POPSCREEN: The Streets

Kanye West may have posed as Jesus in 2006, and Nas did it almost 10 years ago now, but British rap artist Mike Skinner (performing under the stage name The Streets) ushers in a new age of hip-hop evangelism. In his new video “Heaven for the Weather,” he is Dr. M. Skinner, motivational speaker and spiritual guiding light, out to “help people from all walks of life” find their way.

Dr. Skinner has quite a following. His auditorium is packed with cheering fans. Devotees old and young, bearded and balding, bespectacled and tattooed, wait impatiently to have their copy of Dr. Skinner’s book, “Go Low,” signed by the man himself. The lucky ones even get to take a picture of this sacred moment. When Skinner speaks, followers stretch out their hands, their fingers pulled forward by his magnetic stage presence. They’ll do anything to get just a few inches closer to their counselor.

But, as the narrator asks at the beginning of the video, who is this Dr. M. Skinner? I am inclined to believe that he is a man of saintly, almost Christ-like greatness. As he strides along the dark stage, his gleaming face illuminates the lecture hall. When he paces through the rows of pupils, his charisma is almost overwhelming. At times one can even fancy a halo beaming around his head.

Too bad the blinding light of Skinner’s presence blocks out the Powerpoint presentation behind him. I, too, want to experience Dr. M. Skinner’s spiritual counsel. Three minutes of religious elation is not enough. Anyone know where I can pick up my own copy of “Go Low?”

—Madeleine M. Schwartz