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Skillz Raps Up Hip-Hop’s Golden Age With A Tribute To H.E.R.

For over 20 years, MC/DJ/academic Skillz helped Hip-Hop process its yearly legacy through his Rap Up verses, which typically arrive in late December or early January. In a milestone year, Hip-Hop's 50th anniversary, the Richmond, Virginia veteran takes it a step further, with a song produced by The Roots. Skillz... Read more

Skillz Has Released His 20th & Final Rap Up

In recent years, Skillz continues to diversify. The Virginia mainstay has expanded from elite lyricist (and longtime ghostwriter) to DJ. He maintains a role in academia, working with the University Of Richmond faculty. During the 25 years since From Where???, the MC created Hip-Hop Confessions, building a platform for peers... Read more

Conway The Machine Collides With DJ Premier For Something That’s Nothin’ Less Than Dope

Last Friday (September 11), Conway The Machine released his third project of 2020. Following March's Alchemist-produced LULU and May's Ghost LTD-helmed No One Mourns The Wicked, the Buffalo, New Yorker steps forth with From A King To A God. In one of the busiest seasons in Hip-Hop history, Griselda continues the... Read more

Skillz Raps Up 2019 & He Does It With 20/20 Vision (Audio)

For many Hip-Hop Heads, New Years is not a holiday without Mad Skillz. The Richmond, Virginia veteran MC (and DJ) closes the book on 2019 with a tradition that nearly goes back to Y2K. The "2019 Rap Up" is here, just ahead of many fans' celebrations, reflection, and ringing in... Read more

It’s Official! February 13 Is Mad Skillz Day

Twenty-three years ago this week (February 13, 1996), rapper Mad Skillz released his debut album, From Where???. The Big Beat/Atlantic Records title referenced the fact that the artist born Shaqwan Donnie Lewis represented Richmond, Virginia. That city was a new source of talent in the eyes and ears of many Rap... Read more

It’s A Rap. Skillz Calls It Like It Was In 2018 (Audio)

Honoring a tradition that is nearly 20 years old, Skillz sums up the year that was with a rap. Long before any ball drops commemorating the arrival of 2019, the Virginia veteran MC (and DJ) makes sense of a complicated year in Hip-Hop and the world at large. The song... Read more

Skillz Is Back And He’s Bringing Mad FUNK (Video)

It's been four years since Skillz (aka Mad Skillz) has dropped a project, but that doesn't mean that the renowned MC/DJ has not been active. Late last year, it was announced that he’d be an artist-in-residence at the University of Richmond (near where he grew up) starting this year. It's... Read more

Uncle Murda Rates Skillz’ Diss A 1 Out Of 10. So How Does His Response Measure Up? (Audio)

Last week (January 3), veteran Virginia lyricist Skillz dropped a significant and scathing diss towards Brooklyn, New York MC Uncle Murda. The impetus was a two-year-old dispute surrounding the concept of "Year End Raps." Skillz alleged that in late 2015, Murda (who now uses the name "Lenny Grant" on records)... Read more

Skillz Sets Off 2018 By Dissing Uncle Murda For Copying His Rap Up Concept (Audio)

For Hip-Hop Heads, the last days of the year have long belonged to an annual Skillz song. For nearly two decades, the Virginia MC, DJ, and the University Of Richmond's Artist In Residence has deftly created his "Year End Rap" at the close of the calendar. Many followers of the... Read more

Skillz Becomes Artist In Residence At University Of Richmond

When he named his 1996 debut From Where???, Mad Skillz knew he was putting his city of Richmond, Virginia on the Hip-Hop map. More than 20 years later, following acclaimed work with J Dilla, The Beatnuts, Large Professor, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and others, Skillz is one of his city and... Read more

An Argument For Why Ghostwriting Is Good Starting With Exhibit D-R-E (Video)

The biggest MCs in Hip-Hop are talking about ghostwriting more than ever right now. Sixteen years after Puff Daddy proudly proclaimed, "Don't ask me if I write rhymes, I write checks," authorship in Rap verses is not something that anybody takes lightly. Since Meek Mill outed Drake's involvement of emerging... Read more

DJ Jazzy Jeff Wants His New Project To Give You Goosebumps. Listen & Chill. (Audio)

DJ Jazzy Jeff has kept a tight catalog. Outside of his award-winning, multi-platinum work with The Fresh Prince, the Philadelphia DJ/producer launched his Magnificent series, introduced protege MC Dayne Jordan, and played a key role with The Roots, Jill Scott, and others. In a sneak attack of sorts, Jeff releases... Read more

Tony Touch Shows Where The New Boom Bap Lives In His Latest Mix (Audio)

