In an era where the line between music and memoir blurs, few artists achieve the kind of seamless storytelling that SKYRATED-R does with his latest release, Silk. Emerging from a self-imposed six-year hiatus, the Philadelphia-based artist presents more than just an album — he delivers a soul-saturated soundscape that reads like autobiography and plays like cinema.
SKYRATED-R, born and raised in the City of Brotherly Love, has always treated music as a mirror — not just of the streets he came from, but of the layered identity he’s cultivated over the years. The name itself tells a story. Once known simply as “SKY,” he added “Rated R” in 2021 after years of creative transformation, inspired by the personal mantra that “Rated R” was more than just a brand — it was his lens on life. “Everything really started once I added RatedR to my existing FRVR tattoo,” he explains. “That moment symbolized my rebirth as an artist.”
It’s this rebirth that pulses through every bar, beat, and breath on Silk, an introspective body of work that bridges the past and the present. The project opens with the last track he recorded before stepping away from music years ago, acting as a time capsule of who he was before life—and art—took a new shape. And yet, Silk doesn’t dwell in nostalgia. It evolves track by track, weaving a narrative that reflects the internal and external changes he underwent during that long silence.
One of the album’s standout moments is “Braille,” a self-produced track from 2018 that remains deeply personal and emotionally potent. The title suggests hidden messages — feelings you don’t hear as much as you feel — and that’s exactly what SKYRATED-R delivers. It’s a layered meditation on pain, resilience, and the things we say with silence. “Braille” isn’t just a song; it’s a confession wrapped in melody.
But Silk isn’t a one-note emotional journey. SKYRATED-R moves between sonic textures with the agility of a seasoned storyteller. Tracks like “Water” and “Overseas” bring a melodic bounce to the table, pulling from his time in Atlanta’s underground scene between 2017 and 2019. That period of immersion left a deep imprint on his sound, a hybrid of introspective lyricism and trunk-rattling soul that nods to artists like Lucki and Earl Sweatshirt while remaining entirely original.
Back in Philly since 2021, SKY has doubled down on this distinctive sonic identity, drawing heavily from the mood of his environment and the energies of close collaborators—many of whom appear on Silk. The result is a body of work that feels intimate without being indulgent, cinematic without being contrived. There’s a grit to it, sure, but also grace.
This blend of beauty and rawness is where SKYRATED-R’s “Rated R” philosophy comes to life. Unlike traditional influences, which many artists point to in terms of flow or style, SKY draws inspiration from texture and tone. Early icons like Lil Wayne and Kurt Cobain aren’t direct sonic predecessors for him, but conceptual blueprints — especially Cobain, whose tortured honesty and refusal to self-censor resonate deeply with SKY’s ethos.
“SKYRATED-R doesn’t just make music — he builds worlds,” the press release reads. And it’s no exaggeration. Each track on Silk feels like a new scene, populated by different characters, moods, and messages. It’s this world-building capacity that has earned him praise in pockets of the industry, including a 2019 feature on BuzzMusic LA and a well-received performance at Philadelphia’s Voltage Lounge alongside Karnage Jey.
But perhaps the most touching element of Silk isn’t found in the music itself, but in the dedication. The album cover features the image of his late grandmother — a woman who believed in him before he ever recorded a single track. Her presence haunts the project in the most beautiful way, acting as a spiritual throughline that grounds even the most experimental sounds.
With Silk, SKYRATED-R has offered more than just a return — he’s extended an invitation into his world, one where pain is poetic, beats breathe, and authenticity trumps commercial polish. It’s not music designed to chase trends or algorithms. It’s not interested in being playlist-friendly or TikTok-viral. This is art that demands listening — not just hearing — and rewards those willing to sit with it.
And as for what’s next? The future appears to be as unpredictable and unfiltered as the artist himself. With a sound that refuses to settle and a vision sharpened by time and solitude, SKYRATED-R is poised to make even bigger waves in the underground—and beyond.
Contact: skyratedr@gmail.com
Link to music: https://unitedmasters.com/m/silk-1
Natalia is a Rap and Hip Hop enthusiast. After graduating from The New School of New York’s Public Relations Program and taking a course in Journalism at Michigan State University, she decided to dedicate her life to the music publishing business and to the discovery of new talent. She helps new artists gain exposure to the masses via online marketing and publications.
