Grip Grand — A New Drug (Work in Progress) Download
A little something different that I’m still working on…hence the title. Score and rhythmic American poetry by me.
Good morning,
Grip Grand
PS–Now downloadable for FREE! Get yours.
Mellow Drum Addict–On Down feat. Grip Grand and SameOldJake
My man Mellow Drum Addict (straight outta Lancaster, PA, aka the Lanc) has a new album out–The Corner of Broadened Mind–and I happen to be on it. The track is called “On Down” and it features the rap-hop stylings of yours truly (Grip Grand), SameOldJake, and of course MDA himself. You can peep out a snippet above (taken from my demo…the reason why is kind of a long story). Go buy the record if you want the whole thing, hater. You can find a link to it (and check out more from MDA) on his MySpace page:
http://www.myspace.com/mdahiphop
Support local hip-hop (especially mine),
Grip Grand
PS: Observant readers will notice a close-up crop-job from everyone’s favorite photo, the so called Log Pic, on the back cover. If you don’t know what I’m talking about…you might not be a regular Routine Flyer. But do a Google Images search for “grip grand” if you’re curious. It will be a total waste of your time.
Look, I really didn’t want to do this. But our website is in danger of dying if nobody ever posts anything, so I’m here to resuscitate the patient, at least for one more week. I know this is a pretty stupid reason for a blog, and, accordingly, this is a pretty stupid blog.
With that said, I’d like to proudly announce the birth of your new favorite thing, Which Is More Hip Hop? That’s not a question…that’s the name of it…which is, itself, a question. Sorry if that’s confusing…I’m rapidly downing whatever you’d call a vodka-cranberry-ginger-ale. I call it what I had in the house.
Anyway, the concept here is pretty self-explanatory. Which is more hip-hop? Some things are so obvious as to render comparison superfluous. You won’t be seeing “Which Is More Hip-Hop? Basketball vs Hockey” anytime soon. But occasionally the distinction between hip-hop and not-hop is more subtle, and therein lies our subject matter.
This week: (Drumroll, please…)
Which Is More Hip-Hop?
HAMBURGER vs HOT DOG
Let me be clear: The comparison is not between the above pictures themselves, but rather between hamburgers and hot dogs in general, and for the entirety of their existence. Which is to say that, although the concepts “hamburger” and “hot dog” predate hip-hop itself, one of them may still have been more hip-hop than the other from the very beginning. Or maybe it became that way over time. The answer is up to you. You may use any and all criteria whatsoever to justify your selection. References are always appreciated.
OK, that’s it. You know what to do.
Tell me something good,
Grip Grand
Grip Grand recieves the Great Artist Award. Not to scale: T-shirt.
Listening to: Eminem–Cleanin’ Out My Closet
I am not really listening to that song. I don’t even own that album. But it seemed like an appropriate intro to this article, which finds me airing out the old rap-vault. If you’re an artist, you probably have one, too…a dusty storehouse for all your almost rans and never weres. Not every song makes it out of the lab, and that’s probably for the best. Nevertheless, here I am, disinterring tunes that might have been better off buried. But who can really say? Only you, dear reader. Only you. So, with that in mind, here’s three loosies. You owe me a dollar fifty.
(Music after the jump, chump!!)
Grip Grand — Jupiter (prod. by Seprock)
There just hasn’t been a post on here in so long, I had to lace the site with something. This is a song I made a little while back on a lovely beat from my man Seprock. I was so inspired after I heard it, I wrote the rhyme and recorded it over the MP3 before Sep could even send me the wave file to rock it right. In fact, I still haven’t swapped it…so this is a rough version, for your ears only (“your” meaning, in this case, the entire world).
In other rap-related news, me and Shalem are steady stackin’ songs for our upcoming album-project-thing, so watch out world. Rec League is in the building.
Also, I still buy comics, and today I’ll be buying these: Secret Warriors #4, Wolverine #73…and maybe a third one. Who can say? I’ll probably flip through the new issue of ToyFare, see what new toys are coming out, that kind of thing. I don’t really buy toys, but…some part of me would like to. I wonder if my inner child gets bullied by my inner rapper.
Alright, brothers and sisters. Thanks for listening to my work in progress. I sure do hope you have a great night, y’all. Now be easy.
