The artist, formerly known as, Mad Skillz was born in Detroit, Michigan, but settled in Richmond, Virginia, at a very young age. In 1992, the, then, aspiring emcee landed himself a promising recording contract with Atlantic Records, after placing second in a national freestyle competition. Skillz’ solid, but commercially ignored, debut, From Where???, which produced the hypnotic lead-off single, ‘The Nod Factor,’ followed in ’96.
By the late nineties, Mad Skillz had aligned himself with fellow Virginia natives; Timbaland, Missy Elliott & The Neptunes, and went on to make high profile cameo appearances on Timbo’s first two efforts; Tim’s Bio & Indecent Proposal. At that particular time, Timbaland offered Skillz a promising recording contract, but plans quickly fell through as a label failed to materialize.
Mad Skillz eventually garnered another deal with indie powerhouse, Rawkus, and started working on, what was to become, his second LP, I Ain’t Mad No More, which also signified the dropping of the first half of his moniker. Although the project never got an “official” release, it was, however, later re-packaged as Confessions of a Ghostwriter, and it eventually hit record stores in 2005. Since ‘02, Skillz has been more widely recognized for his super-popular annual ‘Rap Up’ track, which brilliantly sums up that previous year’s events & happenings.
HHN Live Dot Com reached out to Skillz, shortly after The Million Dollar Backpack, his star-studded sophomore record, finally became available to the masses…

HHNLIVE: Let's talk the new album, The Million Dollar Backpack -- Why did you choose that title?

Skillz:It just felt right. Appropriate for what I felt I wanted to present to the world. It actually means that just because I make what people call “underground” music, doesn't mean I don't have dreams to.

HHNLIVE: What makes it different from your first two efforts?

Skillz: It’s (all) fresh material -- Confessions of a Ghostwriter was the Rawkus album repackaged. This is my 2nd album!

HHNLIVE: After running with Tim's camp for awhile, you later distanced yourself from them -- How come?

Skillz: I was ready to move on. I spent three years there. It was time.

HHNLIVE: Are you all still cool? And, do you have plans to ever work together again?

Skillz: We cool. Whether or not we work together is up to him. I'm open to the idea. He's a musical genius.

HHNLIVE: Where did your moniker, Mad Skillz, originally derive from? And, why did you later drop the Mad part?

Skillz: I just dropped it because “mad” wasn't a word that was used in Hip-Hop slang anymore. Skillz (though) felt like it would always be affiliated with Hip-Hop.

HHNLIVE: What type of music do you create and perform?

Skillz: I make Hip-Hop music for people who appreciate GOOD Hip-Hop music.

HHNLIVE: Is ghostwriting something you still partake in? Can you give up any names?

Skillz: I do. I can't.

HHNLIVE: What has been the secret to your success in music?

Skillz: I just make music and people vibe to it. I try to stay relevant by keeping my name out there and making quality material.

HHNLIVE: Is there anything else that you are hoping to branch out and do within entertainment?

Skillz: Filmmaking -- I love telling stories.

HHNLIVE: What sets you apart from some of your friends and peers in this business?

Skillz: I'm original -- I'm a regular guy who makes regular music for regular people. And, I'm an honest emcee. I don't fabricate my life to sell records.

HHNLIVE: What is the one thing you want people to know most about Skillz?

Skillz: Like I said, I'm honest, truthful, (and) I don't lie to my listener. Most rappers do.

HHNLIVE: What is your favorite non-music related hobby?

Skillz: I like to cook.

HHNLIVE: Looking ahead, what all do you see yourself doing?

Skillz: Making films.

HHNLIVE: And, is there anything that you'd like to add that I may have left out?

Skillz: Check me out on okayplayer.com or myspace.com/skillz, and grab that album The Million Dollar Backpack. You need that in your life!

HHNLIVE: Any parting words?

Skillz: Keep it Hip-Hop, or keep it away from me!