COVER STORY .

The Essential

DJ Skeme


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Published: Mar 7, 2007

Photo By: Michael T. Regan

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Ever been at an event chillin' and out of nowhere a b-boy or b-girl busts into an uprock or six-step right on the dancefloor?

Yeah you have.

And whether you admit it or not, you're thinking: Why do they have to take up all that space at your party?

"Philly never really got the b-boy thing," says DJ Skeme. "It was here in the mid-'80s and from there it kinda died out. Now the upcoming generation is watching the DVDs and becoming interested in it. A new scene is blossoming."

And Skeme is doing his part. The longtime fixture in local hip-hop released Bboy Essentials, Volume 2 earlier this year, a compilation of funk, 45s and rare break beats. He also had a trailer made to promote it. Who does trailers for CD releases?

Recently marking his 25th year in hip-hop, Skeme has been in on the culture from all angles — a fan, a b-boy, a producer, a DJ.

His current reputation as one of the best break DJs to come out of Philly is made concrete by his vast musical knowledge and collection of authentic breakbeats, which earned him a members-only card in the famous Rock Steady Crew.

Skeme was spinning at the monthly b-boy jam the Gathering in September of 2005 when RSC president and co-founder Crazy Legs happened to come through with local RSC member Ynot (who also serves as host for Bboy Essentials, Volume 2). Crazy Legs was impressed with Skeme playing music from the '80s scene, and brought him to spin at a few RSC events.

Not too long after, Skeme was asked to be down with the Rock Steady Crew permanently — a move that has taken him all over the world and given him name recognition in the b-boy culture.

It's not all about the breakin', though. Skeme doesn't really want to be known as a great break DJ; he'd rather be known as just a great DJ, period. His monthly gigs at the trendy Walnut Room and the intimate Fluid nightclub showcase his ability to get the crowd moving. He's got 25 years of experience telling him how to read the room, what to play next.

The endless gigs and the breakneck pace at which he's dropping CDs — six releases in the last 18 months — leaves Skeme little time for other music projects, like producing and co-hosting Internet radio show The Formula. Skeme founded it in 2003 with fellow DJs Primetime and Fredy Blast. (Skeme and Blast also team up to form Sesion31, and have worked together on projects for MF Doom, Steph Pockets and Bahamadia.)

"Honestly, I need to be snowed in for a long time to get caught up on everything," he laughs.

Though the nonstop gigging is nice, Skeme has no plans of moving out of Philly, citing the soulful atmosphere and legacy of DJs to come out of the 215. For now, he'll continue to represent on the turntables and help make a place for the b-boys on your dancefloor, whether you appreciate it or not.