With a second-place finish (behind Midwest rapper Supernatural) in the freestyle competition at the nation's most prestigious MC seminar in 1995, this aptly named Virginia native demonstrated his limitless verbal potential. The first salvo fired from Skillz was the single "The Nod Factor" of which a lengthy stanza appeared as a memorable Hip Hop Quotable in The Source Magazine. Skillz reigned supreme with his brand of harshly wicked witticisms, uncorking the type of sinister rhymes that would make a freestyle foe hang his head in shame. The consummate lyricist, Skillz mastered the unique art of double-entendre with rhymes like: "put your clothes on backwards if you feel like frontin'." The lampooning onslaught came to a head with Skillz' debut in 1996, From Where??, which called attention to the virtually untapped talent within his home state. The album featured a few gems on production from Large Professor and Buckwild and a guest appearance from Q-Tip on "Extra Abstract Skillz." Many heads were checking for this album although the same heads also clamored for more decisive production that would match the Madd one's singular lyrical gift. Madd Skillz reappeared in 1999 on Rawkus' Soundbombing, Vol. 2 on "B-Boy Document" which also featured Mos Def. In 2000, he released his own single on Rawkus, "Ghost Writer" produced by fellow Virginian Timabaland. ~ Michael Di Bellabr /br /, All Music Guide
