Exclusive Interview with Grizz Lee

"I don't even know if I would call it rock, in fact I wouldn't call it rock. I was in a punk band in the beginning...."

"I don't know what it is, for some reason there seems to be a flow between the two (hardcore & hip-hop)." 

Currently residing in OC, this San Diego native has produced it all. Rap, Rock, Indie, Metal, and even folk. It wasn't easy to get an interview, seeing as how Grizz Lee cranks out multiple beats a day, and works with 3 artists a week, so we are doing the interview over the phone. He requested that we rescheduled it for today due to the massive work load he's currently handling and overflow of groupies on his jock. But if you asked him, he'd probably tell you he's chillin' working on some things, doin' nothing too crazy. I have know Grizz for years, and I always love a person's reaction when they hear his music, people trip. Going to a private college in OC (Chapman University) it's not always the easiest to draw inspiration from a bunch of preppy white kids in their parents mercedes. He has done exactly that, by bringing the inspiration closer to him. By working with people from south central, long beach, inglewood, etc... it has provided him with the raw talent that sounds so phenomenal over his hip-hop beats. Whatever he has done over the last year, he needs to keep doing. Best believe Grizz Lee will claw his way to the top shortly.

Grizz puts me on hold as he converses with an indistinct voice in the background. He tells the voice to hurry up with the delivery of something (inaudible background chatter).

J.E.: what is your real name?

Grizz Lee: Alex

J.E.: would it be safe to say we are friends?

Grizz Lee: yeah I would say we're more than friends, there is a deeper spiritual connection there.

J.E.: cool, I just wanted girls to see that so when they hear your music I can say I know you.

You started with heavier music yeah? like rock?

Grizz Lee: I don't even know if I would call it rock, in fact I wouldn't call it rock. I was in a punk band in the beginning. Played a lot of shows and pretty much learned how to play guitar while in this band. Then was into metal core and hardcore music. That was the most fun I've ever had playing music period.

J.E.: what got you into hip-hop?

Grizz Lee: the progression started about 4 years ago with punk and metal.....I really feel all these genres are really closely knit together. I don't know what it is, for some reason there seems to be a flow between the two (hardcore & hip-hop). It may sound weird.

J.E.: where do you draw inspiration from?

Grizz Lee: obviously, other music, other musicians. As far as the music I create, I want to break down walls. I'm talking about transcending genres. I feel that all music is the same nowadays, society has been dealing with the same handful of styles for how long now? There needs to be the creation of new kind of music. And when I say music I'm talking about popular music, not music people are creating in their garages and at home.

J.E.: you have grown tremendously over the last 2 years, what do you attribute to your successes?

Grizz Lee: I would not consider myself successful, just think at this point, I'm still doing the groundwork.

J.E. when was the last time you had sushi?

Grizz Lee: A week ago, its my favorite sushi place in the world called Nozomi. I went with my buddy Payam who is a sushi aficionado. I ordered my favorite roll the "Twister". I have re-occuring dreams about this roll. It's certainly made a lasting impression.

J.E.: traveling lately? at all soon?

Grizz Lee: Yeah, this summer there is going to be a lot of stuff going on. I'm in the process of booking the Florida Music Festival, they have really strong grassroots movement. I'm really pushing for that right now. I'm also tentatively going to be living in Hawaii for a month. I'm going to really try and see what kind of music we can make.

J.E.: is there a reason for Hawaii?

Grizz Lee: It's a place I call to for inspiration from time to time. Hawaii has always been that way for me.

J.E.: any shows you want to tell us about?

Grizz Lee: March 14th at the Blue Cafe. Barikuda & One Love Community are the promotors. Artists; Piff Herrera, Ham San, Makeshift, Tony Tigerstyle, and then the headline; you know them as Sunny and Strife (Natti Hip-hop Gnostix).

J.E.: plugs?

Grizz Lee: Alpha Alpha, DJ Jazzberry Jam, Lo is also an artist im looking forward to working with. Armani Cooper & YB, ZDubbs, I gotta shout out AMM (Albert Mason & Meinzer).

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