Duck Down Records’ newest member, Skyzoo, has been on a mission since he was age 9. First thing I will mention is, YES, just like you, I always wondered where he came up with that name. It took me a while to find it, but back in 1980, an R&B/Funk/Disco group named Skyy, had a single named Skyyzoo. His parents, being the music lovers they are, gave Gregory Taylor the middle name Skyler, and the nickname Skyzoo. That just goes to show you, this kid has been into good music since the age of -2 (negative two). He’s been an MC/Rapper since he heard “Age Ain’t Nothing But A #”, by Chi-Ali, which was the youngster off of Native Tongues. So at the early age of 9, he began to write his lyrics and freestyle. Now, some of you might sit back and think, “Damn Lou. Skyzoo.. Why does that name sound so familiar?”…. Well, Lou can tell you exactly where you’ve heard him. He made the theme song to ESPN’s Whiplash TV and was on a soundtrack for Guinness Beer….. No?. That isn’t it? Well was it the BET Freestyle where he lost to Jin?. AHHHH YES!. That’s what it was.

He went on to work with producers J Dilla, Premier and 9th Wonder, releasing several mixtapes in the hope of securing a record deal. He got in contact with them through his buddy, Chaundon (which I will be writing about soon enough). He released the critically-acclaimed Corner Store Classic mixtape in 2007, and released a remixed version, including some new material, as a digital download album in 2008. Corner Store Classic was rated ‘XL’ (4/5) by XXL Magazine. In 2007, he stated that he had a second album ready, called The Salvation, but was waiting for a major record deal before releasing it. It was released in September of 2009 courtesy Duck Down Records. This album has not left the CD player in my car since then. One of the sickest mixtapes I own is one Skyzoo and 9thWonder worked on, named Present Cloud 9: The 3 Day High, which reputedly took only three days to record.

Here’s a small piece of an interview I found on MVRemix speaking about Cloud 9

MVRemix: Your first release, ‘Cloud 9: The 3 Day High’ was released on Traffic Entertainment. Tell us about it.

Skyzoo: Well, originally, I was going to release it on my own, but word about the album leaked out and a bidding war started between indie labels. Traffic won the bid.

MVRemix: The whole album, ‘Cloud 9: The 3 Day High’ was completed in only 3 days with 9th Wonder producing every single song. Was the entire album made together in the studio?

Skyzoo: The album is me and 9th Wonder, collaborating for the entire project. We did 12 songs in 3 days. It all came about because I was bored with music. So, 9th and I started recording. Before we knew it, we were done. The majority of it was done on my own. The final stage of the album had 9th and I, together in the lab.

MVRemix: What song on the ‘Cloud 9: The 3 Day High’ album took the longest to complete? Why?

Skyzoo: All of them were done in like 30 minutes or so, a piece. None of them took long at all, actually. I’m a fast writer. When you have someone like 9th behind you, it makes it that much easier. Those beats send a rush through me. I write even quicker than before.

MVRemix: How did you hook up with 9th Wonder for this album? What was he like to work with, as opposed to other producers? How is his production style different?

Skyzoo: I met 9th and the whole Justus League through my man, Chaundon. He introduced me to them about a year and a half ago. It’s been love ever since. 9th Wonder is an extremely quick worker. That’s one thing that we have in common. We’re both quick. His beats are 100% soulful and he can make something to cater to anyone, but still have that signature 9th Wonder sound. He’s an incredible talent.

I definitely recommend this guys to anyone who enjoys any type of hip hop. Support this kid.

Amazon Link: The Salvation.