Dray Skky
| Dray Skky | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | AnDraya Skcih |
| Born | July 8, 1978 |
| Origin | Columbia, South Carolina, United States |
| Genres | Hip hop, R&B, Pop, Gospel, Soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | Skky Music LLC, A1 Records |
| Associated acts | Trick Daddy, Brisco (rapper), DunkRyders, UnTuchabel |
| Website | www.SkkyMusic.com |
Dray Skky is an American songwriter born in South Carolina, and raised in Miami, Florida.
Nicknamed "Skky" by affiliates in the urban market who knew her as a songwrite/vocal arranger, she debut her vocal abilities on Trick Daddy's December 2006 album release Back By Thug Demand. Rumors quickly spread in the Fall of 2007 that Skky had signed with Dunk Ryder Records, teaming up with Trick Daddy, Iceburg, Fella, and Soup for what would have been an unstoppable combination for the South.[1]
The rumors came to a stop when DunkRyder's (the group) signed with Cash Money/Universal and Skky was not part of the deal. In an interview Skky said, "At the time, I wasn't pursuing a singing career, I was more focused on my writing and Trick knew that. In fact, I was actually writing and developing a friend who wasn't the strongest writer, but had an amazing vocal talent. I really wanted to see her be successful.
In 2008, Skky was commissioned to write for an independent pop/rock artist that was signed to A1 Records. The demo provided by Skky included her own vocals, which captured the attention of the label's CEO, James Goosby. In March of 2009, after hearing more of Skky's catalog, Goosby convinced Skky to enter a recording contract to release the song "Catch 22", featuring Brisco with Poe Boy Entertainment and produced by GoldRush with Dunk Ryder Records. The song collaboration took place 6 months prior to Skky meeting Goosby, so it was quickly mastered and set for a May release date. The song was rumored to have leaked two weeks early, but the response was so positive, it sparked the decision to proceed with the music video.
Skky filmed the video for "Catch 22" in May 2009 which features Brisco, Tiffany (BET's College Hill South Beach), and K.O.(Skky's official dance team).[2]
A reliable Circle House engineer claims that Skky's relationship with the label turned sour due to some bad dealings by the label owner. Skky's manager immediately dealt with the situation and separated Skky from the label.
In 2010, Dray Skky and her Manager officially formed Skky Music LLC, an Artist Management, Artist Development Company.[3] In the fall of 2010 Skky Music LLC, began developing a group of artists that aspires to join Skky's Management Division (1) Mirani Starr [Female Rapper], (2) Sariyna [Female Singer], (3) UnTuchabel [Male Rapper], (4) Top Flight Generals [Male Rap Group].
Two of Skky's acts were offered recording contracts in 2011 by an independent label. Unfortunately, the label dissolved unexpectedly due to the tragic death of the label's CEO.[4] The loss of "Big Duke" combined with the birth of her first son Skky decided to take a break from the music industry for a while.[5]
Early life
Dray Skky was born in Columbia, South Carolina to Mary Williams and Clifton Skcih. She signed to Millie Lewis Modeling Agency at the age of five and for two years she starred in various department store commercials and advertisements. In elementary school, Skky developed a passion for writing poetry and short stories. When she moved to Carrollton, GA in the third grade, a childhood friend, who played the guitar, convinced Skky to add melody to her poems. This is when Skky realized how much she enjoyed the art of songwriting.[6]
Personal life
Skky and her husband Harry have two sons. Harry also had 3 other children from prior relationships.
Influences
Dray Skky indicates on her website that some of her influences include: Michael Jackson, Yolanda Adams, Beyonce Knowles, Faith Evans, Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton, and Prince.[6]
Discography
- 2006: Back by Thug Demand - Song Title: You Damn Right
- 2009: Catch 22[7]
- 2010: E.O.S Mixtape / Global South, Inc. - Song Title(s): Bedrock, Keep Him Safe, Like Damn [8]
- 2011: Do or Die 259 - Song Title: Living Large (Songwriter, Background Vocalist)
References
- ↑ http://305hiphop.com/content/trick-daddy-back-thug-demand
- ↑ "Official Music Video: "Catch 22" Skky Feat. Brisco". YouTube. 21 June 2009. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ↑ "Official Website of Skky Music LLC and I Skky Music Publishing (ASCAP)". Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ↑ http://www.iskkymusic.com/Previously_In_The_News.html
- ↑ https://twitter.com/DraySkky?lang=en
- 1 2 https://www.iskkymusic.com
- ↑ http://www.myspace.com/skky01
- ↑ "D-Con Rex - E.O.S. (End Of Sentence)". DatPiff. Retrieved 9 March 2015.