If the rap game were a toolbox, Gripplyaz would be the most essential tool. Manufactured in Atlanta’s 4th Ward, the 6’6” slim rapper delivers a perfect blend of southern crunk and grimy indie lyricism to hip-hop’s stage bringing listeners a new genre, Grip-hop.

“I feel as though there’s no representation for real gutta n*&^%s that don’t wear tees down to their ankles. There’s no real representation of another side of Atlanta music […] there’s no representation for n*&^%s that love females but ain’t about to sing and serenade them…there’s gotta be a spokesperson for n*&^%s that are still disrespectful but well-loved by women,” Gripplyaz said.

Gripplyaz has been perfecting his lyrical skills since 1997 and if you didn’t know him then you should definitely know him now.  Infectious hooks over hard-hitting bass lines keeps his fans coming back for more.

His stage presence is remarkable and captivating from the moment he picks up the mic.  If you didn’t know the lyrics at the start of the song, you are more than likely to finish the song out along with him on the hook. He will give you your money’s worth and more. Besides, what crowd can deny the “free flat screen” display?

Gripplyaz has been holding down at least two performances a month at Atlanta venues and clubs such as: Drunken Unicorn, Lenny’s, Sugarhill and The Royal.

“Real recognizes real.  When fans hear Gripplyaz they know he isn’t a gimmick or sly marketing ploy here to rob fans of their money,” says KeiSaundra Henderson, Gripplyaz manager.

One thing Gripplyaz refuses to do is sell himself short to sell merchandise.  His focus always has been and always will be on the music. He believes that he is selling himself and will continue to do so.

“I’m an unique individual with a slum ass mentality. My personality comes out in my songs,” Gripplyaz explains, “My music is really me. I am my music.”

For rappers today, just being yourself in your music is easier said than done.  Rap music today has become a product of identity theft. These rappers really don’t want to be themselves.  Many rappers are using the names of America’s first gangsters and rapping the lives of those gangsters, not theirs.  They believe they won’t sell; that fans won’t rush to the stores and buy their music.

That separates Gripplyaz from the rest of the mainstream rappers out today.  Each song is a personal story from his life.

“Rapping for me is not a career. It’s a way to get my voice heard. It’s a way for me to express myself and expose people to my life, my personality while providing people with feel good music,” Gripplyaz said.

And the music is remarkable. I honestly believe that Gripplyaz is at the forefront of this next wave in music and that he will be another one of Atlanta’s great emcee’s. Beleeeeeee dat!

Technorati : View blog reactions
Posted at : December 19th, 2007 - 2:16 pm
Filed under : Uncategorized
Navigate : Previous post / Next post