Interview with Imperial (HipHopCanada.com) August 07 2007

Tara: Let's get right into it, Imperial. You're the President of Tilt Rock Records; how important is having your business on-point in this industry?

Imperial: At the end of the day, it’s all about business because I have to pay my bills and eat. You can be the greatest artist and if your business ain’t right, you’ll still have no money. You can have the top selling track and still be broke; you’ll get stomped on with these guys with no talent that’ll consume you. You as an artist better have your business tight. Speaking for myself, because I know my worth, I know the struggle I’ve put in. For example, I feel like it is very important to get paid for a show. We (Point Blank) deserve to get paid to do a show. If the promoter doesn’t recognize the level I’m on, it’s his problem. It’s not just about the money, it’s a business. They keep talking about exposure, but I’ve had the number one video on RapCity. We’ve done it ourselves, we can do it ourselves. Bring something new to do the table with leverage. You’re not doing something that the next big promoter can’t do, get your business right.

Tara: Break it down for us, how should local artists be taken care of by promoters?


Imperial: Don’t tell me you’re going to get a lot of exposure doing a show, putting us on with a headliner and promises but no budget. Don’t do that then have us pay money for the show CD, mix and master CD, rehearsal space and then rent our limo to get to the show and back. All of these are big expenses, and at the end of the day, for whatever reason, the promoter doesn’t have his business right and the show flops. The show doesn’t happen due to whatever reason, and when I call the promoter, you’re trying to dodge me. The promoters want to be a star like the artist. You know you fucked up and don’t have an answer. It’s not about that though, it’s about moving on. I’m not coming at you for the past; let’s talk about making money so these things don’t happen again.

Tara: As the youngest associate of Tilt Rock, was taking a leadership role a natural progression for you?

Imperial: I’m my own leader and that’s what it is. It’s not that I lead anyone else, I’m my own boss. I stand on my own two feet, been on my own grind. When you decide what you want to do for yourself, you take it upon yourself to do it. Within Tilt Rock Records, it was a natural fit to become President because everyone else involved in the label had commitments in their personal lives.

Tara: Who is Imperial as an artist?

Imperial: In my lyrics, I’ve been always keeping it real grimy. If you listen to my lyrics, that’s what it is; but I have to show that you can grind but you have to enjoy yourself. The payoff for the grind, what you get from grinding so hard, is good. You get back what you put in. I put in a lot of grind, so obviously in my lyrics you’re going to hear me talk about some baller shit. First though, put in the ground work. I love to be creative, I love to be musical. As an artist, I have no boundaries. Straight up, none. As an artist, I am willing to explore a lot of different things that most might look at like I’m fucking crazy. You can hear me from grimy to rock shit. That’s how I can flip it, I’m versatile. I like to see different things and visual shit, so I talk about those experiences in my lyrics. I’m like a mad scientist; I’ll take a little bit and mix it all together.

Tara: Drop us a hint on your solo release content.

Imperial: Oh shit, fire! Some unexpected shit. My album is going to be crazy; I’m going around the whole fucking world and recording it. Not letting’ anything out right now, but it’s going to be real big! If you’re an A&R, you can holler and get an exclusive listen.

Tara: How important is it to use your position for social change?

Imperial: Right now, I’m in a position that needs social change. I don’t look at myself as someone in a position of power, I’m just me. I don’t have the power to make massive social change but I can reach out to a small market of people that will make people aware. I don’t have political connections or big money to do social campaigns but it is important to me, because I’ve run through the entire system from a youth to an adult. One of the facilities I stayed in was great because it was run by black people; run by black people for black kids and it was the only place I was still getting oxtail and fritters. I’d love to be able to do something like that for the future; when it’s strong enough. Of course I have these dreams. Let me sell these million albums first, and then do the rest. I want people to know that I’ve been through it all, but prevention is better than cure. If you can make someone aware of their consequence before their actions, it may be a solution. At the end of the day, for me to make all these changes, I am still that person at risk. You can’t ask me how I’m going to give back when I am that person that needs that help. I can suggest how you, as someone who as made it, can help us.