a mixtape album called Cyberspace and Reds, consisting of various recordings he had made since he had finished work on the final Streets album, Computers and Blues. Cyberspace and Reds was released in January 2011, initially only for download via the Streets iPhone app. A so-called "deluxe" edition was later made available for general download through the Streets website.

The fifth album Computers and Blues was released on 7 February 2011, the first single being "Going Through Hell".

2017–present

On 22 December 2017, The Streets released two new tracks: "Burn Bridges" and "Sometimes I Hate My Friends More Than My Enemies". It was The Streets' first new music released in six years.

In 2018, The Streets released three singles: "If You Ever Need to Talk I'm not Here" was released on 31 January, "You Are Not the Voice in Your Head..." was released on 30 March, and "Call Me in the Morning" was released on 22 November.

On 1 April 2020, Skinner announced a new single featuring Australian music project Tame Impala, included on a mixtape titled None of Us Are Getting Out of This Life Alive, released 10 July 2020. The track premiered on Annie Mac's BBC Radio 1 show.

In March 2021, following the UK Government's announced COVID-19 restriction easing timetable, The Streets released the single Who's Got the Bag (21st June). Referencing the earliest possible date when nightclubs could reopen and the names of members of government the single was described by Skinner as a "end of lockdown celebratory track".

In October 2023, the first studio album in twelve years, The Darker the Shadow the Brighter the Light, was released.

Band members

Current members

  • Mike Skinner – vocals, arrangement, composition, mixing, keyboards, synthesizers (1994–2011; 2017–present)

Current contributors and live musicians

  • Kevin Mark Trail – vocals, production, composition (1994–2003, 2007–2011, 2018–present)
  • Wayne Bennett – bass guitar, composition, guitar (2007–2011, 2018–present)
  • Rob Harvey – vocals, guitar (2011, 2018–present)
  • Cassell the Beatmaker – drums (2011, 2018–present)

Former contributors and live musicians

  • Johnny "Drum Machine" Jenkins – drums, percussion, orchestration, production (1994–2011)
  • Morgan Nicholls – bass guitar, guitar, percussion, programing piano, synthesizers (2003–2005; 2008)
  • Leo the Lion – vocals (2003–2007)
  • Mike Millrain – synths, soundboard, guitar, bass guitar, production
  • Chris Brown – synths, piano, keyboards
  • Eddie Jenkins – keyboards, piano
  • Stuart Coleman – bass guitar
  • Steve Corley – keyboards
  • Laura Vane – vocals
  • Rich Wheatley - keyboards (2002-2003)

Discography

Main article: The Streets discography

References

  1. Brodsky, Rachel (12 July 2023). "The Streets – "Troubled Waters"". Stereogum. Stereogum Media. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  2. "What The Streets taught me: 10 top artists on the artistry of Mike Skinner". Red Bull Music. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  3. Pearce, Sheldon. "The Streets: None of Us Are Getting Out of This Life Alive". Pitchfork. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  4. Bernard-Banton, Jacob (24 March 2017). "How The Streets captured what it really meant to be British". Dazed. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  5. ^ Bainbridge, Luke (8 April 2006). "profile The voice of little Britain". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  6. ""Has It Come to This" chart history". Official Charts. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  7. Petridis, Alexis (30 July 2002). "The Mercury Prize comment: a serious shortlist for music's serious prize". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  8. "2002". NME. 10 October 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  9. ""Fit But You Know It" chart history". Official Charts. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  10. "FIFA 2005 Soundtrack Announced". News.teamxbox.com. 10 August 2004. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  11. "A Grand Don't Come for Free chart history". Official Charts. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  12. ""Dry Your Eyes" chart history". Official Charts. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  13. ""Blinded by the Lights" chart history". Official Charts. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  14. "The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living chart history". Official Charts. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  15. Simon Reynolds (2 June 2008). "The Streets to split after fifth album". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 7 January 2009. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  16. Ben Rogerson (3 June 2008). "The end of The Streets?". musicradar.com. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  17. Skinner, Mike (November 2010). "***cyberspace and reds***". Archived from the original on 2 December 2010. Retrieved 5 February 2011. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  18. Skinner, Mike (January 2011). "***cyberspace and red soup***". Archived from the original on 29 January 2011. Retrieved 5 February 2011. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  19. Skinner, Mike (January 2011). "***cyberspace and reds deluxe edition***". Archived from the original on 30 January 2011. Retrieved 5 February 2011. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  20. "The Fifth And Final Album From The Streets - Computers And Blues". Computers And Blues. Archived from the original on 30 May 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  21. "The Streets Release First New Songs in 6 Years: Listen | Pitchfork". Pitchfork. 22 December 2017. Archived from the original on 26 December 2017. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  22. "Listen to the Streets' New Song "If You Ever Need To Talk I'm Here" | Pitchfork". Pitchfork. 31 January 2018. Archived from the original on 1 February 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  23. "The Streets share new track 'You Are Not The Voice in Your Head'". DIY. 4 April 2018. Archived from the original on 30 October 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  24. Elizabeth Aubrey (22 November 2018). "Mike Skinner returns as The Streets share new single: 'Call Me in the Morning'". NME. Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  25. "The Streets and Tame Impala preview their exciting new collaboration". NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs | NME.COM. 1 April 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  26. The Streets – Who's Got The Bag (21st June), retrieved 29 April 2021
  27. "Listen to The Streets' new song 'Who's Got The Bag (21st June)'". NME. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.

External links

The Streets
Studio albums
Extended plays
Mixtapes
Singles
Other songs
Related articles
Brit Award for British Male Solo Artist
Categories: