January 4, 2008 11:28

The Streets' Mike Skinner speaks about record label death

Star explains why he killed off The Beats

Photo Gallery: The Streets

Mike Skinner, aka The Streets, has explained why he killed off his record label, The Beats.

Skinner held a funeral for the label – which had been home to The Mitchell Brothers, Example and Professor Green – on December 19.

“It just comes down to the fact that the traditional record label is dead,” Skinner told NME.COM, talking about the reasons behind his decision to call time on the label.

“The Beats represents me growing up,” he continued. “Spectating was more nerve-wracking than performing.

“What I’m doing now is looking for the thing you can create that embraces the next generation,” he explained. “I’m really into what you can do online and I’d rather be at the centre of it.”

To read the full interview from Skinner, and see pictures of The Beats’ funeral ceremony, get the current issue of NME, on UK newsstands now.