Lord Sko Shares Hazy ‘PIFF’ Album
A 20-year-old rapper with a veteran’s understanding of the game, Lord Sko only peddles the finest dope. Taking a page out of his heroes’ book and using it to roll a spliff, the NY native releases PIFF, his new album. Bringing listeners on a tour through his side of Uptown, Lord Sko is an amiable host, crafting boasts that succinctly summarize his life as a rising artist, toe-tagging instrumentals with his frayed rasp.
“PIFF is a colorful exploration of the elevated mind,” says Lord Sko. “Inspired by my many cannabis infused exploits as a young adult in New York City, PIFF is both very personal to my own experiences and designed to be relatable to the average Stoner.”
Along with the new album, Lord Sko shares the music video for “Bong Rips,” a collaboration with D.C. underground hero MAVI. Produced by Harry Fraud, serves up vintage música with playful organs and chopped-up horns, inviting Sko and MAVI to bring out their 10,000 thread count rhymes: “I’m at the bar with the veneer doctor for Chris Rock,” spits Sko, while MAVI says, “My wrist frigid, igloo, hit sticks and licks too.” In the video, Sko searches the city for the finest piff, until he finds a bionic strain that causes to hallucinate a miniature MAVI, before Sko and MAVI transport themselves into a TV screen to perform the song.
Sko’s detail-rich verses, malleable flows, and brash attitude make him a natural collaborator with artists of all styles and generations. PIFF rolls out the red carpet for old school hip-hop royalty, including Grand Puba of Brand Nubian, who duets with Sko on the feverish “Girbaud Talk,” and Del The Funkee Homosapien, who has his own interlude. The rapper who calls himself Rap Jeff Hardy finds a kindred spirit in fellow wrestling lover Conway The Machine, who gives Sko his blessing on “Camel Eyes,” and takes the weed rap baton from Curren$y, who appears alongside Sko on recent single “Understand.” Though he’s an old soul, Lord Sko is more than capable of acting his age, sounding at home next to new NYC figurehead POLO PERKS <3 <3 <3 and ATL production prodigy FearDorian on “Holding Me Up,” and blending with fellow young lyricists like MAVI and Collard.
Inspired by the stoner classics of the blog era, PIFF restores that feeling, with adventurous samples and vibrant, hazy soundscapes, crafted by some of the finest producers in the East Coast. Statik Selektah lends sumptuous bass to early highlight “Second Thought,” as Sko slices through fluttering woodwinds like a box cutter. A-Lau serves up a propulsive, shiny suit anthem on “Livin Life,” which Sko turns into his aspirational intro, while Tony Seltzer and Grimm Doza craft a shimmering bit of cloud rap on “Robinhood.” With additional production from Mike Shabb, Wino Willy, and Arlo Walker, the 20-year-old prodigy who has been working with Lord Sko since 2022’s MUSEUM, PIFF is available everywhere via UPTOWN SH!T/STIMULATED.
PIFF continues Sko’s rise as one of New York’s finest emcees, who proudly carries on the tradition of his hometown sound, while adding a relatable spin. He started rapping when he was a teenager, releasing his first mixtape at only 17 years-old, teaming up with the even younger producer Arlo Walker to create Museum. In 2023, Sko released United Palace, an accomplished project named after the Washington Heights theater, which established him as one of the most exciting emcees in the Five Boroughs. In April, Lord Sko launches the “PIFF Tour,” his first-ever nationwide headlining tour. Featuring support from LifeOfThom, the tour kicks off in Boston on April 16, making its way through major markets like Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Chicago before concluding in Vancouver on May 8. Sko performs a very special hometown show in NYC on April 22nd, headlining Baby’s All Right. If you want to see more on Lord Sko, check here.