Because of a desire to make the best album he possibly can, reaching as many people as possible, Skillz says he basically wouldn’t release material until it garnered his dogged approval, hence the long wait. Million Dollar Backpack was checked with a fine tooth comb, he admits proudly, and was graced with a few likeminded feature guests whom Skillz was more than pleased to work with. “I just hooked up with people I was fans of and reached out to them,” he says of participants such as Common, Talib Kweli and the Roots. “It’s just a good album.”

This technique of tangible hip-hop, delving deeper into significant topics, personal reflections and old school freestyle, doesn’t conform to traditional formula of commercial viability. Skillz, and others who thrive just outside the dotted lines, simply make music that feels right and sounds good. “You can call it what you want to,” he offers while again noting, “but there’s only good and bad music.” So then, does Skillz think the tide may someday change in favor of that format from which many of his influences, such as Rakim and Big Daddy Kane pioneered? “I don’t know where the winds are gonna blow,” he says. “I just hope people continue to support good music.”

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