Skiips Reveals How Emtee & Nasty C’s “Winning” Inspired His Artistic Breakthrough. Rising South African artist Skiips has opened up about the pivotal moment that completely reshaped his musical direction, revealing how a single song by Emtee and Nasty C pushed him away from “hard raps” and into a more melodic lane.
Speaking candidly about his artistic journey, the Emtee Records signee reflected on his early days in music when he saw himself as a more conscious, backpack-style rapper focused heavily on lyrical content.
“I was recording, but that’s how I felt, like a conscious rapper. Like a backpack rapper, you know?” Skiips explained.
According to the rapper, everything changed after a life-altering studio encounter with someone who introduced him to the song “Winning” by Emtee and Nasty C. The track, which became one of the standout collaborations in South African hip hop, opened his eyes to a different approach to making music.
“Until I met this man. He played that song by Emtee and Nasty C, ‘Winning’. And he was like, try making a song like this, like, try being more melodic,” he recalled.
That advice would ultimately become a turning point in Skiips’ career and artistic identity.
“And my life changed forever ’cause I stopped with the hard raps. And I started making songs, you know?” he added.
The remarks offer fans a deeper understanding of the sonic evolution that has shaped Skiips into the artist he is today. While many rappers pride themselves on technical lyricism alone, Skiips’ story highlights how melody, emotion, and accessibility can completely transform an artist’s trajectory.
It also reinforces the lasting influence Emtee has had on a younger generation of South African hip hop artists. Known for blending street narratives with melodic hooks, Emtee helped redefine the local rap landscape and inspired countless artists to experiment beyond traditional rap structures.
For Skiips, that inspiration appears to have become the foundation of his current sound. Now signed to Emtee Records, the rapper’s journey has come full circle, evolving from a self-described backpack rapper into an artist embracing melody and songwriting without abandoning authenticity.
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