Grip Grand

To say that Grip Grand has an unassuming manner would be an understatement, but then again, in the words of the illustrious Guru from Gangstarr, “it’s mostly the voice that gets you up”. Upon meeting the introverted Grand, legendary rapper A.G., who had earlier heard a few tracks and was duly impressed with his emceeing skills, gave him a pound and said, “So where’s this Grip Grand?” But if Grip Grand is self-effacing, it’s only to maintain his privacy, which can be a difficult trait to stick with when you’re making rap music.

As far as the music goes, Grip and hip hop are about the same age, so his earliest influences outside of jazz and soul naturally include Eric B and Rakim, Masta Ace, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap and the like. Like a lot of kids who literally grew up with hip hop, Grip started collecting records to sample at a young age, eventually got some equipment, and pretty much stayed in his room making 4 track beats.

Staying in your room, however, can be challenging when your family moves around a lot, as Grip’s did during the early years. Grip once had twenty phone numbers in just three short years and has lived as far north as Portland and as far south as LA, putting down roots in almost every major city in between. But he identifies mostly with the Bay Area, where prolonged bouts of unemployment in San Francisco and Oakland inspired his 1999 limited edition debut, Welcome to Broakland, a collection of rap songs for rap’s sake, music for the broke and the broke at heart. Which is how he came to be acquainted with San Francisco’s DJ Design, who heard that cd and tracked him down. So much for keeping a low profile.

Impressed with Grip’s gritty but soulful voice, and natural ability for timing and phrasing, Design envisioned working with him on a more elaborate, full-scaled effort; and so a super-collabo project was born. Grip and Design have embarked upon a partnership at Look Records, where Grip’s forthcoming LP will include production from the likes of Supa Dave West, Count Bass D, Design and others. A talented beatmaker in his own right, a good portion of the album’s production will be credited to Grip himself. This month’s 12” single features none other than the aforementioned A.G. of Showbiz and A.G. and D.I.T.C. fame and sets in motion the emergence of one of Northern Cali’s most talented new artists.

When Grip’s not making music, he spends his time painstakingly cataloguing his extensive record collection and preparing to retire his longtime penchant for anonymity.