Ascending Orlando-based rapper, SKYXXX, released his new kinetic single, “MADHOUSE,” yesterday. The single poises itself as a cardinal track of his forthcoming EP of the same title that is set for release later this summer.
After signing with Warner Records last year with a string of independent projects already under his belt, SKYXXX has since heightened the momentum to the next level with the delivery of several high-profile collaborations. He released his formal label debut “Hotboy”, followed by a remix featuring Memphis-bred rapper NLE Choppa, and capped the year off with “Chicken Dinner” alongside Party Favor. In the past weeks, SKYXXX gifted his fans once again with a sequence of fresh tracks exclusively released on SoundCloud including “OUT HERE” ft. WIFISFUNERAL, “ALOT” ft. 458KEEZ, and “SHE A FREAK” ft. NELL.
On “MADHOUSE”, he allures the title to “a very scary place” that becomes the destination in which he finds himself at a hotel lobby where a dead body has been found. Rapping, “I’m in the Maserati bumpin’ Playboi Carti / Taking speed bumps on the way to the party,” the breakout rap star thoroughly illustrates the adventure of his raving night as he cruises around town with his best friend just moments before.
The narrative he so sharply delineates in this track alone is merely a small preview of the finesse his upcoming EP will showcase, serving as an attestation to the long path of success the incipient emcee is sure to follow.
The Knockturnal checked in with SKYXXX to touch upon his experiences collaborating with other musicians, the diversions that he is putting energy into during these arduous times, and his feelings leading up to the release of his EP, MADHOUSE.
The Knockturnal: After releasing your label debut “Hot Boy” last year, you released a remix for the song with NLE Choppa, followed by “Chicken Dinner” ft. Party Favour. On your most recent SoundCloud uploads, you also dropped tracks featuring a variety of other artists. What have your experiences collaborating with other musicians been like thus far?
SKYXXX: The “Hotboy” record with [NLE] Choppa, that came about through the label, my manager, and friends of friends. I was introduced to Party Favour and was put into the studio with him, so we were able to work together which was pretty cool. And then the songs with the other collabs, it was actually people that I’d worked with before, coming up in the underground [scene] in Florida. And we just kinda like, we [were] doing what we already did. For the experiences, they’re all one of a kind, because we’re all musicians but every experience with each artist was different. But we would get straight to it in the studio, literally straight to it.
The Knockturnal: The visual for “Hot Boy” was released on the WorldStar Hip Hop YouTube channel. How did that come about and what was the impact of the video being released on their channel, garnering over 390k+ views as of present?
SKYXXX: That happened through Warner [Records]. The impact of it, I guess, [was] it got to be seen a little more, with a bigger platform, because they show the smaller-scale artists who still have to do that build up. So, it definitely got more attention on the record.
The Knockturnal: You are releasing MADHOUSE. How are you feeling about the release of both the single and the upcoming EP of the same title?
SKYXXX: I’m fucking happy, I’m fucking ready. I spent a lot of time working on this, a lot of the songs just really show the moments, and days, and months of hard work [I put into this]. This is my first project that I’ve ever released with music that’s at such a high intensity.
So I’ve been happy, but I won’t lie, I’ve been a little nervous the past few months because the COVID [pandemic] happened, and now the riots [are happening] and I feel like I’m trapped right in the middle of it all. It’s me, trying to break out as an artist during this time, it’s a little bit hard because I personally care about what’s going on and I pay attention to the news. I just wonder how many people are going to expect me to try to break as a new artist possibly while this is all happening.
The Knockturnal: How have you been keeping busy during the quarantine and amidst the strained situation we are currently living through?
SKYXXX: I’ve been at the studio every day. Late nights, I’m just trying to keep busy. Doing that, going back on the record, and keeping up ideas for our content and my videos.
The Knockturnal: In what ways will the new EP differ from your previous work? Are there any fresh sounds that it will reveal to listeners?
SKYXXX: Specifically a lot of people kind of wanted to hear me, be. [It’s] because I’m a little older than a lot of artists that are getting started around this time. And the differences? There’s not really much of a difference, it’s kind of just me, just a turnt up version.
The Knockturnal: How would you describe MADHOUSE in three words?
SKYXXX: Wicked, literally just wicked. [Laughs]
Listen to “MADHOUSE” here and follow SKYXXX on Instagram and SoundCloud.
Watch the music video for “Hotboy” below.
Photo: Courtesy Warner Records
