If you want to be a rapper or wanted to 5 years ago, the best place to do so would have been on Soundcloud. That’s where so many new stars got their start, including Lil Skies. This Pennsylvania born rapper is made himself famous on the internet. And, based on all the people with Youtube channels out there, that’s not easy to do.

He started making his own music when he was just 12 (in 2010) but didn’t officially hit the scene with a record label until 2017, a full 17 years later. That just goes to show that fame is a waiting game and those that persevere, succeed.

Kimetrius Who?

Before he was Lil Skies, he was Kimetrius Foose, born to a multiracial family in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. His father shared his love of hip hop with him, which got him interested in music at a young age.

He started recording for himself when he was 12, writing lyrics and jamming out with friends. Though he’d been practicing for a while, he didn’t start performing until late high school early/college. He started building his fanbase by performing at live shows around his college, Shippensburg University, before dropping out. With the base he’d built, and his extensive catalog of songs, he was ready to go all-in.

Hard Work and A Little Luck

When he decided to leave school to rap full time, he didn’t know where the future would take him. But his dedication and talent served him well, and he ended up opening for Fetty Wap when the star came to his old alma mater.

He even put out singles and a video all himself, which got the attention of Atlantic Records. They signed him in 2017, and he put out his mixtape, Life of a Dark Rose, the same year. The album charted in the top 10, as did most of the singles he released before his next album. He put out his second album, Shelby, in 2019 and went right out on tour.