Twenty years ago, Brooklyn, New York's Tony Touch was one of the most prominent mixtape DJs. One of the original promoters of the MC freestyle, Tony Touch played records he liked, featured great signed and underground talent, and kept the culture organic. In 2016, Tony is one of the only... Read more

Listen To The Best Hip-Hop Of December 2015 In One Playlist (Audio)

The number of Hip-Hop releases in December slowed, but the quality did not. In fact, it was one of the densest months of the year in terms of audio dope. Here's a playlist of the best the month had to offer. You'll hear music from PRhyme (DJ Premier & Royce... Read more

Skillz’s Rap Up Masterfully Covers The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Of 2015 (Audio)

Like clockwork, Skillz serves up his annual summary of the year that was, with a masterful rap. There is nothing like his blow by blow rhyme to remind us all of the good, bad and often bizarre happenings of 2015. In his latest installment, Skillz covers seemingly everything that dominated... Read more

Prince Paul Slices Into A Stack Of Wax By Camp Lo, Inspectah Deck & Big L (Mix)

It's been since April that the devastating Prince Paul gave Heads another latest installment of It's Not The Size Of Your Mix, It's How You Use It. The free-form mix series by the Stetsasonic/Gravediggaz member returns, with #4. Clocking just under 40 minutes, this version finds the onetime Tommy Boy... Read more

House Shoes Offers A Free-Form Mix Featuring Skillz, Wu-Tang Clan & Ohio Players (Mix)

Detroit, Michigan-to-Los Angeles, California DJ mainstay House Shoes is as versatile as they come. The longtime right-hand man to J Dilla kicks off a new series with Dublab called "Magic." Last month's inaugural edition features House Shoes pullin' out cuts new and old, ranging from Kendrick Lamar and D'Angelo, to... Read more

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of March 2015 All in One Playlist (Audio)

Along with the start of Spring, the month of March brought much to celebrate in Hip-Hop. Action Bronson released Mr. Wonderful, his major label debut album. DJ EFN hit Heads off with a slew of amazing collaborations on his Another Time LP. Earl Sweatshirt fired the latest salvo from Odd... Read more

Skillz’ Storytelling Is Vivid On This Bigger Than Life Track By BINK! (Audio)

A master of freestyles and concept tracks, sometimes it can be easy to overlook Skillz (f/k/a Mad Skillz) straightforward songs. However, one fast revisit of From Where??? and it's apparent that the Richmond, Virginia MC has many clubs in his bag of tricks. Currently doing a European arena run (as... Read more

Happy Birthday to DJ Jazzy Jeff. Celebrate with This Amazing Mix (Mixtape)

Happy Birthday to the incomparable DJ Jazzy Jeff who turned the tender young age of 50 today (1/22). If you've ever had the privilege of attending a set spun by Jeff, you know NOBODY goes harder or digs deeper in the crates than him. So, on his birthday, what better... Read more

A Year Isn’t A Year Until Skillz’ Wraps It Up With His Rap. 2014, Salute! (Audio)

In less than 48 hours, 2014 is in the bag. Even though he reportedly swore he wouldn't do it anymore a few years back, Skillz pleased the people with a signature "Rap Up." For 2-0-1-4, the Virginia MC chronicles everything, from the lighter hearted (Rick Ross' weight loss, Pharrell's takeover,... Read more

Here Are the Best Freestyles of 2014. Nothing. But. BARS (Video)

Contrary to popular belief, a freestyle does not have to be an "off the top" verse, at least according to Big Daddy Kane and Kool Moe Dee, if you take them as credible sources. Says Kool Moe Dee in his book, There's a God on the Mic: "There are two... Read more

Skillz Shuts Down The Competition With A Freestyle WHILE DJ’ing (Video)

Most Heads know that Skillz is a microphone monster. But did you know that the Virginia native is a sharp DJ too? After years of rolling with DJ Jazzy Jeff on the road, the onetime Rawkus Records artist returns to Sway In The Morning for a second straight day. After... Read more

Skillz Is A Supafriendz Alum & Freestyle Legend, So Sway Had To Put Him On The Spot (Video)

Back in those days when he was From Where???, (Mad) Skillz belonged to the Supafriendz, a Virginia massive including Danja Mowf, Lonnie B, and Kalonji The Immortal. This posse got some of its biggest exposure thanks to the aforementioned 1996 album, and a few compilations and singles. However, freestyle enthusiasts... Read more

DJ Clark Kent Says There Are No Lies On Jay Z’s Reasonable Doubt (Video)

