Mike Skinner - The Story of The Streets: "I'm not a very good rapper"

Mike Skinner - The Story of The Streets: "I'm not a very good rapper" | www.randomhouse.co.uk/editions...
To me, the exciting thing about garage was that it was essentially a new kind of British rap. The only problem was that the actual rapping, at least at first, wasn't up to much. This was strange, because to my knowledge pretty much every garage MC thought of themselves as being a rapper. In their own minds, they were all really into Mobb Deep, but the only way they got paid was to chat about going to the bar for a sambuca. It was the same with drum and bass guys like Dynamite MC and MC Conrad (who used to work with LTJ Bukem). I remember someone telling me he'd heard one of these guys -- and he shall remain nameless, so as not to defame his character -- saying he couldn't actually stand drum and bass, but doing it was the only way he could make a living.
Rap music was not seen as accessible because it was inherently American. It was what everyone really wanted to be doing, but there was no hope of breaking through and getting any attention once you'd admitted that. There was hope with garage, though, because people were having hit singles from really early on. The paradox was that if you were a garage MC, you had all of the career possibilities but none of the status.
Garage MCing was not generally regarded as being very good. If you're a rapper, it's cool -- you're a wordsmith, a rhyme-artist, a yarn-spinner. But if you're a garage MC, you're more like a holiday rep -- at least that was the way it started, until the momentous Dizzee Rascal came along and actually was a rapper.
- Mike Skinner, The Streets
Mike Skinner - The Story of The Streets: "I'm not a very good rapper" | • Video

[@symbolitical4158]

That feeling when his talking/reading is literally like he's doing a song

[@concious_open_mic]

I don't give a shit about if you are a good rapper or not, Mike. Your words and voice touched me a lot and i miss it so badly. Please rap for us again. I still like the new sounds you're producing but, honestly I miss your voice.

[@memondayz]

He sounds like he’s doing one of his songs here

[@jesterjacobs]

the coolest man in the world

[@decipheringsv2967]

He’s not a rapper, he’s a poet

[@charliegalea4913]

have a guess where he's sitting...

[@kennethguitarfiend4493]

I need this book!!!

[@dpfunk78]

Is it possible to buy the audiobook in the States? Think the experience would be seriously improved if heard in Skinner's voice.

[@Leemo2THAimpact]

ahhh mike you are a fuckin legend, your music has taught me many valuable things in its self, definatly guna cop that book.

[@derrickriley9324]

Whelp I'm getting the book now

[@ricflomusic]

I need this book

[@KmT81]

Very humble !Peace Man .

[@AstarsVison]

Got it the other day half way through allready good read ...

[@marleymarl85]

Real talk

[@mandk6089]

Where can I get his book?

[@marcmarronnier2956]

Alors ça vient de là "Deux connards dans un abribus". Orlesan a été clairement influencé par Mike Skinner, pour notre plus grand plaisir !

[@curranannetts5454]

your not a DJ''s, DJ not a MC's, MC bar none. you are the wave's god wave god, wave god number 1