Feature Story Interview: Skaiwater Unveiled: Shaping the Future of Rap

Skaiwater, a multifaceted talent in the music industry, is quickly making a name for herself as a rapper, producer, DJ and engineer. In an exclusive interview with vercetti and Ryan Salfino for Vercetti way, Skaiwater delves into her musical journey, which began at the tender age of eight. Growing up in a musically inclined household, she was heavily influenced by her father. Her early exposure to music production using FL Studio set the foundation for Skaiwater's future endeavors, allowing her to hone her craft and evolve into the versatile artist she is today.

Readers should pay attention to Skaiwater because she represents a new wave of artists who are leveraging modern platforms like TikTok to reshape the music industry and offer genreless music. Her song "#miles" gained significant traction on the app, highlighting how genuine, raw music can bypass traditional marketing channels and resonate directly with audiences. Skaiwater's approach to music and visuals, such as the Y2K-themed aesthetic of "light!", reflects a deep appreciation for creative storytelling and a celebration of femininity, making her work stand out in a crowded industry. Skaiwaters ability to connect with listeners on a personal level and the innovative use of digital platforms make her a compelling artist and figure to watch as she continues to rise.

Ryan Salfino x Vercetti: Can you tell us about your journey into music, starting from learning FL Studio at a young age to where you are now as a rapper, producer, DJ, and engineer?

Skaiwater: I grew up around my dad making music in the house recording and producing. He taught me when I was quite young, I was only 8. I ran with it from that point and learned a lot about being better.

Vercetti x Ryan Salfino: The song "light!" features a Y2K-themed music video with unique aesthetics. What inspired the concept behind the video, and how involved were you in its creation?

Skaiwater: “light!” is the only track where I wasn’t too overly involved except for my own look. I left the reins to the director although I, of course, approved the conceptualization of everything and visual referencing. The overall vision for this entire project is that this is more than what a rap project generally is, it’s a celebration of queerness and femininity overall. The visual references were really just emphasizing that part a bit. And then I let the director do his due diligence on the radio to make it slap and let the universe do what it does.

Vercetti x Ryan Salfino: Your song "#miles" gained significant traction on TikTok, leading to remixes and increased visibility. How do you think platforms like TikTok are reshaping the music industry, particularly for emerging artists like yourself?

Skaiwater: It comes down to cutting out the middleman when it comes to marketing. With cutting out the middle man, genuine music speaks louder cause everything is genuinely bunched together. When you see something genuine, something raw, it translates quicker than something paid for.

Vercetti x Ryan Salfino: Your debut album "Rave" features collaborations with artists like Lil Uzi Vert, XLOVCLO and Prentiss. What was the process like working with these artists and how did their contributions influence the overall sound of the album?

Skaiwater: A lot of the songs off the album had collaborations that weren’t done in person. It was stuff I sent back and forth with people. I had a lot of the music built already and finished and added what's special about them to each song. It was cool.

Vercetti x Ryan Salfino: How do you navigate balancing your roles as a rapper, producer, DJ, and engineer? Are there any challenges or advantages to wearing multiple hats in the music industry? 

Skaiwater: I do a lot of things myself so I never feel like I have to categorize it. When it gets to the point where I'm DJing often, producing often and rapping often I think I could balance it. I like staying busy though so I think it would be good for me if I was producing one day and DJing the next. 

Vercetti x Ryan Salfino: Looking ahead, what are your goals and aspirations for your music career in the coming years? Are there any projects or collaborations you're particularly excited about?

Skaiwater: I’ve gotten into the motion of consistently putting out new projects. Understanding what to produce to be heard so I’m just excited to keep going and see where it takes me.