INTERVIEW: Mad Skillz Talks 'The Seven Number Ones' Album, Rap Ups, Uncle Murda, Ghostwriting, Grammy's + More

Summary

The Breakfast Club Podcast Episode Summary

Episode Title: INTERVIEW: Mad Skillz Talks 'The Seven Number Ones' Album, Rap Ups, Uncle Murda, Ghostwriting, Grammy's + More
Release Date: December 19, 2024
Host/Authors: DJ Envy and Charlamagne Tha God
Guest: Mad Skills

In this engaging episode of The Breakfast Club, hosts DJ Envy and Charlamagne Tha God sit down with esteemed artist and songwriter Mad Skills. The conversation delves deep into Mad Skills' latest project, his experiences in the music industry, personal revelations, and the vibrant Virginia music scene.

---

1. Introduction to Mad Skills and the Album

The episode kicks off with DJ Envy introducing Mad Skills as a special guest. Mad Skills shares insights about his Grammy-nominated album, "The Seven Number Ones."

Mad Skills [02:28]:
"The Breakfast Club."

DJ Envy [02:30]:
"Morning, everybody. It's DJ Envy."

Mad Skills [02:48]:
"I've never been this personal and vulnerable on a project, and I almost wasn't even going to put it out."

---

2. Grammy Nomination and Album Insights

Mad Skills discusses his nomination for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album, highlighting the distinction between poetry and rap from his perspective.

Charlamagne Tha God [04:36]:
"What is the difference between poetry and rap, at least from the Grammy's perspective?"

Mad Skills [04:46]:
"Once you take the music out, you know, it's poetry. I feel like all emcees are poets."

He praises J Ivy for advocating for a dedicated spoken word category, making his nomination a significant milestone.

Mad Skills [05:09]:
"It's wild. It's crazy."

---

3. The Creative Process Behind "The Seven Number Ones"

The album centers around seven pivotal moments in Mad Skills' life, each representing a "number one" that changed his trajectory.

Mad Skills [07:14]:
"The album is called 'The Seven Number Ones.' It's about seven things that happened in my life that literally changed the direction of my life."

Tracks include personal stories such as his parents' meeting, his mother's influence through music, his first love, and the birth of his daughter.

Mad Skills [07:52]:
"My grandma is actually featured on the first song. I sat down with her and recorded her stories to include in the album."

---

4. Personal Reflections and Family History

Mad Skills opens up about his parents' struggles and how uncovering the truth about their deaths influenced his work.

Mad Skills [08:27]:
"Both my parents died from a drug overdose. Learning the real story was therapeutic for me."

He also shares heartfelt moments with his daughter, emphasizing the importance of being open about his life with his children.

Mad Skills [10:39]:
"I try to make sure that my kids know things about my life. I was a mistake. I made mistakes. Being a young father was challenging, but it helps me now."

---

5. Ghostwriting in the Music Industry

The conversation shifts to Mad Skills' experiences as a ghostwriter, navigating the industry's complexities while maintaining creative integrity.

Charlamagne Tha God [14:13]:
"Is it still an unwritten rule that ghostwriters aren't supposed to talk about who they wrote for?"

Mad Skills [14:24]:
"I make more money when they ain't talking about ghosts. People know I'm writing, but I don't reveal everything."

He recounts writing Jay Z's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction speech, highlighting collaborations with influential artists.

Mad Skills [20:50]:
"Questlove called me to write Jay Z's induction. It was surreal to receive praise directly from HOV."

---

6. The Vibrant Virginia Music Scene

Mad Skills and the hosts explore the resurgence and unity within Virginia's music scene, noting collaborations and major festivals bolstering the state's cultural footprint.

DJ Envy [27:39]:
"Break down what's happening in Virginia. It's something I've never seen before, which I love."

Mad Skills [28:00]:
"Virginia is becoming unified with festivals and collaborations. Winning this Grammy with my friends from Virginia means a lot."

---

7. Transition to DJing and Live Performances

Mad Skills shares his passion for DJing, tracing his journey from practicing at home to touring with legends like Jazzy Jeff.

Mad Skills [26:34]:
"DJing is where I found the passion I lost in rapping. You can't practice reading the room. It's instant feedback."

He emphasizes the support from industry veterans, contributing to his growth and longevity as a DJ.

---

8. Documentary: "90s Girl Brunch"

Mad Skills discusses his documentary project, which chronicles a sorority formed during the quarantine, fostering lasting friendships and a supportive community.

Mad Skills [23:36]:
"I made a film about women connecting through music during COVID. They still stick together as the Brunch Club today."

---

9. Future Endeavors: TV Shows and Movies

Looking ahead, Mad Skills reveals his intentions to expand into television and film, leveraging his storytelling skills honed from music.

Mad Skills [26:03]:
"I have some ideas pitched for TV shows and movies. Transitioning from write-ups to shows is the next level for me."

---

10. Closing Remarks and Upcoming Events

As the episode wraps up, Mad Skills encourages listeners to stream his album and participate in Grammy voting. He also promotes upcoming events like the RB Block Party in Virginia.

Mad Skills [30:47]:
"If you like the project, and you're a Grammy voter, feel free to vote for me."

DJ Envy [31:11]:
"New Year's Eve, you're gonna be at the RB block party. Get your tickets if you're in Virginia!"

Mad Skills extends holiday wishes, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to share his journey.

Mad Skills [31:40]:
"Thank y'all for having me. Happy holidays and a good new year to all of y'all."

---

Notable Quotes:

• Mad Skills [04:46]:
  "Once you take the music out, you know, it's poetry. I feel like all emcees are poets."

