This is the most exciting post to date. Today's interview will be with a Brooklyn native, and a true lyricist. He's worked with 9th Wonder, battled Jin, and had songs with the late great J Dilla (R.I.P). His word play is out of this world, and guess what? He's from Brooklyn. Anyone who knows me knows that I show a great deal of love to my fellow Brooklynites. Now I'm sure your still wondering who it is. You'll just have to read the interview to find out.
I'm sure you've heard this question too many times. How did you get the name Skyzoo?
Well my middle name is Skyler. That's the name that my parents, family, friends, teachers, everyone calls me. That's my name, and when I was born in 1982 there was a big disco group out from Brooklyn named "Skyy" and they had a big hit song called "Skyyzoo". My fam used to sing the song to me as a baby and it stuck as my nickname. So when I started rhyming I just ran with that, but I took a "y" out to make it closer to my name
Cloud 9: The Three Day High is ill. How did you write and record that in the short span of only three days? What was that process like?
When I make music, I usually write everything on the spot. The majority of my material was written right before I recorded it. I don't write at home and then bring it in later. I write it, record it, move on to the next. So with Cloud 9, I just started writing and recording. I didn't set out to do it all in 3 days, I just recorded until I was ready to stop. I felt 12 songs was enough, and it just so happened to be all within a 3 day period. It was an incredible process because I was doing the music just to do it. I didn't have a plan on releasing it. I just did it for me and 9th to bump in the truck.
There's a song on Cloud 9 called You & Me. Was that written for a specific female?
Nah it's a combination of experiences. Past girlfriends, current situations, etc. It was a series of collective points in my life thus far. That's one of my favorite songs on the EP.
9th Wonder did the beats on Cloud 9. How did that relationship with him come about?
I met 9th and the whole HOJ through my man Chaundon. He introduced me to them about 2 years ago and ever since then they've been my second family. I have tons of love for them and all they've done for me. 9th is one of the best producers out right now, so having him produce the entire EP is something that not too many people can say they have.
On Cloud 9 you spoke a lot about hustling? How does that influence your music? Did those experiences help shape you to be the rapper that you are now?
I speak about what I know and the world I come from. I choose not to glorify it but instead show all sides of light on it. The good, the bad, the ups, the downs, etc. It definitly shaped me to be the artist and the man that I am today. I try to keep my music as authentic as I possibly can. Meaning if I speak about it, I either went through it, experienced it, or had family and friends go through it as I watched. Whether it be good or bad.
Corner Store Classic recently came out. What collaborations and producers are on there?
The production on there comes from 9th Wonder, Dj Premier, Ron Browz, Black Milk, Illmind, Hi-Tek, Khrysis, J Dilla, and tons of other. Featured artists on the tape include Maino, Torae, Guilty Simpson, Sean Price, Stimuli, Nina B., and more.
Can we expect any up-coming shows?
Definitly. I'm hoping to hit the road real soon. I love rocking the stage almost as much as I love recording. To go to different cities and get love from people of different regions is unexplainable. I love the rush of watching the crowd get their money's worth.
You have done collaborations with some pretty ill artists and producers. Out of the many artists that you've worked with who has been your favorite?
I think working with Dj Premier has been the craziest so far. Someone of his caliber only comes by once every 20 or so years. To be able to say I have 2 songs with one of the pioneers of our culture does it all for me. If I never recorded again I can say that accomplished that. But everyone I've worked with has been a great experience and a blessing.
Are there any rappers and producers that you would still like to work with?
I definitly wanna work with Kanye, Timbaland, Just Blaze, Eminem. I think me and Em in the studio together would be crazy. Artist wise, definitly Jay, Nas, Mos Def, 50 Cent definitly, Jeezy, TI, and a few others. I'd love to pen for Diddy too. Diddy is the dude!
Who are your top 5 rappers of all time?
Aww maaaan, hmmm. In no particular order and not including myself; Jay-Z, B.I.G, Nas, Mos Def, and Andre 3000.
Rumor has is that you ghostwrite for a couple rappers. Is there any truth to that?
Aww maaan, I can't disclose that. Hahaha. Lets just say that the longer I'm around, the better everyone's music will sound. [Laughs].
How did it feel to win Underground Artist Of The Year?
That was an extreme blessing. I won "male artist of the year" in 2004, and that was wonderful. I'm up for another UMA this year as well so hopefully I can bring that one home to keep the other one company. Anytime you get recognized for your talent it's a big deal. No matter what kind of award it is. I treat all of them like a Grammy.
What artists are you listening to right now?
The Clipse, Black Milk, Lupe, Jeezy is crazy, 50, and anytime Jay drops new shit I'm always all ears.
Has hip hop lost its way?
Nah, not it's way, just it's direction. But everything has it's ups and downs. Nothing can be up forever. Hip hop will be here for as long as the world exists. We just have to keep the balance in the game or else hip hop will lose it's direction more and more. There's nothing wrong with change, but it has to make sense. The changes that are being seen in the game nowadays are ridiculous. I don't complain about the game at all, but I do see what's going on within it and there's needs to be a little more structure. But I'm not worried. Everything will work out fine when my shit drops. [Laughs].
Tell everyone your official Myspace URL: Www.myspace.com/skyzoo.
I'm on there everyday and I run my page myself, so if you holla at me I'm the one reading it and responding. I try to answer every single person back one by one.
Shoutouts: My whole crew, my engineer Dj Nyce, my manager rickcaps, my whole team behind, the whole NYC, and everyone who's a fan of what I'm doing. I appreciate it all.
Thanks for allowing me to interview you. Peace , Stay Up, & Good Luck.
"Corner Store Classic (The Mixtape)" Hosted By Dj Kay Slay & Mick Boogie Available NOW @ www.myspace.com/skyzoo R.I.P. Dj BK R.I.P. Stack Bundles R.I.P. Jay Dee/J. Dilla (the greatest)
