Skilla Baby is operating with two of hip-hop’s most respected figures working behind the scenes on his behalf.
The Detroit rapper has revealed that Nas and 50 Cent are actively involved in his career, with Nas making personal phone calls, organizing listening parties, and reaching out to Eminem to push his music forward.
The relationship with Nas grew out of a period in Skilla Baby’s life that reshaped his entire trajectory. After being shot, he found himself in rooms he might not have otherwise entered.
He credits the experience with connecting him to people who felt compelled to support him, including Pastor Warren Campbell, who has worked extensively in gospel music and is married to Erica Campbell of Mary Mary. “
A lot of people was like it was just I started working with you because like God,” he said, describing how faith motivated those around him to step in.
From there, someone in his circle played his album for Nas, and what began as a simple phone conversation evolved into something far more substantial. “
At first, it just started with a phone conversation,” he said. Then it went to, ‘Okay, do you want me to executive produce it?’ Then it went to, ‘I want to help you with this.’ Then it went to, ‘Oh, I’m going to put a verse on this.’
Landing a Nas feature alone would be a significant moment for any artist, but Skilla Baby says the collaboration only scratches the surface of what the Queensbridge legend has done for him.
“Nas does so much stuff for me behind the scenes that no one knows,” he said. He makes phone calls. He connects dots. He’s putting together listening parties. He’s playing this for this person. He’s calling Eminem.”
Skilla Baby described the Nas feature as “probably the best bullet I ever caught,” a phrase that speaks to how the hardship of being shot ultimately opened doors he could not have anticipated.
50 Cent is equally present in the picture, though largely out of public view. Skilla Baby was clear that both men are doing work that has not been visible to fans or the industry at large.
Him and 50 Cent really plays a big role in what’s going on with me right now,” he said. “They throw me so many hoops. It’s crazy.”
The level of investment from Nas and 50 Cent, two artists who have long since secured their legacies, signals genuine belief in what Skilla Baby is building.
For a rapper whose fanbase has largely known him through Detroit street music and club records, the association with Nas in particular represents a notable expansion of his reach and credibility.
The full scope of that support, by his own account, is still largely unknown to the public.
