Skillz (formerly Mad Skillz, born Donnie Shaquan Lewis in Richmond, Virgini… Read Full Bio ↴Skillz (formerly Mad Skillz, born Donnie Shaquan Lewis in Richmond, Virginia) is an American rapper. Known as a talented freestyle rapper, Skillz has not received widespread acclaim outside of the hip-hop community, but within it is considered one of its best performers.

He first made a name for himself by finishing in second place in a national freestyle competition in 1992, which resulted in a recording contract with Atlantic Records. Skillz' Atlantic debut, From Where???, and its single, "The Nod Factor", were released in 1996, but sank without a trace. In the late-1990s, he allied himself with fellow Virginia natives Missy Elliott, Timbaland, and The Neptunes. He made appearances on Timbaland's albums Tim's Bio in 1998, and Indecent Proposal in 2001; Timbaland made plans to sign Skillz to the Blackhand label he was developing, the label failed to materialize. He along with Danja Mowf, Lonnie B, and Patrice O'Neal, members of Mad Skillz' Supafriendz collective, also appeared on a remix of Aaliyah's hit single "Are You That Somebody" in 1998.

More recently (2000) Skillz is known for his tell all single "Ghostwriter". In which he names (but edits) artists for which he has written hit singles. With lines like 'I'm a ghostwriter, I'm the cat that you don't see/I write hits for rappers you like and charge 'em a fee'. Un-edited versions of the track have not surfaced but Skillz is known to do a live performance in which he includes the names. In one live performance he mentions P. Diddy, Foxy Brown, Mase, and Jermaine Dupri. One artist who openly admits Skillz has written hits for him is P. Diddy.
From 2002 through 2006 Skillz has done a year end "Rap-Up" song that encapsulates the events of the prior 12 months.

Skillz eventually got a deal with Rawkus, where he recorded his 2002 LP I Ain't Mad No More, the title of which commemorated the official change of his MC moniker from "Mad Skillz" to just "Skillz". The afore mentioned LP was never officially released in the U.S., however, during the Sprite Liquid Mix Tour in 2003 he sold some bootleg versions of this CD. The CD was re-packaged without several tracks as "Confessions Of A Ghostwriter" in 2005. A Supafriends LP, Supavision, and another solo LP. A client for the Mama's Boys management company which also includes Musiq, Skillz has been a featured artist at okayplayer.com, run by ?uestlove of The Roots. He just released the 2006 version of the Rap Up.

Discography

1996: From Where???
2001: The 804 Compilation (by the SupaFriendz)
2002: I Ain't Mad No More
2003: Supavision (by the Supafriendz)
2004: Skillz Vs Shaq (by P-Cutta & DJ Whoa)
2005: Confessions Of A Ghostwriter
2006: Mad Skillz (Release Date: October 3, 2006)

Move Ya Body
Mad Skillz Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

On the real, I freak techniques and beats in my sleep
The mack back in action show skills when I speak
Watch my leak when I bring it to your face
I still corner dimes but in the nine I'm on a paper chase

Glass rocks, mega tops, Tims on your block
Holding heat like crock pots and keeping g's in my socks
(So, what's up, Hopps?)

I got to keep it tight like seams, 'cause ain't no fiends
Coming in between me and my dreams

See what I mean, black? I keep it real like that
F A Word is bond
I need stocks and bonds from these ill raps
Rappers won't see me with contacts, friend
So, please act you've got a Siamese twin and think again

'Cause in the end I start off with flavor
Next to bless your chest with freestyle fantasia
Smooth behavior, seeing rappers as illusions
Meaning they disappear but I'm hear to keep you moving

Everybody, move ya body
Everybody, move ya body
Everybody, move ya body
I don't think twice, kid
You know I bring it to ya live

Everybody, move ya body
Everybody, move ya body
Everybody, move ya body
I don't think twice, kid
You know I bring it to ya live