• Mad Skills [07:52]:
  "My grandma is actually featured on the first song. I sat down with her and recorded her stories to include in the album."

• Mad Skills [14:24]:
  "I make more money when they ain't talking about ghosts. People know I'm writing, but I don't reveal everything."

• Mad Skills [20:50]:
  "Questlove called me to write Jay Z's induction. It was surreal to receive praise directly from HOV."

• Mad Skills [26:34]:
  "DJing is where I found the passion I lost in rapping. You can't practice reading the room. It's instant feedback."

---

Conclusion

This episode of The Breakfast Club offers a profound look into Mad Skills' artistic journey, personal growth, and contributions to the music industry. From his Grammy-nominated album to his role in shaping Virginia's vibrant music scene, Mad Skills exemplifies creativity and resilience. Listeners gain valuable insights into the intricacies of ghostwriting, the importance of personal storytelling in art, and the power of community in fostering artistic excellence. As the holiday season approaches, Mad Skills' heartfelt reflections and future projects promise continued contributions to the cultural landscape.

Transcript

[Coca Cola Advertiser]

The holidays are about spending time with your loved ones and creating magical memories that will last a lifetime. So whether it's family and friends you haven't seen in a while, or those who you see all the time, share holiday magic this season with an ice cold Coca Cola Copyright 2024 the Coca Cola Company.

[Meta Advertiser]

You wake up, put on your Ray Ban Meta glasses. You're living all in. You realize you need coffee so you.

[Mad Skills]

Say hey Meta, how do I make a latte?

[Meta Advertiser]

Brew two shots of espresso After Meta AI gets you caffeinated, you're ready for some beats.

[Mad Skills]

Hey Meta. Play hip hop music.

[Meta Advertiser]

You head to meet some friends but can't remember the place.

[Mad Skills]

Hey Meta.

[Meta Advertiser]

Call Eva Ray Ban Meta Glasses the next generation of AI glasses. Just say hey Meta to harness the power of Meta AI shop [e-mail] smart glasses.

[Amazon Advertiser]

The holidays are here. It's that time of year to think about, yes, gifts, but not only gifts. It's the guests, the party planning and the true meaning of the season. Spending time with family and friends. We know it's a lot, but we're here to ease your mind and share some tips. So we'll make it through together. With the season getting underway, now is the time to shop for amazing holiday deals at Amazon. Amazon has a wide selection for all your holiday needs. Amazon Last minute deals are here. Shop Last minute deals now on Amazon and visit Amazon.com blackaffectpodcast for my favorite picks.

[Mad Skills]

You could sit there and listen to ads or you could take a moment to have a diet Coke break. First, grab a chilled diet Coke because if you want it to be perfect, it needs to be crispy. Next, get a big cup of ice cause everyone knows Diet Coke is best served swimming in ice. Then sip it slowly, feel that burn and enjoy your break for as long as possible. When you need a break, don't forget to grab an ice cold diet Coke and take a diet Coke break.

[DJ Envy]

What's it like to get the new iPhone 16 Pro with AT and T Next up Anytime. It's like when you first light up the grill and think of all the mouth watering possibilities. Learn how to get the new iPhone 16 Pro with Apple Intelligence on AT and T and the latest iPhone everywhere with AT and T's Next up anytime AT and T connecting changes everything. Apple intelligence coming fall 2024 with Siri and device language to set US English. Some features and languages will be coming over the next year. $0 offer may be not available on future iPhones. Next up Anytime feature may be discontinued at any Time. Subject to change additional fees, terms and restrictions apply. See att.com iPhone for details.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Wake that ass up early in the morning.

[Mad Skills]

The Breakfast Club.

[DJ Envy]

Morning, everybody. It's DJ Envy.

[Mad Skills]

Jess.

[DJ Envy]

Hilarious. Charlemagne the guy. We are the Breakfast Club. We got a special guest in the building.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yes, indeed.

[DJ Envy]

We got the brother Skills.

[Mad Skills]

Yeah. What up, man?

[DJ Envy]

How you feeling?

[Charlamagne tha God]

How you doing, my brother?

[Mad Skills]

You know, same is different air freshener, you know what I mean? Just trying to keep it pushing.

[DJ Envy]

Have you retired the Wrap Up? So do you have to do, like, because you got to break. I mean, the year is a little easier, but it just. Diddy. But do you do the Wrap up still?

[Mad Skills]

I haven't done the Wrap up since, like, 20. I think the last one was 20. 22.

[DJ Envy]

So two years.

[Mad Skills]

So, yeah, like, two. I stopped after, like, two years. I think I did the last one over, like, hoes. Like, encore. I promoted it as, like, the last one. And then after that, I just. I had a chill December. Like, that song used to take up so much of my life. At the end of the year, bro, I ain't. I ain't get to do Christmas shopping.

[Angela Yee]

Wow.

[Mad Skills]

Go. You know what I mean? Put up retreat. Nothing.

[Angela Yee]

You gotta go from January all the way. Like, all the eventful things that happen. Oh, you. You gonna have to do this year. This shit is crazy.

[Mad Skills]

People say that every year, though. They like, you gotta do one this year. And I'm like, actually, I don't. You know what I mean?

[Charlamagne tha God]

Did you and Uncle Murder have real issues over that?

[Mad Skills]

Nah, nah, nah. It was just, like. It was just fun, you know what I mean? Like, I never ran into Murder or nothing. And even if I did, we probably would've just looked at each other and started laughing, you know what I mean? Like, I know he a character, and that's what he do.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Imagine beefing over a rap up. Y'all should collaborate and do one, though.

