B.T.R.O. Project (Toronto, Canada) – Q&A Interview
Tell us a little about yourself. Where you are from? How long have you been making Hip Hop?
Timian: Currently in Toronto. I live, work and make music. Been doing the hip hop thing for about 8 years. Been doing the music thing for about 18 years.
Oso: Born and raised in downtown Toronto. Like sir Timian I live work and make music, and have been for about ten twelve years.
What influences you in making Hip Hop?
Timian: Tracks from the past, a love for funk and spreading knowledge through music.
Oso: Music in general. Artistically as a rapper, Tupac is my biggest influence. Hip hop in my opinion is the most diverse form of music, and one of the most expressive. I truly appreciate the opportunity to let my thoughts be heard. Not to mention the therapy it gives me. I just genuinely love it.
Describe your music, and what separates you from other MCs?
Timian: I’ll leave this question to Oso.
Oso: The sound is definitely a funky type of soul groove. And as for the MCing, I would say it’s honest, thoughtful (meaning that each song is well plotted), and there is definitely word play going on. I don’t know how I would stack up against others, only because I know there isn’t anyone like me. There is no other Oso doing what I do. And that isn’t meant to offend. I just truly embrace my individuality.
Who have you collaborated with? Who would you like to collab with in the near future?
Oso: I haven’t collaborated with anybody mainstream as of yet. Local artists from my city like Static of concrete mob, M.Deezy, Shobz, Mzz Reddaz, and a few others as well. But I’m always open to working with whom ever is interested in making music that is timeless. I crave working with artists who aren’t afraid to speak from the heart and sometimes be vulnerable. Somebody like 3000 would be cool to work with.
Timian: Most of the people I would love to work with are dead. But from the living I’d like to work with Doom (MF Doom), Ice Cube, MC Ren, Dub C and Snoop. There are many who I’d like to work with but they won’t make this list as I don’t feel I have anything for them at this moment, but in the future for sure!
Your definition of “Underground Hip Hop”?
Oso: I actually don’t like the term underground hip hop. More so because of the divide it causes. But I guess I would view underground as the songs that challenge the norm.
Timian: Undiscovered gold.
Production wise, who are your influences? Who does your production? And who would you like to work with?
Oso: Timian does my production so he can answer that.
Timian: I find I am influenced by everything I can feel so I can’t put a name or a title here.
Any current or future projects you are promoting?
Oso: The B.T.R.O. Project is job one right now. But there is definitely more in the works. You’ll just have to stay tuned in.
Timian: Couldn’t have said it better.
Can you give us a brief description of the creative process of “HOLD ON” Official Music Video
Oso: Making sure that the focus was the song was key. No flash. No gimmicks. Just the song.
Timian: The main thing was to have as little action as possible in the video to keep it clean and simple. The lack of movement was to make sure people are listening to the words and watch Oso say them instead of just looking for stimulus to dance to the beat.
Where can we find your music and info?
Any shout outs?
Oso: 416. G force. Ularedykno.
Timian: Slum of S.L.U.M.S.O.N., Historian Himself and Surgious Halo.
