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Local hip-hop trio Skully to compete on BET show
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
YOUNGSTOWN
Skully, a Youngstown-based hip-hop trio, will compete on a national television show Wednesday.
The group will be one of three contestants on “106 & Park,” a music video and hip-hop show that airs from 6 to 8 p.m. on BET.
Skully doesn’t know for sure exactly what time they will perform on the show, but they have been designated group B. The winner is selected by viewers who text their choice to the program.
To vote for Skully, viewers must text B to 79922.
Skully will perform their song “DJ Play My Hit,” which they also sang for their audition on March 8. If they win the voting Wednesday, they will advance on the program and also be considered for a future show.
The group found out a few days ago that they were selected for the program and will head back up to New York next week. Skully will be pitted against two other rap artists: one from Brooklyn and one from San Diego.
The three members of the group — Da Kid Loyal (Cameron Lewis), Wil’i (William Jackson) and iBdrumm (Brandon Drummer) — are all 2010 graduates of Chaney High School.
They became known locally in 2010 when they made their debut as an opening act for Soulja Boy at Covelli Centre.
Since then, the group has performed in shows with a number of national acts, including Krayzie Bone, Machine Gun Kelly, Hurricane Chris, Hopsin, Roy Cash and Ray Jr.
Skully was the winner of an Ohio Hip-Hip Awards showcase in Columbus in 2011. The trio also has appeared at DJ conferences in Cleveland, New York and Louisville, Ky., and has performed at clubs in Cleveland, Columbus and St. Louis, as well as numerous shows in Youngstown.
The members are pursuing music careers while holding down day jobs to fulfill their dream.
Skully also is planning to give talks and performances at several Youngstown city schools to encourage students.