Promise
is an artist with the ability to shine light on
the dim overly-negative hip-hop music of today.
P.W:
So why do you go by the name 'Promise?'
Promise:
The name used to be 'Problems,' but since the change
in my life, and the promise I made with God and
an Angel that appeared to me, it's now Promise.
When I went against the Promise to the Angel, everything
I touched fell.
P.W: How has your music changed?
Promise:
Well under the name Problems, my rap style was in
your face, hard-core like a solider going to war
on stage. Promise is a teacher, trying to help the
listener onto a better path in life.
PW:
So how long have you been doing music?
Promise:
Since I was 15, and by 19 I had done movie soundtracks,
250 shows. But after my music was stolen I didn't
want to work on music anymore. Until one day about
four years later, when this angel appeared in my
life, and showed me that if I didn't choose the
right path, tragedy that would take place. So I
stay true to my heart, and try to listen to the
Angel for the right direction.
P.W:
Who are your role models?
Promise:
First off I have to say Sita Kaly, she's a beautiful
56 year-old lady who looks 23 with long dread locks.
I would also have to say my Grandmother.
P.W:
What are the obstacles facing female artists in
making it in the male dominated music business?
Promise:
Producers using artists for sex . You have to be
careful on who can trust. A lot of people connected
in the music business can be very deceiving.
P.W:
What do you think about Napster?
Promise:
It might hurt the artist because they're not making
money off of the song. But on the flip side - they're
promoting the song because anybody can hear it.
P.W:
If you have a $275,000 album budget, is it worth
it to spend $250,000 for one Dr. Dre track?
Promise:
When people first put on a track the first thing
they hear is the music, not the person rapping.
So it pays to have a good producer.
P.W:
So Dre's worth $250,000?
Promise:
Yes, because people who are going to buy your album
know the name Dr. Dre. But I'd rather try to negotiate
a deal with the producer, instead of paying $250,000.
P.W: Who inspires you?
Promise:
First of all I would have to say D.M.X. It's important
to have an artist that's inspirational, that doesn't
talk about all the nasty sex and perversion.
P.W:
So what female artists inspire you?
Promise:
Strong inspirational women for example, Alicia Keys
and Whitney Houston.
P.W:
What artists have you had a chance to work with?
Promise:
I have worked with many of the West coast artists
Bad Ass, Domino. I even had the chance to work with
the rock band Scorpions.
P.W:
What lessons have you learned from these other artists?
Promise:
To stay true with your own art.
P.W: Are you signed to a label right now?
Promise: No, really I want to get my business done
first.
P.W:
What do you think about Eminem?
Promise:
I really don't like Eminem. His
rap comes from a dark place, it's evil. I prefer
to write from a more positive perspective.
P.W:
If Eminem is evil, than why are people so drawn
to his music?
Promise:
Because the world is evil. I can rap about perversion,
money or whatever is selling at the time. I mean
it may sound crazy, but artists have been known
to sell their soul to get a record contract and
become famous. I would rather be a bum on the street
than sell my soul to the devil.
P.W:
You mean figuratively, or actually really selling
their soul?
Promise:
Really selling your soul to the devil.
P.W:
How is your music different?
Promise:
I rap about how my life turned around from the pain,
and became more positive. These rappers that write
from the evil side just think since they have money,
cars that everything is all right. But really all
they've done is write a contract with the devil,
and when the contract is over they die. Easy-E thought
he had it made, but look what happened to him. I
don't mean to preach, but I see the prophecy written
in the text in the bible coming true, and I know
that when I follow the Lord I am true to my heart.
P.W:
If you could meet any person in history in the past
or beyond, who would it be and what would you say
to them?
Promise:
I would like to meet Malcolm X. I would like to
know what he thought, how he felt, what he read,
how he came up with his ideal to become such a strong
individual.
P.W:
So any new releases coming out for Promise?
Promise:
I have a single; “Know what you want.”
P.W:
If you weren't doing music what would you be doing?
Promise: Commercials, TV, movies. Anything involved
in the entertainment business.
P.W:
What do you think about those guys at Publicity
Whore Magazine?
Promise:
I love you guys!!
P.W:
Any final words?
Promise:
Just stay as close to God as possible. But most
of all just stay true to your heart, and always
remember the truth will set you free.
