Student Hip-Hop Organization features local rapper’s cinematic debut

Tianna Harris and Noura Bayoumi
Contributing Writers

This past Monday the VCU-based Student Hip-Hop Organization (SHHO) hosted the premiere of a short film written by local rapper Skillz in the Commons Theatre.

The movie was followed by a discussion and Q-and-A, where the Richmond native happily answered any questions students asked him.

The 15-minute film, “Byron,” is based on a song Skillz wrote about meeting a homeless man at a BP gas station one night. When the man came up to him asking for change, he said he didn’t have any.

When he got out of his car the man asked for change again, then asked, “Is your mom named Erma?”

With a single question, this man, for whom he didn’t even want to spare some change, gained Skillz’ interest; The man knew the rapper’s late mother.

The film stars Cisco Reyes as Dee, a struggling father and drug dealer working on the streets. In the movie, he is approached by a professional-looking man named Byron, to whom Reyes is initially hesitant to provide his wares.

The story later transitions to Dee’s son and the mother of his child, reaching its climax when the 10-year-old son gets hit by a car. Dee soon comes to the realization that his son’s fate lies in the hands of Bryon.

“I really like (the movie); I’m actually trying to get into film, and I love how he mixed the film world and the music world and how he said so much in such a small amount of time,” said senior Mia Burnside, a mass communications major at VCU.

According to Skillz, the main purpose of the movie wasn’t to focus on the fate of the son, but to focus on the message of “what do you do when there is nothing you can do, when someone who was just a nobody to you becomes the most important person in your life?”

“I really liked the creative concept behind (the movie), and I definitely feel myself; I’ve thought about (that message),” said Alex Abdelwahed, a VCU junior majoring in political science.

In the discussion following the movie, conversation transitioned from the filmmaking process to the music industry. Skillz spoke about his experience in the industry and how it has changed throughout his career. He mentioned how the industry has evolved over the years because of advances in technology and changing social norms.

“The people who run the music industry don’t care about the music; they care about the money,” Skillz said.

Skillz closed the discussion by rapping for the audience and giving his most important piece of advice: “Always be yourself and be original.”