[Mad Skills]

That's. You know who said that first? Clark Kent. Really? Clark Kent was the first person that said that. And actually this year, after, you know, Clark passed, I. I did think about it, you know what I mean? Like, that he asked me to do that. You know what I mean? In 2018, I was super stubborn. Still battle rap mode. I was like, nah, I never do that. But then after Clark passed, I actually thought about it.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Y'all still got time. Y'all got time.

[Mad Skills]

Listen, I just. I just ain't gonna rap as long as him. I'm. I'm three minutes in and out. Attention too short. Murder gonna go 15 minutes like, I'm. I ain't rapping that long for nobody.

[Angela Yee]

Y'all got 14 days left. That's what's up.

[Mad Skills]

He got 14 days left. He on the clock.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Congratulations, too, for being nominated for a Grammy Award for best spoken word poetry album.

[Mad Skills]

Thank you.

[Charlamagne tha God]

What is that? What's. What's it? And it's a stupid question, but to you as a rapper, rappers are poets, right? What is the difference between poetry and rap, at least from the Grammy's perspective.

[Mad Skills]

Once you take the music out.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Okay.

[Mad Skills]

You know, I mean, it's. It's poetry. You know, I mean, I feel like all emcees are poets, so, you know, the Grammy had it in a category before where it was a lot of other things happening in the same category. So maybe, like, a poetry album or spoken word album would be in the same category as, like, somebody reading a children's book.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah.

[Mad Skills]

And shout out to the brother, J Ivy. J Ivy, who won last year? Yeah, he. He kind of advocated for it and let them know, like, yo, this is different. Like, we shouldn't. Competing against Barack Obama reading his book. Like, we ain't gonna. That's not spoken word. So he pushed for it to be his own category. Now it stands on its own. And I got nominated this year, so it's wild. It's crazy.

[DJ Envy]

Who you going up against?

[Mad Skills]

It's me. I want to say Malik Yousef. Omari. Omari got one. I can't remember who else is in.

[DJ Envy]

Omari Harwood.

[Mad Skills]

Yeah. Omari Harwood got one. Oh, Queen Sheba. And. And an amazing artist named Tank from Tank and the Bangers.

[Charlamagne tha God]

How many times have you been nominated for a Grammy?

[Mad Skills]

I got nominated once as a writer when we did the Nicki album the Pink print in 2015, but I think we lost to Kendrick that year. But this is the first time I ever been nominated as Mad Skills.

[DJ Envy]

Now, you gotta say exactly. Cause people gonna take that and be like, you wrote for me.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Ain't nobody ever wrote for me.

[Mad Skills]

So you wrote a hook.

[Charlamagne tha God]

There you go.

[Mad Skills]

I wrote the Night is Still Young, and I did that with, like, Teron, Esther Dean. Like, it was like three of us. Nikki. Nikki write all her bars. Her boss.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Salute to Nikki. Did y'all win? Y'all didn't win that?

[Mad Skills]

No, we lost. I think we lost the K dot that year.

[DJ Envy]

K do.

[Charlamagne tha God]

So what would winning the Grammy mean for. For you?

[Mad Skills]

Oh, man, listen, it would. It would change my life and just, you know, for the creatives in Virginia, man, who are, you know, doing their thing and just Pushing the culture forward. Like, we always talk about Philly and and Va as being like the redheaded stepchild in the music industry, you know what I mean? But we collaborated a lot, so it would mean a lot, man. And this is probably my most personal project today. I ain't never been this person in my music, and I almost wasn't even going to put it out. Wow. And my wife was like, no, you should. You should really put this out. And I was like, bae, it's too personal. Like, I don't, you know, we. I'm like, man, I don't need everybody knowing my business. Like, so to be rapping for 30 years and then the first time I. I really get personal and vulnerable on a project, it get nominated for a Grammy. Crazy.

[Charlamagne tha God]

What made you want to do a poetry album versus a traditional hip hop album? Especially saying that you was getting so personal.

[Mad Skills]

Right? I started it. And when I started it, the first two songs was like raps. But they were so I was. I was moving, like. And I was like, I gotta slow this down. I want people to be able to digest it. So I tried it another way. And then once I started sending the song around to, like, friends, they was like, yo, nah, keep going. And the song, the album is called the Seven Number Ones. And it's about seven things that happened in my life that literally changed the direction of my life. So the first song was like my parents meeting. The second song was when my mom used to play music around the house. My first love, you know, I mean, my first daughter being born. So it's all first. And. And that's how the album came about.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Irma and Bernard is about your.

[Mad Skills]

My parents. Yes.

[Charlamagne tha God]

You got your grandma featured on yes.

[Mad Skills]

Which is crazy. So if I win a Grammy, like, my grandma would get, you know what I mean? A participation plaque. Like, so to be at 97 years old. You know what I mean? So, yeah, I used to sit down with her and I never knew how my parents met. So I would just had a phone and just throw it down and record her just so I could go back and listen to it later. And I put it on the album and it's like the hooks. So my grandma is actually featured on the first song.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Isn't that the crazy thing, how much we don't know about our parents?

[Mad Skills]

Yes.

[Charlamagne tha God]

They had a whole life before us, but we don't even ever sit down and talk to them about it.

