gramz
By Paul Jimenez on october 28, 2015
By way of Flatbush, Brooklyn we have a well-experienced artist in GRAMZ. The 4FUN affiliate has been holding it down for over a decade now, taking listeners inside a gutsy realm comprised of women, drugs and tradition. He's displayed nothing but devotion towards his craft, building up a sound he has developed and mastered throughout the years. The respected emcee has worked with the Flatbush Zombies in the past and currently on tour with The Underachievers, maintaining a strong relationship with both groups who also reign from Flatbush Avenue. Not only does he provide good music to ride around to, but the guy's also capable of a compelling performance. His energy alone can really get a crowd lit, sometimes even obstreperous. With the confident demeanor GRAMZ has, it's hard to imagine him releasing anything under par. Make sure to check out his upcoming album Escape from New York, a John Carpenter inspired album set to release on Halloween.
INTERVIEW
Who is GRAMZ? Tell us about yourself.
“I'm from Flatbush, Brooklyn. I'm a revolutionary, progressive thinker and a stand up guy.”
How long have you been rapping for?
“I've been for about 10 plus years now.”
Describe your music.
“My music is me, it's my life. I write about whatever I feel or going through at the moment. I look at music like it's life, so as long as I'm living imma have something to spit about. I don't cater to the radio or mainstream so whoever fucks with my music fucks with me.”
How has Flatbush, Brooklyn influenced your life?
“Flatbush made me the man I am today. I was born in the Bronx and moved around a lot till I was about 16, that's when I got to Brooklyn and I been there since. Flatbush is the biggest thing in my life besides my family. It's full of culture, mainly West Indian Culture, which gives the youth a different aspect of life because even if you're outside fucking off and cutting up; work, honor and respect amongst your elders is very important. I couldn't even buy weed until the older ras said I was old enough too.”
Talk about your relationships with other artists from Flatbush.
“Well Flatbush is not a big place, it's not small either but if you are or were active in the hood, somebody knows you or you know somebody. I'm good homies with the Flatbush Zombies and The Underachievers, their all from junction side which was right down the block from the old fun house; the spot where me and the 4FUN Crew used to hang, live, and record everday, so off the strength of that they showed me love and put me on tour with them and I been rocking with them since, they're good buddies of mine. There's also other artist in the bush I'm cross with like Wati Huru, N.O.V.A. Knuckleheads and my fam Br Malie, that's it. He's on this show called Money and Violence which is based out of Flabush. He's also apart of my crew 4FUN loco life as well.”
What city has been the best to perform in and why?
“I would have to say Santa Ana, California. I don't know what it is about that place, but the crow is always turnt up. They know the words to my songs and they show real support. I'll always do shows in Santa Ana.”
What has been your craziest experience since becoming a rapper?
“My whole life has been a crazy experience. If I have to pick one without getting myself in trouble I would have to say one night after a show in Santa Barbara on tour. Someone left a jar with about a ounce and a half of loud in our truck. We still don't know who did it till this day.”
Favorite album of all time?
“De la Soul's Stakes is High, I have it tattooed on my arm.”
You working on anything at the moment?
“I'm about to drop my album Escape from New York on Halloween.”
Lastly, what's the goal?
"Be great, be a leader, bring to the table and not take from it, feed my family and make sure everything I do, I do it 4FUN."