“In the ‘Scheme’ of things,” is a
popular idiom, a saying that is commonly used to express the “general view of a situation.” 20-year-olds don’t generally have 7 mixtapes under their belt. 20-year-old don’t generally have their music played at
venues that they themselves are not even old enough to be admitted to and
20-year-old don’t generally have the
weight of a city on their back. That being said, it is more than safe to say
that 20-year-old Inglewood, Cali. rapper Skeme, born Lonnie Kimble, is the furthest
thing from general.
A perfect balance between “witty wordplay”
and his expression everyday struggles, Skeme created a lane for himself where
such was nonexistent. “I want to make those songs that you hear 5 or 10 years
later and still feel as good about them as you did when you first heard it.”
With that priority in mind, Skeme recently dropped, Pistols & Palm Trees, described
as an eclectic arrangement of emotion-driven lyrics, heavy bass-laden
production, and a smooth bravado of a cadence. Ready or not, the West-coast is
back. MusicSkeme Ft. Alley Boy “Ridin Out”
rarely ask artists where their names come from, but Skeme is interesting to say
the least, that’s not you government is it?
Skeme:
Thatwas actually a play name I was given when I was a kid. One of the older guys
from the park said I always was scheming and plotting on how to get an extra
free lunch [laughter]. I guess it stuck; I got the spelling from the graffiti
artist though.
AllHipHop.com: You’re
an LA artist, but have a little bit of an accent, is that where you’re
originally from?
Skeme:
No.
I’m an Inglewood native. Both parents are from the south and I’ve made frequent
visits since I was about 4 years old. That’s probably where I get it from.
AllHipHop.com: What
type of support do you get from your hometown?
Skeme:
The
support from Inglewood is crazy. I think the people from the city are just
proud that they’ve finally got somebody real and dope to cheer for. I think me
repping over every song is what makes them ride for me like they do.
AllHipHop.com: Being
as young as you are, was music something that you always took seriously?
Skeme:
No.
I always figured drug money was the best route, until my cousin got locked up
and caught a 28-year sentence. That was probably the biggest turning point for
me when I figured that it was either do music or end up in the same spot.
aspect of being a musician appeals to you the most?
Skeme:
I
think the thing that appeals most is the fact that I get to voice my opinion or
view to a wide audience of people. I find it dope that people just want to hear
me or hear what I have to say.
AllHipHop.com: What
artists have you been compared to?
Skeme:
Dolla
(RIP), Wayne, and Wiz.
AllHipHop.com: Where
do feel those semblances come from?
Skeme:
I
listen to those guys the most. I think maybe the sound bleeds through in my
music because I hear them so often. Kind of like the concept that you are who
you hang with.
AllHipHop.com: In
an already over-saturated industry, where does Skeme fit in?
Skeme:
Right
in my own lane. I don’t want to be like anybody else. I aim to do me and make
people love it.
AllHipHop.com: The
focus right now is clearly the Pistols and Palm Trees mixtape
explain the title and the type of content on that project.
Skeme: The title comes
from my city and what we’re known for. It’s the perfect title to explain
exactly what it is out here. The good and bad. I feel like I might the one
artist standing in the middle of both lifestyles. The content on the project is
just my view. My main focus when making music is to make the listener
understand where I’m coming from. From top to bottom the project is a great
listen though. Production from Boi-1da, Hit-boy (Surf Club), Roosevelt, Chris
King, Roosevelt, J Classic, and DJ J Buttah and features from Dom Kennedy,
Tyga, Kendrick Lamar, Kent Jamz (Overdoz) and TyDollasign (Toot it n Boot it).
Hopefully the world will love it just as much as I do! October 19th is the drop
date!Visit Skeme on Twitter @Skeme
