Many people ask, 'who are the skillions?'. Here is a breakdown from the leader and founder of the group, Jayso, after a lil' chat with the renowned Ghanaian Producer.
Skillions started out as a duo back in 1999 consisting of Presbyterian Boys Secondary School's first ever tongue-twisters by names T-Kube and Jayso.
T-Kube, left Ghana in 2000 to U.K to continue schooling but Jayso decided to keep recruiting members for Skillions. Jayso completed SHS in 2001 and joined Haatsville Music Group with the Skillions (then Jayso,BallJ and Jinx). There he developed immensely and used his skills to build Skillions. Haatsville consists of JaeP, Myth Costello, Mr. Skratch, The Canz and Skillions.
''JaeP aka KobiOnyame (CEO Haatsville Music Group) is the reason why I make beats today'' were Jayso's words when he was asked why he started making beats.
The Skillions grew bigger, now Jayso, EL, Jtown, KP, Sandra, Jinx, Midknight & Ball J decided to release a mixtape (2006). ''The Skillions Demotapes'' was recorded in Jayso's 'bedroom-studio' and had very good songs; songs that got heads turning.
Jayso met his manager Melissa Mensah around this period. This was the very manager responsible for the birth of Skillions Records. With her help Skillions shot out the roof and Skillions Records became a household name.
After the mixtape, the group split for a second so its members could pursue solo projects and/or causes. This is not to say there was 'beef'. They still worked together.
Jayso on the other hand decided to help young upcoming talents realize their dreams with the help of Myth Costello (CEO of Ebuzu Media). Thus he put together a team of young skilled mc's and producers and called them ''The New Generation, Skillions''. He gave them the opportunity they needed to get some exposure. This young team released another Skillions classic, ''The New Generation Mixtape'' in 2008. Rumor, Lil'Shaker, Kevinbeats, Grafik, Paapa, TheThird, Killmatic, JoeyB, Gemini, Padlock & Noble made up the New Generation.
He constantly advised his team to be role models and create music that will inspire listeners. Jayso believes his success is owed to God. Thus, he believes in using his God-given talent to touch lives positively rather than corrupting them but most of the members felt differently about this new policy.
Jayso decided to allow each member to exercise their freedom of expression. Jayso continued to influence anyone he came across to do positive music. He succeeded in some cases and failed with others. Ultimately, he stuck to his beliefs of using his talent to influence people positively. Even to the point where he turns down clients due to the profane nature of their lyrics.
Over the past few years, Skillions has gone through some major changes and most of the old members are no longer part of the group. EL started GHproductions and making waves across GH, Jtown signed to killa1west and was recently nominated for an award at the just ended Channel O Music Video Awards, BallJ started Nu' Africa, Jinx is independent and working on his album, NKP quit rap, Midknight is still doing his thing in Atlanta, Grafik left, Joey and Gemini signed to Last2, Kevinbeats signed to Cryme Records. Killmatic was fired.
Currently, Jayso can boldly say he has the strongest team consisting of 7 of the best talents. These artists have been officially signed to the label and set to deliver some good music to their listeners. The artists, namely Sandra (Jazz Singer), Edi-young (R&B Singer), Rumor (Hiphop Aritsit), Paapa (Urban Contemporary Gospel), Lil'Shaker (Hiphop), Adina (Inspirational,R&B, Soul) and Jayso (Hiphop,R&B,Soul).
Confident about the team, Jayso can now say ''SKILLIONS!!! POSITIVE, SERIOUS MUSIC, NO GIMMICKS''. Why? Because all seven artists believe in making positive music.
Looking back, Jayso feels at peace with himself because he has personally helped all these talents achieve a lot. What they do with it is up to them. But for Jayso and the Skillions Records crew, their beliefs and faith in God continue to be their inspiration and source of strength.
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