[Mad Skills]

Yes, man. It was therapeutic for me to learn because my mother died of a drug overdose, like a heroin overdose, like When I was like, 33 maybe. So it wasn't until, like, American Gangster came out and I watched it and I remember seeing them going back and forth, bringing the work from Vietnam. And my. My stepfather. I mean, my father went to Vietnam. So I made the connection, like, damn. My father was the person who turned my mom on today. And they died 30 years later, like, to the day. So it was just weird. But to not have that, but then to realize it later. So, yeah, man, it's a real thing. That album is crazy. It's definitely very introspective and vulnerable.

[Angela Yee]

And then it's also very personal, the track about your parents, because how they pass. It's true that they both died from drug overdose.

[Mad Skills]

Yeah, yeah, both died from a drug overdose. And when I was little, they was like, oh, you know, your father died from a heart attack. But then later on, as I got older, like, they was real with me and they told me what happened. So. Yeah.

[Angela Yee]

And was this the most, like, emotional track to.

[Mad Skills]

Yeah, that one. And the one about my daughter. Like, I literally sat. I played my daughter's songs all the time. Like, I posted a video the other day, like, of her getting in the car and I wanted to play her the song. So as soon as I get in the car, I play the song, I'm going to play the song. She's like, yo, I watched someone play you something. She said, did you do a wrap up? And I was like, nah, nah, she wants a rap. It's kind of a wrap up, but it's about you. You know what I mean? So I played it and I always got cameras around, so I had the GoPro and the dash or whatever, and I'm taping her reaction and then I showed it to a couple of friends and he was like. My man was like, oh, you should do a video for this. And I was like, bro, this is the video. Like, me and her sitting in the car listening to how I. Because I was scared when I first. I was 19. Yeah, I was 19. I was 19 years old. I was scared. I didn't know what to do. And I mean, so to see her now as an adult and. And to be able to flourish in life, that's all you want for your kids?

[Angela Yee]

How old is she?

[Mad Skills]

She's 31 now. 31, yeah. So we sat in that car, man, and I'm. I'm a cry. I'm a cry about my kids. So as soon as the glasses came, everybody was like, oh, I know you about to cry. And I'm like, man, Listen, if it's something I'm going to cry about, it's going to be my kids. You know what I mean?

[DJ Envy]

Do you have those conversations with your daughter that you never had with your parents about.

[Mad Skills]

Yes.

[DJ Envy]

You do have those conversations?

[Mad Skills]

Yes. And. And I try to make sure that my kids know things about my life. And early on in my life, I wasn't perfect. I was a mistake. I made mistakes. I was a young father. But to be able to move forward and learn from those mistakes, those are things that help me in my life now.

[DJ Envy]

Those mean a lot. Cause I do that with my kids. So I try to talk about everything that happened, especially my parents are still alive. But, like, if you talk about, I don't even know how my parents met, right?

[Mad Skills]

You gotta find out what to think about.

[DJ Envy]

Like, I just didn't think about it. But my kids know that, you know, whatever it is.

[Mad Skills]

How you and your wife know. Yeah, that's right.

[Angela Yee]

Do you take it more personal when people critique tracks like this that are so personal to you as.

[Mad Skills]

Nah, not really. I mean, once you put art into the world, it's gonna get critiqued. You know me, period. I always felt like whatever it is, once you put a song out, people have the option to either say, yo, that's fire. That's trash. You know, I mean, but for me, this project has been able to connect with people in a way that a lot of my rap albums never did, because people are like, yo, I listened to your project and I thought about my number one. Like, you know what I mean? Like. Like, you thinking about the first time you started DJing? Are you thinking about, I want to be on radio. I want to be a comedian. You know what I mean? Like, those moments stick with us. Like, I could ask you. Like, I could ask all y'all, yo, what was during, like, November 9, 1994? You probably like, I don't remember. And I'd be like, yo, where was you the first time you heard Illmatic? And you be like, yo, I was in my man car. It was high school. You know what I mean? The music attaches to the memory.

[Angela Yee]

I mean, I was two years old, so I don't know what I was doing. I was probably.

[Mad Skills]

Yeah, you probably somebody with a bottle.

[Angela Yee]

You know what I'm saying?

[Charlamagne tha God]

I definitely remember the first time I was. When I heard Illmatic. That was a good question from Jeff, though, because it's like, somebody. It's different. Somebody be like, yo, that urban Bernard whack, yo.

[Mad Skills]

Right? Yeah. Nah, yeah, you talking about, I Get it? And that's the reason why you can't dive too deep into the comments. And I definitely saw somebody. Yeah, it was kind of corny. And I'm like, all right, cool. It ain't for you. You know what I mean? But for me, it was super therapeutic.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Oh, God.

[DJ Envy]

I was gonna say, do you still ghost, right?

[Mad Skills]

Not as much as I used to, just. Cause the music now is a little different. I mean, I can get in that bag easy. But the calls don't come as much from the younger artists. Cause they want to keep all of their publishing and all of they. You know, I still get calls from some of the OGs, but, you know, I just. I mean, put the pen to the paper.

[Charlamagne tha God]

You ever have ideas for artists? Like, you see certain artists that you love and you like, yo, of course.

[Mad Skills]

And I'm like, I have songs. And I'll be like, yo. Like, I have. I have songs, like complete verses and hooks. And I'll be like, yo, this would be perfect on this person. This would be perfect on this person. But sometimes we don't have the same vision. So I hold on to songs a lot and just sit on them. And, you know, we just. We just do what we do. But I never want to die with the art in me or stuck on a hard drive. You know what I mean? I want to put it out.

[DJ Envy]

I was going to ask, you know, with all the writing that you've done, how lucrative is publishing? Did you get all the publishing that was deserved or a lot of times they just gave you a check and said you're not getting none of that publishing.

