13 Questions With…SKEWBY

Today marks the official 6 Month milestone since the release of SKEWBY”s debut (of sorts), Proving You Wrong Since 1988.

SKEWBY was kind enough to speak with Hypothesis Spits on this occasion, reflecting on an assortment of topics.

His responses might catch you off guard if you don’t know too much about the rising Memphis artist.

That’s quite possibly the best aspect about Skewby.

He’s never anything that you expect.

Enjoy

1.) Proving You Wrong Since 1988 is considered by many critics as one of the best mixtape releases in 2009.  How has the response to your project impacted your career in such a short time? How does it feel to see the blogs, magazines, etc. showing love for Team 88 after everything you personally invested into the project?

The response has been amazing.

I saw PYWS88 as a dope mixtape, but I never could have imagined it doing what it’s doing.

It’s taken a life of it’s own now, and that’s a beautiful thing.

Anytime people appreciate your art, it feels good. For the blogs to receive it well was cool too.  I was good on just being posted, but the positive reviews are humbling.

I’m just enjoying every moment man.

2.) How has the city of Memphis responded to PYWS88?

It’s been love man.

I go places now and people will come up to me and say they really liked the tape – people tell me that they’ve wanted something different out of Memphis for a while.

Some people don’t understand it, but that was expected.

3.) You’ve kept it moving since September, dropping exclusive music through your website SkewbyMusic.  You haven’t released any official details about your next project yet–care to disclose any information about what you have planned for the listeners out there?

Hmmm. It’s good music man. That’s really all I can say [laughs]

We got about 50% of it complete.

It’s untitled at the moment.

4.) PYWS88 took sounds from the golden age of Hip-Hop and infused them with a fresh layers of 808s and other various modern styles. On your next project, will the music explore similar a similar style? Will it differ in any way?

Yes, it will definitely be different.

It will be MY music.

That was the biggest misunderstanding about PYWS88- that’s not my sound – that’s somebody else’s sound that inspired me.

I love old school hip-hop.  I came to a point last year where I felt like I couldn’t create music anymore until I paid proper respect.  I felt like I was hiding something by NOT making this mixtape.

I HAD TO DO IT.

The mixtape was like therapy for me.  Those beats inspired me to say things that production from this era never will be able to.  The soul, the drums, the simplicity.

At the end of the day, I made that tape because I love hip-hop. I think everyone involved in the culture should be educated about where it started, period.

The new tape is all original production, full songs, and a lot of good stuff -honestly, it’s more so a free album.

5.) What was it like to perform as the opening act on the Lil Wayne Young Money Farewell Tour? Any stories to share from the experience?

It was fun man.

My little “moment” was during sound check.

I just stood there thinking, “Damn. This is where I’m supposed to be.”

After that, went backstage, killed some subway sandwiches, then we did the damn thing.

6.) What was your reaction when you opened up The Source and saw your picture in the Unsigned Hype column? What does this honor mean to you?

I can’t describe it man.

I knew my family, friends, and fans would be proud – that meant a lot to me.

I appreciate The Source for really taking the time to listen.  For me, the honor means that I’m going in the right direction.

7.) Describe the Skewby songwriting method. How do you work creatively? List the steps in your routine. How does a Skewby song get from an idea to a finished product?

There is no routine really. I’m always creating.

While I’m doing this interview, there is a chorus floating around in my head from 5 minutes ago – I’ll take ideas and write or voice record them on my phone. They might become songs, the melody might turn into a beat.

I do what I feel.

Sometimes I write, sometimes I don’t – my life is just one big output. I’m constantly getting out my ideas no matter where I’m at or what I’m doing.

Most things come out on the spot in the studio though, that’s my favorite way to work.

8.) You’ve been outspoken on your twitter page, calling out the many tweeters who post / update irresponsibly. In your opinion, how should the average person tweet. (Set them straight Skewby!)

See, my problem with Twitter is that there are so many people on there, but NO progress is being made – instead of learning or growing together, the majority of it all is a gossip column.  People use it make it seem like they’re doing more than they really are.

But I’ve figured it out – the people who actually want to make a change are not on twitter, they’re in this bigger social network called real life.

Silence is golden – what would that make twitter?

You got it.

9.) If, in some alternate universe, if for some reason you channeled all of your creative energy into a different form of artistic expression, what do you think you would be doing right now?

In that alternate universe, I would have a wife named Michelle and live in the white house.

Editors Note: Pardon the corny graphic, haha.  I couldn’t help but give you a visual image of this alternate reality.

10.) A major supporter of the Skewby / Team 88 movement has been the Memphis boutique, Sneak Peek many of your songs feature references to your fashion sense, which brands do you rock? Is there any item in your wardrobe you are especially fond of?

I’m a simple guy when it comes to fashion.

If I see it, I like it, I buy it.

My favorite shirt I got right now would probably have to be this red/blue Tommy Hilfiger shirt I bought last week.

11.) Best album of 2009?

Whew, honestly, I don’t remember everything…so I can’t make that call.

That’s serious, [laughs].

A lot of heat dropped last year though, regardless of the public opinion.

12.) Name an artist in the music industry right now who inspires you to do what you do.

I like BUN B’s longevity and WAYNE’s work ethic.

Those are the types of things I pay attention to.

13.) What are your main goals for the rest of 2010? How do you plan on adding to the success of PYWS88?

My goal is to get better – That’s the goal for every year.

More success comes after hard work, so that’s all I’m on right now.

Skewby’s Latest Video – “I’m ill.”

10 Reasons Why I Picked Skewby as the 2010 Upcoming Artist to Watch

DOWNLOAD Proving You Wrong Since 1988 HERE

Check out the first “13 Questions With…segment [DJ Charlie White] HERE

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