Mike Skinner, aka The Streets, is a Brummie with a Cockney accent who comes across as a largin'-it lad, possible Fiesta XR2 driver (blacked-out windows de rigeur) and general gangsta geezer.
But his British take on Eminem's tell-it-as-it-is methodology of music is surprisingly engaging, largely due to intelligent lyrics coupled with a genre-defying plethora of musical styles, from UK garage to ska. However shambolic it looks on paper, it works a treat.
This song features a chorus that could be about the UK's Pop Idol culture - "You say that everything sounds the same / Then you go buy them / There's no excuses my friend / Let's push things forward". With organ and brass combining to remind of Madness and a vocal style closer to Phil Daniels in Blur's Parklife than Marshal Mathers III, it is inventive, modern and entertaining. The fact that he's making pertinent points as well serves to show off what is undoubtedly a major new talent.
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