Skillibeng: ‘The Prodigy’ Skilltape Album Review
The ‘Fresh Prince’ is here with his brain-altering new album, ‘The Prodigy’ Skilltape. The wretched year of the pandemic has ironically been a breakthrough year for Dancehall trap star, Skillibeng, a conquest that can only be credited to the strength of his relentless creativity and tireless work ethic.
The young trendsetter has emerged as the face of Dancehall’s new era in a journey that has taken just a mere 4 years, considering his mainstream crossover with his recording debut, Brain Parts on the Purge riddim in 2016. Skilli has become the hottest new artist in the streets of Jamaica, and highly sought by the likes of industry pioneers and his idols, Vybz Kartel and Popcaan, even appearing on their latest albums, Of Dons & Divas and Yiy Change Fixtape respectively.
The Eastsyde Records artiste, who celebrated his 24th birthday yesterday with the release of his highly anticipated project, ‘The Prodigy’ Skilltape, has surpassed all expectations yet again, unleashing 35 tracks to en-trance you into a listening experience spanning more than an hour long.
The collection is a skillful medley staging his usual trap-infused flows on some pretty rhythmic beats, with guest appearances by Tommy Lee Sparta, Dre Island, Jada Kingdom, Dovey Magnum, Jakal, and the Unruly Boss himself. The Prodigy also showcases rising talents like Street Gena, Quenga, F.S., and One Sparkes, who guest on the posse cut, Not.
The prelude track My Gun unearths a lyrical delivery that only Skilli does best, as he spits a rapid, unremitting flow of pure badness while ferociously raving his politic slaying skills. Once you get through the follow-up singles, Shell Out, Jansport, Bad Everyday, Brand New Gun, Grumpy and Bad Man, it becomes quite evident that there is a certain tone in the new collection. Demonstrated with lyrics like, “Mi shot people, mi damn evil, mi love fire shot till the damn clip done. The rifle a sing like Sean Kingston. Di badness buck,” in Brand New Gun , he expresses a level of fearlessness like no other.
In other hardcore tracks such as AK, Bullet, and Gun Talk, Skillibeng refers to these tunes as “Cinema for Ears” as he plays with imaginative aphorism and similes. Though he admits in an interview with Boomshots that they reflect the reality of certain youths in the streets of Jamaica circa 2020.
While it seems quite a bit of effort was put into bolstering his badman image on the album, it’s not just all gun talk. In singles like, Taken , Skilli is smitten and yearning for a love interest that’s already “taken,” something we don’t see him do much in his music.
Things get very raunchy and rude with Dovey Magnum in Like NTN , and carries through on tracks like Vicious, Blow Me, and # (Number). The Prodigy collection also includes more uplifting tunes like How Life Sweet and One Life featuring the Jamaican, Brooklyn-based rapper, Jakal.
Skillibeng has certainly amped up his game, flexing enhanced variants of his sick lyrical artistry and range in the new Skilltape. While unsurprising, as he’s set a certifiable precedence for himself all year round with a myriad of hits, he has done a remarkable job in paving the way for the new era in music. It’s safe to say that he is the root of the change that has become the new genre of Dancehall.
Stream Skillibeng’s new album, ‘The Prodigy’ Skilltape here.