Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Skin from Skunk Anansie and the Thursday Theme

Jo chats to Skin from Skunk Anansie about her memoir, It Takes Blood and Guts. Plus the Thursday Theme.

Jo chats to Skin from Skunk Anansie about her memoir, It Takes Blood and Guts.

Lead singer of multi-million-selling rock band Skunk Anansie, solo artist, LGBTQ+activist and all around trail blazer – Skin is a global icon, and she has been smashing stereotypes for over twenty-five years. Her journey from Brixton to one of the most influential women in British rock is nothing short of extraordinary.

‘It’s been a very difficult thing being a lead singer of a rock band looking like me and it still is. I have to say it’s been a fight and it will always be a fight. That fight drives you and makes you want to work harder… It’s not supposed to be easy, particularly if you’re a woman, you’re black or you are gay like me. You’ve got to keep moving forward, keep striving for everything you want to be.’

Born to Jamaican parents, Skin grew up in Brixton in the 1970’s. Her career as an artist began in the ‘90s, when Skunk Anansie was formed in the sweat-drenched backrooms of London’s pubs. Since then she has headlined Glastonbury and toured the world, both as lead singer of Skunk Anansie and as a solo artist.

Her success has been groundbreaking in every way, which has come at a personal cost. She has always been vocal about social and cultural issues, and was championing LGBTQ+ rights at a time when few artists were out and gay.

Told with honesty and passion, this is the story of how a gay, black, working-class girl with a vision fought poverty and prejudice to write songs, produce and front her own band, and become one of the most influential women in British rock.

1 hour, 57 minutes

Last on

Thu 15 Oct 2020 19:00
Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 2

More episodes

Previous

Beabadoobee plays a Sofa Session

Next

Anita Rani sits in

See all episodes from Jo Whiley

Music Played

  • The Weeknd

    Can't Feel My Face

    • Beauty Behind The Madness.
    • Republic.
    • 7.

  • Stevie Wonder, Rapsody, Cordae, CHIKA & Busta Rhymes

    Can't Put It In the Hands of Fate

  • The La’s

    There She Goes

    • Love - 38 All Time Love Classics.
    • Polygram Tv.

  • Cruel Hearts Club

    Dirty Rotten Scum

    • Dirty Rotten Scum.
    • 1.

  • Master KG

    Jerusalema (feat. Nomcebo Zikode)

    • Jerusalema.
    • 1.

  • Skunk Anansie

    Weak

  • Teena Marie

    Square Biz

  • Robyn

    Missing U

    • Missing U.
    • Interscope (UMG).
    • 1.

  • Jeff Buckley

    Lover, You Should've Come Over

  • Angela Lansbury & Bea Arthur

    Bosom Buddies

    • Mame (Original Broadway Cast Recording).
    • Columbia Broadway Masterworks.
    • 11.

  • Chaka Demus & Pliers

    Murder She Wrote

    • Mango.

  • Elvis Costello & The Attractions

    Watching the Detectives

    • Elvis Costello & Attractions- The Man.
    • Imp Records.

  • Warren Zevon

    Werewolves Of London

    • Drive Time (Various Artists).
    • Now.

  • Keane

    Bedshaped

    • (CD Single).
    • Island.

  • Siouxsie and the Banshees

    Spellbound

    • Polydor.

  • Angela Lansbury

    Beauty And The Beast

  • Powfu

    stay4ever ( ) (feat. Mounika.)

  • Romy

    Lifetime

    • Lifetime.
    • Young Turks Recordings.
    • 1.

  • The Hoosiers

    Goodbye Mr A

    • (CD Single).
    • Sony BMG.

  • Gorillaz

    The Pink Phantom (feat. Elton John & 6LACK)

  • Eartha Kitt

    Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love)

    • "Miss Kitt" To You.
    • RCA Victor.
    • 12.

  • Toots & The Maytals

    Country Road

Broadcast

  • Thu 15 Oct 2020 19:00
    Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 2