Mad Skillz
Donnie Shaquan Lewis (born June 2, 1974), better known by his stage name Mad Skillz (formerly Skillz), is an American rapper. He first became known for his debut album From Where??? (1996), titularly in reference to his origins in Virginia, contrary of the prototypical New York City- or Los Angeles-based rapper at the time. He is also known for his yearly "Rap Ups," which he has done annually since 2002 (except in 2013).
Skillz is also the creator of the web series "Hip Hop Confessions", a series of shows that gathers hip hop purists and hip hop lovers alike where they reveal something hip hop related that they have never told anyone. The show has featured Q-Tip, Peanut Butter Wolf, Kwamé and DJ Jazzy Jeff.
Skillz earned a 2025 Grammy Nomination for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album for the album The Seven Number Ones. For the 2026 Grammy Awards, he won a Grammy for his album Words For Days Vol. 1 in the Best Spoken Word Poetry Album category.
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