Today we’d like to introduce you to D. Johns.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started as a little girl daydreaming sitting on the steps of her grandparents home singing along to the music in my head. I would sing in church, I joined chorus in school. I would sing until people basically either wanted to hear more or told me to hush up ! When people would ask me what I wanted to be — I’d tell them a singer. Then, I fell in LOVE with hip hop. Mc Lyte, Queen Latifah, Salt n Pepa, Da Brat , Left Eye , Rah Diggah and Missy Elliot were always on my radar. They spoke to me in ways I didn’t understand. I actually wasn’t allowed to listen to explicit music growing up so I’d catch them on the radio or sneak and listen to them by way of my older brother who really introduced me fully to hip hop. He had so much music, So many CDs and I would spend a lot of time listening to Eminem, to Jay Z , I loved the thought of battle rap it was insane actually. I grew up in the mixtape era. You’d slide to the mall and grab the hottest tape and just listen to whoever was beefin with who and you learned the game that way. I could sing but I learned how to rap because of my big brother B! He taught me a lot about freestyling and how impactful it was. I quickly started sitting at a lunch table full of boys ready to air out whoever thought I didn’t belong there. The confidence was key. But I quickly learned they just knew I belonged there. I always got my respect and that started something in me. It sparked a different energy. I began writing songs to instrumentals— I didn’t record anything until I was about 15. I graduated with honors went to Florida for school and had access to studios I had never had access to. I worked tirelessly! I was writing songs in class attached with hooks that I’d sing , I made beats, I got in the studio and I recorded as often as I could. I was hungry for it!
Then came the battle that changed my entire life. Often I always felt like I was the only girl and this wasn’t anything different. I had gotten myself into something crazy. I signed up for a battle not even knowing my competition, just hungry to be heard. My competitor, a kid I never saw before and he was good but; he wasn’t me. There’s something quite intense about the way I face adversity. It’s a quiet but probably unnerving confidence that I possess in music. I felt this kid is audacious because when it’s my turn I’m absolutely wrecking him! And I did! I destroyed him in pretty unfamiliar territory to be honest. The crowd went insane! And I knew then for sure I had it ! I wasn’t just the girl that sings anymore — I was a rapper! An MC! Once that happened, I became affiliated with three labels that instantly wanted me to sign. I had no idea what I was doing but I felt like I didn’t want to be tied down like that. I wanted to be independent, to own my individuality and I was not going to change my name! Fast forward, I built a name for myself on YouTube doing vlogs and remakes of popular songs just to get a feel for who my audience really was. That same audience found me on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram. I’ve garnered thousands of followers across those three platforms alone. I’ve released 9 singles on all major streaming platforms and only gotten more passionate for music! This year is about increasing visibility and connecting authentically with my community! As of today, I’ve performed at multiple venues just this year! I won most popular Artist in a showcase in Virginia, I garnered more listeners and more genuine people and it almost didn’t happen because three years ago, I hit a wall. I didn’t write much — I was uninspired and to be honest I was quite sad. I’m glad I figured out how to handle grief and sadness and channel that into my music, my art! I’m here to stay! This is me, SKYY aka SkyyTheOfficial and I’m ready for whatever comes this way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road at all. Most roads have an occasional pothole. I think for me, I believe that stubbornness and persistence are one and the same. One just has more of a negative connotation than the other. I am stubborn enough to not give up no matter the challenge and persistent enough to make sure I get it. I don’t think of it as a weakness to be stubborn– I think of it as a strength because I’m persistent. I’m INsistent that I get what I want, what I deserve. Whether that be visibility, more stage time, crashing interviews (This may or may not have happened this year already but I promise it was worth it! Shout out to creative house !) I say this to say one of my biggest struggles is sometimes not taking a step back to recognize how far I’ve come. To not look around and say, wow, I’m really doing this even if it seems hard. Even if last year I didn’t perform anywhere. I’m HERE now. Recognizing my growth as a performer, an artist, a person and giving myself grace for wearing so many hats at one time. It will never be completely smooth because we’re human and there is no perfect; only more experience!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Skyy aka SkyyTheOfficial is a genre-blending rapper, singer, songwriter and engineer from Washington, D.C., whose live performances balance emotional depth with commanding stage presence. Her sound moves seamlessly between R&B, hip-hop, and raw rap, creating an experience that resonates with both intimate and high-energy crowds. I’m known for high energy anthems, emotional ballads and a blend of club tracks. Honestly, I’m quite a wild ride. I specialize in emotion before anything else. I want you to feel what I felt when I wrote this song. I want you to feel how I felt when I laid those harmonies. Simply put, I don’t box myself in. I’m proud to lay an unconventional foundation for myself. I am absolutely a multi-hyphenate. You may see me perform in a pair of custom kicks or a custom jacket that I created for myself. I am the generator of creativity for my brand. There is only one me. I don’t blend in. I’m goofy, I’m authentic, I’m a cheerleader and I’m passionate. I will absolutely cheer you on in the middle of your set AFTER I just finished mine. I believe that sets me apart in a lot of ways from others. Again, I don’t necessarily believe in competition because I’m my only competition and not in an unhealthy way either, I just want to make sure that I continue to grow and I push myself to do that.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was the little girl that wouldn’t shut up singing. I always sang, always played sports, always wanted to rap. I had a big personality as a kid to be honest. I was very well spoken but I was kind. My grandparents and my mom are some of the kindest people I know. I definitely was a fiesty kid though! I grew up in Northeast D.C. you had to be! I was one of the shortest kids and I always played with the boys because I had three older brothers living in the house with me at the time. So, I was the basketball playing, football catching, homerun hitting girl who could sing and dance. I call it duality or balance! Of course then, I didn’t know what it meant. I was the tomboy with the cute face and the pretty voice. I was always into music, I’d get into my moms tapes and my brothers cds and just go wild. And now, I’m this cool chick with the same weird vibe with the larger than life personality that just knows who she is. A mic gave me the volume, I always had the voice.
Pricing:
- Hoodies: $65-$100
- T shirts: $35-55
- Collaborations: $$$ contact for more information @ Skylerwroteit@gmail.com
- Songwriting: Contact for more information @Skylerwroteit@gmail.com
- Sneakers/ Jackets : Starting at $275
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/ExclusivelySkyy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SkyyTheOfficial
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/SkyyJmusic
- Youtube: https://Www.Youtube.com/SkyyTheOfficial
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/skyytheofficial
- Other: https://buymeacoffee.com/skyytheofficial
