Skillz

Donnie Shaquan Lewis, known professionally as Skillz, and formerly as Mad Skillz, was born on June 2, 1974, in Detroit, Michigan. After spending his early childhood in Fayetteville, North Carolina, he relocated to Richmond, Virginia, where he developed an interest in hip hop, crediting Run DMC as an early influence. Skillz first gained recognition in 1995 by securing second place in a national freestyle competition, which led to a recording contract with Atlantic Records under the stage name Mad Skillz. His debut album, “From Where???”, was released in 1996, featuring the single “The Nod Factor.” The album’s title specifically referenced his Virginia origins, aiming to distinguish himself in a hip-hop landscape largely dominated by New York City and Los Angeles artists. Although the album did not achieve widespread commercial success, it laid the groundwork for his career within the hip-hop community.

Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, Skillz cultivated relationships within the Virginia music scene, collaborating with artists such as Timbaland and Magoo. He made vocal appearances on their albums, including Timbaland’s “Tim’s Bio” in 1998 and Timbaland & Magoo’s “Indecent Proposal” in 2001. During this period, Timbaland had plans to sign Skillz to his Blackhand label, though these plans did not come to fruition. Skillz, alongside Danja Mowf and Lonnie B, also contributed to a remix of Aaliyah’s hit single “Are You That Somebody” in 1998, showcasing his collaborative versatility. In 2000, he released the single “Ghostwriter,” which alluded to his contributions to other artists’ hit songs. His second official LP, “I Ain’t Mad No More,” was recorded after signing a deal with Rawkus Records, and its title reflected his official name change from Mad Skillz to Skillz, though the album was not officially released in the U.S. at the time.

Skillz eventually re-packaged the unreleased material, adding additional tracks, as “Confessions Of A Ghostwriter” in 2005. His discography expanded to include albums like “The Million Dollar Backpack” (2008), “The World Needs More Skillz” (2010), and “Made In Virginia” (2014) with Bink Dog. He is widely recognized for his annual “Rap Ups,” a tradition he started in 2002 (with an exception in 2013), and for creating the web series “Hip Hop Confessions,” which features hip-hop artists and enthusiasts sharing personal stories. In 2018 and 2020, Skillz served as an artist-in-residence at the University of Richmond, teaching a course titled “The Voice of Hip Hop in America.” His contributions to music and culture were further honored on February 13, 2019, when Mayor Levar Stoney declared “Mad Skillz Day” in Richmond, Virginia, acknowledging his positive influence on the city.