The Streets

Growing up in Birmingham, England, Mike Skinner (PRS) was obsessed with the music of hip-hop giants the Beastie Boys and Run DMC. It wasn't until the UK Garage movement surfaced that Skinner was able to rap about British culture to an enthusiastic scene. Taking the name "The Streets," he had a Top 20 hit in 2001 followed by a debut album, Original Pirate Material that was dubbed a 'generational classic' and sold half a million records. In 2004, Skinner released A Grand Don't Come For Free, a rare hip-hop concept album reflecting a bizarre, though typical, day in a British youth's life. —JB