Oh shit! I almost forgot about Mike Skinner aka: Streets. It’s been awhile since we’ve had some of his shit bumpin’ in the SRO labs. Hell, it’s been almost two years since he’s even had a mention here on SRO herself. From the looks of things however, we may not be missing much.

In terms of videos, the first for “The Escapist” off his most recent release, Everything Is Borrowed, is probably the superior of the two. Handmade by Skinner and his buddies, they used the “unconventional” angle to cover up their tracks for what we all know as “Zero Budget”. Still we appreciate their idea to go anti-quick cuts and shoot like Van Sant with everyones backs to the camera. They even utilized the always-agreeable wide angle throughout, just to make us all the more jealous of their exotic destinations.

In this second and most recent shot, we find a more story driven video done with an actual budget and honest-to-god director(s). Yes that’s right kiddos, The Rozan & Schmeltz took Mr. Skinner into their womb and served us all with this rather lame excuse for a video. Yeah, we get the whole “everything is borrowed” idea/metaphor about Skinner’s situation in the video, but damn if this shit doesn’t involve the viewer whatsoever.

Which brings me to Skinner/Streets himself. Wasn’t he supposed to be the English equivalent to Eminem? All crazy or smart and skilled, yet funny and sly? Now, if you look at his first two singles, we get nothing like “Fit But You Know It”. Damn, now he’s all pensive and introspective. I guess that can be appreciated in some circles, but shit son, it’s cool to have some fun every once in a while. Still, I guess it’s cool that he’s still working it all these years after, unlike Marshall Mathers. Jeez, what a waster that guy.