the grand official crew:
Straight out of the dungeons of rap.
An Endless Passion for Music For Discovery, for people, for life...
A few questions for GRIP...
Give us your bio.
My name is GRIP, a producer of Los Angeles hip hop Group Grand Official. We started Grand Official in 2003. When The Crew started in 2003 it consisted of 6 members; three emcees (ABADOSE -AKA DOSE-, ADLIFE and Feen 1), one turntablist (Incredible Sound Machine), DJ HALLUCIN8 and and myself, GRIP, providing you with that Raw Feel…
I met DJ Hallucin8 and Dose in 1994 in the city of Pico Rivera, California, with our neighborhood being infested with gangster rappers; it also had a history of hip hop heads, Graffiti artist ,graffiti writers, emcees, dj’s and bboys. Dose, Hallucin8 and myself gravitated to each other because we were all rapping at the time. Dose and I were introduced by a friend from Zulu, and we hit it off immediately with his knowledge of new school artists and my knowledge of hip hop history. Hallucin8 and myself ran into Dose in the park freestyln’ in the cypher, Dose kicked a dope B Box and some dope rhymes while Hallucin8 and I were like yea let’s do this shit… All three of us were battlin’ anyone we could. We’ve always been real competitive and had ILL chemistry..
In 1996 we were working with our mentors producer Ern UWS (United We Stand), a Graffiti A crew rep’n all four elements of hip hop. One day we were working at Ern’s house and he Introduced us to an emcee he had been working with called A To The D! ADLIFE -we connected right away. Even though A.ONE joined our crew in 2003, he grew up on my street AERO BLOCK. We would be rockin’ at my crib, beats and rhymes and young A.ONE would come down getting into trouble but listening closely. A.ONE was the last missing link to the group. His producing style is dope, very versatile, Hard Hitting and also captures a true feel for what were going for…
Who are your top 5 influences?
As a producer my top five would be
- Dj Premier one of the best hip hop producers of our time. The way he chops sample hard hitting drums and ILL samples. He’s the reason so many classic joints exist.
- Large Professor because he always gives you that 90’s feel.. never drifted from what he thought was dope, never followed the trend and always gives you that large pro sound. So many others I can break down as an influence. As a group for the other 3:
- Gangstarr- I don’t think we got to explain that one.
- Classic Juice Crew – That was like an Allstar Crew produced by Marley Marl dominating the game… a big influence in our crew to try to be the best at our craft.
- DITC (Diggin In The Crates)- dope producers emcees another super group we’ve been influenced by.
What helped you get into music?
For me, my grandfather would play Jazz & blues records when I was young. I was infatuated with the gritty feel of blues and the horns in jazz and the little intricate sounds jazz provides classic material.. Dose as a kid was surrounded by music lovers in his family. His moms and aunt used to take him to shows and put him on stage where later on in life he belonged. ADLIFE was brought in by Ern one who had an extensive hip hop collection from 80’s hip hop to rare Joints hardly heard before. Anyone whose met ADLIFE knows he goes hard at whatever he does, a true music enthusiast and connoisseur, a collector of the arts. DJ Hallucin8 addicted to the turntables since we met as teens, a master at his craft who loves all music and probably on the tables as we speak, LOL. ONE was influenced by us in the 1990’s and his Cousin my good friend Dee whose down with the golden era of hip hop and guided ONE in the right direction.
What’s in the making for 2022?
We are currently working on our debut album, which will be titled “Supreme” and feature KRS.ONE, M.O.P., Cappadonna, Teflon, Reagan Era, & Jay-R, as well as production from Grip Seven, Mr. Walt of The Beatminerz, DJ Skizz and Ern One.
What is one thing you would tell your fans?
Thanks for the nonstop support, keep going against the grain and thanks for keeping a culture alive. Grand O, let’s go!
Peace.
... And a few questions for DOSE.
What does hip hop and the culture stand for to you?
Hip hop is everything. It’s the American Dream. Making something out of nothing. Doesn’t matter who you are, or where you’re from. If you do it right, then your name will be remembered forever.
If you had the chance to work with any producer(s) to make an album, who would they be?
Definitely PREEMO. Always been a Gangstarr fan. What he and the late Guru were able to create is timeless. PREEMO to me is the purest form of hip hop production. From the drums to the cuts, it’s just raw, man. I love it. Pete Rock is also an incredible producer. Two of my all time favorites.
If you could work with any MC(s) to make an album, who would they be?
Black Thought and Pharoahe. Two of my top five. Their skill level to me remains unmatched. Both masterful artists and straight killas.
How do you see Grand Official’s influence on hip hop?
I don’t know about influence as much as it is us carrying on the tradition of those that came before us. Continuing to bring that real raw, grimy hip hop sound.
