Interview: Ski Beatz “The 24th Hour”

North Carolina native, Ski Beatz, has been in the mouths of every hip-hop lover this past week after the recent release of his newest album “24 Hour Karate School.” Jungle Gym tracked down the man behind it all to discuss his most recent success. We got the chance to kick it with him during a studio session while he produced a track for Curren$y‘s new album, “Pilot Talk 2.” Truly humble, he shed some light on the evolution of his success, his current projects, and what we can anticipate from him in the future. As well, Ski Beatz offers his personal philosophy to all readers that is sure to be the foundation and key to desired success and fulfillment. Read on as Ski Beatz’s discusses his new album and personal journey.

JGM: How did you direct your path to be where you are today?

SKI: Well, I started as an MC, as a rapper, and I was in a group based in North Carolina. As a result of the success, I moved to New York and then [formed] Original Flavor and the two albums with Atlantic Records and I hooked up with Jay-Z and all the people that helped me start Reasonable Doubt. So I basically started down south.

JGM: Do you like it down south or up north better?

JGM: Is there anything you are particularly excited about on “24 Hour Karate School?”

SKI: The whole project. I’m excited about everything. I love “Prowler,” the songs with Curren$y, all of it. It was fun. It was really fun. I love it and I love doing albums with everyone. I just like the people.

JGM: For those who may not already follow you, what do you think you offer them that stands out?

SKI: I don’t like to say I have something to offer.  I’m just trying to be honest and creative and do the music I love. I don’t try to make music to impress other people or make a certain type of song cause that’s what’s poppin’ on the radio. I just like to make what I love. Just being myself is a good offering.

JGM: Who/what inspired this particular album?

SKI: Well, we were downstairs in the lounge room with everyone. We’re all talking and Curren$y said, “It’s like a 24-hour karate school,” and Mos Def was like, “Yeah, that’s something, that’s something.” I had a beat on deck and we decided to make it into a project, a mixtape. It started as a mixtape and ended as an album. It just took off on its own. It’s been a labor of love, no pressure whatsoever, just all fun.

JGM: How would you describe your sound?

SKI: I like music, musical stuff. I like rich strings, keyboards, bass, guitar. I’m just a fan of music. I like emotional music that makes [me] feel a certain way when I hear it. Shout out to The Senseis, too. They replay all the samples for a full sound.

SKI: Expect honest music that I love to make. Get ready for “Karate School Part 2” and “Prowler Part 2,” also an album with Stalley coming out. There’s a lot to expect.