Is the year really over if we haven’t received a “Rap Up” from Mad Skillz? Fans hoping to hear Skillz drop bars — filled with all of the major events that took place this year — may be disappointed that the Virginia emcee has decided to end the tradition.
On Saturday (Nov. 3), the first-ever artist-in-residence at the University of Richmond took to Twitter to announce that he is calling it quits after nearly two-decades. “Ain’t gonna be no 2021 Rap Up from me. I’m done with em,” he tweeted. “Y’all got it,” he added.
Earlier in the day, he retweeted a country version, and touted his influence with an old video of Magic Johnson saying, “I’m not gon’ be here.”
“I for sure gotta be on my way to being the most influential, imitated, concept rapper of all time,” Skillz tweeted. “Hope you enjoyed 20 years of raps ups bcuz come this time next year?”
Skillz didn’t explain why he’s decided to stop creating the end of year “Rap Up” tracks, and fans have flooded the comments on his Instagram and Twitter with both disappointment and praise.
On Instagram, DJ EFN wrote, “Damn was waiting on that Drink Champs mention and then I know we made it!!!!”
“Thank you for all the amazing years of it. SALUTE LEGEND!!!” Big Daddy Kane wrote.
Big Pooh commented: Thank you for all your service, the biters got it from here.”
On Twitter, Questlove tweeted a meme that reads, “Boo this man.”
Skillz’ began releasing the popular end-of-year “Rap Up” in 2002. He rapped over Common’s “Come Close” featuring Mary J. Blige and joked about Christina Aguilera, Slick Rick, Suge Knight, Eminem, Justin Timberlake and the Clipse’s “Grindin’” being the “hardest record of the year.” Earlier this year, Skillz discussed his displeasure with Uncle Murda putting out his own version of the “Rap Up” without crediting him on “Drink Champs.”
Check out Skillz’ announcement tweet below: