Freestyle File: Skillz

Years before he would be known as the guy who sums up the year's events in a song, Skillz made a name for himself as a battle rapper. Here, caught between takes on a Wavelength shoot, he effortlessly shows why his freestyle is still feared. This was shot at Lonnie B.'s old crib just before the release of "From Where."

Lonnie's old home was notable because his mother had let him turn the living room into a warehouse for his records and a makeshift recording studio. They also had a phone that didn't ring, but spoke the inspiring words "You have a telephone call."