Sometimes a steady grind is all you need to really ascend to the ranks of hip-hop stardom. You might not need some smash hit record, or a million-dollar cosign, or sex scandals, or even a diss track to get on. Putting out solid work consistently can trump all of those with the right talent. Skewby is proof in the pudding, with his new mixtape 'More or Less' dropping this week. Rapping about the obstacles he's faced in getting to this point, the Memphis MC lets the listener know he's in it for the long haul and working day after day. This is the type of personal track that endears a rapper to an audience, because it shows that rappers are human too. Hip-hop psychology aside, I'm excited to see what Skewby has in store for us on the 21st...
I'll admit it... This track really caught my eye because the gorgeous Keri Hilson was on the cover art (sue me... I'd marry her tomorrow). That doesn't mean the track is lame though. Skewby has slowly been putting together a nice catalog of songs, in anticipation of his new LP 'More or Less' slated to drop in the coming weeks (hopefully). This time around, the Memphis native drops lines dealing with the hardships of having a significant other while being in the music industry. He waxes prophetic about having to leave his woman for weeks on end, the infidelity issues and the separation anxiety that go with stardom. It's a nice little love song for you lovebirds out there. Check it out and be on the lookout for 'More or Less'...
I got one of the most heartfelt/inspired e-mails I've received regarding hip-hop yesterday. It was from the team of Skewby, the Memphis MC who's new LP, 'More or Less' is slated to drop in the next few weeks. The e-mail detailed the descent of hip-hop into swag and how the artistry is being lost to the allure of record sales daily. Along with the a-mail came a track off the LP entitled 'Believe', which was imploring the listener to believe in Skewby, and his individual style. Skewby's no stranger to Dear Whoever, but as his music gets exposed to a wider audience, I'm curious to see if his sound will evolve at all or if he'll stick to the organic sound that's gotten him to this point. I guess only time, and you, the listener will be the judges of that. Check the track out...
Skewby isn't a stranger to Dear Whoever... He first proved us wrong in 'Proving You Wrong Since 1988', and has been slowly getting up his buzz on the interwebs. Right now, he's working on a new album and performing, but that doesn't mean he can't bless us with a loosie to keep our ears satisfied. 'The Rambling' is Skewby's response to his newfound level of fame, and judging from the track, he seems to be adjusting just fine. The Memphis, Tennessee native has a charisma on wax that I can't put my finger on, but am still drawn to. On the track, he says he's not even rapping anymore, but rambling. If this was a ramble, then his actual album cuts should be pifftastic. Check out the track and keep your eyes open for more from Skewby...
Hey people!!!! Friday means Freestyles, if you didn't know. We've got two up-and-comers this week, spitting flames over hot instrumentals. The first one is by Skewby, over Dirty Money's 'Angels'. Honestly, Skewby might have one of the most underrated repertoires in the underground right now. He rips every song or cipher I hear him in, and his content is always on point. The Tennessee native has to be on your radar now. The second one is from another guy who should be on your radar, Laws. I wasn't too keen on Laws after listening to his 4:57 mixtape, but here, in this freestyle over Outkast's 'ATLiens', he makes a fan of me. The concept behind his past work has been just that: work. This freestyle is about his last days of working a 9-5 and the wackness that ensues in such a job. His new mixtape, 5:01, is definitely getting a listen now. Check out both dope freestyles and keep it locked to Dear Whoever....
I posted up a review of Skewby's 'Proving You Wrong Since 1988' a few weeks back, and am still bumping the tape today. I dig dude's music so much because it's earthy and organic without being preachy and sounding like I should have a chew stick in my mouth while listening. The Memphis native takes on the instrumental for 'I'm ILL', and doesn't disappoint. He pokes fun at 95% of hip-hop in the video the track, and the community's infatuation with swagg (cringe), stupid dances and a lack of lyricism. The video honestly makes the song pop that much more to me. Skewby seems to be on a roll as of late, and I can't wait to see what else 2010 has in store for him...
Had this thing in my inbox for a few days now, and I've been BSing on it for one reason or another. Regardless, I finally got a chance to listen to this guy they call Skewby (if names could kill), and I must say I'm impressed. The tape's called Proving You Wrong Since 1988. Being an 88-baby myself, I couldn't help but endear myself to the man's cause. The tape might have flown under the radar because it doesn't have a DJ Drama or Don Cannon cosign, nor a litany of popular instrumentals. In fact, I think I liked the tape more because all of the production was original. A few of the beats were head-scratchers, but others were pure PIFF. While somee of the songs sounded like they were straight out of New Jack City, others sounded like they were made on an 808 machine from the year 2088. In terms of lyrics and content, Skewby is a regular dude... who just happens to rap. His songs are done in such a soliloquy-esque way that you feel like one of Skewby's boys that he's telling a story to. There aren't any filler tracks either. Skewby is the answer to the swag rappers of the past two years. Not that he's organic, rocking a chew stick, but there's something natural about the guy that you can't not like. Hopefully he keeps it up. Check out the link, tracklist, #dopetracks, loosies, and videos...
Tracklist:
1. Proving You Wrong
2. Get Retarded
3. Im Here Now
4. Dope Man
5. They Know
6. A Bad One
7. Sunday Morning
8. No Critics Allowed
9. Searching
10. WorldWide
11. She Like Me
12. Log Out
13. The Feelings
14. Turn it Up
15. Honesty
16. Talk 2 Em
17. Exit Please
#dopetracks:
Get Retarded
Dope Man
A Bad One
Sunday Morning
Log Out
She Like Me
