Skilla Baby talks, channeling Tupac Shakur on 'The Price of Fame' album

[Stephan Bobb]

Skilla Baby talks, channeling Tupac Shakur on 'The Price of Fame' album

Opinion by Preezy Brown

Aug 24 • 7 min read • Updated 3d ago

Even amid gunfire, a stoic Skilla Baby stays calm. Audio of a firearm discharging bullets blares from a set of speakers as the rapper previews a track from his new album, The Price of Fame, causing others seated in the conference to react to the visceral sound.

It’s a few weeks ahead of the album’s Aug. 21 release date, and Skilla is giving VIBE an early listen to key songs, noting their origins and inspirations with the relaxed assuredness of one not only confident in their product but also comfortable in their own skin.

Detroit native Skilla Baby has learned to flourish while under arduous conditions. After debuting 2019's Push That s**t Out Skilla and before hitting the ground running with the first volume of his Crack Music series the following year, Skilla’s ascent was rapid. His 2023 joint album, Controversy, with Tee Grizzley, and collaborations with Sada Baby, Icewear Vezzo, Babyface Ray, and Boldy James fortified his buzz, and his We Eat The Most Reloaded album placed him squarely in the nexus of Detroit’s hip-hop scene.

Yet, a string of controversial incidents, like the May 2025 shooting in Michigan that left the rapper wounded, momentarily staggered his trajectory, leaving him on the mend and in a state of reflection. Now, the fully recovered and rising hitmaker is locked in and ready to make a statement with The Price of Fame, an album he made with the intention of not only winning over the public but also moving hearts.

“I hope fans take away a lot from this project,” Skilla says about his latest body of work. “I hope that it heals people. I hope it motivates people. I hope people learn from some of my lessons. I hope I’m one of their favorite lyricists after this album. I want to be put in the lyricist category. I hope they get a lot for themselves”

The Price of Fame - his first release since 2024's The Coldest and Crack Music 3 - is driven by Skilla Baby’s palpable hunger, gratitude, and renewed purpose. After giving us an early listen, he shared insight into creating his new album, the cover art’s connection to Tupac Shakur, making his acting debut in Power: Origins, and more.

https://youtu.be/PWRYdZ6Xq_s?si=DSkTzwMe_Q9D9yE3

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VIBE: What inspired The Price of Fame's title?

Skilla Baby: The Price of Fame was inspired by the average person. I wanted to connect it to the everyday struggles they face in doing what they want or taking care of their family.

The Price of Fame is your first album since Crack Music 3 in 2024. Was there a reason behind the delay?

The delay was because I wanted this project to have all the elements I needed and wanted to make it a classic.

The cover is inspired by the infamous photo of Tupac in a wheelchair outside the courthouse following the Quad Studio shooting. What made you recreate that photo and scene for the cover?

I recreated the photo because I wanted every moment of my rollout to be conversational and feel nostalgic. I wanted to pay homage to the people who inspire me. Tupac means everything to me. He embodies hip-hop. He embodies entertainment, an icon. I’m really inspired by him. What made him so iconic was that he was unapologetically himself and didn’t shy away from being great at different things pertaining to hip-hop and entertainment.

You also released a trailer for the album announcement featuring 50 Cent. How did the two of you meet?

I met 50 through my guy from New York; his name is TV. He’s a good friend of mine, a great guy. I was just in New York a lot, and he was like, “You’ve got to meet 50.” He introduced me, and we’ve been cool ever since. I guess TV saw something in me that he wanted to introduce me to 50 and make that work. I appreciate TV for that connection too.

What do you think about yourself that made 50 Cent gravitate towards you?

I think 50 Cent gravitated towards me because he probably saw something in himself that he’s seen in me. I’m ambitious, and I never want to stop. I’m always looking to grow, learn more, and ask a lot of questions. I don’t shy away from asking questions or seeking advice to do better. He probably just clung to me because of that.

Your track “The Thick One” with 42 Dugg has been heating up the airwaves and the streets. Take us back to the making of that song and how that went?

I made that song at the beginning of the album process. It was left off, but I had it in my phone, and I knew Dugg needed a girl record per se. When we were connecting to work, I played him the record, and I sent it to him. He sat with it for a minute, and then he did his version. The rest is history.

