XXcLusive: Pill Speaks on Signing With Asylum

The labels went Ham over signing Pill and XXLMag.com has confirmed that the November ‘09 Show and Prove candidate has signed with Asylum Records, joining a roster that includes Gucci Mane, Lil’ Boosie and Cam’ron.

XXL reached out to P-I Double to find out the details of the deal. “They were the first to reach out to me and if you look at the urban side of the music they got control over that shit right now,” he said. “They smashing radio right now. And if you look at the other labels I haven’t really seen them break an artist in I don’t know how long, I mean a new urban act…most of these labels are breaking R&B artists. I was like damn, I got in a spot where I can actually be heard and not be overpowered by some big R&B pop star.”

According to the Atlanta-native, every major label, from Universal Motown to Def Jam, to Atlantic to Interscrope were reaching out to get him to sign on the dotted line but he was most intrigued by the Warner offshoot. “It’s almost like Asylum got like three or four top urban acts that been gaining in the last couple quarters,” he explained of his decision. “With Gucci and then New Boyz smashed, the Boosie, you seen him everywhere. The promotions team, the marketing, all that shit is crazy. I need that type of marketing if I’m gonna take it to the next level.”

While Pill’s manager Derek Schklar was tight-lipped about the exact amount of advance money Pill was awarded he had this to say, “It was a very unconventional deal for Asylum.”

Over the course of 2009, the up-and-coming MC made a name for himself with two critically acclaimed mixtapes—4180: The Prescription and the 4075: The Refill—as well the draw dropping video for his buzz-inducing single “Trap Goin’ Ham.” He was also included on Killer Mike's Underground Atlanta compilation.

As of press time there is no set date for Pill’s major label debut, The Medicine.—Jesse Gissen