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While hip-hop has always revolved around passing fads, it's nice to know some things always stay the same. Since first signing with Atlantic Records in 1992, Skillz has sustained a solid reputation as an MC who can stay relevant no matter what the current trend may be. "I'm trying to show that there's still regular guys making music," says the Virginia rapper. "I don't talk about all of the things that most cats talk about. I'm not a thug, I'm not a gangster. You don't have to have a hidden agenda to make good music."

Skillz has spent nearly half of his life making music. Growing up in Richmond, VA he knew he wanted to be involved in hip-hop in some capacity, but didn't know where he fit in. "I tried all the elements of hip-hop," he says. "I DJed before I was rapping and I tried graffiti, but I sucked at all of them except for MCing." After rapping for just one year, he was offered a record deal with Atlantic after placing second in the NYC's New Music Seminar's MC Battle in1993.

Aside from dropping two critically lauded full-length albums, '92's From Where??? (Atlantic) and '02's I Ain't Mad No More (released internationally on Rawkus Records), Skillz has collaborated with Timbaland and penned a bevy of hard hitting singles - including 2005's candid "Confessions of a Ghostwriter" and five consecutive "Year-End Wrap-Up," tracks where the talented wordsmith summarizes each passing year's events into a witty collection of verses. His coveted "Wrap-Up" joints take the internet by storm every year for the simple fact that Skillz will say what most MCs won't.

"I'm a type of person that when you hear me you're gonna want to know what is he gonna say next," he says. "I'm the 'Wrap-Up' guy so when you hear my records you're not just listening to the beat."

In order to make sure his music hits the wide audience is deserves, Skillz has spent the past couple of years waxing poetic live alongside Jazzy Jeff and The Roots, an experience that is reflected on his new KOCH distributed album, Million Dollar Backpack. "When people hear 'backpack' they automatically think underground music," says Skillz. "But with this album I went in a different direction. I've been experimenting with a lot of live music. A lot of my beats were made using live instrumentation."

With production partners like Jazzy Jeff, Questlove, Karma Productions (Musiq, Freeway, Raheem Devaughn), Khari Ferrari and Dice Raw (The Roots), Jake One (G-Unit), Bink (Jay Z) and Kwame, Skillz created a slew of fresh sounds to rap over. As far as his vocal direction, the famed MC who is known for his measured rhyme consistency is as lyrically sharp as ever. "I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel or anything of that nature," he says. "I know what I'm good at and I'm gonna stick to my guns instead of trying to be something that I'm not. I really tried to get that point across on this album."

As in the past, Million Dollar Backpack finds Skillz rapping mostly about the reality in which he lives, a refreshing change from all of the thug posturing that runs rampant in hip-hop today. On "Preaching to the Choir" Skillz spins a superb narrative that details the ups and downs of relationships. He then flips the script on "Where I Been" to explain the wild ride that has been his career and gotten him to the honorable position he now holds as one of hip-hop's most respected lyricists. The album features guest appearances by Common, Kweli, Freeway and The Roots.

The first single off of Million Dollar Backpack, is "So Far So Good" feat. Common. The track finds Skillz reflecting on how far he has come and what he has to do to keep pushing ahead. On "Crazy World," he ponders on the many injustices we all face every day. Touching on the hysteria he feels has been creeping into the hood for some time now, Skillz spits: "There's kids on my block with pockets full of rocks/They used to think that school was cool but that came to a stop/The madness setting in, I know a veteran, shit he fought for his country and can't afford his medicine." The video for "Crazy World" can be seen online and was featured on MTV2's "Sucker Free" in late winter.

With an album chock full of substance, style and of course skill, Million Dollar Backpack promises to fill the creative void that's plaguing hip-hop. "Originality is missing in music," says Skillz. "You don't have to be a gimmick, just be yourself. I'm not mad at the state of music or what ain't happening, I'm just making my music and anyone who wants to listen to it I'm greatly appreciative."