2010: The Year of Skewby

 

1) Skewby IS the next big thing

For my first post in 2010, I am proud to list ten reasons why the 2010 will go down in history as the major turning-point for rising Memphis hip-hop talent, Skewby.

(As I write this, Skewby is most likely still amped up after opening at two arenas on Lil Wayne's Farewell Tour)

If you haven't listened to Skewby’s debut (of sorts) yet,  you're missing out on one of 2009’s best mixtapes:

Proving You Wrong Since 1988 (FREE DOWNLOAD)

I highly recommend taking a listen before reading my endorsement.

I'm rarely overconfident when it comes to picking a "sure-thing", but in this post, I will assert that we (those who have listened) are all witnessing the rise of the next big thing.

I had the pleasure of visiting Skewby and most of his team while visiting Memphis for the New Year’s celebration (my brother, DJ Charlie White, was a major contributor for the PYWS88 project).

The trip validated all of my first impressions of Skewby.

This dude is the real thing.

2) Skewby is a Gifted Songwriter

If you go back to my interview from late 2009 with DJ Charlie White (who provided cuts/samples/production/engineering work on Proving You Wrong Since 1988), you will see Charlie White touch upon a sentiment that I also truly believe:

the notion that it takes songwriting ability to (realistically) make it as an artist in the dog-eat-dog world of the music/entertainment industries.

While gaining respect as a sick lyricist or emcee can certainly earn hip-hop artists (luck is often a factor here) the chances to “make it,” these opportunities traditionally develop after long-winded grassroot campaigns within underground scenes.

To truly become known on a national level, an artist must work lyricism into the songs which they create while simultaneously focusing on narrative.

Storytelling.

Skewby has shown that he has this ability, and that it comes naturally as a byproduct of his experiences.

Proving You Wrong Since 1988 is a skillfully painted canvas of Skewby’s young life in all aspects of its composition (a rare, almost unthinkable feat for a mixtape):

the struggle to find  a mentor growing up:

my favorite rappers went rich, just to go poor

my favorite actors found needles, got they thumbs sore

i used to watch T.V. like, "I want more.  I want more"

(Searchin')

getting hurt for the first time by a female:

you don't know what you did to me /

i remember walking home with my Snoop CD /

I always wondered, what's a bitch? until I felt like this

(She Likes Me)

pushing his music on the internet as a “cyber” drug-lord (we all know hip-hop heads are fiends):

by the time I hit the stage the whole place overdose

(Dopeman)

dreaming of making it to the main stage to please his grandmother and force his parents into an early retirement:

[regarding watching music videos as a kid]

I would memorize songs, say everything they'd say /

then perform in the kitchen when my parents worked late /

I guess it worked out, see me work a show? /

you can tell that I dont want em workin no more

(Sunday Morning)

While these themes are commonly shared experiences in many voices of hip-hop culture, we (the listeners) don't simply hear Skewby’s words, we see them.

This is a testament to the strong powers of Skewby’s word choice/flow/imagery/concepts—all working hand in hand throughout his carefully constructed songs.

3) Skewby has a Perfect Supporting Cast

Countless hours of time, energy, and networking go into the pursuit of a career in the music industry.

If you happen to think that unsigned artists get by on talent alone, then you need to stop watching American Idol so much.

For every Kelly Clarkson or Chris Daugherty there are thousands of artists who share Skewby’s dream.

Skewby, however, is one of the few fortunate musicians who have developed an extremely positive group of friends, musicians, and industry folk alike who believe in him fully.

They all understand perfectly their specific and vital roles.

They're always ready to chip in wherever and when its necessary.

They all share a collective goal.

I witnessed first-hand the interactions between Skewby and his team.  They look out for each other, they’re smart, and because of these characteristics, they will all play an integral role for Skewby’s career aspirations in 2010.

The key ingredients of mutual respect and understanding are there.

4) Skewby Recognizes (and Values) the Importance of Honesty

Proving You Wrong Since 1988, "Honesty" (CLICK TO PLAY)

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5) Skewby Makes Smart Decisions

It takes one bad decision, one poorly worded blog-entry, or one misguided MP3 megaupload file to negatively impact the buzz of an artist on the verge of success.

This is a time when every skeptic is waiting to jump on your flaws

when ex-girlfriends are waiting to battle slap the shit out of you  (Charles Hamilton).

Skewby is widely known as a perfectionist in all aspects of his work, both in and out of the studio:

I built a studio and after that I never surfaced /

getting my verse perfect, its worth it

(WorldWide)

While perfection is something that most musicians strive for,  it can often bring negative results if the musician becomes popular and is hit with an overwhelming demand to perform underneath the often scrutinizing public eye.

