The Skills Dat Pay da Bills

The Skills Dat Pay da Bills is the debut studio album by American rapper Positive K.^[1] It was released on November 3, 1992, via Island Records. The album was produced by Easy L.G., Silver D, Big Daddy Kane, Dave Thomas, Jazzy Jay, Jim Nice, Laze-E-Laze, Rich Lord, the LG Experience, and Vance Wright, with Blossette Kitson serving as executive producer. It features a guest appearance from Grand Daddy I.U.

The Skills Dat Pay da Bills
Studio album by Positive K
Released	November 3, 1992 (1992-11-03)
Recorded	1991–1992
Genre	Hip hop
Length	1:04:52
Label	Island
Producer	Big Daddy Kane Dave Thomas Easy L.G. Jazzy Jay Jim Nice Laze-E-Laze Rich Lord Silver D the LG Experience Vance Wright
Positive K chronology
The Skills Dat Pay da Bills (1992) Gr8te Mindz (2017)
Singles from The Skills Dat Pay da Bills
"Nightshift" Released: 1992 "I Got a Man" Released: 1992 "Ain't No Crime" Released: 1993 "Carhoppers" Released: 1993

The album peaked at number 168 on the Billboard 200 and number 50 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts in the United States.

It was supported with four singles: "Nightshift", "I Got a Man", "Ain't No Crime" and "Carhoppers". Its lead single, "Night Shift", peaked at number 17 on the US Billboard Hot Rap Songs. Its second single, "I Got a Man", became a hit, reaching number 14 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Dutch Top 40, number 41 in New Zealand and number 43 on the UK singles chart, as well as received Gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America. The third single off of the album, "Ain't No Crime", made it to number 16 on the Hot Rap Songs.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[2]
Entertainment Weekly	B-[3]
The Indianapolis Star	[4]
The Source	[5]

The Indianapolis Star wrote that K's "fast-talking rap, over a repetitive funky bass and homemade drum program, mostly brags about hitting the big time."^[4] The Morning Call listed The Skills Dat Pay da Bills among the worst albums of 1993.^[6]

Track listing

The Skills Side

No.	Title	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Intro (Pos K Theme)"	Vance Wright	0:57
2.	"Pass the Mic"	Silver D	4:46
3.	"One 2 the Head"	Jazzy Jay Easy L.G. (co.)	4:10
4.	"Shakin'"	Easy L.G.	5:00
5.	"How the Fuck Would You Know"	Easy L.G.	5:13
6.	"Carhoppers"	The LG Experience	4:12
7.	"Nightshift"	Big Daddy Kane	4:10

Pay The Bills Side

No.	Title	Producer(s)	Length
8.	"Intro (Back the Fuck Up)"	Dave Thomas	1:08
9.	"I Got a Man"	Easy L.G.	3:50
10.	"Ain't No Crime"	Jim Nice	6:07
11.	"The Shout Out"	Easy L.G.	2:37
12.	"Friends"	Rich Lord	4:52
13.	"Minnie the Moocher" (featuring Grand Daddy I.U.)	Laze-E-Laze	4:11
14.	"Nightshift" (Remix)	Silver D	4:40
15.	"A Flower Grows in Brooklyn"	Easy L.G.	4:07
16.	"It's All Over"	Easy L.G.	4:52
Total length:			1:04:52

Charts

Chart (1993)	Peak position
US Billboard 200[7]	168
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[8]	50

References

1. Ducker, Jesse (October 30, 2022). "Rediscover Positive K's Debut Album 'The Skills Dat Pay da Bills' (1992) | Tribute". Albumism. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
2. Kellman, Andy. "The Skills Dat Pay da Bills - Positive K | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
3. Bernard, James (February 12, 1993). "The Skills Dat Pay da Bills". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
4. Miley, Scott L. (Mar 8, 1993). "Positive K 'The Skills Dat Pay da Bills'". The Indianapolis Star. p. B3.
5. Romain, Louis "Atco" (December 1992). "Record Report: Positive K – The Skills Dat Pay Da Bills". The Source. No. 39. p. 69.
6. Righi, Len (Jan 1, 1994). "The Year in Review". The Morning Call. p. A46.
7. "Billboard 200". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. April 17, 1993. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
8. "Top R&B Albums". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. February 27, 1993. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 7, 2024.

External links

• The Skills Dat Pay Da Bills at Discogs (list of releases)