Writer
Tenesha Hughes
"I am 100% interested in pursuing my music career", said Daryl Williams (Skrilla) a East St. Louis Ill native.
Daryl Williams II, better known as "Skrilla", is a 22 year old hardworking young rapper/ producer from East St. Louis IL. He has been on the grind as usual and has recently dropped his short winded project entitled "Impala Summer" available on HotNewHipHop.com. But, many may be more familiar with his album "Stay Tuned for Greatness" which released in April of this year also available on HotNewHipHop.com . If you’re on social media such as Twitter, Instagram, and other popular sites you've probably seen the hash tag #StayTunedforGreatness, which is used often as an expression of staying dedicated to your craft or life in general.
Skrilla said, “I've been focusing on making music so that people can get to know me as an artist”.
Since the young tender age of 5, he remembers bobbing his head to the sounds of different genres of music, mostly 60's and 70's soul music. But rap is what stuck out the most. Growing up in the heart of East St. Louis, rap spoke the language of his environment. He began recording himself rapping over self constructed beats, which is where his rap career began. Being so versatile in music from listening to vintage R&B, Country, Gospel, Rock and Neo Soul, and of course Hip Hop, makes his music different from any other rap artist you’ve heard. Recording himself rapping over self constructed beats in high school is what helped his rap career take off.
Performing in different cities from Jackson MS, to Belleville IL, which is where most of his fan base resides. While focusing on using his music to motivate others, he hopes to grow a larger support system but it starts at “home”. You won’t be able to find any music videos from Skrilla just yet. He wants to keep the mystery of trying to figure out who he is as an artist. Painting vivid pictures with his words he doesn’t need to use visual aid. Music is his passion not a hobby.
“I am 100% interested in pursuing my music career. I used to look at it like a hobby because I never really thought that it was possible to be a successful rapper, even though that's all I ever wanted to do. Now I believe in speaking things into existence as well as working hard. So I'm ready now. I consider playing basketball a hobby of mine. Music is my passion. It's my career”, said Skrilla.
Being inspired, by listening to beats and instantly getting the urge to write keeps him going. Friends and family also play a major part. His nieces,nephews and best friend, Samone, encourages him. While they inspire him, he likes to inspire others, which is why he came up with “Stay Tuned for Greatness”. Growing up in the “hood” is part of what motivates him to stay true to his roots.
“ I am most proud of motivating people honestly. Like, when I came up with "Stay Tuned for Greatness", I had so many people saying the phrase and there was so much positivity surrounding it, and still is. You could search #StayTunedForGreatness on social media and you'll see nothing but positive messages. And when people tell me how a song or project literally changed their life, it's humbling and I'm proud of myself for getting to a point in my life where I could help people through my music.”
Skrilla added, “I'm also inspired by my hometown, East St. Louis, Illinois. Not to get into that same ol' rapper story about how I come from the hood and all, blah blah, that's corny, but my city has been hit HARD economically and spiritually over the years and yet I see people everyday smiling. I see people trying to make the best out of their situation in some way. I see resilience”.
With all of the positive feedback and overwhelming support, Skrilla decided to get really involved by starting an outreach program in 2011, “Better off in College”. With some help from his peers, they visited high schools in poverty stricken areas, encouraging young children to pursue their education and dreams. Instead of just talking about how children need a better role model and guidance, he became one. He is working to make “Better off in College” bigger and better.
If you are interested in hearing Skrilla’s music, or finding out more about his outreach program. Follow him on Twitter (@KingSkrilla) and Instagram (@SkrillaTheKing) and Soundcloud (KingSkrilla).
Tenesha Hughes
"I am 100% interested in pursuing my music career", said Daryl Williams (Skrilla) a East St. Louis Ill native.
Daryl Williams II, better known as "Skrilla", is a 22 year old hardworking young rapper/ producer from East St. Louis IL. He has been on the grind as usual and has recently dropped his short winded project entitled "Impala Summer" available on HotNewHipHop.com. But, many may be more familiar with his album "Stay Tuned for Greatness" which released in April of this year also available on HotNewHipHop.com . If you’re on social media such as Twitter, Instagram, and other popular sites you've probably seen the hash tag #StayTunedforGreatness, which is used often as an expression of staying dedicated to your craft or life in general.
Skrilla said, “I've been focusing on making music so that people can get to know me as an artist”.
Since the young tender age of 5, he remembers bobbing his head to the sounds of different genres of music, mostly 60's and 70's soul music. But rap is what stuck out the most. Growing up in the heart of East St. Louis, rap spoke the language of his environment. He began recording himself rapping over self constructed beats, which is where his rap career began. Being so versatile in music from listening to vintage R&B, Country, Gospel, Rock and Neo Soul, and of course Hip Hop, makes his music different from any other rap artist you’ve heard. Recording himself rapping over self constructed beats in high school is what helped his rap career take off.
Performing in different cities from Jackson MS, to Belleville IL, which is where most of his fan base resides. While focusing on using his music to motivate others, he hopes to grow a larger support system but it starts at “home”. You won’t be able to find any music videos from Skrilla just yet. He wants to keep the mystery of trying to figure out who he is as an artist. Painting vivid pictures with his words he doesn’t need to use visual aid. Music is his passion not a hobby.
“I am 100% interested in pursuing my music career. I used to look at it like a hobby because I never really thought that it was possible to be a successful rapper, even though that's all I ever wanted to do. Now I believe in speaking things into existence as well as working hard. So I'm ready now. I consider playing basketball a hobby of mine. Music is my passion. It's my career”, said Skrilla.
Being inspired, by listening to beats and instantly getting the urge to write keeps him going. Friends and family also play a major part. His nieces,nephews and best friend, Samone, encourages him. While they inspire him, he likes to inspire others, which is why he came up with “Stay Tuned for Greatness”. Growing up in the “hood” is part of what motivates him to stay true to his roots.
“ I am most proud of motivating people honestly. Like, when I came up with "Stay Tuned for Greatness", I had so many people saying the phrase and there was so much positivity surrounding it, and still is. You could search #StayTunedForGreatness on social media and you'll see nothing but positive messages. And when people tell me how a song or project literally changed their life, it's humbling and I'm proud of myself for getting to a point in my life where I could help people through my music.”
Skrilla added, “I'm also inspired by my hometown, East St. Louis, Illinois. Not to get into that same ol' rapper story about how I come from the hood and all, blah blah, that's corny, but my city has been hit HARD economically and spiritually over the years and yet I see people everyday smiling. I see people trying to make the best out of their situation in some way. I see resilience”.
With all of the positive feedback and overwhelming support, Skrilla decided to get really involved by starting an outreach program in 2011, “Better off in College”. With some help from his peers, they visited high schools in poverty stricken areas, encouraging young children to pursue their education and dreams. Instead of just talking about how children need a better role model and guidance, he became one. He is working to make “Better off in College” bigger and better.
If you are interested in hearing Skrilla’s music, or finding out more about his outreach program. Follow him on Twitter (@KingSkrilla) and Instagram (@SkrillaTheKing) and Soundcloud (KingSkrilla).