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Detroit native Skilla Baby has always been one to give back to his community. From pulling up to schools to giving away shoes and showing up where heâs needed most, the Geffen Records artist is determined to make an impact. But his latest move â organizing a gun buyback program â is a bold step that confirms how deeply committed he is to reducing violence and uplifting Detroit.
At 2024 REVOLT WORLD, during a live taping of âBig Facts,â Skilla Baby opened up about the inspiration behind his efforts. Reflecting on his upbringing, he admitted he looked up to the neighborhood dope man — not because of the drugs, but because âthe dope man took care of the neighborhood.â He carried that same spirit of looking out for his people into his career. âWhen I got successful, I didnât just keep eating off people. I want the same people who are pouring into me… to feel like they can make it too,â he acknowledged.
The artistâs involvement in the buyback program stems from a personal place. As a survivor of gun violence, Skilla recognizes the weight of the issue. âWe got a lot of violence. Iâm a victim of gun violence, so that was important to me,â he shared on âBig Facts.â The buyback, set to take place annually following February 2024âs event, is more than a symbolic gesture â itâs a real attempt to make a difference in Detroitâs gun violence epidemic.
Partnering with the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence and city officials, the rising star aimed to get weapons off the streets and into safer hands. The program offered $100 for handguns and non-automatic firearms, and $200 for semi-automatic and automatic rifles, all while encouraging safe firearm storage and ownership. But for Skilla, this was just the beginning. âIn the future, I want to do gun safety classes, fun stuff like that,â he said.
Understanding the complexity of gun violence, especially in Black communities, Skilla Babyâs ongoing initiative comes at a crucial time. According to recent Brady research, Black people make up 60 percent of firearm homicides in the U.S., despite being only 14 percent of the population. The past five years have also seen a nearly 98 percent rise in firearm suicides among Black youth. These grim statistics underline the urgency of programs like this.
What sets this buyback apart is the broader approach Skilla and organizers are taking. In addition to collecting firearms, the event includes a felon-friendly job fair and record expungement services. Skilla recognizes his influence can do more than just get guns out of the community. âI know with my influence, I can urge people to clean their records, get jobs, and get guns off the street,â he stated.
While the emcee wonât be attending these events in person, his vision and leadership are at the heart of it all. Heâs quick to make it clear that this isnât about him, but about creating real change. âI donât want this to be a Skilla Baby meet-and-greet. Iâm big in my community, so everybody gets distracted when I show up,â he explained. âIâll be there in spirit. I supported it, I funded it, I reached out to everybody, I put the event together.â
His commitment to Detroit is about more than his music or status — itâs about action. Skilla Baby is making moves to create a safer, more supportive environment for the next generation and using his platform to bring resources and change where itâs needed most. With the gun buyback program, heâs not just pulling up for the community — heâs paying it forward.