I was standing in Quantum Beats Recording Studio talking with the CEO, A Town, about a project that DhD and I were working on — a song called “Tree of Life”. A few minutes into the conversation, another person walks into the room. “That’s the man you need to talk to right there,” A Town said, “Skeezy Scott, what’s happening brother?” After the formal introductions had been made, the “Tree of Life” discussion continued. Skeezy Scott offered his ideas of the song and we set up a recording session and Scene SC interview for the following Monday.
Skeezy (Troop) Scott hasn’t always been Skeezy Scott. In his early years of rapping, he went by “Ski”; later on, while he was in Laurensville, Georgia, he went by “Ski Skeezy Scott”. “The streets gave me the name; I give the music back in return,” After returning to Columbia, “Ski” was dropped altogether. Skeezy Scott. The emcee illustrates his personality and attitude through his lyrics by crafting the verses to the vibe of the streets — a “dirty south” flavor introduced to him by UrHighnez Beats. Skeezy Scott notes that this sound is versatile, like the name of his mixtape, open-minded with limitless options for success, and crafty as there’s no duplicate artist like him — his art has a signature style. His audience consists primarily of ladies, college kids, and the “9 to 5” worker. Locally, he’s inspired by UrHighnez Beats, Speaker Knockerz, Nation Boy, Just Rich Gates, and DJ B Lord; on a larger scale, he’s inspired by Nas, Gucci Mane, Waka Flocka Flame, Jay-Z, and Missy Elliot. In the next year, Skeezy Scott is considering working with: Fetty Wap, Kanye West, or London On The Track. In the next six months, he plans on continue to familiarize himself with the business aspect of music; as he progresses with songs, shows, and videos, he wants to progress with the business — as one unit. He says, “The most ideal way of doing this is by continuing to network with people like A Town, Waka Flocka, and artists from my hometown and then, after listening to what they say, turning around and invest their wisdom into my personal benefit and well-being.”
There are two questions I ask everyone I interview: the first: What are some flaws that you’ve personally witnessed in the South Carolina Hip Hop industry, and the follow-up: How can you take this flaw, and innovate the industry is by taking steps in fixing it? “I’ve noticed that people are scared to go outside the box; there is complete regurgitation of lyrics and sounds, and because of this, there has been a plummet of creativity. My motto is “Dare to be Different”, and the way I can innovate the industry by doing the opposite of what everyone else does. Creativity is completely essential in understanding yourself as an artist, and your audience as a society.”
The interview was over after that and we drove to Quantum Beats to record the song. On June 25th, we performed “Tree of Life” at the ‘Who Got Da Juice?’ showcase at Brick House. Through my personal experience with Skeezy Scott, I’ve noticed that he values knowledge above all else and is passionate about reason and innovation. To him, it’s all about setting up a logical, creative plan, and taking all the necessary steps to follow through the plan. He has a rigorous, specific, and determined mindset. I found a quote that relates to this particular mindset; the quote is by David Keirsey. He said, “What is important is the underlying structures of the universe be uncovered and articulated, and that whatever is stated about the universe, be stated correctly, with coherence and without redundancy.”
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