Daryl Jake Borja Ruiz (born February 16, 1996), known professionally as Skusta Clee, is a Filipino rapper and a member of the Filipino hip-hop collective Ex Battalion. He is known for his numerous hit singles "Zebbiana", "Pauwi Nako", "Dance With You", and "Kalimutan Ka". He is also a member of O.C. Dawgs, a hip-hop group he formed in 2012.
History and career A controversial figure in local hip-hop, Ruiz is perhaps the most prominent hip-hop artist in the Philippines from the late 2010s to the early 2020s. He has amassed billions of combined streams on all digital platforms, such as Spotify and YouTube. He is the pioneer of the Pinoy trap genre, as he started the mainstream trap movement in the country. His tracks dominated Musical.ly in 2016, and which he joined the collective Ex Battalion in the same year.
The singer-rapper is also signed to Panty Droppaz League, a partner label of Ex Battalion. Among the label’s biggest hits, which contributed to its widespread success, are "Pauwi Nako" (2018), "Zebbiana" (2019), and "Dance With You" (2020). These tracks have collectively accumulated hundreds of millions of views and streams on YouTube and Spotify.
In 2019, Ruiz starred in the box-office feature Sons of Nanay Sabel alongside his groupmates from Ex Battalion.
In Coco Martin and Angelica Panganiban's 2021 romantic comedy film Love or Money, Ruiz's "Zebbiana" was used as the movie's theme song and became part of its official soundtrack.
On June 20, 2021, Skusta Clee released the song "Lagi" (). The video for the song included his newborn daughter.
On October 31, 2021, Skusta Clee released "Karma" featuring Gloc-9, with an accompanying "Thriller"-inspired music video starring Bea Alonzo and Awra Briguela. The short film gained over 2 million views and took the top trending spot on YouTube PH shortly after its release. The song was produced by Daniel "Flip D" Tuazon and Christian "Chriilz" Andalez and the music video was directed by Titus Cee.
In 2022, the music video of Skusta Clee's "Dance With You" featuring Yuri Dope became the most-viewed music video by an OPM artist on YouTube. As of April 2022, the music video had crossed 190.2 million views, surpassing Sarah Geronimo's "Tala" which ranked second with 187.6 million views.
Controversies "Tap Na" controversy In late 2019, a video clip of Ruiz scoffing at unknown rappers have gone viral. The 12-second video sparked heated debate among netizens for his 'unpleasant' attitude. A year later, the rapper-singer songwriter reused the catchphrase "Tap na" (stop) as a closing line in his verse in Ex Battalion's diss track Yearly.Ex Battalion – Yearly Lyrics | Genius LyricsEx Battalion - Yearly (Official Music Video) The track depicts the group's success and its presence being 'timely' in the rap scene, and is also a response to its critics.
Personal life His former partner, Filipina-Lebanese YouTuber Zeinab Harake, gave birth to their daughter Zebbiana “Bia” on April 28, 2021. In May 2022, Harake confirmed her break-up with Ruiz.
Discography Extended plays +List of extended plays with selected detailsTitleAlbum Details Trifecta Released: March 8, 2024 (PH) Label: Panty Droppaz League Format: digital download, streaming media
Singles As a lead artist + List of singles as lead artist, showing year released, selected chart positions, and associated albums Title Year Peak chart positions Album Peak chart positions on the Philippines Hot 100 charts: "Kalimutan Ka": "Since Day One", "Sa Susunod Na Lang": PHLTPSPeak chart positions on the Top Philippine Songs charts: "Kalimutan Ka": "Since Day One": "Dami Mong Alam" 2015 – – rowspan="22" "Paalam" 2018 – – "Sa Susunod Na Lang" 30 – "Zebbiana" 2019 – – "N'Luv'" 2020 – – "Umaasa" – – "Nandito Lang Ako" – – "Kung Tayo" – – "Dance with You" – – "Lagi"2021 – – "Ang Liwanag" – – "Karma" – – "Kaya Natin" – – "Alak Pa"2022 – – "Solo" – – "Testing"2023 – – "Ikaw Na Nga Yon" – – "Noche Buena" – – "Lagabog" – – "Kalimutan Ka" 2025 8 5 "Bebe" – – "Since Day One" 2026 1 1
As a featured artist Year Title 2019 HBD (Birthday Mo)2020 Dahil Sayo You & I Halika Na Pasensya Na Iisang Tulay Wag Na Lang2021 Pwedeng Ayusin Natin To? Sabay sa Ulap 2022 Kumpisal2023 Bawal Paasa (Remix) Huli Na Laya2024Ligaw Na Bullet
Awards and nominations Award ceremonyYearCategoryNominee(s)/work(s)ResultMYX Music Awards2020Spotify's Top OPM Hip-Hop ArtistSkusta CleeWish Music Awards2019Wishclusive R&B Performance of the YearZebbiana
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