Insane Spotlight: Skillful Edition – SkillfulGil

Scribbled by Lethal Illness @ 10:07 AM on January 5th, 2011.

Gilberto “SkillfulGil” Sanchez is a pioneer of the Puerto Rican rap game currently representing Bronx, NY. SkillfulGil is a rapper, a singer, a producer, and most importantly a true lover of music. SkillfulGil has opened shows for Vico-C and Ruben DJ as well as worked with Baron Lopez, Lisa-M, and Brewley MC amongst others. Fortunately, I’ve had the privileged and honor to interview this legendary musician.

SkillfulGil in the Studio!

Interview

Skill, what’s up brother? I have to start off by asking you where did the name SkillfulGil come from and how did you get into the game?
The name SkillfulGil was given to me in Prison. There was this character in a James Cagney jail movie who had access to the whole joint. I skilled in getting to and from places undetected, during counts, taking stuff anywhere. *chuckles* And [I] was into music there also. Played the keys, congas, bass guitar, and [was] one hell of a cook, so Skillful stuck. My bunkie said, “Yo, You Skillfulgil”, [and] I liked the sound of it. Musically, [I] got into the game when I was about 9. You can picture of me playing drums on stage at that age. Singing, dancing, then DJ’ing, it just all fell into place.

You’re multi-talented as a rapper, a singer, and a producer, what else do you do in the studio?
Take calls and try to make relative contacts. *laughs*

What are your favorite and least favorite genres to work with?
My favorite [genre] has to be Hip-Hop. My least? Hmmmmmmm, Merengue/Bachata!!

Do you like performing in english or spanish better?
I’m much better in Spanish no doubt [because] my flow’s on point in my native tongue. In English, I [can] do a lil’ somethin’ somethin’. But a person can hear the old school in me, so I do most of my stuff where I’m best.

What is your biggest inspiration and influence after all these years of making music?
My biggest inspiration has been having the desire to stay active, the joy of being drug free, jail free, like Denzel Scott Free. My influence has been all those artists that were counted out and made a comeback somehow. If you want something bad enough you can make it happen. Just have to put in footwork.

This is one of my favorite questions I ask artists; what do you like/dislike most about your own music?
Like: That I’m better in the Spanish Genre. Dislike: I wish I can flow like that in English.

What are your training and learning methods? How did you develop your talent into what it is now?
I listen to music and hear what I feel can make it better. I learn from anyone who can teach me. If a child can show me something than I’ll pay attention because I’m still developing.

Is music a hobby or a career path your pursuing? What are you trying to accomplish with music, is there a goal or a motive to do it?
It was a career at one time, [I] made a living from it. A long, long, time ago, sound like a Star Wars movie – huh? *laughs* But it’s a hobby now. The motive behind me still being true to this is just cause. Just cause I need to stay active in a positive way. [I have] been negative through-out my life for too many years. I’d have to stay positive for 20 more years just so that it balances out. You feel me?

Have you accomplished any of your goals you set or done anything big with your music?
I’ve accomplished what I thought I’d never while I was living in Puerto Rico. The first rapper on Puerto Rico TV (WAPA TV CH. 4). I was on something like American Bandstand called PARTY TIME. [I] was one of three that recorded the first rap single in Puerto Rico [entitled] “LAS DROGAS MATAN” with a crew called D-Squad. The D stood for Dope – how ironic? Was the fifth rapper to record solo with BM Records, “Tus Padres & Es Una Jungla”. Mad shows through-out the island and radio play, autographs, [and] pictures. Yeah, I was there for a lil’ while. Funny thing is, I can’t find a single link leading back to those days no where on the NET!! I’ll pay if anyone can.

Do you have any kind of deal in the works? Maybe a team or a camp you work with?
Well I was doing somethings for Charlie Rock (Unda Boss Movement) but it didn’t pan out. Not that I really wanted it to, but I tried it. I tried to work with others in my genre, but I’m down to earth and most of them glorify their own shadows. Me? I’m still afraid of mine. So I decided it’s better for me to compose alone, at least for now.

Any upcoming projects you’re working on? If so, is it a solo or joint effort?
My upcoming projects are going to be with these bronx cats; L.N.C.L (Laugh Now Cry Later). You may have heard them, I posted some of the tracks I laid for them at CrazyPellas. Vega Da Vet, H2, J.O The Matrix, John Dough, we working on stuff right now [that's] going to be hot!

When your not producing, singing, or rapping is there anything else you do? Any hidden talents we should know about?
At the moment I’m studying to be a Substance Abuse Counselor and an HIV Counselor. [I've] been at it for a minute now, [trying to] get State and City certified and make that money

Wrapping this up, thank you for taking the time out to do this interview. Is their any shoutouts or final words?
Yeah there is, I want to shout your ass out. Wholeheartedly, I want to thank you for being in my corner through-out all this. You’ve been a friend. I got mad respect for you and admire you. You make a person proud to say, “Yeah. Lethal!? That’s my boy!” You keep doing you little brother. Stay up. Props.

Plugs

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Facts

SkillfulGil is an Elite Artist of CrazyPellas.net.
SkillfulGil has written songs and composed beats for mainstream artists.
SkillfulGil has worked for many studios including Ruff Ryder Studio.

Check out this hot panty dropper by my boy SkillfulGil entitled “Repitelo”;

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