Mike Skinner sells his soul to Reebok

[R.I.C.O.]

I was reading the grotty free newspaper Metro on the bus today - and a story really pissed me off.

Remember Mike Skinner of The Streets? Remember his socially concious lyrics? Remember how he used to differetiate himself from other pop acts by appearing to not be a sell out? Well unfortunately, for me and other listeners who greatly enjoyed his first album, he has crossed over to the other side and sold his soul to sweatshop labourers Reebok:

Metro, 26th August 2005

"New Reebok Ads Are Streets Ahead"

One is an American tennis star who hits a ball faster than anyone in history. The other is a scrawny Brummie who sings about birds, booze and chips. Andy Roddick and Mike Skinner might be worlds apart, but The Streets' urban wordsmith has joined the former US Open champion as the lastest face of sportswear brand Reebok.

Skinner is to appear in the "I Am What I Am" advertising campaign, already fronted by stars such as rappers 50 Cent, Nelly and Jay-Z, as well as athlete Kelly Holmes and actress Lucy Liu.

Fittingly, Skinner will promote that chav trainer favourite, the Reebok Classic - which made it into the lyrics of his hit Lets Push Things Forward from the debut Streets album Original Pirate Material. "The "I Am What I Am" campaign is included to inspire young people to find their own voice by celebrating contemporary icons", said Reebok's European marketing vice-president Andy Towne. "Mike is a perfect fit for the brand because he is a long time wearer of the Classics range".

Skinner announced his sponsorship at last week's V Festival, holding one of his own Classics trainers above his head and asking fans to do likewise.

All I can say is:

It does'nt look like his new bedfellows are very appreciative - describing his image as "scrawny" - "chav" etc. It is true that money can get you exposure, but it does'nt get you respect.

 

[AverageJoe]

surely he sold his 'sole'

no?

ah.

The duffel coat please...thats the one...

 

[milesy]

seeling out to reebok? terrible state of affairs.

i'd have gone for adidas.

 

[mentalchik]

Sorry but i don't understand, if he is a self proclaimed long time wearer of reebok how has he now 'sold out' ?????????

 

[Louloubelle]

It's how artists make money these days, it's just business
I don't see what the problem is

 

[thestraightman]

seeling out to reebok? terrible state of affairs.

i'd have gone for adidas.

And I thought you were gangsta

 

[E. Coli]

He's been wearing them for years. So how's that selling out? Just gets 'em for free now.

 

[Kid_Eternity]

He's been wearing them for years. So how's that selling out? Just gets 'em for free now.

And get 800k to boot!

 

[E. Coli]

I was reading the grotty free newspaper Metro on the bus today - and a story really pissed me off.



It does'nt look like his new bedfellows are very appreciative - describing his image as "scrawny" - "chav" etc. It is true that money can get you exposure, but it does'nt get you respect.

It seems that it the Metro who are describing him as a chav, not reebok.
IF you're really pissed off by that - i suggest staying in from now on.

 

[thestraightman]

Fuck it, take the money, give half to UNICEF, and spend the other half on gak and champers for your mates.

Tell you what though, old Robin from peepshow is a right slag for selling out at the moment

 

[In Bloom]

Because Mike Skinner is famous for his anti-capitalist ideals and his championship of trade union rights, isn't he

Fucks sake, if you didn't know he has shit politics, you haven't been listening properly. Just listen to Stay Positive.

 

[mwgdrwg]

He might even change the lyrics from Reebok to 'RBK'. Wicked.

 

[Stigmata]

Skinner announced his sponsorship at last week's V Festival, holding one of his own Classics trainers above his head and asking fans to do likewise.

I don't remember that? But I was pretty fucked.

 

[Rollem]

free trainers?

i should coco!

 

[tommers]

Remember Mike Skinner of The Streets?

yep.

Remember his socially concious lyrics?

ummm.... nope.

I remember the ones about fancying some bird on holiday, taking loads of e's and coke and being a bit upset. I remember the ones about fighting in kebab shops and his mates telling him not to "mug himself".

to be fair though, I hate those adverts.

