“I just want to be looked at as one of the most lyrical artistes someone ever hears. I want people to look at me and say, ‘yeah, he’s different, or he didn’t follow anybody or he didn’t ride this train or ride this wave. He was different and (he) was in his own lane.’ That’s the impact I want to have,” he told World Music Views in an exclusive interview.
With artistic elements similar to the UK and US’s Drill Music scene ,Trinidadian Dancehall, dubbed “Trinibad” has been making its way across the pond and into the ears on young people who like violent music. Marked by gun lyrics and gun showing music videos, the artists like Skem, sing songs that seem to reflect the rugged unpublished lifestyles in the underground of the Twin Island republic.
Skem, whose given name is Sedale McLean is popular in Trinidad and Tobago for tracks such as Panorama, Side Man, Terrorist, and Nitrogen.
The 27-year-old hails from Valsayn in Trinidad and started penning amateur lyrics as early as 11-years-old.
He said he is inspired by hardcore Jamaican dancehall deejays Vybz Katrtel, Aidonia and American rapper Eminem. However, he admitted to starting out as a Soca artiste because of its popularity in his home country.
“I entered competitions in school (like) Soca Star, ‘cause our country really pushes Soca so I entered Soca Star. I mixed in dancehall, but I didn’t really reach far in the competition,” Skem said.
Since he launched his career, he says he’s continuously brought a unique flavour to the table, which makes him a cut above the rest.
“I don’t bring baby lyrics or ABC lyrics. I bring lyrics that get you thinking; I bring lyrics that make you have to pull back from the beginning and be like, “what, that’s what he meant?’ I like lyrical content…,” the Simpleton Deejay continued.
Just over a month ago, Trini Bad artistes Jahiem “Chucky Blanco” Joseph and Josiah “Siah Boss” Mclatchie were killed by Trinidadian police a couple hours apart for allegedly being involved in gang related activities.
For Skem, incidents like these are a moment of reflection on day to day decisions.
“We live and die by our decisions. So, the decisions we make, we have to live and die by it. I’m just happy to be alive and carry on the thing,” he said.
Unconfirmed reports indicated that Mclatchie was a member of the Rasta City Gang before crossing the floor to join the rivals known as the Muslim Gang.
On the other hand, Joseph was said to have pulled a firearm on police officers who were on patrol which led them to retaliate.
Meanwhile, Skem is hoping that he will continue to propel in the musical arena as he tries to avoid the violence in his home country and take his music internationally.
“I can’t predict where I see myself in five years…I just do it for the love; not for the likes and the glamour and the fame. I really love the music but I hope to make a bigger impact so hopefully in five years I can be more international,” he said.
