If you’ve spent any time in the dark, visceral corners of the underground hip-hop scene, you’ve definitely heard of the "Grim Reaper" of rap. He’s the guy who blends the gore of a slasher flick with the technical precision of a veteran emcee. But while fans scream his stage name at packed shows, there’s always that lingering question about the man behind the mask. People want to know skitz kraven real name, where he came from, and how a kid from Wisconsin ended up becoming the face of modern horrorcore.
The man behind the moniker is Evan D. Kijek.
He wasn't born in a haunted asylum or a Hollywood backlot. He was born on July 9, 1994, in Madison, Wisconsin. It’s a bit of a contrast, right? You think of the Midwest and you think of rolling hills and quiet suburbs, not the twisted, psychological lyricism that Evan has become famous for.
Who Is Evan D. Kijek?
Evan didn't just wake up one day and decide to be a rapper. He was a musical kid. Honestly, he was practically a prodigy, picking up the piano and drums when he was only four years old. That foundation in percussion is probably why his flows are so rhythmic and "on the beat" even when he’s whispering about something terrifying.
By the time he hit middle school, he was obsessed with rap. But it wasn't just the music—it was the lifestyle. Growing up in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, Evan started veering toward a darker path. High school brought its own set of demons. We’re talking about mental health struggles and addiction issues that would eventually become the fuel for his creative fire.
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How the Name Happened
The transition from Evan to sKitz Kraven was pretty organic. He’s been open about the fact that "sKitz" was a play on the word schizophrenic, reflecting the chaotic state of his own mind during his late teens.
But a single name wasn't enough for a brand. He was in the studio with his producer one day when they realized he needed a "last name." Evan is a massive horror nerd. He grew up on a steady diet of Wes Craven films. He swapped the "C" for a "K," and skitz kraven real name was effectively buried under a new, terrifying persona.
The Madison to Los Angeles Pipeline
At 19, Evan did what most aspiring artists do when they realize their hometown is too small for their ambitions: he packed his bags and moved to Los Angeles. It was a gamble. He didn't have a major label backing him. He just had his notebook and a very specific vision of what "horrorcore" should sound like in the 21st century.
He has described his sound as a cocktail of Eminem, Lil Wayne, and Stephen King, with a dash of Tim Burton thrown in for the aesthetic. It’s a weird mix, but it worked.
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- 2015: Released Black Snow.
- 2016: "Magic" becomes a breakout hit, proving there was a massive audience for his specific brand of dark rap.
- 2017: Started the #NewMusicMondays tradition, which honestly is one of the smartest marketing moves an independent artist can make.
- 2024-2025: Dropped projects like Do You Hear Them Too? and the KRAVE EP, showing he’s not slowing down even a decade into his career.
Why the Real Name Matters to Fans
You might wonder why anyone cares that his name is Evan D. Kijek. In the world of horrorcore, there’s often a disconnect between the performer and the person. For Evan, the music is therapy. He’s stated in multiple interviews, including a deep dive with Starry Constellation Magazine, that songs like "Haunted House" are literally just his thoughts put to paper.
Knowing his real name humanizes the "Grim Reaper." It reminds the audience that the guy rapping about internal shadows is a real person who dealt with real-world issues in Wisconsin long before he was famous on TikTok.
The "Grim Reaper" Persona vs. Reality
Despite the violent imagery and the "cringing" lyrics (his words, not mine), Evan is a calculated businessman. He runs his own merch, directs many of his own videos, and engages with his "Kravenites" (his fan base) daily. He isn't some unhinged character; he’s an artist who found a way to monetize his darkest moments.
It’s about survival. He once told an interviewer that we live in a dark world and surviving is the only thing that matters. His music is just the soundtrack to that survival.
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What’s Next for the King of Horrorcore?
As we move through 2026, Evan is still pushing boundaries. His recent singles like "Guts" and "Padded Room" show that he’s leaning even harder into the psychological thriller aspects of his music. He’s moved beyond just being a "rapper" and has become a full-blown multimedia creator.
If you’re looking to get into his discography, don't just stick to the hits. Look for the tracks where he talks about his family or his early days in Wisconsin. That’s where you find the real Evan.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check the Credits: If you look at the publishing credits on his albums, you'll see "Evan Kijek" listed. It’s a great way to see which songs he had the most hand in producing.
- Support Independent: Evan is a prime example of how to build a massive following without a soul-sucking record deal. Buying merch directly from his site is the best way to keep the art coming.
- Listen for the Samples: He often hides subtle nods to his favorite horror directors in his beats. Keep an ear out for those Wes Craven-inspired soundscapes.
Evan D. Kijek managed to take a name and a traumatic past and turn it into a career that most mainstream artists would envy. Whether you call him sKitz or Evan, there’s no denying the impact he’s had on the underground scene.