Routine Check is a 2004 song by the Mitchell Brothers. It was their highest charting single, charting at #42 on the UK Singles Chart.[1] Kano and The Streets feature on it.
About
The song discusses and is a defiant response[2] towards the perceived racism[3] of the UK Police's 'Stop & Search' policy.[2] In the UK, police have the right to conduct a search on any person or vehicle under section 1 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 if they have reasonable grounds for suspecting the finding of any of the following:
- stolen goods
- offensive weapons
- knives and bladed articles
- illegal fireworks
- an article made or adapted for use in the course of, or in connection with:
In 2012, Tony Mitchell said that the song summed him up as an artist and that, as far as the topic was concerned, the song was about a real situation in that many youngsters had to deal with such police altercations. He remarked: "it was just the way we went about it in putting that picture to people for them to like it, for them to like the funny side of it, but understand the seriousness of it as well. At that time with a lot of artists it was cool to be macho, but bringing that wit and humour for me was important".[5]
Critical reception
Critical reception was mixed. John Murphy of musicOMH said the song was "the Mitchells at their most incendiary", arguing that the song could potentially be the English version of NWA's legendary Fuck Tha Police. He further commented: "it probably won’t make them many friends at the Daily Mail, but a whole generation of black youths will find much to identify with. The appearance of both Mike Skinner and Grime’s latest rising star Kano gives the track added prestige".[2] That said, Hattie Collins of The Guardian felt that the Mitchells' contribution to the track was inferior to Kano's contribution, further berating that "their flat flow, perhaps meant to lend a more authentic feel, serves only to make them all the more monotonous".[6]
Aftermath
In an interview with Music Week, Robbie Williams revealed that he had played the song "to death", and as a result was inspired to record Dickhead, a hidden song from his ninth studio album, Rudebox.[7]
References
- ^ "Mitchell Brothers | Artist". Official Charts. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
- ^ a b c Murphy, John (2005-08-22). "The Mitchell Brothers – A Breath Of Fresh Attire | Album Reviews". musicOMH. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
- ^ "Thin Blue Crimes: Top of the ACAB Pops | The Multicultural Politic". Tmponline.org. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
- ^ "Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984". Legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
- ^ Shireen. "Mr. Mitchell". Flavourmag. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
- ^ Hattie Collins (2005-08-12). "CD: The Mitchell Brothers, A Breath of Fresh Attire | Music". The Guardian. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
- ^ "Music Week". RobbieWilliams.com. Retrieved 2014-05-21.