After a titillating first chapter, Hip-Hop Wired returns with a second segment of "Off The Record" with DJ Clark Kent. HHW's Aqua Boogie asks Clark about a more obscure cut, in Mad Skillz' (n/k/a Skillz) 1995 single, "Move Ya Body." Interestingly enough, while LL Cool J had hoped to swack... Read more

REWIND: What’s the First Music You Bought with Your Own Money? (Video)

What's the first music you bought with your own money? We asked Big Daddy Kane, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kendrick Lamar, 9th Wonder, Rapsody, Fashawn, Stic Man, Skillz, Murs and more. Their answers might surprise you...Watch what they had to say and weigh in with what music you first bought. Related:... Read more

Ever Wanted To See DJ Jazzy Jeff Grumpy? Catch Him On A Travel Day With No Sleep (Video)

DJ Jazzy Jeff is one of Hip-Hop's friendliest guys. Like his music video persona for almost 30 years, the West Philadelphia native is big on smiles, jokes, and a cool, calm, pleasant demeanor. However, the latest episode of "Vinyl Destination" finds Skillz, Rich Medina, and Jeff a bit browbeat from... Read more

How Does DJ Jazzy Jeff Handle A Fender-Bender In Russia & What’s He Eat Abroad? (Video)

In the latest episode of Vinyl Destination Season 2, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Skillz and crew hit a frigid Russia to cold rock the party. There, the troop encounters a van-accident, and mixes some McDonald's abroad with some fine wine and cheeses. All that character drives the behind-the-scenes vignette. Related: DJ... Read more

DJ Jazzy Jeff Shows The Link Between DJ’ing & Technology, Visits Sway In The Morning (Video)

In the newest episode of DJ Jazzy Jeff's Vinyl Destination, the A Touch Of Jazz crew hits the Bay area, one of the basins for technology. There, in the backyard of DJ Q-Bert, Mixmaster Mike, and Shortkut, the clique discusses how the innovations on the turntable over the last 30... Read more

What Was Your Most Memorable Sports Moment in 2013? Skillz Recaps the Year in Sports…in Verse (Video)

Skillz has a tradition of recapping the year in rhyme. This year, he does a sports edition and it's all there...the Super Bowl blackout, the Heat championship, Lance Armstrong, the Red Sox, Kobe, Tiger and much more--all set to images that will take you right back to the moment. Check... Read more

AFH: The Week in Video (8/25/13) (Video Playlist)

This week brought one of the strongest freestyles of the year from Astro, some jewels from Skillz about Kendrick's Control verse, new videos from MC Lyte, Talib Kweli, Robin Thicke and REKS and more. Check out the best of the week in video below. Just hit play and lean back.... Read more

Skillz Speaks on Kendrick’s “Control” Freestyle (Video)

Although the initial tidal wave of Kendrick Lamar’s “Control” verse seems to be dying down, opinions about what has taken place in Hip-Hop over the past 11-12 days are still surfing through conversations everywhere. In a recent interview with Revolt TV, Skillz (still known to some of the Heads as... Read more

DJ Jazzy Jeff – Vinyl Destination Ep. 14 (Video)

Episode 14 of DJ Jazzy Jeff's Vinyl Destination series finds Jeff and Skillz in Biel, Leeds, Middlesborough, Warwick and Berlin. It also features a very brief appearance by Reggie Noble (interestingly enough with him on the wheels of steel). Check out the video. Related: DJ Jazzy Jeff & Mick Boogie... Read more

DJ Jazzy Jeff – Vinyl Destination Ep. 9 (Video)

Here's episode 9 of DJ Jazzy Jeff's Vinyl Destination series. In this ep, Jeff and Skillz take on Norway, Sweden, Ireland and Germany. Check it out below.  Related:  DJ Jazzy Jeff – Vinyl Destination Ep. 8 (Video)  ... Read more

Skillz – I’m Outchea

Here's a new video from Skillz. Check out "I'm Outchea." Related: Skillz discuss how his journey in hip-hop began (Video)... Read more

DJ Jazzy Jeff – Vinyl Destinations (Ep. 2) (Video)

Here's episode 2 of DJ Jazzy Jeff's Vinyl Destination series which showcases the legendary DJ's world travels. This episode features footage of Jeff and Skillz's time in Shanghai and Singapore. Check out the video. Related: DJ Jazzy Jeff – Vinyl Destinations Ep. 1 (Video) VINYL DESTINATION | EPISODE 2 from... Read more

Skillz – 2012 Rap-Up

Here's Skillz's 2012 Annual Rap-Up where he recaps the year in pop culture, in a rhyme. 2012 has been an eventful year. Check it out below. Related: AFH Best Hip-Hop Videos of 2012 and AFH Best Mixtapes of 2012... Read more

Skillz – Tryin’ to Get By ft Carmael

Here's a hot new joint from the homie Skillz. Check out Tryin' to Get By featuring Carmael. Related: Skillz – Maybe I Don’t Know Her ft A206J... Read more

Skillz – Good Evening

Here's a new one from Skillz over Mac Miller's Good Evening track. Check it out below. Related: Skillz talks about his earliest musical influences (Video) [caption id="attachment_10781" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Skillz - Good Evening"][/caption] Here's the Mac Miller joint. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST4HeGPuw8Y... Read more

Here’s an in-depth interview of Skillz where he talks about his earliest musical influences and experiences with hip-hop. Check it out below.