[Mad Skills]

In the beginning, did you eat off of it still? I mean, yeah, yeah. In the beginning, most of it was like, you know, quick little bags here. You know what I mean? Brown paper bag money. Then I learned about publishing later and how lucrative that could be. But I never did a publishing deal. So for me, I always was able to wait for my money. Like nobody was able to dangle, you know, I mean, a couple hundred thousand in front of me. And I'm like, I gotta get that now. Because I'm like, I can wait six months for mine, you know, I mean, because when it. When it come, I know it's gonna be more than that. And there's so many stipulations on publishing now. And this, that, the third. So I'm like, man, I don't really want to, you know, I mean, I never really wanted to wait. Wait, like, take a loan from them and then just have to deal with the paying them back. So I'm like, I'll wait for my bread.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Is it still an unwritten rule that ghost riders aren't supposed to talk about who they wrote for? Because it's not taboo no more for people to have. I mean.

[Mad Skills]

Yeah, it's not really. You know, I don't. But, you know, I mean, I never really revealed. Well, I won't say I never really revealed, but I. I make more money when they ain't nobody talking about ghosts.

[DJ Envy]

Right.

[Mad Skills]

You know what I mean? So. And. And the people work with me. They know most of the time I just ain't gonna throw them out there under the bus for no reason. But sometimes people just know about it. They'd be like, oh, I know you wrote that. Earlier this year, I did a show in Virginia and I actually performed a song that I wrote. And then it was in like, a McDonald's campaign, like, maybe like a month later, and people was like, oh, you wrote that? And I was like, I been wrote that. You know what I mean?

[Angela Yee]

I feel like a lot of rappers these days, a lot of younger rappers, they feel like they lose credibility if somebody. If it gets out there that somebody is ghost writing for them. Yeah, that's.

[Mad Skills]

I mean, sometimes you just in the studio and it's just help. You're like, yo, what if you say it like this? You know what I mean? Like, even, like, for instance, my homeboy kp. KP the Great, he ended up on Kendrick's all right, but only because Pharrell was like, you know, we gonna be all right. And he was like, yo, I think you should say it like, we gonna be all right. And he was like, really? He was like, yeah, it just sounds slicker that way. He got writing credit, got a Grammy. Like, he just told him how to.

[Angela Yee]

Something as small as.

[Mad Skills]

Something as small as Pharrell saying it one way. And Pharrell being, you know, in sound mind and body going, yo, KP told me to do that. He's owed some credit off that.

[DJ Envy]

Oh, that's why. Because most people wouldn't have did that. They would have said, nah. I said, oh, I would have gave him a little check.

[Mad Skills]

You know what I mean? But. And that's the thing about it. To be able to be in a room and collaborate with your friends, you know what I mean? And make something dope with your family and your friends. You don't care about the credit because like Quincy Jones always said, when y'all start talking about money, God lead.

[Coca Cola Advertiser]

The holidays are about spending time with your loved ones. And creating magical memories that will last a lifetime. So whether it's family and friends you haven't seen in a while, or those who you see all the time, share holiday magic this season with an ice cold Coca Cola. Copyright 2024 the Coca Cola Company.

[Mad Skills]

The.

[DJ Envy]

World is constantly changing. It's up to you to decide how to respond. Choose to be bold to try something new. Choose to reinvent yourself. That's what Nissan did with the all new totally reimagined Kicks. The dynamic new exterior styling immediately announces that Nissan isn't messing around. The interior, a completely redesigned cabin with premium features like wireless Apple CarPlay and a panoramic moonroof make driving a Kicks immersive and exciting. And with new performance and safety features like intelligent All Wheel drive, the Kicks is both fun and safer to drive than ever before. It is the dawning of a brand new era for the Nissan Kicks. Only one question remains. Is it a new era for you as well? Drive the all new reimagined Nissan Kicks.

[Coca Cola Advertiser]

Today Available Features Compatible device Service and consumer activation of Nissan Connect Services package Required Use only when safe and legal. Subject to third party service availability information. See nissanusa.com connect legal Apple CarPlay is a trademark of Apple Inc. Intelligent all wheel drive cannot prevent collisions or provide enhanced traction in all conditions. Always monitor traffic and weather conditions.

[Meta Advertiser]

You wake up, put on your Ray Ban Meta glasses Classic style innovative tech. You're living all in. You realize you need coffee desperately. So you say hey Meta, how do.

[Mad Skills]

I make a latte?

[Coca Cola Advertiser]

To make a latte, brew two shots of espresso.

[Meta Advertiser]

After Meta AI gets you caffeinated, you start walking to work and you need a soundtrack.

[Mad Skills]

Hey Meta. Play hip hop music with the built.

[Meta Advertiser]

In camera, you snap a pic of a dope mural on the side of a building that you think is worth sharing.

[Mad Skills]

Hey Meta. Text my last photo to Eva.

[Meta Advertiser]

Sending message after work you head to meet some friends.

[Coca Cola Advertiser]

Hey nice glasses.

[Meta Advertiser]

Ray Ban Meta Glasses. The next generation of AI glasses. Just say hey Meta to harness the power of Meta AI. Listen to music, make hands free calls with open air audio and built in microphones and so much more. All while staying present to the world around you. Shop Ray Ban meta [e-mail] smartglasses the.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Holidays are here and it's that time of year to think about yes, gifts. But not only gifts. It's the guests, the party planning and the true meaning of the season. Spending time with family and friends. We know it's a lot but we're here to ease your mind and share some tips so we'll make it through together. With the season getting underway, now is the time to shop for amazing holiday deals at Amazon. Amazon has a wide selection for all your holiday needs. The reason I love this so much is because it is the holidays and there's things that I've had family members and friends ask me for throughout the year that I simply would not give them the money to get. But I will get them the actual items. So whether it's laptops, hair steamers, dining sets, makeup, better wigs for Lauren LaRosa, whatever it is they need, Amazon got it. Amazon Last minute deals are here. Shop last minute deals now on Amazon and visit Amazon.comblackffectpodcast for my favorite picks.