See, I don't get writer's block, yo, I block other writers
And there's been nights I had to wear sniper attire for biters
Don't make that same mistake and get scarred, retard
I see that tape you listening to got you thinking that you hard

But dig this, cut your hair and get your name on your stomach
I still find ways to make your whole rap career plummet
Maintain, I steal mics out of the frame
But now people think they know me, 'cause they know my real name

While I stay same doing shows and tours
Somewhere in a phat crib [Unverified] playing Sega in the dashboard
Styles of sword [Unverified] and flowing steadily
Trapping MCs in mazes forever like Frankie Beverly

You know the steeze, I'm bringing beats to they knees
Holacausting MCs and sees some g's before I breath
That's how it be, it's no doubt that I got to bring
It to your chest as I bring it to ya live

Everybody, move ya body
Everybody, move ya body
Everybody, move ya body
I don't think twice, kid
You know I bring it to ya live

So, from this point on until the day that they bury me
I'll still be on a hunt trying to snatch this currency
Putting my peeps on while friends turn fake
They get pissed thinking I be in Switzerland checking some real estate

Dropping LPs every year somewhere in a mansion
With a butler named Vincent Jeffrey Belvedere
I'm rare but rappers ain't trying to hear
The reason why their girl freestyle her number in my ear

It's my year, son and I ain't trying to slip
I'm trying to collect props and get not to stretch money clips
Honey-dips, I keep 'em on like low end
So, f-five-o Illegal, so we don't got to go there

It's so unfair, how I do wack crews shady
They want to be next up
Their style sucks like a new baby
They can't faze me, mics and man fusion
Beats I keep bruising
Do your thing and keep moving

Everybody, move ya body
Everybody, move ya body
Everybody, move ya body
I don't think twice, kid
You know I bring it to ya live

Everybody, move ya body
Everybody, move ya body
Everybody, move ya body

I don't think twice, kid
You know I bring it to ya live

Overall Meaning

In Mad Skillz’s song Move Ya Body, he talks about his skills as a rapper and how he’s always on a mission to achieve his dreams. In the opening lines, Skillz confidently claims that he can create and perform techniques and beats in his sleep. He then emphasizes his skills as a rapper, who can still corner dimes but is now focused on chasing paper. Skillz talks about holding glass rocks and mega tops, with a gun tucked in his sock for protection. He knows that there are no fiends that could come between him and his dreams. Skillz sees himself as different from other rappers who are only illusions who disappear, but he’s here to keep the listeners moving. Mad Skillz then commands everybody to move their bodies and affirms his commitment to his craft throughout the song.

Line by Line Meaning

On the real, I freak techniques and beats in my sleep
I am always thinking of new techniques and beats, even in my sleep.

The mack back in action show skills when I speak
When I start rapping, I showcase my skills as a master rapper.

Watch my leak when I bring it to your face
Pay attention to my delivery as I bring the lyrics to you.

I still corner dimes but in the nine I'm on a paper chase
I used to sell drugs but now I'm focused on getting money and achieving success.

Glass rocks, mega tops, Tims on your block
I am present and active in your neighborhood, and I keep a low profile with my lifestyle.

Holding heat like crock pots and keeping g's in my socks
I keep guns for protection and money in my socks to be discreet.

(So, what's up, Hopps?)
(What's going on with you?)

I got to keep it tight like seams, 'cause ain't no fiends
I need to make sure everything is in order because there can't be any mistakes.

Coming in between me and my dreams
I won't let anything interfere with my goals and aspirations.

See what I mean, black? I keep it real like that
Do you understand what I'm saying? I always keep it authentic and true.

F A Word is bond
F-word (frick) is my word of honor, and I will always keep my promises.

I need stocks and bonds from these ill raps
I want to make money from my music and lyrics.

Rappers won't see me with contacts, friend
Other rappers won't be able to get close to me.

So, please act you've got a Siamese twin and think again
You need to reconsider and try to deceive me with something else.

