Amidst the market being oversaturated with rappers who have the same sound, more and more accounts of rising artists signing with independent labels instead of majors have been popping up lately. And if you browse any social media site, you’ll see some boasting about winning or being connected to the most famous artists and it seems to have an appeal to many. But when popularity and riches start to overshadow creativity and lyricism, does signing to a major label really equate to greatness? This doesn’t necessarily mean that signing to a major label doesn’t equal greatness or that money isn’t important; nevertheless, the basis is that if you are really passionate about your music, then why not explore all the avenues that make you the best you can be? This is what Skeme did, who has been grinding in SoCal for some time. Even though he was already affiliated with Top Dawg Entertainment and recording in their studio, Skeme made a conscious decision to instead sign with The Game’s independent label, Blood Money Entertainment. Both are independent, but Skeme didn’t want to get “lost in the mix” at the expense of his music. Additionally, Def Jam and Universal showed much interest but he didn’t want to sign to a major label at this point. If you’ve ever listened to Skeme, you can see why he is so strategic with his career. His lyrics display his drive and his craftiness. His choices are an example of how chasing money isn’t always the right path.
- Lonnie Kimble aka Skeme was born on January 3, 1990 and grew up in Inglewood, California.
- Skeme became interested in hip hop when he was 10 years old through the influence of his dad.
- In addition to his dad being an inspiration to him, his great-uncle was the Howlin’ Wolf blues legend.
- Due to his hustle abilities, people started to call him ‘Skeme’ which is how he got his rapping moniker.
- In 2007, he released his first mixtape called ‘Skeme of Things’.
- Skeme then released a follow-up mixtape called “Skeme of Things 2’ in 2009.
- In February of 2010, he released the mixtape called ‘All Rap’d Up’.
- Later that year in 2010, he released the mixtape titled ‘Pistols and Palm Trees’ which was recorded at Top Dawg Entertainment’s recording studio.
- His mixtape ‘Pistols and Palm Trees’ increased his buzz especially since it featured artists such as Kendrick Lamar and Tyga.
- In 2011, Skeme released his fifth mixtape titled ‘The Statement’ and his sixth mixtape called ‘Before My Next Statement’.
- He then started a management company called L.A. UNFD.
- In October of 2012, he released his first studio album titled ‘Alive & Living’. It was released under the independent label RBC Records.
- Skeme eventually caught the attention of several major labels in 2013 including Universal, Def Jam, and Rock Nation but he was not in a rush to sign to a major record label.
- In September of 2013 he released the mixtape ‘Bare With Me’ which was his seventh mixtape.
- In late 2013, he released his second album called ‘Ingleworld’ which gained enormous attention.
- During his career, he has worked with Black Hippy, The Game, Wale, Nipsey Hustle, Iggy Azalea, T.I., and E-40, just to name a few.
- His video for Vice off his ‘Ingleworld’ album gained massive and positive reviews from many music critics.
- Skeme was also featured in a Colt 45 commercial with Snoop Dogg and YG in October of 2013.
- He was also mentioned on MTV as being an artist to watch in 2014.
- Complex magazine said that Skeme is a “testament to diversity in L.A.’s sound” because of his delivery and voice.
- Skeme has been compared to 2Pac and Lil Wayne.
- In July of 2014, he was signed to the independent record label Blood Money Entertainment founded by The Game.
Skeme’s advice to aspiring rappers told to Lesbakerradio Show: “Man don’t worry about the money. You should probably get a 9-5 first and keep doing music along the way. Cause once you start worrying about the money before the music that’s when you start making bullshit music.”
Post by: Rosie J. – music marketer
