Fredrick (Skooze McBucks), from South Bend overcame a tumultuous past to get where he is now. Due to his father’s history of incarceration, and infrequent contact with his mother, Skooze was raised by his grandmother.
Skooze got his first taste of HipHop while hanging with an older group of friends. Initially they wouldn’t allow him participate. Being the fresh faced youngster in the group, he would need to improve and perfect his craft. Eventually his time came. The emcee recalls, “they influenced me to improve my music so I could be looked at as an equal amongst them.”
While in high school, Skooze made a few mixtapes, and sold them locally. At age 16, he relocated to Atlanta to live with his mother. This moved proved to be a good decision. Not only did he fall in love with the city, but it keep him out of trouble, and gave him an outlet to showcase his talent as an emcee. The teen would perform at open mic events, honing his craft, eventually earning himself an opening spot for Gorilla Zoe in 2010. He attributes his motivation to be original to this experience.
When asked about his plans for the future, Skooze revealed that he aspires to run a successful film company. Not to be outdone by the legendary emcee, Ice cube, Skooze not only raps, but also produces and shoots videos for the members of Money Maniac Records (MMR). MMR is an independent record label his is a part of. Still struggling to define himself, Skooze explains, “My goals as a rapper have not been set for me yet. Since I rap, make videos, and produce, i’m just trying to find a balance where I am good at all of them.” He is currently working on a mixtape entitled “Buck Tales.” It’s expected to Febuary of 2012. Be on the Look out!