IT’S hard to remember, with all the home-grown rap makers in the charts, that before The Streets came along, the idea of a British rapper all too often seemed like a contradiction in terms.

This single sees The Streets go back to basics at the same time as expanding in all directions.

Going Through Hell, stirs East London’s MC community to hot tears of jealous rage, it is infectiously upbeat and is soul packed.

The song worms its way into the back of your head with the same insidious originality that first grabbed our attention in the days when the idea of a British rapper seemed as unlikely as an American played 007. (Released January 31).