Fresh Out The Oven

Second installment of “A Million And…”
This time Toronto’s own Promise took some time out of his busy schedule of deciding on labels, becoming a married(engaged) spud and working on that beautiful music. Just to answer a few of the Bakers questions.

You’ve alluded to it on your blog, but haven’t revealed it to the world yet. What is the official label situation? and if you can’t say who, is it official and inked yet?
It should be official soon, we’ve actually started planning marketing plans, new album(s), etc. Not so much that I can’t say, but I won’t say until I’ve signed and the ink dries. But I’ve had contracts/offers presented before (last 2 years). After the initial interest its really just about playing the number game, negotiating advances, budgets, etc. Labels haven’t been able to come to terms with me yet to a point where I feel comfortable that’s all.

Do you feel major labels will still be an important factor to the success of the artist for much longer?
I don’t know too much about the industry yet but from what I know, I would say no. Every artist I meet urges me to stay away from majors as long as I can. As money becomes more accessible I think the game is gonna change a lot more drastically than what this digital era has ushered in.

Being that Toronto has suffered for a while in terms of “exposure” on a worldwide level, how does Kardi and Drake’s and presumably your situation at labels help?
Man, it helps a lot more than people may know or think. Although everyone doesn’t know Drake yet A LOT of people do. Everytime people would find out I’m from Toronto they’d be like oh yeah? You know Kardi? That’s my man! So the more of us that make it out to a level of being noticed greater chance of people paying more attention to our hometown and what we have to offer. We’re no longer the quiet by-stander we are when it comes to politics but active participants in this game (I don’t follow politics please no questions about it lol).

We’re you there for the embarrassing turnout of fans at the Getting Up Festival hosted by Marc Ecko and Little X? Thoughts?
I was not, however I did hear a bit about it and wasn’t surprised one bit. It’s funny cuz I heard more about the mishap than I did promotion for the actual event I don’t know what it was about, when it was or anything. Maybe I’m just “So Far Gone” out of the loop, or maybe we as Canadians need to step our promo game up lol I dunno.

You had a track leak to 2dopeboyz that you had intended for Drake’s ears only. What did Drake say when he heard it? And then when he heard Blame It On Me? Or would you have to make a Blame It On Me Pt. Deux if you answered that?
Drake hit me and was like “yeah man we bangin it in the studio right now its dope man!” That’s it, he didn’t say anything about it leaking cuz its not as big a deal as people tried to make it out to be lol. And the apology joint wasn’t for him so he didn’t say anything about it, that was for M-Phazes who produced my classic hit “Money” which now has no official beat until another talented producer cooks somethin up for it. But the story behind that is all in “Blame It On Me”.

Easily one of my favourite recent tracks of yours is “Party Girl”“Video Girl”, what track(s) has meant the most to you at this point in your career?
I’m not quite sure what “Party Girl” is lol I’m guessin’ its “Whatever Girl” or “Video Girl”? For me I would have to say “Outside” and most definetly “Money” its sad that went down how it did because that song is AMAZING!
*Editors Note* Video Girl is Promise’s artist (and fiance, congrats) Liya’s track.

I have to ask, what’s with the US flag on the D.O.P.E tape?
Well I believe the title stands for 2dopeboyz presents D.a O.fficial P.romise E.ntrance (into the US market) hence the flag covered door (if you look closely you’ll see the door knob)

Favourite destination your music has taken you?
Well my music hasn’t taken me to many places yet so maybe I gotta answer this one in the next interview. I had a show booked in Hawaii but the whole event was postponed then cancelled. Wouldve loved that. So far they’ve treated me the best in Chicago & Cali, but I’m tryna hit ATL this year see what’s poppin’!

If you could reach out to any legend, DOA and destroy a beat, who would it be? Who would produce it? Dead or alive too.
I’m sure everyones gonna say “yo, I’d do a track wit Big & Pac on the 1st verse, Big L & Pun on the 2nd, Eazy-E on the intro, freaky tah doin’ adlibs, Jam Master Jay doin’ cuts under the hook by Left-eye! Lol. But ima just keep it real and current incase anyone who can make somethin’ happen does read this. A track I’d love to do would have Lauryn Hill and/or John Legend on the hook, a verse from Common and young Lupe Fiasco (produced by ‘Ye of course). My boy Drake already attempted my other dream track with eLZhi & Phonte so…

There are a ton of talented DJs, artists and producers “north of the border”, what is it going to take in the new era of hip hop to get the international exposure they deserve?
Its already begun very slowly, but its going to take us (the artists) not forgetting those hot producers/djs who helped put us on. When we get budgets or get “in” we seem to look to getting a bigger name to bring us higher. That’s why I respect Drake in that aspect he brought 40 wit him and he brings other producers on tour/stage as musicians. Also producers are getting out there with the help of myspace so it aint as hard as it used to be.

Toronto hip hop is…?
Toronto hip-hop is…almost ready to be revealed. In my opinion, still a bit of work to be done here and there but its also very diverse (like our culture).

Of all the nicknames for Toronto and its hip hop scene, what one(s) do you wish would just stick and stay?
Tdot & T.O. Should stay and screwface capitol should go. The 1st two are short, and have really caught on as official names for Toronto too. Screwface, although its real about how Torontonians are it doesn’t help anyone I think it was created more for us to realize/recognize and change than to tag it and share with the rest of the world our ugly weaknesses.

If you can’t be found in the studio, you are…?
…On the stage, if I’m not makin’ music I’m on camera/on film. If nothings filming and I’m not in a musical mood (for whatever reason lol), I’m loving life with my fiance, family and friends.

When is the next official Promise tape/album dropping? Who can we expect to be a part of that?
Man, I have soooo much material poised for release I don’t wana give yall a date and have some other powers that be give you the impression I’m not a man of my word I have 1-2 releases scheduled for this summer, another fashion-focused project scheduled for september back to school season and another album with the new label situation being situated. A lot of heavy hitters but more importantly a lot of talented artists and good people.

The recipe for success in the studio includes?
Includes: 2 yorkville monitors, 1 user friendly PC (no need for a Mac, I’d rather have a car lol) and all I need is 1 mic.

What can we expect from Promise in 2009 and beyond?
A LOT of G.O.O.D Music! Trust that!