Mad Skillz

Mad Skillz is a Grammy-nominated artist, DJ, and hip-hop educator, known for his impactful songwriting and his role in cultivating the East Coast hip-hop scene. After securing second place in a national freestyle competition, Mad Skillz went on to sign a recording contract with Atlantic Records, marking his official entry into the music industry. Under the stage name Mad Skillz, he released his debut album, ‘From Where???’ in 1996, which notably positioned him as an artist outside the prevailing New York City and Los Angeles hip-hop centers. The album included the single ‘The Nod Factor,’ also released in 1996, establishing his distinct voice within the East Coast hip-hop scene.

Most recently, Mad Skillz released ‘The Seven Number Ones’ in 2024. This project garnered critical acclaim, earning him a 2025 Grammy Award nomination for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album, marking a significant milestone in his multifaceted career as a Grammy-nominated artist, DJ, and hip-hop educator.