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Inglewood, CA rapper Skeme released his new album Alive and Living on October 16 via iTunes. As a young artist on the scene, Skeme is quickly rising up in the ranks on the West Coast as a diverse rapper that can create club music for the party people and straight Hip-Hop for the lyrical heads.

With guests like Kendrick Lamar, Iggy Azalea, Schoolboy Q, and Problem, Alive and Living definitely needs to be on your list of new albums to check out. AllHipHop.com recently caught up with Skeme for a few quick words:

AllHipHop.com: I had no idea that the Blues and Rock ‘N Roll legend, Howlin’ Wolf, was your great uncle.

Skeme: I’ve got the music roots, man [laughter]. I can remember my grandmother telling me that he was an honest man. If he said that he was going to do something, he either did it or was going to die trying. He was a good man from what I hear.

AllHipHop.com: From what you know of him, was he accurately portrayed in the movie, Cadillac Records?

Skeme: That seemed about right to me. That’s what most of my other uncles are like [laughter]. I definitely thought that was kind of dead on.

AllHipHop.com: Music is on your blood, but you kind of got a late start in this game….

Skeme: Right. I started when I was about 16 or 17.

AllHipHop.com: Compared to a lot of other artists, that’s late. Artists usually tell me that they started rapping during their early teenage years.

Skeme: There wasn’t much to do but be out in the streets or go hoop when I was growing up, but I turned out alright. I just grew into [rapping]. Not to toot my own horn, but I’ve also got a hell of a work ethic. I’m in and out of the studio on the regular or as much as one should if they want to be good at this. Practice makes perfect. I practice my a** off with this rap sh*t, and try to become as good as I can possibly be.

AllHipHop.com: Aside from practicing, what else do you think has helped you to catch on so quickly?

Skeme: Having a presence in the streets and relationships with artists that are bubbling out here on the coast. Always being a real dude and being genuine. As life goes on, my raps are going to get better, because I keep things on the up and up.