The Streets - A Grand Don’t come for Free.”
It’s hard to believe that Mike Skinner aka The Streets is actually considered a rapper. He doesn’t exactly use melody or do anything like I’ve ever heard before. But he’s enormously popular overseas in his native England and gaining a strong foothold here in America. His latest album is “A Grand Don’t come for Free.”
Check out The Streets official website
Daniel Robert Epstein: What inspired the new album?
Mike Skinner: The most important thing was to make a good album. That was the bottom line. The stories just came about through a series of random events. There wasn’t any divine thing that made me feel like I wanted to say something.
DRE:
Do you write your songs by freestyling?
MS:
No, I sit down and work them out on paper quite a few weeks before I perform them. Just to make sure there isn’t anything there that doesn’t need to be.
DRE:
Did anyone ever suggest to you that you tone down your accent or would that piss you off?
MS:
Not really. I was lucky in the sense that I was already quite successful before I got involved with any big music label. By the time I got to the point where people could give me any advice I’d already been a success. More of what they say now is “Keep it up.”
DRE:
The main interest of a lot of American rappers is guns, drugs and women. Are you into all of that?
MS:
The British rappers really emulate American rappers because they originated the form. I do drugs. To be honest I think the British are much better at doing drugs and drinking than Americans. Americans are all soft when it comes to taking drugs. The English can really do it.
DRE:
What is it you do?
MS:
Anything that’s available.
DRE:
Why is the album called “A Grand don’t come for Free?”
MS:
A grand in England means a thousand pounds and it’s part of a story where I lose that amount of money. Also I thought it was clever and catchy line from a song.
DRE:
Were you nervous at all about following up that first album?
MS:
No, I found it easier because I had more support. I always put myself under a lot of pressure anyway. No one can match the amount of pressure I put myself under.
DRE:
I read a quote from you where you said "If I was American, I wouldn't want to listen to the Streets."
MS:
Yeah when I first started out I didn’t think that anyone would want to hear about what I was doing. I think I’ve managed to keep it interesting which a lot of people seem to identify with.
DRE:
What do you do to keep yourself grounded?
MS:
I’ve got a big family. I’m just a normal bloke. I suppose I could get carried away but I think the fact that it is important to me to make good music keeps me grounded. As long as that doesn’t waver I won’t get carried away in all the other crap.
DRE:
Do a lot of rappers in England sound like you?
MS:
No I think I’m quite individual.
DRE:
What were your biggest influences?
MS:
A lot of rap music, reggae music and then house music. Things like that.
DRE:
Do you incorporate techno or anything like that?
MS:
Yeah in my own way. I turn it into something else.
DRE:
What did you think when Spin magazine called you “one of the most important artists making music right now?"
MS:
It’s a compliment for sure. I think magazines have to say stuff like that because it gives them something to write about. However the press has been really good.
DRE:
How many pairs of sneakers are you up to?
MS:
About 50. I’ve slowed it down a bit but I still get quite a lot.
DRE:
You have a diploma in engineering. How does that help you out?
MS:
I do but it means a lot less than something similar would in America. I’m actually not that educated.
DRE:
When you first started making music you would record your vocals under a blanket.
MS:
Yeah then after that I started using a wardrobe. Now I’ve gotten a bit more of a professional studio space. It’s very similar to the blanket but it just costs more money.
DRE:
Do you have any tattoos?
MS:
No but I was thinking of getting a Streets one.
DRE:
What about piercings?
MS:
No I don’t like pain. I think that’s the thing.
DRE:
Your website is really cool. It seems like you’re on the messageboard a lot.
MS:
As much as I can. I haven’t been on there much lately.
DRE:
Do people talk a lot of shite on there?
MS:
I think that happens. That’s what the internet is, people passing time by talking shite.
DRE:
Have you met many of the rappers you admire?
MS:
Not really. I suppose I could if I wanted to do but that’s not one of my goals.
DRE:
Do you play any videogames?
MS:
Yeah I play a lot of shooting games like Tom Clancy. Where you are a spy?
DRE:
Who inspired the song “Such a Twat?”
MS:
That was me. That’s about cheating on a girl then regretting it.
DRE:
So you’re a twat?
MS:
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