GameFace Music
GameFace Music Presents: Skrilla Boyz
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
Taking their cue from the crunk phenomenon that has swept the Deep South rap movement; Skrilla Boyz has the rhymes and beats to propel Little Rock, Ark., into the southern rap arena. Their blend of west coast and southern style beats and melodies mixed with smart east coast style rhymes has given them a definitive sound that mixes traditional rap with R&B and soul.
Skrilla Boyz hail from Mayflower, Ark., a small town outside of Little Rock not known for rap music. Over the course of ten years, Yung’n, Krook and Boom have each struggled with their own childhood experiences. They were able to come together, take their experiences and produce albums worth of material. “We knew we had what it took and we’ve worked hard from day one,” said Boom. “This is our job. It’s not a hobby.”
Yung’n began writing poetry and rapping in a studio when he was nine. At 13, he taught himself how to play the keyboard. He never had a lesson, but figured out how to play enough melodies that he was able to create his first beats. His rap style has been most influenced by Dr. Dre, Tu-Pac and Eminem. Boom’s interest in music started around the same time as Yung’n. He taught himself how to play a small 10-key keyboard. He joined Yung’n when he was 14 and they produced music together for the next year and a half. Boom was also an accomplished football star. His major rap influences are Lil’ John, 8Ball and Jay-Z. Krook is the singer of the group. Yung’n first heard him sing when they were in 6th grade. He encouraged Krook to sign up for their school’s talent show. Krook wowed the audience and won the show. Yung’n and Krook were also involved in their school’s choir. They credit their choir teacher for helping them cultivate an appreciation for all music genres. Krook’s rap influences include Tu-Pac, Lil’ John and 36 Mafia.
Skrilla Boyz has a great respect for raps’ roots in gospel, soul and blues. “You can’t really be a rapper if you don’t know where rap came from,” said Yung’n. They also cite Al Green, Peter Frampton and Johnnie Taylor as influences. This is evident in their variety of songs that range from club hits to mellow soul. “We’re trying to bring something new to the game,” said Krook. “We’ve got something for every type of person on our album.
Skrilla Boyz approach song writing and beat making with a maturity rarely found in artists their age. They understand the complexity of both processes and how different they are from one another. Yung’n, Krook and Boom contribute individually to every song, but it is Yung’n who is responsible for creating many of the initial beats and melodies. They take their inspiration from what has happened to them and what is happening in the world around them. They are quick to stress what they write about is real. They do not want to be labeled as a passing fad. “We try to put our songs together in a way that will really impact someone,” said Yung’n. “With writing, there is so much emotion. You can think a million things at once. This makes it challenging to put the words together in a way that people will understand what we’re trying to say.” Yung’n prefers the smart rap style of the East Coast because of its metaphors, punch lines and complex syllable use. He studies Eminem, Tu-Pac, Dr. Dre and Jay-Z. “The reason some rap artists are considered so good is because people can relate to what they’re saying,” said Yung’n. He admires them for the way they express themselves.
After learning the keyboard, Yung’n started making beats with an RS 7000 and a Tritan beat machine. “Dr. Dre is the biggest producer who has influenced the way I make beats,” said Yung’n. He admits it is difficult creating beats that are original. “Sometimes it’s hard to come up with something no else has done. They’re pressing the same keys you press. You just have to press them in a different way.” For Skrilla Boyz, creating something completely original is both challenging and gratifying.
Already veterans of the stage, Skrilla Boyz has had the opportunity to perform at shows that have featured established southern rappers, such as Mystikal, Lil’ John and Twista. They performed live for the first time at 13. From that first performance, Skrilla Boyz star quality shined. They love playing for the crowd, but other performers motivate them to be their best. “For us, it’s more the people we’re performing with because it’s like a competition,” said Yung’n. “You have to come out and crush the stage. The crowd helps to pump you up even more.” Recently, they performed at the Juneteenth 2004 Weekend Jam in Little Rock that featured B.G. and the Ying Yang Twins. Performing in front of a crowd of over 5,000, Skrilla Boyz commanded the stage like pros.
Skrilla Boyz is ready to be heard. Anxious for the release of their debut album, “Go Hard,” they are ready to dedicate their lives to making innovative rap music. They are hungry to achieve the respect of their fans and the industry. But most of all, they are ready to put Arkansas on the map in the world of southern rap and represent a new, young South.