[DJ Envy]

What does it feel like to get the new iPhone 16 Pro with AT&T? Next up Anytime? It's like when you first pick up those tongs and you're now the one running the grill. It's indescribable, like something you've never felt before. All the mouth watering anticipation of new possibilities, whether it's making a perfect cheeseburger or treating your family to a grilled baked potato, which you know will forever change the way you look at potatoes. With AT&T next up Anytime you can feel this way again and again. Learn how to get the new iPhone 16 Pro with Apple Intelligence on AT&T and the latest iPhone Everywhere with AT&T's next up anytime. AT&T connecting changes everything. Apple Intelligence coming fall 2024 with Siri and device language to set us English. Some features and languages will be coming over the next year. $0 offer may be not available on future iPhones. Next up Anytime feature may be discontinued at any time, subject to change additional fees. Terms and Restrictions apply. See att.com iPhone for details.

[Mad Skills]

Room Anyway, I agree, you know what I mean? So you we ain't here arguing about something that we ain't even made no money over yet. Like, what's the point? It stops the creative process.

[Charlamagne tha God]

When you hear people that you, when you wrote for somebody, then you hear people say that person is the goat. Do you ever be like, I listen, actually, the goat.

[Mad Skills]

I put, I put it to you. I put it to you like this. Sometimes I always say like, you know, if I fix people's roofs on their houses and people was like, oh, I like his roof. I like his roof. His roof is dope. And I'm like, they ain't even seen my roof. And I'm cool with that. But hopefully if I did my business right from making all these roofs. I got a nice roof, too. You know what I mean? Just look at it that way.

[Charlamagne tha God]

How did you get the opportunity to write Jay Z's Rock and Roll hall of Fame induction?

[Mad Skills]

That came from Questlove. He called me and he asked me. It was weird how he said it. I was in a barbershop. I picked up the phone. He was like, yo, when was the last. When did you stop listening to hov? I was like, what? He was like, when did you stop listening to Jay Z? I was like, what you mean? He was like, I heard you say before, like, back in the day, like, you would be able to hear Jay Z verse or. Or a line, and you could just quote it. Like, when did you stop? And I was like. I said, maybe the last thing I might have checked out was like, four, four, four. You know what I'm saying? He was like, all right, cool. I need you to do your thing, but the way you do it, like, wrap up style, but with, like, all of the quintessential Jay Z lines, you know what I mean? Like, I will not lose, and, you know, I mean all of this stuff. So I was like, all right, cool. And he was like, and I need it in nine days.

[DJ Envy]

Wow.

[Mad Skills]

And I was like, wait, what? He was like, I need it in nine days. He was like, I'm about to pitch it to Beyonce. Because at first, Beyonce was supposed to do the whole thing. I think it was Beyonce's idea to have different celebrities say different lines. So once I started writing it, we started going through the entendres of who would say each line. So that made it even doper for somebody to say a line that was, you know, textbook with them. So having, like, Will Smith say, you know, no more Big Willy my name. You know what I mean? Like, those type of lines. And then even having date David Letterman say the CBS line, I keep one eye open, like, cbs. That was the hardest part of the whole thing. And. And David Letterman was like, yo, y'all, this the line y'all want me to say. Like, I just. It don't feel cool. And we like, yo, if you say this line, it's gonna be the dopest line in the whole thing. And it was. And then to have Blue at the end say the Ghost Rider line. Like, it was just dope, man. And he hit me afterwards. He didn't have my number. He just hit me afterwards and thanked me. And. And I was just like, wow. Like, you wake up to a text from HOV saying that was dope. Like, thank you. Like, that was crazy. He didn't have your number because he asked Quest Love for it.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Oh, got you.

[Mad Skills]

You know, I mean, like, billionaire Hov. I ain't had that number. You know what I mean? I had 2,090 hoes, you know what I mean? But shout out to Jay Z, man.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Becoming Mad Skills. At what point when did you drop the mad from your name?

[Mad Skills]

No, it's still Mad Skills. Still Mad Skills. Around the time when I was on Raucous, I was going by Skills for a little bit, but then one of my partners told me. He was like, man, why you changing name? I was like, I ain't wanted to start sounding old school. He was like, fool, Nike don't change Nike.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah.

[Mad Skills]

He was like, they make. You know, they might make Air Max's Air Force ones, but Nike always Nike. And I was like, damn, you right. So I just went back to Mad Skills after that. That would make it like 98, 99. No.

[Angela Yee]

I was about to ask you about the. The documentary you dropped on YouTube.

[Mad Skills]

Oh, yeah. 90s girl brunch. I did a. During quarantine, I did a. A. A. Like a. A stream, kind of like D Nice was doing. But I accidentally created a sorority of women that still stick together to this day through a stream. You know, I mean, and I made a film about it and put it out. And these are women from all over the world, all over the United States, and they still link up to this day, and they call the Brunch Club. And they just. It's just dope, man. To be able to connect people through music. And, you know, what we was going through in Covid was hard. But, you know, people like D. Nice and Jazzy Jeff and myself, we was online DJing, and those people still stuck with us. You know, he'd still do club quarantine concerts and whatnot. So it's people that was attached to that and are still attached to it to this day. So I made a documentary about it.

