The Glasshouse

Born Alex Holland in Leeds, Skinnyman is one of the few British emcees that needs almost no introduction.

Moving as a kid to Finsbury Park, North London, Skinny found a melting pot of cultures suddenly on his doorstep and immersed himself in the musical culture of reggae and dancehall. Highly influenced by Leroy, Chas and fast tongue-talking Papa San, he was introduced to rap at a very early age.

Skinny 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. Naturally talented for rapping and writing lyrics, his reputation has grown even bigger for being in trouble with the police, since Skinny believes in the good of marijuana and is an active promoter of its use.

After the period of incarceration, Skinny released his masterful solo debut album, “Council Estate of Mind”. Since it’s release, Skinnyman received considerable attention from UK hip hop radio and press, had the opportunity to work with grime artists such as Shystie and supported The Streets at Brixton Academy. He even won in a rapping contest in London’s Subterranea against Eminem.

In 2004, he was featured in “Tower Block Dreams”, a BBC documentary. In 2005, he played a small part in the interactive TV series “Dubplate Drama” and released two singles, “Forever Rangers” and “Holla/None Of Them”.

On July 6, 2006 skinnyman played live on the night of DMC DJ Championship 2006 UK Final and Battle for UK Supremacy at The Hammersmith Palais. Few days after, he released the expected “DMC”s fifth Champion Sounds” album, the series that in the past has featured Roc Raida, the Mixologists, DJ Skully and Plus One.

“Council Estate of Mind should be celebrated as being so much more than just good hip-hop. It should be afforded the same status as the work of groups such as the Sex Pistols and Oasis as an album that speaks to, and for, a whole generation of working class British youth.” – Blues and Soul

“Council Estate of Mind has finally landed and it’s a triumph. A dizzying paranoid record littered with grimey-sharp rhymes and Kanye West-rivalling production, it’s up there with Dizzee’s new album and Mike Skinners’ “A Grand Don’t Come For Free” as one of the street records of the year.” – NME

“vibrantly engrossing” – The Daily Telegraph

“The best album that UK hip-hop has to offer for years.” – Touch. 5 out of 5, album of the month.

“It’s a masterful debut” – Metro