Investing in a music career is very much like gambling. There is never a guaranteed return on any money dedicated to it, but there is always the hope that it will come back so that one can break even or even make a profit.
In the game of blackjack, a good player knows that when you have the hot hand, with every successive win, you up your ante.
This is the way that David "Prophetic" Baldwin is attacking the local, regional and national rap game.
Since his co-sign several years ago by Pharrell Williams of production team The Neptunes and rap group N*E*R*D, Baldwin has launched a steady stream of content. With a handful of webtapes, a better name for what's become known as a mixtape these days, double-digit high quality music videos or video snippets, there is no question that the man known as Proph is continually betting more chips on himself to beat "the house."
Recently, Baldwin opened for popular rapper Wiz Khalifa at Summerfest in front of an estimated 23,000 people, launched a new website – prophpeezy.com – and released a new webtape called "Purgatory."
I caught up with Prophetic for a "Quick Six" about his recent endeavors.
OnMilwaukee.com: What makes "Purgatory" different from your other webtapes?
David Baldwin: I think every webtape is different. I like the production on this one. It gave me a platform to show a diverse sound. I don't really think about it like that, I just try to catch the emotion of the production.
OMC: You've put out a constant stream of music and videos, and of course had large success with "Green and Yellow." You've opened for N.E.R.D. and now Wiz Khalifa, both at Summerfest. You've licensed music to ESPN for the X-Games. What is it going to take to push you to the top of that hill where touring and a deal of some sort can be found?
DB: A lot more of what we've been doing internally as a unit.
OMC: What is the rest of the year looking like for you? What are your plans musically?
DB: I'll stay recording new music. Well work to continue a steady release of visuals. Build the resume. Build the fan base and work with my partners.
OMC: Why have you chosen to stay in Milwaukee all these years?
DB: I don't think it's about moving as much as building some worth to your name or brand. I move around but I'm trying to make it beneficial.
OMC: You seem to be smiling a lot more lately. Are you enjoying the ride and the experience?
DB: Yeah I try to. We always think about the future. Sometimes you should just enjoy the present. I just learned that so I've been saying that to people a lot.
OMC: Speaking of opening for Wiz Khalifa, how did it go this year? I heard there were 20,000+ in attendance.
DB: Yeah the crowd was OC bro. Very memorable experience.
Born in Milwaukee and raised in the Milwaukee suburb of Brown Deer, Concordia University Wisconsin alumnus Poppe has spent the majority of his life in or around the city and county of Milwaukee.
As an advocate of Milwaukee's hip-hop community Poppe began popular local music blog Milwaukee UP in March 2010. Check out the archived entries here.
Though heavy on the hip-hop, Poppe writes about other genres of music and occasionally about food, culture or sports, and is always ready to show his pride in Milwaukee and Wisconsin.