[Angela Yee]

So it's artists?

[Mad Skills]

No, no, no. It's. It's. I was just playing songs, but the women that were on there, they. They accidentally started becoming friends. So now they go on trips together. They go to, you know, I mean, they go to New Orleans, the Essence Fest together, it like 80 of them. You know what I mean? It's crazy. So it's a dope movie. I threw it on YouTube, and if you ever want to see the story, you can check it out on there. It's called Mad skills and the 90s girl brunch.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Why you haven't haven't written any like TV shows or movies and stuff like that?

[Mad Skills]

So listen, after the wrap up, you know what I mean? I'm chilling and I'm watching y'all. I was watching y'all and my wife ended up saying she wanted to watch this show and this show called Supercell. So we started watching Supercell and I'm looking at the show and I'm like, rap, man. I was like, why do I know that name, babe? She was like, I don't know. We watched the first episode. I was like, yo, this shit is dope. I was like, rapman. Like, why that name just sound familiar? We watched the whole show and I kept seeing created and written by Rap man. So I seen him on the Breakfast Club and I'm like, oh, that's the dude that did the show. Like, why? I feel like I know him, yo. Why? I went and searched his name and he used to do the UK wrap up for like 10 years. So he was doing wrap ups.

[Charlamagne tha God]

I think he said that.

[Mad Skills]

Yeah, he was up here.

[Charlamagne tha God]

He said it.

[Mad Skills]

So I DM'd him. And I was like, yo, bro, I checked your show out, man. Like, you know, I mean, I think it's dope. Great work. I said, I remember you from back in the day used to do the Rabbit. He was like, oh man, Skills, I. I bet your whole. Bro, I'm sorry, man, I took your own, man. I used to do the UK version, man. Man, it's amazing to have you in my DMs. When I was like, yo, it's great.

[DJ Envy]

That you can put that accent on like that.

[Angela Yee]

I know, right?

[Mad Skills]

I was like, it's crazy to go from writing wrap ups to writing shows. And I tell my wife that. She like, yeah, it is. And I'm like, so, you know, I mean, so I'm like, I definitely got some ideas. I pitched some shows shout out to like James Samuel and we got some things in the work Black thought, you know, Questler215 Entertainment. Like I got some. I definitely got some things that could make it to television.

[Charlamagne tha God]

It only makes sense if you like that's the next, the next level for you.

[Mad Skills]

Yeah, yeah, I got like at least three shows that I'm. I'm trying to pitch. One. I've already pitched two. More is like movies. So. Yeah.

[DJ Envy]

When'd you start DJing?

[Mad Skills]

Oh, man, I was DJing when I was little, you know, I mean, I started taking it seriously in probably around 2015, 2016. I used to tour with Jazzy Jeff. So after that, I always knew how to, you know, I always knew how to, you know, play records and blend or whatever, but parties was a whole different thing. And I tell people all the time, like, you know, you can sit in your room and practice scratching, cutting, fading, but you can't practice reading the room. Right? You know, I mean, envy can tell you that. And DJing is the one job where you know instantaneously whether you're doing a good job or a bad job. You play a song, everybody stop dancing. You're doing a bad job. So for me, DJing, the passion that I lost in rapping, I found in dj. So I started going heavy with it, and. And just people like Jazzy Jeff, Clark Kent, and Kid Capri was. All of them were supportive, you know, I mean, so I just started doing parties. I've been. I've been doing parties 10, 10, 11 years. We just did a party, homecoming, do.

[DJ Envy]

A bunch of parties together.

[Mad Skills]

Yeah, always. He always win you in va so, yeah, man, I love DJing. I love it.

[DJ Envy]

I want to talk about what has happened in VA the last couple of years. Of course, I went to Hampton University, and when I went there, it seemed like you say VA Was the outcast, but now I see everybody in VA coming together to make VA great. From the fight to push A T's festival to Pharrell's festival. So break down what's happening in Virginia. Cause it's something I've never seen before, which I love.

[Mad Skills]

You know, all those years are getting overlooked, even though we have, you know, some of the greatest musicians and artists in the world.

[DJ Envy]

Athletes as well.

[Mad Skills]

Yeah, athletes as well, AI Vic, you know what I mean? Like, we always had a chip on our shoulder, you know what I mean? And it was never really unified. So now it's becoming unified to where we having festivals and we supporting each other, we writing records with each other, collaborating and. And just helping the younger generation come up. Because I want people to, you know, I want people to look back at Virginia and be like, damn, they stick together. You know what I'm saying? Like, so, like, on this album, I got hella people from the crib, you know, did hooks, did production. So, like I said, winning this Grammy, you know, with my friends from the crib, means more because I could have got any producers, you know, I could have hollered at some cats, but I wanted to do it with my friends and my family. So Virginia's always home, man. Like, they say, it's something in the water and it always will. Be.

[Charlamagne tha God]

You know, it's interesting because, right, you had, you know, pushing and the clips. I mean, the clips and Pharrell and the Neptunes. Yep, clips and Neptunes. And then you had Missy and Timbaland, Missy and Magoo. But it almost feels like in a lot of ways, va, y'all, they gave the sound away. Yeah, they gave the sound out. Cause what if they would have just kept that sound with just va artists.

