RTC Profit is about his business. Persona Non Grata is the latest project released by the young conscious emcee from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with roots in the Caribbean. “The title of my recent project stems from the experiences of Malcolm X and Bumpy Johnson, and how I resonated with them with regard to my own life.” Listen to the new single “King Me” (video coming soon) and get to know one of the newest emcees on the Canadian Hip-Hop scene: RTC Profit.
What’s the story behind your name: RTC Profit?
My given name is Elijah, a reference to the biblical prophet. RTC means “Rise To Conquer.” RTC Profit represents an endeavor to overcome the financial aspect of the matrix we find ourselves in collectively as people.
What is your cultural heritage and how does your culture influence your music?
Much of my family came to Canada from the Caribbean so I had a varied musical influence growing up, listening to everything from Calypso, Soca, Reggae, to R&B, Jazz, and Blues. As my form of expression is primarily verbal, I include cultural references in my music in the form of wordplay.
Who are your major music influences?
As an artist, my inspiration often comes from those who are not musicians. Generally my influences come from books I have read or even characters represented in film. In terms of musical influences, I grew up listening to and enjoying music from Nas, Erykah Badu, Pac, Prodigy, Nipsey, Marvin Gaye, Kirk Franklin.
When did you begin your music career? What inspired you to make music?
I’ve been writing since the age of 6, but it wasn’t until high school that I truly considered releasing music. It was the love of music that was the motivating factor. My voice is coalescence of upbringing, cultural experience, and trials overcome. My vocal delivery is definitely more confident, flows are more polished and my subject matter is from a more mature perspective. Now the aim is to be more daring with the topics I address.
What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs?
Self-reflection and motivation are central themes in my music. My creative approach is to initiate conversation on topics which might be familiar, from a unique perspective. The topics are bound to change, as I grow as an artist and gain experiences, the perspectives I reflect will evolve.
What has been your biggest challenge as an independent music artist?
Initially my biggest challenge was finding a consistent and reliable location to record music and a quality audio engineer. I saved up and invested in my own studio equipment, and now I send my tracks to engineers overseas for mixing and mastering.
What has the last year of your career been like?
It has been a fascinating experience. I’ve been able to connect with more artists and interesting contacts than any year prior. I’ve put a lot into ensuring this album, Persona Non Grata, can reach a broad audience, and I’ve been afforded the opportunity to learn more about the business side of music.
What’s your ultimate direction for your music career?
I have multiple endeavors in the works, all of which stem from music. One goal is to operate my own promotional company to create performance opportunities for independent artists.
