He's a devoted writer, rapper and producer who set the trends instead of following them. An individual who is used to the grind of making things happen is no other than Cleveland, Ohio's Skent Dukes.

Yo! Raps connected with the triple threat soon to be industry mogul and got the 411 on his wide local success as well as his movement to pour his eclectic blend of music into the masses satisfyingly appealing to all crowds. Skent informed us that where he's from, it's not really hard to relate to people who came up from nothing and that his creativity lies within his lyrics in which covers topics that other niggas ain't talking about. Skent Dukes single, Grind Right was the most purchased track locally outselling national artists both inside and outside of his genre. In his eyes this was valid confirmation that he belongs in the Rap game.

To give a brief performing history, Skent Dukes was a part of a 1999 underground E.P. entitled, Thiever, which went on to sell over 10,000 units in Ohio, effectively putting him into a viable position in the mid west music scene. Three years later, his first solo venture, Get It Right had the Cleveland streets buzzing, moving over 9,500 copies all out of the trunk of his car. Yo! Raps admit that it's all quite impressive, but we later asked if those were the receiving numbers he envisioned and this is the response we got: "The numbers were crazy. We were thankful for the response. Anybody would always want more numbers. That's how it always is. That grind allowed us to do more musically in the future. It was a great experience, because niggas don't get money out the trunk no more. We give CDs out."

Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, you're a triple threat that has gained wide local success now looking to pour your eclectic blend of music into the masses. Tell Yo! Raps exactly how you will blend your music making it convincing enough to appeal to the masses. 

Well you know, coming from where I'm from it's not really gonna be hard to relate to people who came up from nothing. I just try to be creative with lyrics, my music in general, and try to cover topics that other niggas ain't talking about. It's a lot of things to talk about I'm only hearing a few subjects.  

As a writer, rapper and producer who set the trends instead of following them, you're an individual who's used to the grind of making things happen. How do you keep all this in rotation? Is it harder setting trends rather than following them?

Devote time to each talent and focusing is how I keep everything in rotation. It's definitely harder setting trends than following, but it takes a specific person and drive to stick to setting a trend and dealing with the good and bad that comes with it. It takes a certain confidence level, though. 

Growing up in Cleveland at a time when the music scene was run by national artists and an inner circle of locals, you found a place to stand on your own by becoming a member of Sly Fam, which was pretty successful. Was this the beginning you envision for your music career?

Yeah, this was the best at a young age having the money and power to be able to follow and execute what you love the most. Everybody knew us at the Sly Fam. Shout out to the whole Sly Fam.

In addition, you were a part of a 1999 underground E.P. entitled, Thiever, which went on to sell over 10,000 units in Ohio, effectively putting you into a viable position in the mid west music scene. Three years later, your first solo venture, Get It Right had the Cleveland streets buzzing, moving over 9,500 copies all out of the trunk of your car. That's quite impressive, but are those the receiving numbers you anticipated? Do you feel that you could've pushed more? 

The numbers were crazy. We were thankful for the response. Anybody would always want more numbers. That's how it always is. That grind allowed us to do more musically in the future. Was a great experience, because niggas don't get money out the trunk no more. We give CDs out. I Ain't A Killa Vol. II in the streets now! 

For several weeks your single, Grind Right was the most purchased track locally, outselling national artists both inside and outside of your genre. Was this confirmation that without a doubt, you're meant to be in the Rap game?

Naw, I knew it was more work than that, Grind Right was a catchy track. My confirmation came from my music being compared to industry music with it being on the same level.  

You have an arsenal of lyrics and material that can readily flex your rhyming muscles over some of your self-produced blazing tracks. In this case, how important is originality as an artist, and why?

Originality is when the real money start coming in, because people are trying to be like you. Originality plays a major part in being an artist. When you sit down and do a deal the first thing they're going to tell you is that we already got one of these out in the world. You have to do something different even it's just wearing your hat different. Originality is the million dollar key. 

For those that don't know, what makes your rhyming style so dynamically different from other opposing Emcees?

My rhyming style is aggressive, smooth, crafty, and surprising to say the least. I'm not politically correct. I say some shit that sometimes go over heads. You have to listen to my music to how I word shit. Rhymes are more about how you say shit just as much as what you say. My style is more a blend of an east coast, southern blend. Battle Rap nigga with too much style and polish to battle Rap. Shout out to all my battle Rap niggas.

How accomplished as an artist are you? How much further do you feel you must go to reach that desired mogul status?

I've done a lot of shit as an artist, but I have a lot more I'm doing to get to that mogul status. I've accomplished a lot and had to take a lot of steps to get me to my prime, because I feel I'm hot right now! My mogul status will be when I'm finally managing and producing other artists.

What's your ultimate industry goal? Tell us what we don't know about the talented and promising Skent Dukes movement.

To be known world wide. To be looked at as somebody who others want to inspire to be. Put on for my city. Shout out to Cleveland. What you don't know about Skent can be found out in the mix tapes and albums. I'm all in there.

We hear that you're currently gearing up for the release of your next solo album as well as pushing your new jump-off single, Steady Watchin. What's the status on both projects and when should we expect them?

Steady Watching is blazing in the South and the hometown. DJs are loving it. The album is gonna be crazy, because I got a little bit of everything on there - grown and sexy, street music, hustla music. Big name features on the album that the people are already feeling. Until then, I'm dropping mixtape after mixtape. I Ain't A Killa Vol. II in streets now!

Are there any familiar names making an appearance, or is it just you and your blazing ass tracks?

I'm surprising ya'll. Merry Christmas [laughs]. 

Not that it matters, but are you currently signed to a record label, or are you independent?

Independent. Shout out to Hush Money Management. J take us to the top!

Aside from your two current projects, what else are you working on? What's poppin' in the Skent Dukes camp right now? Give us inside info...

I work closely with CJ and R.O.B. doing songs and tour dates. Currently doing a tour throughout the South - Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina.

Where can your friends find you online? Share some links if you wish.

You can find me on Twitter at twitter.com/skent_dukes and of course MySpace atmyspace.com/skentdukes1

- By Inga "International" Newson