 

[Brainaddict]

the adverts suck, but there's no reason to be shocked that MS is in them is there?
just another whore

 

[editor]

It's how artists make money these days, it's just business
I don't see what the problem is

So you wouldn't have a problem if I got this site sponsored and festooned the pages with banner ads, branding and corporate tie-ins then?

 

[STFC]

I was reading the grotty free newspaper Metro on the bus today - and a story really pissed me off.

Remember Mike Skinner of The Streets? Remember his socially concious lyrics? Remember how he used to differetiate himself from other pop acts by appearing to not be a sell out? Well unfortunately, for me and other listeners who greatly enjoyed his first album, he has crossed over to the other side and sold his soul to sweatshop labourers Reebok:

All I can say is:

It does'nt look like his new bedfellows are very appreciative - describing his image as "scrawny" - "chav" etc. It is true that money can get you exposure, but it does'nt get you respect.

Young fella makes loads of money talking about birds, beer and gear, gets offered loads more money to advertise trainers he wears anyway. I don't see the problem. At least he's not like some celebrities who endorse products they never use and never would. Fair play to the lad.

 

[Mr Retro]

So you wouldn't have a problem if I got this site sponsored and festooned the pages with banner ads, branding and corporate tie-ins then?

Not exactly comparing like with like there though.

 

[Stigmata]

So you wouldn't have a problem if I got this site sponsored and festooned the pages with banner ads, branding and corporate tie-ins then?

Yeah, but you trumpet your unwillingness to sell out (fair play btw). As far as I know Skinner has never claimed to be above all that stuff.

 

[Divisive Cotton]

There's always the political aspect of taking money from these people... but that's a long argument...

It's hardly 'cool' though is it? Having your face beaming from thousands of Reebok posters... he might as well have 'Corporate Cunt' written on his forehead.

Can't imagine Jerry Dammers or Terry Hall doing the same if such a thing was possible back in the days of the Specials...

 

[editor]

Not exactly comparing like with like there though.

What's the big difference?

He makes popular music. I make a popular website.

Both have commercial value to advertisers.

He chooses to take the cash, I don't.

 

[STFC]

There's always the political aspect of taking money from these people... but that's a long argument...

It's hardly 'cool' though is it? Having your face beaming from thousands of Reebok posters... he might as well have 'Corporate Cunt' written on his forehead.

Can't imagine Jerry Dammers or Terry Hall doing the same if such a thing was possible back in the days of the Specials...

Probably not. But he's not either of them, he's Mike Skinner.

 

[editor]

Probably not. But he's not either of them, he's Mike Skinner.

He is indeed.

And he's just gone down a notch in my estimation.

 

[Mr Retro]

What's the big difference?

He makes popular music. I make a popular website.

Both have commercial value to advertisers.

He chooses to take the cash, I don't.

I think there is a big difference, if you don't then I'm not going to point it out to you.

 

[Divisive Cotton]

Probably not. But he's not either of them, he's Mike Skinner.

I kind of hoped though.. at some point... that he would be more than Mike Skinner... I guess it's not to be.

 

[editor]

I think there is a big difference, if you don't then I'm not going to point it out to you.

Please do because the issues appear similar to me.

 

[STFC]

What's the big difference?

He makes popular music. I make a popular website.

Both have commercial value to advertisers.

He chooses to take the cash, I don't.

Thing is Ed, if you did choose to make a bit of money out of Urban75 I wouldn't blame you. It would be a bit annoying to have pop-ups, er, popping up, but it's your site, you've put the effort in, why not take some reward from it? You choose not to, and that's up to you. I know others would have objections, but I'm just a low-down dirty capitalist.

 

[thestraightman]

One day Ed will be rewarded.

 

[Mr Retro]

Please do because the issues appear similar to me.

You make a popular website, he makes popular music and thats where the similarities end.

How can you compare an inanimate website with a popular musician as marketing tools?

You have a very overblown view of yourself/website if you think either have more marketing appeal then Mike Skinner/The Streets.