The first signee to Conway The Machine’s Drumwork Music imprint, rising star, Jae Skeese, has now released his new album Ground Level. Ground Level was created by Skeese at a vital time in his career, and he more than proves up to the challenge, delivering his biggest and best project to date; and leveling up with Ground Level.
Ground Level is a testament to Jae Skeese’s evolution as an artist, blending raw emotion and storytelling with cutting-edge production. The album includes high-profile collaborations with Big K.R.I.T., Dave East, Sauce Walka, Jay Worthy, Project Pat, Smoke DZA, Statik Selektah, Che Noir, Lloyd, and Ski Beatz, who add an undeniable dynamic range to the project. Ground Level is a portrait of Jae Skeese, an illustration of where he is today, and the highs and lows in his journey which would shape and inform the artist; all delivered with Skeese’s stellar wordplay.
“Ground Level is me taking the next step from coming up out of the basement and building on top of the foundation I have been laying the last three years; finally being able to say okay, I’ve laid the foundation. I’m here now, how many more levels can I reach now that I’m finally at the first floor,” Jae Skeese contemplates. “Everyone has a starting point, whether you are a med school student, an NFL prospect, or even a manager at Dunkin Donuts. The Ground Level mindset is a testament to overcoming obstacles and reaching new heights, while staying grounded and remembering that there are always new levels to achieve.”
Jae Skeese reflects on his journey, “I remember when I dropped my Drumwork debut, Abolished Uncertainties, (2023) last year right after Pain Provided Profit (his collaborative album with Conway The Machine) it felt like the Bills just won the Super Bowl- FINALLY! After all this working hard and grinding and making my own way with the odds stacked against me seemingly all the time, finally, I dropped my debut Drumwork album after I dropped one with one of the best rappers in hip hop. But what I learned after dropping Abolished Uncertainties is that that album was just another brick in the wall. I was building, another piece to the foundation. Ground Level is a reflection of that. I highlight things I’ve been through, talk about the people I’ve lost, my mindset as I’ve elevated to the position you see me in today, how people have changed, my reasons for why I want to elevate in life and of course I talk about the things that make me, me.”
Ground Level Tracklisting:
- Brick After Brick (Ground Level) (Prod Waji, Beat Butcha & Motif)
- Peter Parker FEAT Malizah (Prod Statik Selektah)
- Situated FEAT Big K.R.I.T. & Sauce Walka (Prod Mitch Arizona)
- Lost Puppets (Prod Mitch Arizona)
- Sara Lee FEAT Lloyd, Dave East & Jay Worthy (Prod Waji)
- EKIN 4 (Prod Ski Beatz & MIKE SUMMER)
- Ohana Means Family FEAT Waji (Prod Waji)
- Glory (Prod Waji)
- Wic Coupons FEAT Novel (Prod Quincey Tones & Jaiden Davis-Jones)
- E4W FEAT Billie Essco (Prod Mitch Arizona & Jaiden Davis-Jones)
- 02′ Yale Cup Champs FEAT Smoke DZA & Che Noir (Prod Superior)
- Fruits Of The Labor FEAT Project Pat (Prod iLL Tone Beats)
