Niiiiiice list of producers, enjoyed his last album as well, Torae is that dude…
Here's an interview with him that dropped yesterday over at KevinNottingham.com:
Here's an interview with him that dropped yesterday over at KevinNottingham.com:
KevinNottingham.com said:Brooklyn’s Own Torae Sets The Record Straight
by ERIN on NOVEMBER 1, 2011
In an era of a need breed of artistry, the Golden Era of Hip Hop still lives in the heart of Brooklyn emcee Torae. Read on as he “un-raps” the art of versatility, what he would teach at the University of Hip Hop, performing overseas vs. the states, and his friendships with artists from the Golden Era.
Erin: Your new album For The Record drops November 1. How is this album relevant to who you are as an artist and as a man?
Torae: What this album does is bring you up to speed. The intro of the album starts at my high school graduation and then the songs chronicle everything that I’ve gone through since then. From my music to some life stuff, it just brings you fully up to speed with Torae, the artist. Some people may have been familiar with me from Daily Conversation or Double Barrel with Marco Polo. But this album is giving you more of the full picture of who I am. So if you’ve heard those projects when you get this one, I think you’ll have a clear understanding of Torae.
Erin: Interesting. I noticed over the past few years, you’ve shown more versatility with your EP Heart Failure, and your song “Switch.” As an emcee, how important do you think it is to show your versatility? And do you think that can ever hinder you as far as your fan loyalty goes?
Torae: Well “Switch” was on Daily Conversation—the mixtape I released in 2008, and I did that song because that was my introduction to everybody. I had “Click,” and “Get It Done” with Premiere and Skyzoo. People kept hearing me on all these features so “Switch” was a response to some of the criticism I was getting about not being more than one dimensional and not varying my style of flow. I just wanted to show that everyone has their signature sound. So I took little bits and pieces from other artists and was pleased with the response I got with that record. Heart Failure was done for two reasons. For one, I just wanted to do it—I like making “chick songs,” and the songs that relate to relationships. And two, it was Valentine’s Day and I wanted to give something to people to hold them over be between albums. Heart Failure was a platform for me to show my versatility…I wanted to show people I wasn’t a one trick pony, and that I’m able to talk about things I wouldn’t normally put out in a regular song or project, and give people a different side of me. At the end of the day, Torae the artist isn’t really different from Torae the man. Sometimes I’m in the club, sometimes I’m in the library, sometimes I’m at school with my kid, sometimes I’m in the bedroom. I don’t want to give you and image; I really want to give you me in my music.
Erin: Do you feel that other artists fall short of doing that?
Torae: I will say that nowadays, with the Internet being such a good tool, artists are starting to show more versatility because they don’t necessarily have to be contractually obligated. Before, you had to put out a project on your label and you couldn’t necessarily do a Heart Failure type project because the label probably wouldn’t get behind something that was so mono-themed. More than likely, they didn’t think it was something that they could package and sell to their targeted audience. Nowadays, with zip files, you can spread your wings. I think some artists have taken advantage of it, and other artists will begin to once they realize that they have more freedom and flexibility then they will do more of the records that they want to do instead of doing what they think they have to do in order to sell a record.
Erin: Since you were on Duck Down Records and have worked with a lot of legendary people, what does the Golden Era of Hip Hop symbolize to you? And do you think that your work is a reflection of that?
Torae: Yeah absolutely. I did my last album with Duck Down, which was Double Barrel with Marco Polo. Since then, I was able to secure my own P&D deal via Fat Beats fund distribution and I started my own company called Internal Affairs Entertainment so my new project is going to be released on my own label. So I’m proud of that because that’s taking independence to the next level of being a true independent artist. Every decision that was made on this album…I didn’t have to answer to anyone but myself and having that type of creative freedom is always the best feeling for an artist. To get back to your question, I was influenced by the Golden Era. As an 80’s baby, I came up in the 90’s. I was a teenager when a lot of these classic albums were being made and you know as a teen, music is so important—it kind of shapes who you are as a person. So my influence behind wanting to be involved in music period came from the Gang Starr’s and the Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth’s, the Main Source’s, Slick Rick and EPMD. The fact that I can now call some of these people my friends feels surreal. Sometimes, you get to meet your heroes and their assholes, and sometimes you meet your heroes and their great. And I’ve been fortunate enough to meet a lot of my heroes and they’ve genuinely been great people. From working with the whole Duck Down roster, to being good friends with DJ Premier and Masta Ace, you know guys like that I can just pick up the phone and call. It’s so crazy to me because I was just a kid coming home from school watching Video Music Box and wanting to one day meet these people and have them know my name and now that’s kind of been realized so it’s an ill feeling.
Erin: I bet. Getting back to what you were saying about being more independent. In an interview you did with TheWellVersed you said, “People who make the biggest impacts are the people who do it their own way and that’s how you become an innovator and a legend.” How have you incorporated that ideology into your own career?
Torae: Well, as I stated about having the flexibility of being able to do whatever you want, I feel like I built up a pretty solid following, and it can only get bigger. I feel like the people who really support Torae are invested in more than Torae the emcee…they’re also invested in Torae the person and that’s because I’m able to give them so much of myself in my music. I don’t conform to whatever’s trendy or current…for better or worse, I’ve just decided to do my own thing. I’m not doing swag rap, I’m not wearing skinny jeans, and no disrespect to anyone who does…I just wouldn’t feel comfortable. I would feel like I was giving up too much of myself to fit in, get an interview, or get a spin. If I’m going to progress in music, it’s going to be because I make the music I want and people can attach themselves to it and relate to it. If I fall short of that, then by all means I’m fine with it because at the end of the day, I’m able to look myself in the mirror and respect the person looking back at me, knowing that I came from the heart, and I came pure 100 percent of the time and that’s the best feeling an artist could have.
Erin: Okay, time for a little fun.
Torae: Just a little bit of fun.
Erin: (Laughs) If Hip Hop was a University, what would Professor Torae teach?
Torae: If Hip Hop were a university, I would be a Life Coach. I would be like a guidance counselor. I don’t know if I would necessarily be in front of the classroom, but I would be the person you came to once they drilled all that shit down your throat, to meet standards and curriculum. I would be the person you come to, to make sense of it all. I would be that mentor—that guidance counselor or that life coach you had when you were in school that helped you make sense of all the craziness. I think that’s my position in Hip Hop. I try to make sense of all the things that life throws at you, and give you a full spectrum of what it means and how you can move about playing by life’s rules.
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