Skillz's first music he ever bought was DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince's Girls of the World Ain't Nothing But Trouble. Fast forward several years later and he is now touring the world with the legendary. Skillz is living proof that talent, drive and hard work makes dreams come... Read more

Skillz – Maybe I Don’t Know Her ft A206J

Here's a meditative new song from Skillz. He reflects on a relationship gone bad. Check out Maybe I Don't Know Her. Props to 2DopeBoyz on the find.    ... Read more

Skillz – 2011 Wrap Up

Meant to post this Skillz 2011 wrap up a couple of days ago but it slipped through the cracks. It seems fitting as the last of our 2011-related posts anyway. If you missed it, this is vintage Skillz. If you heard it before, it's worth another listen. Check it out... Read more

Who was your first favorite rapper? We asked Big Daddy Kane, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kendrick Lamar, Murs, Statik Selektah, Freddie Gibbs, 9th Wonder, Stic Man, Skyzoo, Chuuwee, Skillz, tabi Bonney and more. The answers ranged from EPMD to 2Pac and everything in between. Check out who was you favorite rapper’s favorite rapper.

Where It All Began (Part 3) - Who Was Your First Favorite Rapper? Click here for parts 1 and 2 of Where It Began where many of the same stars discuss the first piece of music they ever bought and who first exposed them to hip-hop.... Read more

What’s the first piece of music you ever bought with your own money? We asked that same question to Big Daddy Kane, DJ Jazzy Jeff, 9th Wonder, Murs, Kendrick Lamar, XV, Statik Selektah, Fashawn, tabi Bonney, Serius Jones, Rapsody, Skillz and Stic Man. Watch below to see what they had to say. Many of their answers will surprise you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr9U_LKvko0 Also, if you missed it, check out Part 1 of Where It All Began where Stic Man, Murs, Skyzoo, DJ Jazz Jeff, Kendrick Lamar and more talk about who first turned them on to hip-hop. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztoUtSAtz74... Read more

Here’s a sneak preview for our new documentary Where It All Began which takes a look at the journey to hip-hop by Big Daddy Kane, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kendrick Lamar, Freddie Gibbs, Stic Man (from Dead Prez), Skillz, XV, Statik Selektah, Termanology, Murs, J-Live, The Kid Daytona, Termanology, Chuuwee, 9th Wonder and many more.

Every journey has a beginning. Ambrosia For Heads' documentary Where It All Began is a look at the journey to hip-hop by many of its current stars, rising stars and reigning legends.  For the next several weeks, starting next week, Ambrosia For Heads will show you where the love for... Read more

Mick Boogie – My Adidas (Mixtape)

It's been 25 years since Run-D.M.C. dropped their landmark album, Raising Hell.  As a tribute to the silver anniversary of the album, and Run-D.M.C. generally, Mick Boogie has put together a mixtape of new takes on Run-D.M.C. classics.  The project features performances by Bun B, Skillz, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Rapper... Read more

Here are some of the best of the 2011 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cyphers. These include, Big K.R.I.T., Kendrick Lamar, TechN9ne, Machine Gun Kelly, B.o.B., Busta Rhymes, Ludacris, Skillz, Blind Fury and of course Shady 2.0. Click below to check them out.

Who had the best verse? Big K.R.I.T., TechN9ne, Machine Gun Kelly, Kendrick Lamar and B.o.B. Reek Da Villain, 2 Chainz, Busta Rhymes and Ludacris Lady of Rage, Blind Fury, Dom Kennedy and Skillz Yelawolf, Joe Budden, Crooked I, Joell Ortiz, Royce Da 5'9" and Eminem Click here for the rest... Read more

This video does a good job of showing how DJ Jazzy Jeff and Skillz get down when they throw a party (but the mixtape is even better).

Check out the video and the mixtape of their full set is below. http://vimeo.com/26028272 DJ Jazzy Jeff and Mad Skillz - Live in the mix Click here to download the mixtape of the full set.... Read more

Here’s some new Skillz. Check out the video for Enjoying the View.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm6k9Onahko&feature=player_embedded... Read more