Hip-hop duo SKIP'LO to unveil unreleased material

Charleston-based hip-hop duo SKIP’LO will perform at The Royal American for the first time Aug. 21, supported by Cleveland hip-hop artist Tobyraps, as well as locals Loser Chris and DJ Fl!p.

The artists behind SKIP’LO, rappers Damn Skippy, aka Alex Veazey, and Appollo Valdez, saw the first inklings of a gift for collaboration when they met in 2012.

“When I first moved to Charleston, I started doing some local shows with a few guys,” Veazey said. “We ended up calling it the Holy City Hip-Hop Committee.”

Valdez got involved through Savage Souls, a group from the North Charleston and Summerville areas.

The two of them share an admiration for the lyric-driven, break-beat playfulness of ‘90s hip-hop. “We both have a love for that era. Every time we rap together it comes across in the music,” Valdez said.

They often pulled one another up on stage during past performances, such as Little Stranger’s Friendly Neighborhood Festival at Pour House.

“We were just making up choruses right on the spot, getting the crowd involved. We talked the next day and I was like man, let’s do an album,” Veazey said.

SKIP’LO’s upcoming album pays homage to ’90s greats with boom-bap, sample-style beats, while maintaining a fresh approach.

The duo worked with a variety of different producers on the upcoming album, including John Shields of Little Stranger, resulting in an eclectic collection of songs that don’t skimp on intellectualism.

SKIP’LO will perform tunes from the unreleased album, plus some of the rappers’ original tracks. Listeners can expect an energetic, action-packed show. “It’s one of my favorite sets I’ve ever put together — there is no downtime,” Veazey said.

“I’m just ready to rock it, and to show people that Charleston’s got some hip-hop artists for real,” Valdez said.