We were lucky to catch up with SkRUFF ZONA recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi SkRUFF, thanks for joining us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?
I wish I would have started my career earlier. But I was focused on school and football at the time. I would just play around with it, just to see if I still had it.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am SkRUFF ZONA, a Hip Hop Artist from “Maryvale” Phoenix, Az. Always been around music since a kid in the 90s. My pops was a DJ and I have an uncle who is still active as a DJ. That was my introduction into the music world. I started out as a DJ from 95-05, i started rapping around that same time as well. I took a break from music because sports took up my time. By the time I got to college, I kept in contact with my brother Earth Yarb and he told me he was producing music and rapping, this was around 2012. That’s when I decided to get back in the game and try and take it seriously. I’ve never recorded an actual song that was structured properly until I got with Earth Yarb. My music doesn’t sound like the typical songs being made, and I’m perfectly fine with that. My voice and sound is different, it’s high pitched, but not on purpose.
I created a brand that represents the things I loved growing up as a kid. It’s called ShredItGANG LLC. “You have to SHRED through every obstacle that’s set forth in front of you, and keep going!” I’ve created merchandise to go along with the branding, it’s available on my website www.iamskruffzona3900.com/shop you can also find music and videos there as well. My music is streaming on all platforms, videos are on YouTube too.
I’ve opened up for some major artist such as E-40, NefThaPharoah, OMB Peezy, Riff Raff, Andre Nickatina, etc. I’ve performed in Phoenix area, Glendale, Peoria, Avondale, Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale, Flagstaff, Tucson,Az and Oklahoma City, Ok.
The journey isn’t complete, it’s a lot more shredding to do. My main objective right now is to get my merchandise store more active.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect has to be the connections you make whether it be a fan, artist, producer, engineer, promoter, just the networking that goes on. You never know who is watching or listening.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Only thing that drives my creative journey, is connecting to the people who are like me in a way. For example, if you like skateboards, bmx bikes, cars, sports, music, and a little fashion then were thriving.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.iamskruffzona3900.com
- Instagram: Iamskruffzona
- Facebook: Iamskruffzona
- Twitter: Iamskruffzona
- Youtube: YouTube.com/@SKRUFFZONA