He first made a name for himself by finishing in second place in a national freestyle competition in 1995, 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) artist 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. One artist that openly admits Skillz has written hits for them is P. Diddy.
From 2002 through 2009 Skillz has done a year end "Wrap-Up" song that encapsulates the events of the prior 12 months. Pop radio will recognize him more for this as the hilarious comedic lyrics are timely & funny. During the last years Skillz has claimed each to be his last doing this track.
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 released in the U.S. and re-packaged with additional tracks as Confessions Of A Ghostwriter in 2005.
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.
Take It Back
Skillz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'ma put it in perspective
I'm the best since me
I got a right to be selective
What we have here is a candle so crass
It came out the cup with some shit from yo ass
Strictly for those who are tryin to walk it with me
Ya'll thinkin why'all thugs 'cause you bought some Dickies
I got LeBron callin his mom to check his closet (WHOA)
The rest can chill, you shoulda knew that
Skillz, uh-uh, you don't want to do that
Testin me? That must be a fool that
Was thinkin too hard, you better loosen your doo-rag
When I'm gone, ons why'all for frontin
Don't have my vocals sings shit like we was cool or somethin
Its a fact, I think all rap is whack
And if you feel like I feel, then you ain't got no choice
But to.
[Chorus: 2x]
Take it Back, do do do do
Take it Back, do do do do
Take it Back, do do do do
Take it Back
I ain't here to make friends, that ain't my job
If everybody ain't nice, that ain't my squad
And I ain't hypin 'em, I'm blowin right by them
This is like a grown man ridin a bike again
It's that easy, when I spit for the hood
I don't rap (nope), I explain shit real good
Ya'll say why'all thugs?
Well last time I seen ya, you were Steppin in the Name of Love
Like "Left, right, bring it back"
Nigga, what part of the game was that?
If you see us, then its a known fact
That why'all is lil boy flow, this is grown man rap
You a playa? well move with a limp folk
That ain't a pimp cup, that's a god damn Big Gulp
I'm your new A&R, Black
I'ma book some overtime, you write some more rhymes
And
[Chorus: 2x]
When I charge the emcee, equals a bar a key
Just me and the squad, no manners, no "pardon me"
So don't bother be trying to get father than me
If you ain't right now, you ain't workin harder than me
And I'm sure you'll flip, when this song come around
This shit so crunk it'd make Lil Jon clam down
Hits out the trunk never shook
So by the time you get to the hook
You be whippin out your check book
Lets look, or better yet, lets not
I talk shit to the sun, nigga I'm just that high
And in case why'all forgot, here's your warning be
'Cause I snatch it like it rightfully belongs to be
And just
[Chorus: 4x]
Skillz's song Take it Back showcases the rapper's confidence and skill in the rap game. The song's opening lines draw attention to his own prowess by declaring himself as the best, with the right to choose his collaborators. He then proceeds to denigrate the efforts of other "thug" rappers who think they're cool for buying Dickies. Skillz is dismissive of these supposed rappers who he sees as inferior to his own style of "grown man rap". Despite his self-assuredness, Skillz is not here to make friends or be part of any squad - he's happy to blow right by them. His lyrics set him apart as a realist who doesn't mince his words - he is direct and frank about his musical tastes, which he describes as "all rap is whack". Skillz challenges other rappers to take a step back and learn from the honesty and authenticity that he brings to the table.