'Cause in the end I start off with flavor
I always bring something unique to the table when I start rapping.

Next to bless your chest with freestyle fantasia
I will amaze you with my freestyle skills when I rap.

Smooth behavior, seeing rappers as illusions
I stay calm and collected, and I view other rappers as inferior to me.

Meaning they disappear but I'm hear to keep you moving
Other rappers will come and go, but I will remain to keep the music going.

See, I don't get writer's block, yo, I block other writers
I never run out of ideas, and I crush the competition.

And there's been nights I had to wear sniper attire for biters
I've had to remain vigilant and protect my ideas from those who would steal them.

Don't make that same mistake and get scarred, retard
Don't try to steal my ideas and suffer the consequences.

I see that tape you listening to got you thinking that you hard
You're not as tough or skilled as you think you are, even though you listen to hardcore rap.

But dig this, cut your hair and get your name on your stomach
You need to focus on improving yourself and making changes in your appearance.

I still find ways to make your whole rap career plummet
I have the ability to ruin your entire career in the rap industry.

Maintain, I steal mics out of the frame
I stay focused and always take control of the mic when I rap.

But now people think they know me, 'cause they know my real name
People assume they know everything about me just because they know my real name.

While I stay same doing shows and tours
I remain true to myself while touring and performing.

Somewhere in a phat crib [Unverified] playing Sega in the dashboard
I live in a luxurious home and relax by playing Sega in my car.

Styles of sword [Unverified] and flowing steadily
My rap style is sharp and always improving and evolving.

Trapping MCs in mazes forever like Frankie Beverly
I am a skilled rapper who can trap other rappers in their own words and styles.

You know the steeze, I'm bringing beats to they knees
You understand my style and know that I am a talented producer who can overpower other rappers.

Holacausting MCs and sees some g's before I breath
I completely dominate other rappers and will not stop until I make money.

That's how it be, it's no doubt that I got to bring
There's no question that I bring a unique skill and talent to the rap industry.

It to your chest as I bring it to ya live
I deliver my music with intensity, and it will hit you hard.

So, from this point on until the day that they bury me
I will stay active in the rap industry until the end of my life.

I'll still be on a hunt trying to snatch this currency
I will always be striving to make money in the rap industry.

Putting my peeps on while friends turn fake
I help my friends and associates succeed while others betray them.

They get pissed thinking I be in Switzerland checking some real estate
Other rappers get jealous and angry when I make money and invest in real estate.

Dropping LPs every year somewhere in a mansion
I release new albums every year and live in a luxurious home.

With a butler named Vincent Jeffrey Belvedere
I live like a wealthy person who even has a butler with a fancy name.

I'm rare but rappers ain't trying to hear
I am a unique and talented rapper, but others don't want to acknowledge it.

The reason why their girl freestyle her number in my ear
Other rappers' girlfriends are attracted to me because of my rap skills.

It's my year, son and I ain't trying to slip
This is my time to shine, and I won't let anything hold me back.

I'm trying to collect props and get not to stretch money clips
I want to earn respect and recognition in the rap industry without worrying about money.

Honey-dips, I keep 'em on like low end
I always attract attractive women and keep them by my side.

So, f-five-o Illegal, so we don't got to go there
I try to avoid trouble with the police by not doing anything illegal.

It's so unfair, how I do wack crews shady
I have no problem putting down weak and untalented rapper groups.

They want to be next up
They strive to become successful in the rap industry like me.

Their style sucks like a new baby
Their rap style is terrible and unimpressive.

They can't faze me, mics and man fusion
They can't intimidate me or affect my rap skills, which are a combination of talent and hard work.

Beats I keep bruising
I continue to produce powerful and intense beats in my music.

Do your thing and keep moving
Keep doing what you're doing and moving forward.

Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: BARRY JAMES EASTMOND, DONNIE RAY LEWIS, JEFFREY L. OSBORNE, RODOLFO ANTONIO FRANKLIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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