Grip GrandWELCOME TO BROAKLAND - Grip GrandReleased November 2002Compact DiscCatalog #: BHH2053Recorded on a bedroom four-track deep in the heart of Broakland,Grip Grand's debut LP showcases this California-bred MC/beat-boosters' low-budgetsound and tongue-in-cheek rhyme style. Like a cross between Thirstin Howl andDe La Soul, Grip Grand maintains hip-hop's integrity while taking fidelity toan all-new low. No singing girls, no keyboard beats, no cross-genre collabos,no guest stars, no ghostwriters, no dubs, no ice, no bullshit.click heretrack listing01.
BROAKLAND II03. B-DAY DOCUMENT '9904.
Long hustle05. BROAKLAND III06. The most prolific07. MPE 2000 (EMOTIONAL MIX)08.
Days are dark09. MPE 2000 (TOUGH-TALKIN' MIX)10. NICE & LONG12. Mad people16. HARD & GOOD17. I'm buyin'18. BROAKLAND IV (CLUBLAND)19.
SANTA ANA WINDSclickhere to listen toby Grip Grand in Real AudioA college-degree MC making minimum wage, clerking by day, rebuilding mics at nightin his clandestine undersea soundlab, Grip Grand makes rap for raps sake, musicfor the broke and the broke at heart. Welcome to Broakland bounces frompointed parody and humorous tough-talk to heartfelt love-raps (still hard enoughto listen to with the homies). When your whole studio fits in a brown paper bag,the music had better have a message, and Grip Grand delivers.Catchy without being commercial, Grip Grand's cleverly-worded wit and dirty littlemelodies are highlighted on tracks like Broakland II and Broakland III.
Thesesongs paint an (ever-so-slightly) exaggerated picture of life below the povertyline, 'Low budget/And payin' my bills is a sore subject/Deducted/My pocket'son E like a club kid!' Classic walkman material, both of these tunes featureGrip's comedic foil and alter-ego, Gab Wino (for those who love that old back-and-forthrhyme style). Check the technique as they give a loving nod to NWA's Dopeman onBroakland part III. The last installment in the Broakland saga, Broakland IV (Clubland)is an answer to the cut-for-the-club cliche. Complete with shouting-DJ intro andsoulfully crooned chorus (courtesy of Grip Grand himself), Clubland takes it tothe disco dancefloor, turning a tired formula into a funny, funky song. Otherhighlights include Stupidrapper, which lets off a couple for the fake thugs andsimpleminded MCs ('Listened to rap too much, heard the world was ignorantand ugly/I learned to dumb it down and now the party people love me!'
B-DayDocument '99 is a love letter in a rap, perfect for a special evening with thatcertain someone ('She's down/It's kinda rare/She doesn't wanna buy ticketsfor Lilith Fair/Or only like a rapper that's a millionaire').Welcome to Broakland is a soundtrack for bus stops, laundromats, dumpstersand dog tracks. Listen to it while clipping coupons, while washing your bike,while renting videos at the library. Middle-class lifestyle on a mac n' cheesebudget? Broakland understands.
Grip Grand Brokelore Co
Welcome to Broakland has something for everybody- come get yours.FirstAmongst Equals:Where does Dave Paul keep finding these cats? I got a package ofstuff from Bomb records, and predictably, it was quality stuff,but even surrounded by notable suff, that Grip Grand album stoodout. I don't even want to get into it here; just buy it. Trust me on thisone. Kevvy Kev (KZSUStanford - The Drum)Grip Grands new albumis coming March 25th, 2008 on Look Records.