My City: Skewby Gives Memphis a New Sound (Exclusive Interview)

(Normally I write these My City intros, but Skewby's people did such a damn good job of describing Memphis I'm turning it over to them.)

In the '90s, anyone visiting the city of Memphis or living there, for that matter, would have seen young people engulfed in a culture of Southern hip-hop meets gangsta-rap. Teenagers all across the city looked alike, sounded alike, and listened to the same music. Thousands of young Memphians dressed in the latest Polo styles, wore the hottest sneakers, and jammed or “jooked” to many of the hottest lyrics by Three 6 Mafia, Skinny Pimp, or Eightball & MJG. As time progressed, the genre of Memphis music remained very unique to the city. Additionally, the songs known for their slow and banging beats were shared with the world with the 2007 drama, Hustle and Flow. During that time, the world had a chance to see the music we loved the dances we enjoyed and the culture most Memphians shared.

However, in recent years, many have noticed a paradigm shift of Memphis music. Now, those beats are speeding up, the lyrics are more global, and the audiences’ ear are changing to a new Memphis genre - one that mimics hip-hop of the 80’s and 90’s. This unique sound is currently being brought to the city by up-and-coming artist Skewby – with his newest project, "More or Less".

RefinedHype: Your music often strikes a serious and somber tone, which isn't what's stereotypically expected from a Memphis rapper. Do you feel like you're atypical for a rapper from your city, or does Memphis hip-hop have a side we don't often see?

Skewby: I'm definitely not a typical artist from the city. The scene in Memphis is still the one that Three 6, 8ball, and Gotti have created. I'm just creating what I feel, just like they did.

RefinedHype: Then where did your unique sound come from? What does it feel like to live in a city where your so outside the "scene". Are people in Memphis receptive to your music, or do you feel like they keep you at a distance?

Skewby: My sound came from appreciating music and creating it for a long time. I've been making songs since I was 12. I've been rapping since third grade. I've been a part of hip hop my entire life. My sound is a reflection the world around me and how I see it. I don't know why people feel like their would be one type of person that comes out of Memphis. It let's you know that imagery is real. If you thought that Memphis was a country city that didn't have anything but gangsta rap and good ribs, you're a victim of watching too much hustle & flow. Of course they would bring cameras to Memphis and film people robbing, stealing, and killing people. That's what people want to see. Truthfully, Memphis has a city full of some of the strongest kids you'll ever meet. We go through a lot out here, but the ones who make it out and choose to be more deserve the camera time. I'm blessed to be one of those people. There will be more, there will be greater, and I can't wait for the world to see. People in Memphis are very receptive to my music. The people who aren't have never been a concern to me.

RefinedHype: Memphis also has deep roots in blues and R&B. Has Memphis' larger musical atmosphere influenced your sound?

Skewby: Not really. How I was raised in Memphis influenced me, but not the music necessarily. I listen to more of it now that I'm older though.

RefinedHype: What was it about how you were raised that resulted in the artist and person you are today then? Was there music playing around you growing up? If so, what? What do your influences come from?

Skewby: That's a good question. I'd need a book to talk about all the experiences that made me who I am. For the most part it was my family, the solitude I had when my parents divorced, the friends I lost growing up, the schools I went to, the failures I witnessed, and the faith that I still hold on to. Music has been around me my whole life. My parents didn't do music but they were big music fans. They had all types of music around the house. I'm talking Michael Jackson, Prince, Snoop, Mariah, Outkast, Bobby Brown, 2pac and the list goes on and on.

RefinedHype: What is it about your city that inspires you?

Skewby: The people in it. Memphis is a real city with real people. The more I'm out of town the more I appreciate the authenticity of the people.

RefinedHype: How are people from Memphis more "authentic" than in other cities? Is that concept of authenticity reflected in your music? (i.e real music for real people).

Skewby: I don't want to take anything from anybody else's city. I just understand Memphis and it's struggles on a different level because I was raised here. When I see somebody representing a section of the city, I understand what that means to them. Of course it reflects in my music. My music is my life.

RefinedHype: If I'm rolling through Memphis, where can I find you?

Skewby: At the studio. Maybe picking up some food to go back to the studio. That's sounds pretty bad, haha. That's all my day consist of.

RefinedHype: Last words? Confessions? Shout outs?

Skewby: I want to say thank you to God for another day, and be sure to download "More Or Less". Thanks for the interview!