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.
About the Authors
Skin is one of Britain’s leading and acclaimed rock singers. She is also a fashion icon, a renowned DJ, an actress and an activist.
Born and brought up in Brixton, South London, she rejected the safe haven of soul/R&B session singing by diving headlong into hardcore rock. Since she emerged in the mid ‘90s with Skunk Anansie, Skin has been a groundbreaking presence. As well as fronting one of the UK’s most successful underground bands, Skin is a multi-talented artist and she is currently producing solo Techno music and preparing for an up-and-coming movie role.
Lucy O'Brien is a writer, academic and author of She Bop: The Definitive History of Women in Popular Music, Madonna: Like An Icon and in-depth biographies of Dusty Springfield and Annie Lennox. She has been a good friend of Skin’s since 1995, going to countless Skunk Anansie shows and festival dates.
Lucy was a judge for the Penderyn Music Book Prize, 2018. She was one of the few female staff writers for NME and has contributed to numerous titles including Q, Mojo, NME, the Sunday Times and the Guardian.
Industry Reviews
‘The epic tale of Glastonbury’s Black British headliner… Skin is one of the Britpop decade’s forgotten epics… Skin’s feet are positioned firmly on the ground throughout; she’s a winningly genial, sweary soul on paper. 4 stars’
