Lil Skies
- Hip hop
- trap
- emo rap
- SoundCloud rap
- pop rap
- Rapper
- singer
- songwriter
- Roc Nation
- All We Got
- Atlantic
Kimetrius Christopher Foose (born August 4, 1998), better known by his stage name Lil Skies, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter from Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. He signed with Atlantic Records in 2017 to release the hit singles "I," "Nowadays," and "Red Roses." The songs peaked at numbers 39, 55, and 69 respectively on the Billboard Hot 100. His major label debut mixtape, Life of a Dark Rose (2018) peaked at number ten on the Billboard 200 chart and received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[1] His debut studio album, Shelby (2019) and its follow up, Unbothered (2021) followed thereafter, peaking respectively at numbers five and 50 on the chart.
Early life
Kimetrius Christopher Foose was born August 4, 1998, in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.[2][3] He began freestyling at age three. He was introduced to music by his father, Michael Burton Jr., a hip hop artist formerly known as Dark Skies, now as BurntMan, and his mother Shelby Foose. Foose's stage name is a play on his father's.[4][5] Foose and his family moved to Waynesboro, Pennsylvania when he was in third grade.[3] When he was 11, his father was injured in a workplace chemical explosion at the Rust-Oleum plant near Williamsport, Maryland.[6]
Career
2016–2018: Career beginnings and Life of a Dark Rose
Skies claims he used to have to sell marijuana and work "little jobs" to pay for studio time and music videos.[7] He also worked at a McDonald's and a Japanese restaurant in his hometown.[7] In the meantime, he would spend the summer at a relative's house; it was at that point in time he worked in collaboration with his dad on his first project released on August 14, entitled, "Birth of Skies Vol. 1". Foose and his father would write an album the following year, Father-Son Talk, discussing the recovery process.[8] Foose graduated from Waynesboro Area Senior High School in 2016[9] and briefly attended Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania before dropping out to focus on his rap career.[10] His musical inspirations are Lil Wayne, Eminem, Wiz Khalifa, The Offspring, Punchline, MxPx, Audiovent and 50 Cent.[11]
In October 2016, Foose opened for Fetty Wap at Shippensburg University[5] and later released his first mixtape, Alone, in January 2017.[12] In July 2017, he released two songs, "Red Roses" featuring Landon Cube[13] and "Off The Goop" featuring Sprite Lee.[14] He would later release other songs that year, including "Rude" and "Signs of Jealousy."[15]
Foose's repertoire of singles caught the attention of Atlantic Records who partnered with his own label, All We Got.[10][16] He released his first major label mixtape, Life of a Dark Rose, on January 10, 2018.[17] The mixtape debuted at #23[18] on the Billboard 200 chart and went on to peak at #10.[19] The songs "Nowadays" and "Red Roses" (both featuring Landon Cube) debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 list at #85 and #98 respectively[20] and have since peaked at #55 and #69 (also respectively).[21] He also toured nationally with Lil Uzi Vert in 2017 and began his "Life of a Dark Rose" tour in 2018, but had to end the tour early due to pneumonia.[17] On May 4, 2018, the music video for "Lust" was released, peaking at number 87 on the Billboard Hot 100 and being certified platinum by the RIAA.[22] On May 31, he released "I Know You", featuring Yung Pinch, which peaked at 79 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is now certified gold by RIAA.[23]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9d/Lil_Skies_Fillmore_Auditorium_05.01.19_%2847708562902%29.jpg/300px-Lil_Skies_Fillmore_Auditorium_05.01.19_%2847708562902%29.jpg)
2019: Shelby
On March 1, 2019, Lil Skies released his album Shelby, named after his mother, while simultaneously debuting the music video for lead single "I".[24] He made a short documentary for the album on his YouTube channel by interviewing her and surprising her during it by telling her he was going to name it after her.[25] On May 21, 2019, Lil Skies released a video for "Breathe", a song from his album, Shelby.[26]
2020–2022: Unbothered and standalone singles
On March 4, 2020, Skies released the song "Havin My Way", which features close friend Lil Durk and serves as the lead single from his second studio album, Unbothered (2021).[27] It was followed by the second single, "Riot", which was released on May 14, 2020.[28] "On Sight", the third single, was released on November 6, 2020.[29] "Ok", the fourth and final single, was released December 16, 2020.[30] Skies released "My Baby" with American Singer Zhavia Ward, the lead single to the Unbothered Deluxe, on April 29, 2021.
