The Streets:
A Grand Don't Come For Free

Release Date: 10 May 2004

Reviewed By: Nick Blair

1. It Was Supposed To Be So Easy

2. Could Well Be In

3. Not Addicted

4. Blinded By The Light

5. I Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way

6. Get Out Of My House

7. Fit But You Know It

8. Such A Twat

9. What Is He Thinking

10. Dry Your Eyes

11. Empty Cans

Est'elle - The 18th Day
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After The Streets’ compelling 2002 debut ‘Original Pirate Material’, which still lies as a benchmark for modern British rap artists, it was evident that the critics would be outcome with their latest offering, ‘A Grand Don’t Come For Free’. With ‘Original Pirate Material’ clocking up well over a million units, The Streets, lead by Brummie Mike Skinner, knew they were in for a rough ride producing a sequel to such an innovative debut.

On listening to the entirety of this record, a motif that is immediately imposing is the ongoing chronological story which flows throughout. The opening track, ‘It Was Supposed To Be So Easy’ outlines the mess Mike Skinner finds himself in after a routine day which, as the title suggests was ‘supposed to be so easy’. To cut a long story short, he runs into a plethora of problems, some as trivial as cash machines not working, to loosing £1000 he left in a box - which also should eradicate thoughts that the title of the album suggests the hardships of being a wealthy musician. ‘A Grand Don’t Come For Free’ is anything but that…

Tracks such as ‘Could Well Be In’, ‘Blinded by the Lights’ and ‘Dry Your Eyes’ expose Skinner’s more sensitive side – and also emphasises his remarkable producing expertise. The upbeat and radio friendly ‘Fit But You Know It’ featuring Teddy Mitchell also does not fail to impress. The Streets have cleverly, and somewhat generously, utilised their status to showcase some of Britain’s hottest up and coming artists such as C-Mone on ‘Get Out Of My House’.

Throughout ‘A Grand Don’t Come For Free’, Skinner cleverly divulges into universal experiences which make us feel on a par with his train of thought. Lines such as, ‘I have to stand in a certain part of my kitchen just to get bars on my phone’ is a good example of this. His rapping has many typically British references such as football and betting, and Topshop is also dropped during ‘Fit But You Know It’. Mike Skinner clearly is not ashamed of being a Brit.

‘A Grand Don’t Come For Free’ boasts Skinner’s innate ability to manipulate the listeners’ emotions and offers us an un-obscured look into his life. The Streets have now truly mastered their own self-developed genre.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Top 3 Tracks:

6) Get Out Of My House
8) Such a Twat
2) Could Well Be In

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