By Sarah Petz
With a sound that is raw, honest and provocative, you wouldn’t expect that Pip Skid (a.k.a. Patrick Skene) grew up on the mean streets of the small prairie city of Brandon, Manitoba. Skene said growing up in Brandon was, like all small cities, challenging at times, but thinks that he and his other Brandon-raised friends DJ Hunnicutt and mcenroe ended up developing their music simply because of the lack of things to do.
“We also never had other rap groups to look up to in a close sense,” says Skene, “The only place we could see or hear rap was from rare little moments when it would get played on TV or the radio.” With only punk, jazz and metal bands around them, the group played any show they could get, even if it meant playing a 12-year-old’s birthday party.
“I do believe that coming from a place like Manitoba does effect your art. Our winters change your life which in turn influences the music,” says Skene. His latest album, Skid Row, is the first time he’s worked with DJ Kutdown on an entire project. Also collaborating with Magnum K.I., Skene is proud of the record they’ve produced.
“I wanted a heavy sounding record & Kutdown brought that half-wit-pit-party Thunder Bay sound. It was also a chance to take some chances. I like how it turned out a lot, maybe someone else will too.”
Skene was recently in Toronto shooting videos for “You Soooo Much” and “Tens of Dollars.” “We had a violent beating recreated on my face for “You Soooo Much” by an amazing make-up artist,” says Skene. “Afterwards I was walking into the LC and a panhandler started his pitch, until he looked up and saw my face. He was just like, ‘Whoa, take good care of yourself buddy.’”
When not performing or in the recording studio, Skene teaches rap and art classes to kids in the North End neighbourhood of Winnipeg. He also created and runs a few hip-hop camps around the city, including Freestyle, which is based out of the University of Winnipeg. “Making art with young people is the best job ever only better,” Skene says. “Everyday you see your work together having a positive effect on the world. It’s the first time I’ve ever really felt a sense of happiness.”
On May 21, Skene got to open for one of his childhood idols when Public Enemy played Winnipeg at the MTS Centre. “Public Enemy were a huge influence on me a kid. A group that had such a powerful sound and image. Nobody rocked like Public Enemy,” says Skene.
Skene will be touring in July with Tom de Gutter, the other half of Marathon of Dope, with his new record. He’ll also be playing the Jazz Winnipeg Festival when he opens for Jake the One and the Freeway on June 25.