Mr. Ghostwriter takes the time from touring with DJ Jazzy Jeff to chop it up with Philaflava.com.

Skillz Interview
Interview by Jason Gloss

Philaflava: What’s up The Supafriendz? You don't hear much from Lonnie, Danja or Kalonji anymore.

Skillz: They’re all doing different things. Danja is producing, Lonnie B is on the radio and Kalongi is still making material—I just saw him yesterday too.

Philaflava: You were one of the first to work with J Dilla on your debut "From Where." I believe Tip hooked that up too. Did you ever imagine that he'd go to become producer he is known for today?

Skillz: I knew he was special, he had a certain kinda thing about him. He was very passionate. I wasn’t one of the first, I was the first person on a major to cut him a check for his beats. He told me he would always charge me the same rate and I believed him.

Philaflava: What was your relationship like with Tip back then?

Skillz: We hung out, went record shoppin shit like that. He knew I had no clue about NYC, so he scooped me up a couple of times and we would just hang out in New York.

Philaflava: I'm sure you're well aware of the recent Timbo/Storch beef, but as a rapper what role do you play if say Scott Storch wants to work with you? Do you work with an notorious beatmaker for the opportunity or do you have beliefs you should respectfully decline for several reasons?

Skillz: I don’t have a problem with Scott Storch, I think he’s dope. I remember being in the studio with him and Tim and Tim was talking about how he had Dr. Dre’s secret weapon. He had crazy chemistry. Time didn’t give him a Bentley for nothing.

Philaflava: Tim works with a guy name DanjaHandz, yet Danja Mowf has been known in VA for awhile now, more so with the work he did with Missy. Coincidence?

Skillz: I think that’s a coincidence. DanjaHandz can’t say he never heard of Danja Mowf tho—I’m SURE of that!

Philaflava: Another coincidence I'd like to get your take on is the use of the word "Supafriendz." In the mid-90's you formed the group, yet towards the late 90's Tim, Missy, Ginuwine and Aaliyah used the name to describe themselves.

Skillz: I didn’t really care cuz we were apart of that union, it was kinda disrespectful but that name didn’t do as much for them as it did for us.

Philaflava: Why did the Beat Club fail? Do you have any regrets about working with or not working with Timbaland since then?

Skillz: I wasted two years, but he let me go without any drama. I appreciated that. It wasn’t really his fault, so I can’t blame Tim for that.

Philaflava: How do you think VA was repped on MTV’s My Block?

Skillz: I liked the show. I think it was a fairly good look.

Phillaflava: Rawkus Records is starting back up again, do you have any advice to those out there that are considering going with them?

Skillz: Make good music and stay TRUE to yourself.

Philaflava: Do you think all the delays hurt your album "Off The Wall" on Rawkus?

Skillz: That was MCA’s fault, not Rawkus.

Philaflava: Tell me about your latest collabo with Philadelphia Free?

Skillz: When I heard the beat, I automatically thought of him. I did the song by myself but it just sounded so much better with Free on it. So we hooked up, went in and did it. We wrote it together, I love the way he works-he’s just crazy in the studio. I’m glad I had a chance to work with him. He’s always been one of my favorites.

Philaflava: Speaking of Philly, The Roots seem to find a new "player" each year that they say "may" become the next member. So far we've heard Dice, Jean Grae, Truck North, Peedi Crack and you.  Was there any truth to you becoming an official Roots crew member?

Skillz: I have known The Roots for 13 years, they are good friends of mine. I always knew I had an open invite to hop onstage and kick some bars and do a song or two. But those were just rumors. I love The Roots, they’ve been very instrumental in keeping me visible! Who else would let me hop on stage and make me do the Rap-Up??!!??!

Philaflava: For the past few years you've been touring with Jazzy Jeff as his hypeman. How did that connection happen?

Skillz: I’m not his hypeman, I’m a partner. We combine to rock a party. He does his thing on the 1’s and 2’s and I do my thing on the mic. I studied him. I take it all very seriously. Jeff had said that as far as chemistry goes, me and him are the closest thing to him and Will. I appreciate that, cuz he’s been out with other cats before me. I perform songs during the set and we keep it rocking. He is hands down the best DJ I’ve ever seen play. He never misses a beat.

Philaflava: Supposedly you had the idea to remake an old DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince song, but Jeff used your idea and ran with Peedi instead. Do you think the reason he did that was because he rather had a Philly native represent the track?

Skillz: Not really, if any artist had a pass it was me cuz we work so closely together. The song with him and Peedie is crazy.

Philaflava: Are you going to be featured on Jeff's new LP?

Skillz: I recorded a song for it, but not sure if its going on the album or not.

Philaflava: Will Smith responded to Em’s diss years ago but we all know Will didn't write those rhymes. You have stated in the past you wrote for him, so my question is were his words towards Eminem from your pen?

Skillz: Nope! He wrote those Em rebuttals himself. When I came to the studio that song was done.

Philaflava: Do you still ghostwrite?

Skillz: All the time!

Philaflava: Anyone not pay their checks lately?

Skillz: Nah, I only had problems with rappers. I’ve been doing R&B lately, they pay on time.

Philaflava: Are you comfortable being labeled the "Year End Rap-Up" guy by many people who may not be familiar with your earlier work or know that much about you?

Skillz: Nah, The Rap Up was a good idea. It was my idea. I make other shit but it doesn’t crossover to mainstream radio like The Rap Up. People say he only comes out once a year, that’s cuz they haven’t heard the other shit. Hip Hop Died didn’t get as much play as The Rap Up. Crazy World is burnin’ up the net right now, but it ain’t on the radio like that.  The song with me and Freeway is getting burned at mixshow as we speak and people will hear The Rap Up in December and say “where’s he been?” It’s actually funny.

Philaflava: Who had the better album last year, The Clipse's "Hell Hath No Fury" or The Roots "Game Theory?"

Skillz: I liked them both!

Philaflava: Your debut reads like a dream team of producers now, but at the time a lot of those guys were just startin out such as Dilla, Shawn J. Period Nick Wiz but then you also had trackmasters like The Beatnuts, Extra P, Buckwild, Clark Kent & EZ Elpee on it. If you could build a dream team for your next album, who would it be?

Skillz: I don’t even look for producers, I look for the music. If a beat is bangin, let’s do it. I don’t really care about a name.

Philaflava: What’s on deck for Skillz in ’07?

Skillz: My album this year titled “The Million Dollar Backpack.”

For more info on Skillz check out these websites:

www.myspace.com/Yourghostwriter
www.Skillzmusic.com