Skies released multiple standalone singles during his Unbothered singles rollout. "Fidget" was released April 20, 2020.[31] On July 10, 2020, he released the track "Red & Yellow" from the Road to Fast 9 mixtape.[32] "Lightbeam", featuring American Rapper NoCap, was released July 23, 2020.[33]
After Unbothered released, Skies released "Play This At My Funeral", featuring Landon Cube, on March 25, 2022 and "Rage!", released November 27, 2022.
2023–present: Independence and Out Ur Body Music
On February 21, 2023, Skies released "Make A Toast", his final release under Atlantic Records. Skies announced he had left the label via Instagram Live, and subsequently released several singles as an independent artist for the first time since 2017.[34]
Skies is featured on Lyrical Lemonade’s debut album All Is Yellow, on the song "This My Life" alongside Lil Tecca and The Kid Laroi. The song charted Number 19 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100,[35] 49 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[36] and number 20 on the Official New Zealand Music Chart.[37]
Skies released the single "Thousands" on February 9, 2024, marking his first solo release of the year. "Thousands" acted as the lead single to his mixtape Out Ur Body Music. "Death", the second single, dropped on March 8. The eight-track mixtape was released on March 29 and was the first full-length project from Skies since Unbothered (2021).
Personal life
Foose still resides in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. In July 2019, Foose and his longtime girlfriend, Jacey Fugate, had a son.[38][39][40]
Foose cites his own song "Red Roses" as his personal favorite song, referring to the musical combination with him and Landon Cube as "epic".[41] He cites Lil Wayne as his biggest music inspiration.[42]
Foose now tries to avoid drugs as much as possible after seeing it negatively impact the lives of his old friends.[43]
In an interview, Skies claims if he was not rapping, he would like to do some "Bear Grylls type, outdoor stuff" and that his favorite hobby is fishing.[44]
2024 arrest
Foose was arrested on May 20, 2024 for an alleged hit and run on another vehicle. [45] Foose allegedly sped off after the accident and did not exchange insurance information with the other driver. [46] The inmate records at Franklin County Jail reveal Foose has since been released but the status of his bail and the potential case have yet to be commented on by Foose or the Police Department. [47]
Discography
- Shelby (2019)
- Unbothered (2021)
References
- ^ "LIL SKIES – LIFE OF A DARK ROSE". RIAA.
- ^ Mench, Chris (December 5, 2017). "From Waynesboro To The Web: Lil Skies Is On The Verge Of Breaking Out". Genius.com. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ a b Adams, Joi S. (April 1, 2017). "New TSP Artist Alert: Lil Skies Releases Video For "Some Way"". The Stokey Project. Retrieved February 12, 2018.[permanent dead link]
- ^ McCarthy, Liam (September 5, 2017). "Going Up w/ Lil Skies". Elevator Magazine. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ a b Bonura, Denise (October 20, 2016). "Reaching for the stars: Lil Skies to open for Fetty Wap". Shippensburg News Chronicle. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ Herald, Denise Bonura/The Record. "Michael Burton Jr. of Waynesboro emerges stronger after suffering third-degree burns in Rust-Oleum chemical explosion". Waynesboro Record Herald. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
- ^ a b "Lil Skies on 'Shelby', Dealing w/ Depression, XXXTentacion + More! - YouTube". www.youtube.com. April 10, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ Bonura, Denise (March 28, 2014). "Michael Burton Jr. of Waynesboro emerges stronger after suffering third-degree burns in Rust-Oleum chemical…". The Record Herald. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ "Waynesboro Area Senior High School Class of 2016". The Record Herald. May 27, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ a b Mench, Chris (December 5, 2017). "From Waynesboro To The Web: Lil Skies Is On The Verge Of Breaking Out". Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ "Get to Know 'Nowadays' Rapper Lil Skies". Billboard. March 12, 2018.