Line by Line Meaning
Alright, listen up
Attention! I have something important to say
I'ma put it in perspective
Let me explain it in a way that's easy to understand
I'm the best since me
I am the greatest, and there's no one else better than me
I got a right to be selective
I have the privilege to choose who I work with
What we have here is a candle so crass
What I see here is something completely ridiculous
It came out the cup with some shit from yo ass
It's like you're trying to fool me with something dirty and unpleasant
Strictly for those who are tryin to walk it with me
This is only for those who are truly committed to this path with me
Ya'll thinkin why'all thugs 'cause you bought some Dickies
Don't think you're tough just because you own some Dickies clothing
I'm bein honest, throwin back to the hottest
I'm being truthful and paying homage to the past
I got LeBron callin his mom to check his closet (WHOA)
My style is so fresh and original, it's making even LeBron James doubt his own fashion choices
The rest can chill, you shoulda knew that
Everyone else can relax, this isn't about them
Skillz, uh-uh, you don't want to do that
You don't want to test me, Skillz, trust me
Testin me? That must be a fool that
Anyone who tries to test me must be foolish
Was thinkin too hard, you better loosen your doo-rag
You're overthinking things, relax and take it easy
When I'm gone, ons why'all for frontin
After I'm gone, you'll all pretend like we were friends
Don't have my vocals sings shit like we was cool or somethin
Don't try to act like we were close just because you're using my vocals
Its a fact, I think all rap is whack
I don't like any other rap music
And if you feel like I feel, then you ain't got no choice
If you agree with me, then there's no other option
Take it Back, do do do do
Let's go back to basics
I ain't here to make friends, that ain't my job
I'm not here to befriend anyone, I have a different role
If everybody ain't nice, that ain't my squad
My squad consists only of those who are committed and focused
And I ain't hypin 'em, I'm blowin right by them
I'm not flattering them, I'm surpassing them
This is like a grown man ridin a bike again
This is like an experienced person doing something basic again
It's that easy, when I spit for the hood
It's effortless for me to perform for my community
I don't rap (nope), I explain shit real good
I don't just rap, I make sure to explain things in a way that's easy to understand
Ya'll say why'all thugs?
You claim to be tough guys?
Well last time I seen ya, you were Steppin in the Name of Love
Last time I saw you, you were dancing to R. Kelly's 'Step in the Name of Love'
Like 'Left, right, bring it back'
You were dancing like this
Nigga, what part of the game was that?
What does that have to do with toughness or hip hop?
If you see us, then its a known fact
If you see us, then you know for sure
That why'all is lil boy flow, this is grown man rap
Your style of music is immature, while mine is mature
You a playa? well move with a limp folk
Are you a player? Then move around with confidence
That ain't a pimp cup, that's a god damn Big Gulp
That's not a fancy cup, it's just a normal large drink
I'm your new A&R, Black
I'm your new artist and repertoire, Black
I'ma book some overtime, you write some more rhymes
Let's work harder, I'll schedule some additional time for you to write more music
When I charge the emcee, equals a bar a key
When I go in strong against another rapper, it's like a performance that's worth a thousand dollars
Just me and the squad, no manners, no 'pardon me'
It's just me and my crew, no politeness, no apologies
So don't bother be trying to get father than me
Don't even try to surpass me
If you ain't right now, you ain't workin harder than me
If you're not already successful, then you're not working harder than I am
And I'm sure you'll flip, when this song come around
I'm confident that you'll be amazed by this song
This shit so crunk it'd make Lil Jon clam down
This song is so energetic, even Lil Jon would calm down and pay attention
Hits out the trunk never shook
My music has always been popular, even when I was starting out
So by the time you get to the hook
By the time you get to the most memorable part of this song
You be whippin out your check book
You'll be so impressed, you'll want to buy everything related to this song
Lets look, or better yet, lets not
Let's just forget about it
I talk shit to the sun, nigga I'm just that high
I'm so confident, I'm even talking trash to the sun
And in case why'all forgot, here's your warning be
Just in case you forgot, let me remind you, be warned
'Cause I snatch it like it rightfully belongs to be
I take what's mine, and it's mine for a reason
And just
That's all there is to it
Take it Back, do do do do
Go back to the roots
Take it Back, do do do do
Let's go back to the beginning
Take it Back, do do do do
Let's go back to what matters
Take it Back
Go back to the basics
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES DEWITT YANCEY, OTIS LEE JR. JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
msdani3
Skillz is the TRUTH!! Why doesn't mainstream see that?
PIOSystems
This is the joint...I like the part at 3:09 when they break it down and do the slide!
sheriffrosco
great work Jason / Decon, etc props from down under y'all pz
PIOSystems
Dope Vid and Song...Like the 'Dance' number they did...
10patman
This ishhh is hot!! Real hip hop..
Rafael Tomas
"Damn he's the shit!"
"yea"
Street Dreams
EKSLAZE33
yup the whole one disslike, which just shows how good the song is
Thomas Garcia
you should put up a download link :)
BlazNnVA
skillz all dae
Swerk S1
Dilla sampled this? On lightworks ?? Im shocked I randomly got here cuz of street dreams