What made you want to pursue singingprofessionally?Since I was little, when I was about 6 or 7, Iwas singing in church. People would tell mewhen I sang that my voice touched them andinspired them. Ever since then I knew singingwas something I wanted to do, especially if itmade people feel that way.What about song writing? Do you put togetheryour own lyrics and choruses?I do a majority of my own writing. I justbranched out and got with a few differentsongwriters that are assisting me now. Butmy songwriting is inspired by things thathave happened to me or my friends, or evenfrom a fictional standpoint, things you wishwould happen. That’s how I write my music. Amajority of it comes from a realistic standpointthough.Out of all the songs you’ve written and sung,which ones have been the most special toyou?Every song I write is important to me, but onein particular is titled “Guardian Angel.” I wroteit for my mother who passed away in 2002.That song has definitely been one that’s mostpersonal to me. I have some other songs also,one is titled “Why You Didn’t Call” which gotradio play in Tallahassee, Gainesville, and a fewother areas. I guess a lot of people could relateto that song. It was one of those realistic situationsin everyday life.When you lost your mother, how did youovercome that situation?It was definitely an obstacle I had to overcomebecause she was basically the closest personto me. I basically learned to channel thoseemotions into my music more. Music helped,but of course there’s that void that can neverbe filled.Was “Why You Didn’t Call” the first songyou’ve had on the radio?Yeah, it was the first song I remember beingon the radio. It was a great feeling because Ididn’t really know it was gonna be on the radio.The program director here, Jay Blaze, gaveme a call the day he put it on the radio. Hewas getting different responses from peoplecalling in after they heard the record. It wasgreat to hear the positive feedback in my localmarket for something I wrote.You have a lot of support in your hometownand Florida in general. How were you able toget people’s attention?I don’t want to sound like I’m cocky, but thevery first thing was having talent that peoplerespect. The songs I sing, whether they’reoriginal songs or cover tunes, for the mostpart, I’ve always gotten a good response becauseI sing positive music. Once people heardor saw me sing in Tallahassee and these otherplaces, once people saw me out in the streetsworking my mixtapes and singles, they startedsupporting me and my situation. It just kindasnowballed from there.Have you been approached by any majorlabels yet?I have been approached by a few A&Rs fromsome major labels, and I was actually negotiatingcertain things with Plies and Big Gates’Records. We were trying to see what we coulddo and what could happen, but at this pointwe’re still searching for the right situation.So you’re up for an SEA nomination this year.How does that feel?I’m up for two – one is for Best R&B Indie Albumand one for Best R&B Artist of the Year.You put out an album?It was actually a mixtape called Skai is the Limit.We released that in late 2007. It created a lotof buzz for me. Myself and Exclusive J, who isthe road manager for Tay Dizm, actually putit together ourselves. It was definitely a lot ofwork, but I want to do it again.With your look and sound, I’m picturing youin a movie like Dreamgirls. Is that somethingyou want to do one day?(laughs) It’s funny you ask that, because I couldsee myself having different roles in movies. Aslong as they’re not scary I’m okay. But yeah,that’s definitely way down the line ‘cause themain focus is to finish a project. I’m currentlyworking on an EP. We’re going to haveit finished at the end of this year so it can bereleased first quarter.I know music is your life, but what are youlike outside of the booth?I like everything that regular girls like. I likeshopping, watching movies, hanging out withthe girls, going to parties and different events.Aside from being Skai, I guess, I don’t want tosay I’m the regular average girl, but to a certainextent I am.Do you have anything else people should bechecking for?I appreciate everyone that has supported methus far. People will definitely be finding outabout me and hearing more from me. You cancheck me out on Myspace.com/kisstheskai andYoutube.com/skaichannel.OZONE MAG // 13
WORDS BY MS RIVERCITYPHOTO BY HANNIBAL MATTHEWSwherever Young A.C. goes, he steals the show.A longtime protégé of Power 96’s Teddy T,Young A.C. has been groomed for the spotlighthe’s finally receiving with his newJ.U.S.T.I.C.E. League produced track.14 // // OZONE MAG
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