So, your underground but are about to become mainstream. How many mix tapes have you released?

Dre Robinson: I’ve been underground I would say since about ’99. I’ve released about 4 or 5 mix tapes.

I have the Kay Slay CD which is out right now.

How did you go about getting discovered?

Dre Robinson: Actually my mix CD. My manager, Joe Politics, he brought it to this local show at this spot here in Boston. He waited for them for about 2 hours because he knew it was the level. So, he brought them the CD, they heard it, it got me into the studio and radio. About 2 months later I was signing with Mark at Mass Appeal records. We worked together for a couple of years and we went and got the distribution deal through Universal. And we’re at the point of releasing an album in August. So basically through the mix tape is where I got the recognition. It starts with the mix CD or wherever you can get your music heard.

Is that something you always wanted to do? Be picked up by a major entertainment company or did you want to go into business for yourself?

Dre Robinson: I always wanted to be signed to a major label. But learning the game and going through the pains and the agony of the game, basically, you realize that you don’t get that much attention from a major label as you would an independent label. I work with an independent label now because it’s more of an independent family thing. I can speak to the owner or the head of my label at any given time. With a major it’s not like that. You learn the grassroots with the Independents and then you can go into business for yourself in the long run if you choose to. And that’s what I definitely plan on doing.

How long did it take for you to put this album together?

Dre Robinson: It took us about a year to two years. When we first got together, myself and the company, we wanted to see if we could work together. We kept building till we got to a certain amount of songs. We narrowed it down to about 18 tracks on the album.

You’ve got Papoose on it who is a fellow underground rising artist. What is it about underground artists that majors are looking at them? But at the same time, underground artists are looking to keep more control over there music and business for that matter?

Dre Robinson: Jay Z and 50 Cent basically layed the blue prints for us. When these majors come talking to you, you have something that they want. And now you can negotiate with them now and can get a bigger piece than what you would normally get if you go to them trying to get a deal. You can say what you want and don’t want. And set up your contract to where at some point in your career you can branch off into business for yourself.  That’s what it is right now. And if cats aren’t trying to take that role, I don’t think it’s very smart. This is the smart thing to do if you’re looking out for your best interest.

So you’re looking to bring something new to hip hop?

Dre Robinson: Definitely. Basically, lyricism in hip hop’ been watered down. I’m just trying to bring lyricist back to the forefront. I grew up to the Nas’ and the Tupac’. The make you feel good, party music is cool, but you have to get definitely get something across where they know that it’s not party party all the time. And when people listen to my album they have songs on there that you can party to but there are also songs on there that’s reality like pains and struggles that people go through. A lot of things that rappers today don’t want to talk about. I think a lot of MCs are straying away from that and everyone is looking for that radio hit now.

What do you think the state of rap is right now?

Dre Robinson: It’s about the bling and about the money. And to get the hit record on the radio they’ll go all out and do anything to get that. Cats don’t put a lot into making music no more. Everybody wants the hit and the limelight right now.

So, what you’re saying is you’re not interested in the money or limelight of hip hop?

Dre Robinson: Oh. Of course I’m interested in the money and the limelight but also gotta have substance with your music. If you work hard and master your craft and perfect your craft and put your music out, you want to reap the benefits of that, but you also want to put something out that means something.

Wow. You sound like a politician.

Dre Robinson: mmm hmmm….?

Well, you start out with all of these dreams hopes and aspirations but later on you just fall in line like everyone else. What is your plan not to do that?

Dre Robinson: Well, I’m not planning to change the face of hip hop. I just want to do my part to help. I’ve played my position and this is what I can do for hip hop. I will never stray from that.

You said ‘to help hip hop’. Do you think hip hop needs help right now?

Dre Robinson:  Lyrically yeah it does. You got your Papoose’, your J Millz. You’ve got your usual suspects Lupe Fiasco. You got a lot of lyricists who are trying to bring it back to hip hop. And that’s a good thing.

What artists do you think hurts hip hop?

Dre Robinson: I’m not gonna call names of who hurts hip hop. But it is reflected in a lot of music you hear or see on MTV. The music you hear on MTV and on the radio, a lot of it, is just music you hear from the club. It’s just stuff you can dance to basically.

Do you think your music balances the two?

Dre Robinson: I think it definitely has balance.

What’s it like being a new artist getting to work with people who have mainstream appeal?

Dre Robinson: For me being a new artist, underground artist and coming from Boston, it’s amazing to me. I just humble myself at every opportunity. Cause you know, this didn’t have to happen. I’m blessed to have those types of people around me who can make those types of connections. For me, I don’t really have the words for it. It’s just really big.

What are your goals in this game?

Dre Robinson: To have my name known in the industry as a good artist.  I want to do my part for Boston hip hop because there is nothing here to get us into mainstream hip hop. And if I have to be the first to open those doors, I’m trying to do that. I also want to build my business. Music is the key to get in but I want to build business off the strength of music.

You’re coming from a place where no one has made noise yet. How do you get people to pay attention to you?

Dre Robinson: The first step is getting the product together. Then we needed somebody to put it out on a major level for us. And we have Universal. And now it’s marketing and promoting. It’s just a lot of things that go into it. We haven’t done it yet, so I can’t say what works. But this is what we’re trying to do.

When you talk about everybody trying to help…is that a plus factor, having a great team behind you?

Dre Robinson: Major. That’s a major factor. You have to have a great team behind you.

What is your best line lyrically?

Dre Robinson: That is a good question. I wrote a lot of lines. That’s the hardest question I’ve ever been asked. I’ve never been asked that before. You stumped me. I can’t call it. I’ll let the people call it.