I think very deeply,
Grip Grand
A totally real picture of Grip Grand (R) and Seprock (L) in the lab
Captain vs. Frogman Remix
By Grip Grand and Seprock/Prod. by Grip Grand (with Seprock)
Now for sure THIS shit has never been released. “Captain vs. Frogman” is the first rap song I ever produced, and (not counting the pause tape experiments of my youth) it is also the second song on which I appeared as Grip Grand. It was created under the wise tutelage of my man Seprock, who taught me how to use the Force (and also loaned me his sampler and four-track tape machine to hook this beat up). Mixed and recorded (if I recall) in Portland, OR, at the Space Age Bachelor Pad (aka my apartment on Powell, across the street from Plaid Pantry).
NEW GRIP!!! D.O.A.!!! CRAAAAAZYYYYY!!!!!!!
Ahem.
OK, I know you wanna hear the whole song. But I really didn’t feel like making a video for the whole song. I’m a very lazy man. However, you can hear it at www.myspace.com/gripgrand, just like all the randos. Sorry you have to go to my other site to get your free music fix, but hey…I could use the traffic.
I thought I told you we don’t play,
Grip Grand
Few things are more self-indulgent than a blog about itself. It’s like a taking a champagne bubble bath in a mirrored ballroom. But I wanted the world to know that, while Grip’s Pull List and Yo!Tube (my regular weekly blogs) have been off-the-air in recent weeks, it doesn’t mean that I love you any less. In fact, it means that I love you more.
In response to your decided lack of interest in comic books and classic rap videos, I’ve chosen to discontinue my regular columns and instead find something else to focus on (plus, I’ve been hella busy recording, so sue me). I’m open to suggestions (Recipes? Record reviews? Tips on why your beats suck?)…so if there’s some topic you’re just dying to hear my opinion on every week, lemme know. I assume there isn’t, and until I hear from you, maybe I’ll just keep my mouth shut. Besides, the removal of my ramblings will serve to focus more attention on the musical antics of your very own Rec-League All-Stars, and that’s what we’re all here for anyway. Sure, this means that some weeks on Routine Fly will be virtually post-free. Well, you can’t have it both ways, America. Love it or leave it.
That’s my spiel. Thanks for indulging me. The lines are open, and we’re accepting your calls now. 1-800-NEW-BLOG. Holler with your suggestions.
Reading Geek Monthly magazine,
Grip Grand
New old songs! How exciting for us all. A couple of tracks I did a while back were recently released on a Japanese compilation called The Light. I don’t think this album is available domestically, but perhaps you can find it at better retailers of fine imported hip-hop/downtempo/acid-and-or-nu-jazz compilations. And I bet it’s on iTunes, too. If you buy a million copies, maybe I can afford a turkey this year for Thanksgiving.
The songs in question are Secondhand Smoke (produced by yours truly) and Rain Rain (Yesterday), miscredited here as Rain Rain Go Away (Yesterday) and produced by my man Mystro out of Portland, OR. The former cut has been on MySpace forever, and the latter you’ve probably heard if you know me personally. If you don’t…welcome to our website. First time here? I bet we have some mutual friends. Anyway, whether you’ve heard them before or not, you’ve never heard these songs quite like this…which is to say, mastered. So, without further ado…enjoy.
SECONDHAND SMOKE (prod. by Grip Grand)
RAIN RAIN (YESTERDAY) (prod. by Mystro)
Laid back,
Grip Grand
1988: The Year Rap Broke. If you caught last week’s installment, you already know what an important year 1988 was for hip-hop, and not just because Yo! MTV Raps saw its debut. The Golden Era brought us classic after classic, and videos were no exception. With so many heaters, I’ve been hard-pressed to select the best. I couldn’t fit ‘em all in last week, so here’s a few more showstoppers from 1988. Check ‘em on out. And watch the video up top while you’re at it. Highlights include the always “foine” Darlene the Syndicate Queen; Ice-T’s classic Raiders script cap (if you didn’t rock this style of hat back in the day, and/or the blocky-letter Starter joints, what the fuck were you wearing? A Kangol?); a snippet of one of the older Yo! theme songs, which includes the classic “Yeeeeeah Boyeee!!” over a beat that just isn’t that tight; and Ice-T describing a summer tour line-up that will make your Walkman weep. Peep it.
