Peter Jackson: I appreciate that. When I was young, my first big show I did, I ran it myself. Sometimes its hard to get opportunities. What we did was we booked a show at a club that we used to go to all the time. I bussed about 600 people from my neighborhood to the club. We realized that night that this was a business. There’s a lot that needs to be done. We took that, and somebody put me on a show with Jadakiss. I basically sold out the show with them. Of course it was Jadakiss’ show, but we sold tickets. We were putting in work at a young age. That led to a booking agent coming to me, asking if I wanted to go on a tour with Joe Budden, Royce Da 5’9”, D12, and a Canadian artist named Classified. This was like when I first started. It stemmed from there. I have a big part in a booking agency out here now. I’m one of the owners, but it started from running shows, to artists coming to my company when they come to Canada. Everything took a full circle where I can create opportunities for other rappers in Canada. It came from doing good business. I’m a great rapper but I’m an amazing businessman. We turned a hobby into a job for so many people.
U.G. Digital Mag: I love that you speak of turning a hobby into a career. That’s the whole story behind this magazine, me doing radio, and so on.
Peter Jackson: My DJ, who was my best man at his wedding, and I was the best man at his, he’s the music director at Virgin Radio in Toronto, and he started as a Reggae Soca DJ. That’s what he did, that’s what his dad did, and now he’s on one of the biggest stations in the country, he’s a music director, and a Veejay. We went from making nothing to this. The thing about Canada is we are behind on the music infrastructure. Drake blew the doors off for us. A bunch of people were coming through. He has created probably 2000+ jobs here.
U.G. Digital Mag: It’s good to hear other artists acknowledging Drake, and other artists in general. You don’t see it a lot.
Peter Jackson: No, because most people aren’t good in their own situations. How can you give somebody else props if you’re not good in your own light? I’m good. I got love for him, and vice versa. And there’s others who came before him, like Maestro, and so on. He is setting it up for those behind him. Like two kids just got signed to Def Jam from Toronto. Other artists are booming. Toronto is one market. It’s not a whole country. There’s a bunch of markets, but he’s opened the doors, and he’s giving me ideas too. He’s creating a blueprint the same way we are.
U.G. Digital Mag: I love talking to you for your insight. This tour is going on, and ends on the 20th. You’re doing 45 dates starting next year. Where can everyone keep up with you, and stay posted on the tour dates?
Peter Jackson: Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. I’m touring from January 10 through March 3rd. Then we’re going to Europe. Riff Raff has been amazing with me. We have 3-4 records together. We have a good relationship, and we’ve built so much together. I just recorded a new project called Married to Success. It worked out strange. I went to record an EP, and came out with 6 singles. I really have 6 of the biggest records I’ve ever had. I have a single and video out with Waka Flocka called “Havana”. It won video of the year over here. This new project is big for me. As an artist, I really got to say what I wanted. I got to portray it and put it out the way I wanted. I have a single with Tory Lanez coming. A lot of stuff going on.
U.G. Digital Mag: It’s amazing man. I’m looking forward. We’ll definitely stay connected. Any words of encouragement?
Peter Jackson: Really, the message is to push. I’m still building. I say I’m good, but for me it’s a continuous build. It really does not stop. My stage show is super tight, but I’m performing all new records, so I’m back at the drawing board. It’s not a hobby. This is a job, and it needs to be treated as such. The hood stuff is the hood stuff. That’ll get you what you think is respect, but it’s about much more than that.