For those who haven't been on that Team Afficial wave or are unfamiliar with who you are, state your name where your from and one word that describes who you are.
I’m Big Skeem from Lancaster P.A. One word that describes me I would say is “Consistent” and that being because I feel like I constantly put out great music people can relate to. Not meaning to sound cocky just “confident”.
Philadelphia is jampacked with talent, but it appears that the labels/A&Rs aren't really aggressively pursuing rappers to add to their roster, why do you think they don't mess you guys as much as they should?
I’m not from Philly, but I am there at least 2-3 times a month. I live about an hour from there. I think A&R’s are sleepin' on everything but the south, which isn’t the south’s fault at all, but the labels are very closed minded. New talent that doesn’t sound like something a 5th grader could pick up on right away or resembles the next hit that’s on the radio gets overlooked. They are looking for a simple hit and that’s about it. They do not seem too interested in the longevity of an artist anymore.
What are your favorite places to hang out In Philly & Lancaster? What are your favorite hot spots in the rest of the country?
I like to hit the gallery in Philly they got everything. Broad & Market St. got a lot of mixtape stores and shit like that. In Lancaster I just like to be where my peoples at whether it’s on the block or just drivin around. Simple stuff. I like to go out of town as much as possible to help promote myself and my, music. I was just in NY for the Underground awards 2 weeks ago and just got back from NJ this week. Now I gotta get ready for the Million DJ March in DC this week. [Editor's Note: the Million DJ March was this passed weekend]
Out of these choices, who do you think is the King of Philly? Will Smith, Freeway, Cassidy, Beanie Sigel Or Gillie Da Kid; please explain your choice.
I can’t really call that one. They all have created a strong following for themselves and took different avenues to get where they are now. I had met both Cassidy and Freeway in the past and must say they both are real cool laid back artists. I find myself listening to Gillie the most tho. I’ve been a fan of dude since 1999 back when the Major Figgas ran Philly.
On your latest project, "Certified" you were able to get some very notable faces to hop on some of the tracks with you, how did you link up with Bynoe, Freeway, Rain, Peedi Crack & the other guest artists and producers?
I linked up with Bynoe through working with Stack Bundles back in 2005. We kept in contact off and on, plus we know a lot of the same people like Billz & Geolani. He came to my city back in July for a promo run he was doin and we got in the studio for a lil bit and he did my intro. Peedi was an artist I had reached out to in the beginning when I really didn’t have a buzz, paid him for a 16 and that was that. We did that song back in 05” but it still gets a lot of live in the P.A. area as far as radios, clubs, and mixtapes so I still push it to this day. Freeway was thru a neutral friend. I got at Rain when I saw him and his manager Mike Hustle at the Justo Awards back in May about doin a collab and they was with it. I had got at Rain a few times and just couldn’t get him on nuthin. Originally I was tryin to get him on the “Get Paid” Remix with S.One but that never happened. So he ended up doin “One 4 Da Money” which came out real dope.
Certified had many great cuts, if you could pick your favorite track what would it be and why?
That’s a hard one. I like all the tracks for different reasons but my top 5 would have to be “Get Paid”, “Fade To Black”, “So Focused”, “Certified”, “Long Time Comin”, and “It’s Easy” because Stack was and still is one of my favorite rappers. To have a track with him is an honor in it’s self. He told me I was the 1st artist he recorded an original song with that didn’t have a deal. He did it simply because he liked the record so much. That meant a lot.
Whats does a typical day in the life of Big Skeem consist of? What do you enjoy doing the most with your free time?
Typical day, hmmm…It depends. If it’s a week day I’m normally round my way making phone calls and networking as usual. Chilling somewhere in the city. Weekends, I try to be out of town as much as possible to promote “Certified”. Summer is almost over so once that winter hits it’s harder to move around, so I’m in overdrive right now lol.
In my opinion, Metro Beats made the hottest beats for "Certified" what is it like working with Metro Beats? What is the favorite track you two have done together?
Metro is a fuckin BEAST period lol. He’s on a whole other level in music and his overall sound. I love workin with dude, he’s a genius. I remember it took a few tries before I found something I liked but once I heard the beat for “Certified” it was over. I wrote that record in one day. He surprised me with “Put Em Up”, I had sent out the accapella to the track as a contest for producers to remix it and the winner would get it on my project, but once I heard Metro’s you already know my mind was made up. Me and my dude Gadget recently shot a video for both songs too.
Cliche BBB interview question time. Who do you want to win in the presidential election? What do you think could have been done to avoid the current economic state the country is currently in?
Honestly, I haven’t been paying too much attention to the election and the candidates but out of what I have heard Obama makes the most sense at the moment. We’ll just have to see if he keeps his promises. I feel like our economy is fucked because our president now, Bush, didn’t listen to the people. He did what he wanted and what “he” thought was best for millions.
Why do you think the major labels aren't taking the time to actually analyze the whole usage of websites like mine to use them as tool of marketing instead of having them shut down?
I think it has to do a lot with the current state of music and the decline in sales. The music business is trying it’s hardest to stop anything they feel is hurting their sales. They don’t look at a Blog or Website as a marketing tool or talent search, they look at it as you guys are supporting and giving out free downloads to their artists’ music. Which is not how they should look at it, but they do.
Any last words for the BBB viewers?
Just a quick shout out to everybody that supports me, Team Afficial, my dude Geolani who has made so many things possible for me and never asked for anything in return. I got you on whatever Lani fuck da haters!!! DJ Herk, who’s supported me from day one even when I was trash lol, Montega, Young Haze, my 2 right hands Jorge & Fatty, Wiz Hoffa (Boss Gang Bitch!!!), Mike Hustle, Gadget, and everybody who help make this cd possible. And of course all the websites and bloggers such as yourself, Sermon, Mr. Xclusive, Rapmullet. Everybody!!!
Thank you for taking the time to do this interview Big Skeem, I wish the best for you and Team Afficial in the future.
Appreciate the look fam. Stay up!!!
Big Skeem's newest project "Certified" is dope folks, if you haven't been fortunate enough to peep it yet, you can download it now! A link to "Certified" along with Big Skeem's Myspace & Team Afficial's blog are below, fuck with the Big Skeem/Team Afficial movement!!!
BBB@BFochs.com
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