Hailing from a city better known for its bankruptcy than its bosses, it’s no wonder why rapper and songwriter SkaLLa feels his neighborhood has a unique sound that needs to be heard, soon his upcoming single “Slow Grind” will showcase the real Detroit—the one where crooked cops parlay with hustlers and drug dealers, and everyday citizens fight for survival. “I’m bringing real originality, and I’m not fabricating anything I’m talking about, that why I know I’m relatable,” says SKalla. Despite the unforgiving news headlines, there’s beauty beneath the grime of Detroit. It’s where SKalla first got his taste of the old school melodies that flooded through his grandmother’s home—music that was heavily influenced by the many talented artists that once strutted the now abandoned streets. It’s also where his love of R&B music began, as evidenced on records sampling classic tunes from artists such as Luther Vandross.SkaLLa, began studying music and discovered a hidden talent in songwriting, helping to pen a few R&B songs for a local singer. He eventually landed in front of representatives from Jive Records, who were impressed by his knack for branding, as well as his blatantly honest lyricism. Realizing that his name was also a major part of his brand, he ditched the moniker of his youth and chose SkaLLa as an ode to his ability of combining his book smarts with that of the streets that he calls home. In a world where many rappers spew lyrics from ghostwriters, SKalla prides himself on writing his own music. The release of “Slow Grind” in Winter 2021 gives the seasoned rapper a new reason to boast, as he sets out to drop gems through personal stories of a boy going through trials and tribulations turning him into a man. He feels this project will encourage others to pursue better opportunities outside of their usual circumstances as he did.
