Geno N Skunk Boogie
Plies Artist Fella With Geno & Skunk Boogie
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GENO & SKUNK BOOGIE
By: Rahiem Shabazz & Ms. Rivercity
The possibility of driving down Route 41 in SWF (South West Florida) without Geno & Skunk Boogie blaring from your speakers is slim to none. Where most hip-hop artists struggle to remain relevant in a fickle market that caters to urban radio top ten singles, Geno & Skunk are defying the norm by continuously releasing stellar albums and making significant career inroads, at the same time extending their appreciation of the art to loyal hip-hop fans.
The South West Florida natives formed an alliance at the age of fourteen and have been rockin' together and representing, Bradenton (The Rotten Bottom) ever since. The noted chemistry is apparent in their uncompromised vision and attitude. "It's like we're brothers. He knows my every step; I know his every step," says Geno. "We've been together every day since the first day we met."
The two-man team, known to eschew introspective street rhymes, has already established a phenomenal underground and street presence on the strength of Take it Personal (2001), Underground State (2002), Nollege (2002), Graduation Day (2002), Free Dem (2004), As Is (2006) and Welcome to The Village (2006). They have shared the stage with the likes of Bone Crusher, Jadakiss, Acafool, and Chopper from No Limit Records as well as toured statewide with Supa D in 2003.
The Bradenton-bred duo realizes today's music scene is obsessed with redundant sounding raps, so the Suncoast natives did things differently, and by all standards the fans love it. "It's something new. It's something different. It has a Southern twist to it but it also has a message. It's not your everyday, common hip-hop," Geno says, when describing the group's sound. Their uncompromised sound has been highlighted on both the TJs DJs and the Tampa Music Conference compilations.
While, Geno possesses far-reaching talent as a producer, having produced Justice on Earth for 2X award winning reggae artist Junior Lion, it's the group's lyricism that make you pause and reflect while you enjoy their creative qualities.
As the duo readies another album for mass public consumption, their core fan base eagerly anticipates Problem Solved. The rhyme aesthetics and the art of emceeing that is missing from most acts are forever present in every song on the album.
The stirring yet mournful vibe is played out on the hook of "Fly", as the duo furiously attack the piano driven track with poignant lyrics. "Every day I wake up I face stress," Geno spits. "Every night I go to sleep I face death/ Every step that I take I lose breath/ In the back of my mind like, 'What's next?'/ For too damned long ya'll niggas done slept/ Had me put away silent and kept/ Now the ball's in my court and I'm 'a break free/ No matter how you take me/ Love me or hate me, nigga, you can't break me."
Dropping a handful of independent albums is but a small testament to the group's hustler mentality. However, the ultimate goal is to help others. "I want to get to a bigger place so I can help a lot of other people get out there," explains Skunk. "Big companies don't come to small towns like where we're from. I just want to live life and be free, be on top of the game and take over."
