Can you spare a Moment? | TCJ speaks with Aubrey “Drake” Graham

As always, TCJ is screaming about some kid named Drake. And the only reason you’re sitting here reading this is ‘cuz’ you either A) know nothing about the kid, but, you are interested in finding out who he is (which is commendable, you’re not a TOTAL loser) or B) You heard of him, and you too have been infected with Drake fever. No lie, i haven’t seen a comment left at any site, any blog that said the kid wasn’t hot. Soon enough tho, the haters will come. They’re pacing themselves im sure, because they know, like i know, that he’s gonna be around for a while. Lace you boots haters, gonna be a long run…

Some may have only heard the name, some may have seen the face, others may be up on their game and know that Mr. Aubrey Graham is both actor and rapper. Known as Drake (his middle name) to the rap world, Mr. Graham has been in the entertainment industry for a while. Before you heard him on your radio, you saw him on your TV, as Jimmy Brooks, or Wheelchair Jimmy as Drake calls him (“Where’s wheel chair jimmy at// On my chris brown shit im still here gimme that//…”) on the TV show Degrassi: The Next Generation. Wonder how he juggles the two and stays relevant? Well check the interview out. Want more info google him, or better yet try Wikipedia. He said it himself

“I am Jeopardy asked, Wikipedia known//

I am AA driven and expedia flown//

Stop jockin’ my style you in need of your own// man…”

A Quick interview with Drake:

TCJ: You collaborated with Trey songs on more than a couple occasions. How did you two come together in doing music?
–We met through my manager T Slack and we just seemed to hit it off real well once we met so we were instantly friends and the rest is history.
TCJ: You have done r&b and rap, of the two which one is your passion?
–Hip hop is definitely where my heart is.
TCJ: How long have you been rapping? Are you a rapper who acts or an actor who happens to rap?
–I’ve been rapping since I was real little. It was just kind of natural for me to play around with music. That’s a tough question. I’d have to mix them up and call myself a raptor because it mixes both of them together. I can’t just be one or the other because it’s like flipping on a light switch.
There are two different sides of me and they happen to be Aubrey Graham the actor and Drake the rapper. I love both sides.
TCJ: Most people know you as an actor do you feel that this will cause you to get overlooked as an MC?
–No, that’s one reason I go by Drake instead of Aubrey Graham so people won’t have any prejudgments. For the most part it makes people curious about what I can do.
TCJ: The transition from Acting to Rap, was this a smooth transition? Was it easier make the jump into the music industry from the Entertainment Industry than your initial entry into acting?
–It wasn’t any easier. It was a new avenue and anyone trying to start something new has difficulty. I wouldn’t trade it for anything though because it helps build respect for my craft.
TCJ: How has the rap world received you having been an actor first? Has the role of “wheelchair jimmy” helped or hindered you in any way in a music genre based on “street cred?”
–I’d say to say again it goes back to Drake verus Aubrey. Once they find out I’m also Aubrey Graham they’ve already heard what Drake has to offer and therefore they can’t throw something out the window they like already.
TCJ: You have made quite an impact in the mixtape scene with “Comeback Season”, Do you feel it will be hard to follow up such a great mixtape or even better coming out with a hotter album?
–I don’t think so. I think the mixtapes are there to keep me on my toes and keep me coming at things from a fresh angle. The new material I’m working on is pretty damn good in my book and I know the fans will like it.
TCJ: Do you plan on signing with a major label or will you keep ATF strictly independent?
–I do plan to sign with a major label but I’ll still keep ATF because it’s where my roots are and it’s a movement.
TCJ: You mentioned in your mixtape you were approached by Rocafella twice.
Tell the readers a little bit about that and also why didn’t that deal happen?
–It just wasn’t the right deal for me at the time. I don’t want to sign on the dotted line just to say I’m signed. I would rather wait for the right deal for me at the right time and it has nothing to do with holding out for more money.
TCJ: Who were some of the MC’s that influenced you growing up?
–I read a lot of Tupac’s poetry and I listened to a lot of Biggie.
TCJ: You got a real smooth arrogant flow, who influenced your style?
–I’ve been influenced from my father, my uncle, Al Green, Frank Sinatra, Pharrell, Kanye, and Jay-Z. I’ve also been influenced from my surroundings, life experiences and course the South.
TCJ: What do you feel about the current state of hip hop? Where do you fit into all of that?
–I think Hip Hop has changed dramatically from Hip Hop back in the day. The beats are catchy but sometimes it’s not really saying a lot musically. I’m here to breathe new life into Hip Hop and give the world a fresh perspective straight from T. Dot.
TCJ: Who in the rap game do you most want to do work with that you have not gotten a chance to work with?
–Pharrell, N.E.R.D. and Kanye
TCJ: What message do you want fans to get from your music?
–They should know there is nothing wrong with being a little different than the mainstream. In life you have to be true to yourself because if your not than you’re not going to be happy.

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To keep up with Drake check out:

ALLTHINGS-FRESH.NET – all things Drake

October’s Very Own

Drake’s Myspace

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