- ^ Jackson, Shawn (January 25, 2017). "Lil Skies Drops 'Alone' An AyRap Delicacy". Drill Kings. Archived from the original on January 28, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ Jackson, Shawn (July 24, 2017). "Lil Skies Teams Up With Landon Cube For 'Red Roses'". Drill Kings. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ Hef, Hollywood (July 17, 2017). "Lil Skies & Sprite Lee unleash catchy new jam "Off The Goop"". Elevator Magazine. Archived from the original on February 13, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ Ortiz, Edwin (November 14, 2017). "Premiere: Lil Skies Stunts in "Signs of Jealousy" Video". Complex. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ Thomas, Fred (December 2017). "Artist Biography by Fred Thomas". AllMusic. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ a b Coleman II, C. Vernon (January 10, 2018). "Lil Skies Releases 'Life of a Dark Rose' Mixtape". XXL. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ Zellner, Xander (January 17, 2018). "Lil Skies Makes Billboard Hot 100 Debut With 'Nowadays' & 'Red Roses'". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ "Billboard 200 – The Week of January 27, 2018". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ Williams, Aaron (January 17, 2018). "Lil Skies Is Already Chartings And Showing All The Signs Of A Star In The Making". Uproxx. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ "The Hot 100 – The Week of January 27, 2018". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ "Lil Skies' 'Lust' Continues a Tradition of Animated Hip-Hop Videos: Here Are 15 of the Best". Billboard. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
- ^ "Lil Skies Drops Frenetic "I Know You" Video f/ Yung Pinch". Complex. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
- ^ Saponara, Michael (March 1, 2019). "Lil Skies Surprise Drops Debut Album 'Shelby' Featuring Gunna, Gucci Mane: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "Lil Skies – Shelby (The Documentary) – YouTube". www.youtube.com. March 13, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ "Lil Skies Drops New Video For 'Breathe'". Top40-Charts.com. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
- ^ Zidel, Alex (March 4, 2020). "Lil Skies & Lil Durk Don't Miss On "Havin My Way"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- ^ Lilah, Rose (May 14, 2020). "Lil Skies Is Ready To "Riot"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ Pickus, Brandon (November 6, 2020). "Lil Skies - "On Sight" [STREAM + VIDEO]". Rhyme Hip Hop. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ "Ok- Song by Lil Skies". Apple Music. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ Duong, Paul (April 20, 2020). "NEW VIDEO: LIL SKIES "FIDGET"". Rap Radar. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ "Red & Yellow (From Road To Fast 9 Mixtape) – Single by Lil Skies on Apple Music". July 9, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2020 – via Apple Music.
- ^ "Lightbeam (feat. NoCap) - Song by Lil Skies". Apple Music. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ "Lil Skies Goes Independent". June 21, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Poo Bear & Justin Bieber, Ty Dolla $ign, Lil Skies, Jon Pardi Score Debuts On Bubbling Under Hot 100". Headline Pranet. April 17, 2018. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
- ^ "Lil Skies – Chart history (R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. March 11, 2019. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
- ^ Lil Skies (March 13, 2019). "Lil Skies – Shelby (The Documentary)" – via YouTube.
- ^ "Fuse". Fuse.
- ^ "Baby skies | Lil skies, Cute rappers, Lil pump".
- ^ "Going Up w/ Lil Skies". September 6, 2017.
- ^ "Lil Skies Talks His Favorite Tattoo & Touring With Lil Uzi". Highsnobiety. December 28, 2017.
- ^ Zisook, Brian "Z" (October 13, 2018). "Lil Skies Explains Why He Avoids Lean & Xanax: "I'm Scared, Bro"". DJBooth.
- ^ "Mom Interviews Lil Skies – YouTube". www.youtube.com. November 5, 2018. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ Miller, Grace (June 3, 2024). "Rapper 'Lil Skies' arrested in Franklin County". Local21News. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ Moore, Sam (June 3, 2024). "LIL SKIES ARRESTED OVER ALLEGED HIT & RUN IN PENNSYLVANIA". Hip Hop DX. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ David John, Shayan (June 3, 2024). "Lil Skies Arrested: What Happened to Him? Arrest Explained". Coming Soon Net. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- v
- t
- e
- Shelby (2019)
- Unbothered (2021)
- Life of a Dark Rose (2018)
- "Red Roses"
- "Lust"
- "Nowadays"
- "Welcome to the Rodeo"
- "Creeping"
- "I Know You"
- "I"
- "My Baby"