Kimetrius Foose, known to millions of music fans as Lil Skies, is a biracial rapper who first gained attention on the internet. He was born on August 4, 1998, in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and grew up in the town of Waynesboro. His catchy melodies and open lyrics quickly caught the interest of rap fans across the world.
Key Takeaways
- Lil Skies, born Kimetrius Foose on August 4, 1998, is a popular rapper from Pennsylvania.
- He got his big break when Cole Bennett directed the music video for his hit single Red Roses.
- He dropped out of Shippensburg University to pursue music and signed with Atlantic Records in 2017.
Lil Skies was introduced to music at a very young age by his father, who was also a rapper. Watching his father work on songs inspired him to start writing his own rap tracks when he was just a child. His family is full of talent, as his younger brother also makes music under the rap name HeartBreak Kid.
Early Life and Leaving College
As Lil Skies grew up in Pennsylvania, his passion for recording music continued to grow stronger. After finishing high school, he decided to enroll at Shippensburg University to continue his education. However, his time as a college student did not last very long.
While attending college classes, his tracks started receiving a huge number of plays on SoundCloud and YouTube. Songs such as “Signs of Jealousy” and “Change Ya Life” helped him build a loyal following online. When he realized his music career was growing fast, he made the big decision to drop out of university to focus completely on his craft.
Rise to Fame and Major Break
Lil Skies got his biggest career break when he collaborated with director Cole Bennett of Lyrical Lemonade. Cole Bennett directed and released the official music video for his single “Red Roses.” The video became an instant viral hit and made Lil Skies a famous name in modern rap music.
Early in his musical journey, he also had the opportunity to open on stage for famous rap artist Fetty Wap. Performing in front of those large crowds helped him build his confidence as a performer. Similar to how Ken Carson built a massive audience on digital platforms, Lil Skies used online hype to launch a full-scale career.
Signing with Atlantic Records
By late 2017, his hard work paid off in a big way when he signed a major recording contract with Atlantic Records. He also earned helpful cosigns and shoutouts from the popular YouTube group CUFBOYS. His unique melodic sound helped him keep his place near the top of the hip-hop charts.
Many music lovers enjoy following artists who stay true to their personal story. Just like Jhené Aiko has connected with fans through honest songwriting, Lil Skies gained a strong fanbase by sharing his real life experiences in his songs.
Personal Life and Becoming a Father
Family has always remained a core part of life for Lil Skies. In July 2019, his life changed in a major way when he welcomed his first child into the world. He named his son Kimetrius Jr., sharing his own birth name with his newborn boy.
Becoming a father gave him a fresh purpose and made him focus even more on his career goals. Today, Lil Skies continues to release new songs while spending time with his loved ones. He stands out as one of the successful artists who turned internet fame into a lasting music career.
