Skilla Baby

Trevon Gardner, known professionally as Skilla Baby, was born on October 2, 1998, in Detroit, Michigan. His early life was marked by an interest in writing, particularly after memorizing Langston Hughes’ “Mother to Son” in fifth grade. His father, who exposed him to a diverse range of music including Luther Vandross and Lil Wayne, significantly influenced his musical taste. Initially, Gardner pursued basketball, earning the nickname “Skillz” for his court performance. However, following his father’s passing when he was 15, and a lack of college basketball offers, he shifted his focus to music around 2016. He worked various jobs, including at McDonald’s and Walmart, to finance his studio time and music production, demonstrating his early dedication to his craft.

Gardner’s rap career began to gain traction with the independent release of his mixtape “Push That Shit Out Skilla” in 2019, followed by singles like “Trevon.” His breakout moment occurred with the 2020 track “Womack.” A significant turning point came when he garnered the attention of fellow Detroit emcee Sada Baby, who mentored him through the music industry. This association led to collaborations such as “Carmelo Bryant.” In 2022, major labels sought to sign him, and he ultimately joined Geffen Records, releasing his EP, “We Eat the Most,” which was later expanded into an album featuring new material with artists like BabyTron and Luh Tyler. This album debuted at No. 16 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Albums chart with 3,000 copies sold, marking his first appearance on the Billboard charts.

Moving forward in his career, Skilla Baby released the collaborative mixtape “Controversy” with Tee Grizzley in 2023 and the joint single “B’CUZ” with G. Herbo. He also opened for Travis Scott on the Circus Maximus Tour and Lil Tjay’s Beat The Odds Tour, indicating his growing presence in mainstream hip-hop. In April 2024, he released the mixtape “The Coldest,” which featured popular artists such as DaBaby, Flo Milli, and Polo G, and broke into the Billboard charts at number 175. This was followed by additional singles, including “Jwett.” That same month, BET Music named him the BET Amplified artist, recognizing his rising impact. Beyond his musical achievements, Gardner has engaged in community activism, partnering with Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield and Judge Tenisha Yancey in February 2024 for a gun buyback event and expungement fair in Detroit, reflecting his commitment to addressing local issues.