Skinnyman

What can be said about SkinnyMan that you haven't heard as a rumour already?

Originating from Leeds, Skinny moved to North London when he was 5. Finding a melting pot of cultures suddenly on his doorstep Skinny took to the streets, immersing himself primarily in the musical culture of reggae and dancehall whilst at home loving the soulful sounds coming from his mum's record player.

A natural talent for running his mouth off (later to be known as rapping), SkinnyMan soon built up a reputation for being a talented lyricist, but it was his reputation for being in trouble with the police that grew even bigger. Let it be said that Skinny believes in the good of marijuana and as an active promoter of its use he doesn't see it as a harm to himself, no greater than alcohol or cigarettes at least, and therewith lies one of several differences of opinion with the law.

As Skinny progressed through open mic battles as a youth he consistently won titles around London, after becoming a founding member of The Bury Crew SkinnyMan left the fold to start up the now infamous Mud Family with Mongo and Chester P. Over the years they built up a reputation for being one of the best Hip Hop crews in England whether on vinyl, on stage freestyling or battling other MCs - check 'The Mud Files' on Ronin records or the now classic Mud Fam and Mark B 12" on K-Boro. During this period the Mud Fam expanded with new members joining and Chester P branching off to form Task Force with his brother Farma G.

Skinny eventually signed a deal with Talkin' Loud and completed a handful of album tracks whilst at the label. However, before the album was finished Skinny was sent to jail for 9 months for distribution of marijuana. Whilst he was inside Talkin Loud was shut down by its parent company, freeing SkinnyMan from his contract and leaving him to develop his album at Self Destruct Music upon his release. Now with a deal via Low Life Records the 'Council Estate of Mind' album is to be released on August 1st 2004. Skinny is looking forward to a year of touring with DJ Flip and will played Glastonbury summer '04 as well as supporting The Streets at Brixton Academy.