The Red, Gold & Green inspired Gangsta
Coming off his well-received debut EP release Gangsta Luv, Skillz8Figure is back with even more heat with his latest single titled Yakpa produced by Uche B. Yakpa meaning plenty in Yoruba is the latest proof that this young West African musician is not letting up any time soon. Delivering the same unique Afrofusion blend of self-dubbed ‘coastal music’, Skillz is steadily bringing his own unique style to the ever-popular Afrobeats genre.
First showing up on the radar from an appearance on Champagne from GroundUP We Outside (Y3 W) Abonten tape, Skillz held his own against stellar names like Prettyboy DO and Quamina MP. Since then Skillz continues to make waves both in and outside of the Ghanaian music scene on features like the Boye the Genius produced track On Di Low to Go Crazy a trap song engineered by Moorsound that showcases the musician’s tougher rapper side.
Yakpa, according to the fast-rising artiste, is inspired by feelings of biting off more than you can chew but still wanting more. A romantic yet jam-filled ballad, Skillz serenades his lover admitting to her that she’s more than enough to keep bosting his mind leaving him helpless to her “Yakpa”. On the song’s modern hi-life tinged production Skillz promises ‘i no go do this again oh’ showcasing the artiste’s flair for simplistic yet emotive storytelling admitting his struggle to keep up with his love. Not surprising coming from this lover-man who on songs like ‘Gangsta’ demonstrating an ability to create hypnotic and smooth vibes through his sound.
With an ear for catchy harmonies and relatable lyrics, Skillz has a knack for expressing himself and his mood making his music fun and engaging. Seeing himself as simply a vessel for good music, Skillz is fast becoming one of the more notable acts amidst the current revamp of Afrobeats. Even utilizing his multicultural upbringing from having across Ghana, Sierra Leone and Nigeria, Skillz is applying a pan African edge to his sound insisting that his style, as well as his brand, is a blend of different types of music found in West Africa.
Catching up with the young musician on self and journey, Skillz shared four things to know about him and his music.
M- What kind of music do you think you make?
S8F- I call it Coastal music-it is a blend of different sounds, not exactly centred but a pinch of different ingredients from all my inspirations-it’s storytelling, it’s poetry, its afrobeats-the energy and wavelength, even the feeling of the song
M- What type of person are you when you’re in love?
S8F- I would describe myself as an Alpha male. I guess I am myself -I’m still caring but I remain in control of my emotions.
M- Why should people listen to your music?
S8F- I’m just the messenger-laughs..it’s not about me, it is about the music, the people. Stick with me, regardless of how people feel about me or what they think they know, all I can be is consistent and keep sharing and creating good music that represents the sound and the current culture.
M- How was 2020 for you and what advice do you have for young creatives trying to get their bag up?
S8F- Honestly, Corona was probably the best thing that ever happened to me, it got me focused on myself, locked in discovering and working on my craft. It sucked and we are hurting but we are surviving.
Finally, the world big pass what you see- stop giving a f*ck about what anyone thinks- if it is meant to happen then it will. Do what you gotta do, always produce the best for yourselves and try to find your own lane.
Fallen in luv with this gangsta? Listen to Yakpa by Skillz 8Figure here