Words: Fern
Published: October 14, 2007

Sky Balla's abrupt silence in the rap game would lead one to believe he took a hiatus from hip hop; such is not the case for the San Francisco giant. As only a true hustler does it, Sky has been keeping busy in other ventures, while gradually building up a collection of new songs set to appear on new albums.

Currently wrapping up his new solo album, Tycoon Status, Sky has hit the lab with various other hip-hop notables: E-40, San Quinn, Slick Pulla, Hell Rell, Turf Talk, Mistah F.A.B., 211, Willie Henn, Spyda-D, Tynisha Keli, the list goes on.

In the wings for scheduled 2008 release dates are: "Ballaholic", "Mobb Report" national release, "From Dirt To Diamonds", a collection of Sky's best feature tracks from 1996 to present, "Tha $treet$ Of $an Francisco", "Made Nigga Movement" compilation,  "I'm Not A Rapper", and "Never Broke". With six albums under his sleeve, Sky even proclaims, "I'ma stay in the lab recording new material in the mean time and beween time."

With a short-lived partnership with Jason Rockland and DJ Sickamore's Empire City Records last year, Sky kept to his independent roots and decided to do his own CEO thing under Strictly Bizness. Sky states, "I'm signed to the streets for life, but I'm doing my independant thang. Me and my long time homie, Rich Young Rell, are partners in a new label,  Tycoon Status Entertainment".

The first of many albums to hit the streets is Sky's Tycoon Status sophomore album. Be on the lookout for it in the first quarter of 2008. "Never Broke" the mixtape is set to hit streets as early as this week, in collaboration with DJ Rah2K. Baycentrik had the pleasure of previewing various new tracks and assures readers that Sky's drive and hustle is as strong as it was in the Gamblaz days. It's truly from Dirt to Diamonds for the young entrepreneur, and 2008 will see alot of shine from him.

Listen to Sky Balla's Black Mask Remix featuring Lil Wayne.