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The Streets is the stage name of Birmingham born rapper Mike Skinner. Diagnosed with Epilepsy at the age of 7, this hasn't held him back. He started writing at the age of 15. Since the release of his debut album in 2002 he has raised the profile of British Hip Hop and Rap. He manages to appeal to a cross section that normally wouldn't consider Rap music.

He has been nominated for many awards but never been seen as acceptable by the powers that be, The Streets were nominated for best album, best Urban act, best breakthrough artist and best British male artist in the 2002 Brit Awards. Original Pirate Material was also nominated for Mercury Music Prize.

One of his main strengths is his honesty about his own weaknesses. From the very outset Skinner hasn't hidden what he has done, or the demons he fights. The gritty reality of his music is a reflection on what he sees as the wasted generation. He doesn't write his songs to make people feel comfortable; he tells it how he sees it. Whilst many others glamorise the drugs and drinks culture Skinner shows it wart and all. He isn’t adverse to make damning political comments in his songs,

The Streets have released 3 studio albums to date; each album contains at least 1 song that is so emotionally charged that everyone can relate to it. Never Went To Church being a prime example of how he lays himself bare in his music, written as a tribute to father shortly after his death. His 4th studio album is scheduled for 2008.