[Mad Skills]

I always thought about what if Pharrell and Chad had did like a. A Manny Fresh, you know what I mean? And only rocked with my. My homies. And my crew was only getting this vibe like Manny was just Wayne juvie hot boys. Like, you know, I mean, I felt like it could have been something special, but in it. And it still grew into something special, but, you know, you can't tell another man what to do with it.

[DJ Envy]

But did they try. Did they try with clips and try a lot of it and. And I don't think people understood the sound.

[Mad Skills]

Right. It was so futuristic.

[DJ Envy]

Right.

[Mad Skills]

You know, I mean, when it came out, like, Teddy Riley didn't know what to do with them in 1993 because it already sounded like 2025 then.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah.

[Mad Skills]

So I think the world had to catch up with Pharrell and them sound and Chad. And once they did, everybody wanted it. And you ain't about to turn down Brittany and Justin and Michael Jackson and, you know, like, you're not about to turn down those production cars.

[DJ Envy]

Same thing with Timberland. I think Timberland was the same. Like, his. His sounds were so futuristic. He wasn't going to turn down Jason Aliyah.

[Mad Skills]

Why, you know, I mean, why so. But Tim is an amazing dude, man. And so is. So is the Neptunes. I love those dudes.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Absolutely.

[Mad Skills]

Yeah, man.

[DJ Envy]

Well, the album is out right now, is streaming now. It says something about voting. So the. The Grammy can vote on it starting.

[Mad Skills]

Yeah, no, they can starting. It started last week, and you can vote up until January 3rd. And I am in the best spoken word album category for the album, the seven number ones. So we just out here campaigning, and if you listen to the project and you like it and you are Grammy voter bot, feel free to, you know, click that button for your boy.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Writing is such a lost art, man.

[Mad Skills]

It is. I still write, I still lyric. I still literally walk around with a book and a pen. Like, I like to see my ideas. The phone is cool. Like, I could put in a voice note or whatever, go into my notes, but I like to be able to open it up and see it and when it's done, cross it out. You know what I mean? So for me, I walk around with pins and pads and things like that. I still like to physically. Right, absolutely.

[DJ Envy]

And and lastly, New Year's Eve, you're gonna be at the R B block party. My family's doing it with you. Of course. Family. Antonio, get your tickets now. If you're in Norfolk, if you're in Virginia, the 757, it's the Norfolk Scope. Tickets are still available. It's you, It's Brian Michael Cox. Shout out to Bink.

[Mad Skills]

Is Izzy everybody? Yeah, the whole crew, everybody.

[DJ Envy]

So if you're out in Virginia, make sure you pull up on them. The RB block party is one of my favorite things to do throughout the year. So definitely get your tickets and appreciate you for joining us, bro.

[Mad Skills]

Thank y'all for having me, man. I will catch y'all. Happy holidays. Good new year to all of y'all. Thank you and appreciate you Charlamagne for. Let me come up.

[Charlamagne tha God]

My guy.

[DJ Envy]

It's mad skills. It's the Breakfast Club. Good morning.

[Mad Skills]

Peace.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Wake that ass up early in the morning.

[Mad Skills]

The Breakfast Club.

[Charlamagne tha God]

The holidays are here. It's that time of year to think about, yes, gifts, but not only gifts. It's the guests, the party planning, and the true meaning of the season. Spending time with family and friends. We know it's a lot, but we're here to ease your mind and share some tips. So we'll make it through together. With the season getting underway, now is the time to shop for amazing holiday deals at Amazon. Amazon has a wide selection for all your holiday needs. I don't care if you want to get your people's laptops, gaming screens, whatever it is they need, Amazon got it. Amazon last minute deals are here. Shop last minute deals now on Amazon and visit Amazon.comblackffectpodcast for my favorite picks.

[Coca Cola Advertiser]

The holidays are about spending time with your loved ones and creating magical memories that will last a lifetime. So whether it's family and friends you haven't seen in a while or those who you see all the time, share holiday magic this season with an ice cold Coca Cola. Copyright 2024, the Coca Cola company.

[Amazon Advertiser]

Taking control of your career is empowering. Just don't tell my boss I said that. Building a career just isn't about a job. It's about creating a path that impacts our community and future generations. Whether you're starting out or making big moves, State Farm is here to support you with resources to help protect what you're working hard to achieve. They've got your back every step of the way. Because like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

[DJ Envy]

Find out [e-mail] Life is an act of constant reinvention. That's true for you and for cars. Nissan reimagined the all new Kicks around you. The Bose Personal plus sound system with speakers in the headrest keeps you in the groove, while The Nissan Safety Shield360 technologies keep you safe. If Nissan reinvented the Kicks, you can reinvent yourself. Drive the all new reimagined Nissan Kicks.

[Coca Cola Advertiser]

Today Compatible Device Service and consumer activation of Nissan Connect Services package required. Use only when safe and legal, subject to third party service availability. For more information, see nissanusa.com connect legal Apple CarPlay is a trademark of Apple Inc. Intelligent all wheel drive cannot prevent collision, collisions or provide enhanced traction in all conditions. Always monitor traffic and weather conditions.

[Mad Skills]

Be merry, be bright, be loved this holiday season with sparkling holiday gifts from Pandora Jewelry. Bring the sparkle to Black Friday with Pandora jewelry. From November 16 through December 3, receive 30% off storewide hand picked and ready to wrap, wear and love. Select from a wide range of possibilities for personalization, from festive charms with vibrant pops of color, shimmering rings and earrings designed to dazzle to radiant bracelets and necklaces. Shine lining in a mix of luminous metals, Pandora has something special for everyone on your holiday list. Shop Pandora Jewelry today and save 30% off some exclusion supply.