Despite re-tracking, re-writing, or re-producing beats many times until he achieves  satisfaction with a final product, Skewby's management team is always 3 steps ahead of the curve when it comes to his next move.

You can bank on 2010 as a year when Skewby will get involved with many, many projects.

Each time Skewby steps into the booth or makes a career-based move, its carefully designed and acted out with a meticulously organized business strategy.

I'm already aware of a few of the upcoming surprises (which I'm not at liberty to discuss publicly quite yet) on Skewby's menu for 2010, but I can vouch for his team's decision-making abilities.

6) Skewby has Skills

Despite working with a team of gifted musicians, DJ's, producers, and engineers alike in the Memphis, TN area—Skewby himself has a capacity to:

write, record, engineer, produce, market, blog, network, design a graphic and create a layout for his website, all the while working a 9-5.

Enough said.

7) Skewby is Unsigned (Independent)

It is now conventional for one to assume that in the digital music era, when an upcoming  musician's classification is an independent or unsigned artist, it's simply one of the crucial components for their career.

This is not to say that major labels aren’t putting in time on developing artists from the ground up, it’s just an observation on the fact that since CD sales have been practically non-existent well before 2010, major-label record deals are being given most often to artists who have already developed fan bases independently before they sign.

To craft a poor analogy: record labels are now viewing record deals the way that credit companies handle loans.

In order for an artist to get this "loan", they must establish credit first…yeah, I know it’s not the best metaphor, but Skewby’s status as an unsigned artist is nothing to discredit his buzz—it’s simply the way that the music industry currently operates.

What it really means, is that when Skewby does  get the offer/deal he can’t refuse, his mission to “put Ferrari’s in the driveway” will have become a reality.

8.) Skewby is Rising out of Memphis

With this segment, my intention is not to make any disparaging remarks regarding the Memphis hip-hop scene (past or present).  However, when it comes to Memphis and hip-hop—Skewby stands out.

Big time.

Memphis rap, on a national level, is widely known for its “southern” sound which has been perfected and brought to mainstream audiences by acts like Al Kapone, 8 Ball & MJG, Yo Gotti, and the 3 6 Mafia. (along with films like Craig Brewer's Hustle and Flow)

(from left to right: DJ Charlie White, Skewby, DJ Crumbz)

(Hence the clever tee shirt design here by Memphis boutique/avid Skewby supporter Sneak Peek).

Skewby rises above the listener’s expectations by not falling into the stereotypical sounds coming from many local rappers in the Memphis scene.

It’s refreshing to hear Skewby reflect with bars like:

I tell em i'm from Memphis, Tennessee /

and they look at me strange like I need I.D. /

fly with me we can do Beale street /

hit Wolfchase mall, get somethin to eat

(Talk 2 Em)

I'm sure that on more than one occasion, Skewby has felt pressure to make songs featuring chants, strong 808's, and single lined hooks about getting fucked up.

I'm not suggesting that Skewby has distanced himself from the classic Memphis sound intentionally, but I believe his roots in the Memphis area will be a factor which contributes to his successes in 2010.

I think many listeners will hear his music before they find out he hails from Memphis and will find it interesting that he isn't making tracks that one expects when picturing Memphis rap.

UPDATE: proving my point is a comment posted on Skewby's Mixtape on 2dopeboyz:

1. He’s not what i would call lyrical, but he’s good, im surprised to hear a Memphis cat on some hip hop shit, instead of the syrup sippin type of stuff i heard memphis, i love 3 6 mafia so its not a diss

Purp said this on February 1st, 2010 at 3:11 pm

9) Skewby has Instant Credibility

Hip Hop heads are notoriously difficult to win over.

This isn't because listeners of hip-hop are pretentious, stuck-up, pitchfork reviewing haters by nature.

No.

It's because hip-hop culture (by its definition) requires a level of dedication, realness, and respect for the mic/craft that too many artists have forfeited on their rises to fame and fortune.

The jaded, cynical, and now clichéd phrase “Hip Hop is dead” is nothing more than a marketing scheme to sell tee-shirts.

You can't kill culture—but you can evolve what early hip-hop pioneers established. This was an underlying theme of Proving You Wrong Since 1988, by taking the themes/concepts/beats/sounds from the golden era of hip-hop and creating an entire mixtape dedicated to an age that inspired Skewby to do what he does, he now has an instant reference for any skeptic wondering whether or not Skewby can be classified as a hip-hop artist.

He can.

10) Skewby has Crossover Appeal

You can’t really place a value or statistic on the “it” factor…but after one listen-through of Skewby’s mixtape, you hear it.

Bloggers have heard it.

Fans have heard it.

If you haven’t heard it—then 2010 is your year to catch up.

My personal favorite track on PYWS88: "Searching"

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