Clipse is a critically acclaimed hip hop duo that formed in Norfolk, Virginia in 1992. The duo is made up of brothers Gene "Malice" Thornton and Terrence "Pusha T" Thornton, who is also currently signed to Kanye West's G.O.O.D Music label. They met Pharrell, of the producing duo, The Neptunes, in 1993, he formed a working relationship with the duo and helped them secure a contract with Elektra Records.
Pusha T (born Terrence Thornton on May 14, 1977 in Bronx, NY) is a recording artist, occasional actor, and one half of the critically acclaimed hip hop duo Clipse, which formed in 1992 from Virginia Beach, Virginia. He is also the co-founder and co-CEO of Re-Up Records along with his brother Gene "Malice" Thornton, the other half of Clipse. He has since relocated to Norfolk, Virginia where he and his brother were raised. In September 2010 he announced that he has signed to Kanye West's G.O.O.D.
Skillz (formerly Mad Skillz, born Donnie Shaquan Lewis in Richmond, Virginia) is an African-American rapper. Known as a talented freestyle rapper, Skillz has not received widespread acclaim outside of the hip-hop community, but within it is considered one of its best performers. He first made a name for himself by finishing in second place in a national freestyle competition in 1995, which resulted in a recording contract with Atlantic Records. Skillz' Atlantic debut, From Where???, and its single, The Nod Factor, were released in 1996, but sank without a trace.
