Skilla Baby Won’t Be Stopped

The Detroit rapper has entered a new chapter following a life-changing shooting in 2025. Now, with his recently released album The Price of Love album and a growing acting resume, the 28-year-old is determined to show audiences that he’s “more than just a good time.”

Skilla, whose real name is Trevon Gardner, has been carving out his place in hip-hop for years, building a following with songs including “Bae” and “Mama.” But with “Show Me Love,” the pre-release single for his latest album, the rapper wanted to create something that could reach beyond any one demographic.

“This song was the perfect song that I felt everyone could listen to, any culture, any ethnicity, and that was my approach with the rest of the album,” Skilla tells The Hollywood Reporter on a Zoom.

After battling depression and surviving a shooting, the rapper says his relationship with music — and with himself — has changed. He’s not looking to create songs that stay with people for a moment, instead he’s wants his work to stay with his listeners long after the song ends. “I want to affect people’s emotions in their daily lives,” he says.

“I’m excited to show my range as a person more than just musically. I want to be people’s favorite lyricist and really shift the way they think of my music,” Skilla adds.

His latest album, The Price of Fame, released at the end of August, is a reflection of the evolution he’s preaching. “The Price of Fame is really just the cost of anything that you do and the sacrifices you make to be successful, the nights with no sleep, the hard work, all of it,” Skilla says.

Those sacrifices, he explains, are not something he regrets. If anything, the past year has deepened his appreciation for the journey he’s been on and strengthened his spirituality.

“God doesn’t make mistakes,” he says. “I appreciate everything because I changed the trajectory of my family’s life. The ups and downs were a part of the journey. I appreciate going through so much in the past year.”

His new outlook has also shaped the way he speaks about mental health as a public figure. Using social media as a tool to speak directly with his audience, Skilla has been candid about the challenges he’s faced. Vulnerability has become another way to connect with his audience.

“The worst thing for our mental health is to go through things alone,” he says. “If I can help a few people by sharing what I went through, I’m willing to because I can empathize with the experience.”

Opening up about those struggles, particularly as a rapper with a young audience, hasn’t always been easy. “I still get nervous thinking about how people will receive it,” he says.

“I’m taking a leap of faith going in that direction where I talk about faith and mental health. It can be a stigma,” Skilla continues. He isn’t backing down.

The rapper hopes to use his platform for more than just sharing his music, instead he hopes to emphasize education, financial literacy and the range of careers available beyond music and sports to his young listeners and within in the Black community.

“I think it’s powerful to showcase that we can be more than just entertainers, rappers or athletes,” he says. “It’s important to showcase financial literacy, intelligence, and really embrace that more often within our culture.”

Skilla’s commitment to rap has remained intact. His music has earned recognition from artists he considers icons, including Teyana Taylor, 50 Cent and Nas, who is featured on The Price of Fame.

“Teyana Taylor told me, ‘Don’t feel boxed in. It’s OK to be in the box I’m in because it’s my box,’” he recalls. “Nas said to keep creating and stay in the lane I’m in; 50 said to stay consistent and stay ambitious. They all speak life into me. We don’t dwell on anything, and I appreciate that.”

Acting is the newest addition to his expanding resume. The rapper says he has spent the past two years taking acting classes, preparing for opportunities beyond music. He landed a guest role in Diarra from Detroit and a role in Moses the Black. He’s set to debut in the 50 Cent-produced Power prequel series, Power: Origins.

“I have a newfound respect for actors and how many hours they work, how serious they take it,” he says. “When I go to a set, I go as Trevon. I’m on time, I try to make everyone comfortable and do the best that I can do.”

As he he continues into the next phase of his career, Skilla intends to stay in his own lane and ignore outside expectations. “What I’ve learned now that I’m older is I create to produce what I want,” he says. “To stay true to myself, my lane and not about how anybody receives it. That’s why I do this.”