“The Thick One” has become an anthem of sorts. Being that you’re from Detroit, what are some of your personal favorite hometown anthems?

Some of my personal hometown anthems are “Good Ass Day” by Doughboyz Cashout and “2 Million Up” by Peezy. “Activated” by Sada Baby. “MayBack” by 42 Dugg and Future. Oh, Eminem's “Lose Yourself.” Go to any arena, and you’ll hear that. It’s a lot.

You recently released the track “Face Card” featuring Chris Brown and Bryson Tiller. What’s your relationship like with them, and how did that track come to life?

Chris Brown, that’s like big bro. We don’t really talk about music a lot. We talk about our well-being and just congratulate each other. We motivate each other and stuff like that. Chris Brown is a great guy. I don’t talk to Bryson Tiller that much, but when we do, it’s always positive. I appreciate them so much for even blessing me with their vocals and believing in something that I wanted to do. I just want to shout them out and tell them I appreciate them.

Who are the producers that you worked with on The Price of Fame?

I worked with endless producers. 1500 or Nothin’, Rance and Mars. Boogz Da Beast, J. Hill, Go Grizz, Toomp. There are so many to name. Hitmaka. There were so many. If I left you out, I apologize. There were so many people, and the most important part of the album was the producers. To every producer who worked on my album, I want to say I appreciate you.

Does your album's August 21st release date hold any significance to you?

I tried to get it out on my dad’s birthday. That was July 10th, which is in the month it was supposed to come out, but we had to tweak the album and add some final touches. August 21st was a date when I could realistically roll it out properly.

You worked with a lot of big names on this album. Which musical influences of yours would you like to collaborate with in the future?

Oh my God. The musical artists I would like to collaborate with in the future include Anita Baker, Lil Wayne, and others. Beyoncé and Jay-Z. I want to shout out the people who aren’t here with us, too. DMX was an inspiration. Luther Vandross. I’m a big Luther fan. And Lauryn Hill. She’s with us, though. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was like my favorite album of all time.

You have a song with Nas on your album. What was it like working with him?

The song with Nas was everything to me because Nas is on my Hip-Hop Mount Rushmore, and I’m pretty sure he doesn’t know a lot of other people. Probably 80- 90% of people have him on their Mount Rushmore. Personally, that was big for me, let alone for my album. The hat tilt he gave me and a head nod…Just being in the same room with him was a lot; he’s so personable and inviting. He doesn’t see himself [as superior]; he doesn’t treat anybody as less than. I appreciate him.

What would you say is your trademark or your signature as an artist?

I think my ad-libs might be my trademark. Making empowering, impactful songs for girls might be my trademark. I think it’s a lot of stuff.

Who else is on your Mount Rushmore? You mentioned that Nas is one of them. Who are the other three?

My Mount Rushmore has to be Nas, Eminem, Jay-Z, and Lil Wayne.

What sets them apart?

Lil Wayne, lyrically, is the best ever. Jay-Z, in business, is the best ever. Nas, he’s just so witty and lyrical, and can make you feel conscious-rap in a cool way. Everything he’s done — movies, fashion, and all that — he’s just up there. And then, Eminem, the biggest rapper of all time. He’s from my city, so I’m kind of biased, but the numbers don’t lie, you know.

You’re breaking into acting with your role in Power: Origins. How did that opportunity come about?

My opportunity to act came about because I got with my acting manager, Rocket. He’s also close to 50, but I went to acting school for like a year and a half. We didn’t tell 50 or anything. When I finished and he felt I was ready, we showed him some self-tapes to show I was working. He provided me with the opportunity to be with the agency, and IAG blessed me.

What was the biggest challenge in transitioning into acting?

My biggest challenge in transitioning into acting was tapping into emotions I didn’t want to. Just really focusing on crying or being sad or being happy when I wasn’t, or just embodying things that weren’t exactly me. It’s easy to play a role that’s you, but when you’re playing something that you’re not accustomed to, that’s when you know you’re doing something with acting.

What’s next for you, Skilla Baby?

Big acting roles, movies, and albums. Tour coming probably in the fall. I also want to tell everybody to make sure you check on your people and their mental health. You never know what a strong person is going through. I just want everybody to love each other, be peaceful, and stay happy and positive.