Skyzoo: The Power Of Words

Let’s hop right into this lead single, “St. James Liquors,” featuring Aaria — Tell me about this particular track; how did it come to fruition?

I got the beat from my man Kenny Keys, and as soon as I heard it I felt the aura of just telling a story on it, not knowing what the story would be about but a story nonetheless. Beats always talk to me and tell me what to do, and this was no different. Aaria is a really talented singer that I’ve worked with on a few songs in the past and I had this idea to flip the Ma$e “Do You Wanna Get $” hook, and I knew she’d be perfect. The song is about me as a kid admiring 2 individuals from 2 walks of life; the streets and the music scene. Ironically both of them are wearing crowns from where I’m seated.

Of course “St. James Liquors” comes courtesy of your brand new solo project, All The Brilliant Things — Conceptually, what does this title represent both to and for you?

The title is me acknowledging that the way the powers that be pulled off gentrification, cultural appropriation, taking what’s ours and try’na dictate how we go about what we create, it’s heinous as ever, but it was also a brilliant maneuver. These are “all the brilliant things.” The album is about those 2 topics, our neighborhoods and our culture.

How then does All The Brilliant Things either differ and / or compare to previous Skyzoo efforts?

It’s different because conceptually I’ve never gone this far into detail with gentrification. I’ve touched on it in the past, but not to this extreme extent. And it’s similar in the way that it’s storytelling, which is what I do on every project. I’ve always been a storyteller, and that’s not gonna change, nor will the lyricism.

Reflecting, tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for Gregory Skyler Taylor?

Aww, man, we using full governments now, lol. Well I started making (music) when I was 9 years old. I wasn’t in any studios or anything like that, but I picked up the pen at 9 and never looked back. I saw Chi-Ali’s “Age Ain’t Nothin’ But A Number” video, and knew instantly that I wanted to do what I had just saw on TV.

Now you’re a native of Brooklyn, New York, correct? So growing up in ‘The Big Apple,’ who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?

Well outside of Chi-Ali being the initial reason, I’d have to easily say BIG, Jay, Nas, the GZA, Black Star, guys who were always putting the pen first. Lyricism mattered to me since I was in the 4th grade.

That said, how do you classify your overall sound and / or style?

My sound has always been based on lyricism and storytelling, connecting to people, putting them in the moment with me. That brings a level of relatability that’s priceless. I pride myself on never letting those morals go musically.

Switching gears here,..

Photo Credit: Robert Adam Mayer

Longevity, what do you attribute yours to?

Mine has been kinda what I stated in the previous answer; the fact that I stick to my morals with my music, that’s why I’ve lasted so long. People know what they’re getting when they press play on my music. I’m not in the business of letting people down, ever.

What do you want people to get from your music?

I want people to connect to it in a way that 5, 10, 25 years from now they’re still celebrating it and finding themselves in it. We grew up on music that still matters to us decades later. That’s what I strive for, music that lasts and keeps you tuned in, no matter how long it’s been.

On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip Hop music?

I’m happy with the way that there is so much room for different sub-genres within Hip Hop to exist. We grew up where it used to only be whatever the radio gave you and nothing more. Now we live in an era where you can never touch the radio and have a phenomenal fan-base and career due to all of the other outlets that people can get music. The landscape is extremely open for people of all walks of Hip Hop life to make their way, and tap in with people who need them.

Do you have any other outside / additional aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?

I have always been a writer, so anything dealing with storytelling and me flexing my pen is always going to be near and dear to my heart. The idea of writing screenplays for television, films, even novels, is something that has been tugging at me a lot lately, in a great way of course. Hopefully it’s something that I get to expand on sooner than later. Outside of that, I am working on a few other businesses within my family and the town that I live in to expand on things outside of the creative aspect. Just other ways to invest financially.

To date, what has been your greatest career achievement(s), at least thus far anyway?

I’m blessed to say that there are a ton of achievements that I would consider to be my greatest, and, again, that’s a blessing indeed. But beyond the touring around the world multiple times and working with some of my heroes, I think my greatest career achievement has been being able to make my music on my own terms without compromising my musical morals and winning the way I want to win. That has to be my greatest career achievement, regardless of what all else I’ve accomplished so far.

One track of yours that you think defines you and why?

That’s an extremely tough question to answer as it always changes. “Langston’s Pen” from my 2010 album Live from the Tape Deck that used to be that song. Over the years it’s changed whenever a new album drops. I could say “Homegrown“ from the Retropolitan album is one, as well as “What Money Taught Us” and “Something To Believe In” off of the newest album. Those records all in body who I am and give you my story on every side of the room.

Finally, what’s next for Skyzoo?

At the moment, I’m just promoting All The Brilliant Things. It’s an album that took a year and a half to complete, off and on, so I’m not really working on anything else musically as far as a full project at the moment, but there’s always ghostwriting going on for other people as well as guest features and collaborations. I’m always brainstorming, so I know sooner or later I will have a new project to get started on because the creative bug always gets me. But for now, I’m just letting this one ride out and enjoying the response that the people have unanimously been giving up. It’s been a joyous ride indeed.

Is there anything I left out, or just plain forgot to mention?

Nah, I think you covered it all.

Any “closing” thought(s) for our readers?

I always like to close out by letting people know that I appreciate them. The fans, who I prefer to call “fam,” are the most important aspect to all of this. So thank you to everyone reading and everyone who has been locked in since 2006 or maybe even earlier. It’s been a helluva ride, but we’ve still got more lanes to cover. Peace and love always.