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In 2022, Skillibeng made a major move in his career when he was signed by American record label, RCA Records, which falls under Sony Music Entertainment. Richard ‘Skane Dolla’ Ford, the senior vice-president of A&R at the label, in an interview with The Gleaner at that time, stated that Skillibeng “has that ‘it’ factor that cannot be described in words”.
The truth is that whether he is dropping must-listen tracks; working on projects with Sean Paul, Nicki Minaj, DJ Khaled, and French Montana; purposefully striding through the pages of British style magazine, The Face; or ‘Jump(ing)’ on the stages of the BET Awards, Skillibeng keeps on exuding that elusive ‘it’ factor.
Writing about the Crocodile Teeth deejay’s performance at the 2024 BET Awards, bet.com stated that “the Jamaica-born musical sensation Skillibeng delivered a show-stopping performance alongside Tyla and Gunna for the South African singer’s latest single, Jump”.
Since then, Jump, which was written by Tyla, Mocha, Believve, Gunna, Skillibeng, and its producer Sammy SoSo, and which is featured on Tyla’s self-titled début album, has leaped into the stratosphere. The Afrobeats, dancehall and hip-hop fusion was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for surpassing 500,000 units in combined sales and streaming equivalents. According to reports, the single has achieved Gold certification in other territories, including Brazil, Canada, and New Zealand. Jump has been certified Silver in the UK and Platinum in South Africa.
Still relishing the sweet taste of success, Skillibeng made a bold move recently. One week ago, the deejay, who is also signed to EastSyde Records, delighted fans when he dropped his newest EP project, International. It follows his nine-track début extended play, Prodigy (2019); his 35-track début studio album, The Prodigy (2020); The Prodigy, Ladies Only Edition (2021); Crocodile Teeth (2021); Mr. Universe (2022) and Eastsyde (2023).
The nine-track International, which sees him linking with Moliy, Ty Dolla $ign, Tokischa, Major Lazer, Ayetian, and Young Nudy, is already garnering critical acclaim.
Born Emwah Ryan Warmington on December 23, Skillibeng, according to his bio, grew up in the rural community of Lyssons in St Thomas. He attended Morant Bay High School in the parish and there he honed his skills as a deejay and a dancer. It was also there that he got the name Skillibeng from his school friends.
In October 2015, he released his first official single Pain & Emotion, followed weeks later by Skilli She Love. However, it was the 2019 single Brik Pan Brik which solidified him as the one to watch.
In 2020, Skillibeng enjoyed what would be the first of many appearances on the Billboard chart when his contribution to the Contractor Music Group compilation, Tropical House Cruises to Jamaica: The Reggae Collector’s Edition entered Billboard’s Compilation Chart. The album was led by Shatta Wale, and also featured Capleton, Beenie Man, Sizzla, Tommy Lee Sparta, and Wayne Wonder. Skillibeng’s track was titled Middle Day.
He told THE STAR at the time: “This latest success only represents how hard Skillibeng has been working and this is just the beginning because hard work for me never stops. This is a great look for dancehall and Jamaican music on a whole, and me just feel like the work really just start put in.”
Skillibeng, who is the winner of Best Caribbean Music Act at the MOBO Awards of 2022, received a Silver certification in the UK for his 2020 hit, Crocodile Teeth. This week, he joins us for The Gleaner’s 5 Questions With ... feature.
1. When ‘Brik Pan Brik’ hit big in 2019, did you imagine that six years later life would have changed so much?
Yes I did. I continued to work hard daily and still do!
2. What is a typical day in the life of Skillibeng and how do you stay humble when embraced by such global success?
My life is a mixture of work, entertainment, and hobbies I enjoy... and, last but not least, more work! Staying humble is easy for me because I came from humble beginnings and was exposed to wealthy, middle-class, and poor livity from an early stage, so I understand what the real wealth in life is – life and happiness.
3. How has your tours been going for 2025 and share one experience that stands out.
Touring has been amazing! And I really enjoyed making music in Sweden!
4.Are you still “Jump-ing” for joy over your gold certifications, and what do you think contributed to the runaway success of the song?
Yes I am...and I think the mixture of cultures (Gunna–America, Tyla–Africa, Skillibeng–Caribbean) is what contributed the most to the runaway of this song.
5. Will your new EP, ‘International’ be submitted to the Recording Academy for a possible Grammy Award?
God’s willing.
BRAWTA:
What is your biggest dubplate song?
Crocodile Teeth
English (US) ·