I was standing in Quantum Beats Recording Studio talking with the CEO, A Town, about a project that DhD and I were working on โ a song called โTree of Lifeโ. A few minutes into the conversation, another person walks into the room. โThatโs the man you need to talk to right there,โ A Town said, โSkeezy Scott, whatโs happening brother?โ After the formal introductions had been made, the โTree of Lifeโ 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 hasnโt always been Skeezy Scott. In his early years of rapping, he went by โSkiโ; later on, while he was in Laurensville, Georgia, he went by โSki Skeezy Scottโ. โThe streets gave me the name; I give the music back in return,โ After returning to Columbia, โSkiโ 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 โ a โdirty southโ 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 thereโs no duplicate artist like him โ his art has a signature style. His audience consists primarily of ladies, college kids, and the โ9 to 5โ worker. Locally, heโs inspired by UrHighnez Beats, Speaker Knockerz, Nation Boy, Just Rich Gates, and DJ B Lord; on a larger scale, heโs 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 โ as one unit. He says, โThe 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.โ
There are two questions I ask everyone I interview: the first: What are some flaws that youโve 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? โIโve 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 โDare to be Differentโ, 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.โ
The interview was over after that and we drove to Quantum Beats to record the song. On June 25th, we performed โTree of Lifeโ at the โWho Got Da Juice?โ showcase at Brick House. Through my personal experience with Skeezy Scott, Iโve noticed that he values knowledge above all else and is passionate about reason and innovation. To him, itโs 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, โWhat 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.โ
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