TJF: Who are your major influences?
FG: Well the obvious I think is ICP & Twiztid, but I be diggin all kinds of crazy shit! And alot of different styles have influenced me over the years… from Ice Cube, N.W.A. to 2Pac to Rob Zombie, Korn, Gwar to Kottonmouth Kings to shit like Aerosmith, Tom Petty & the Eagles… I was raised on classic rock
TJF: When did you start rapping? What inspired you to make music?
FG: I started rappin years ago… 96-97… jus for fun… we’d freestyle n throw house parties n rock the mics… beastie boy covers n shit like that… I luved rappin and writing lyrics, so it jus seemed like a good idea… little did I realize everyone & their brother was doing the same… before I could start rappin tho I needed a name… and I always wanted a name that was like a normal name… shit musta took me 5 years jus to decide on Freddy Grimes.
TJF: How did you come up with the name Freddy Grimes?
FG: Well, Freddy comes from Nightmare on Elm St… cuz Freddy was the first entity that scared the living shit outta me as a kid… I really thought if he killed me in my sleep id die… n i use to dream of that fucker everynight… Grimes jus came from the phrase “dirty & grimey”… Plus I thought it sounded cool, LOL
TJF: What can you tell me about your mixes and beats? (Who does em, what program you use, etc)
FG: Well, I like to use a variety of different styles n shit… If I feel it, I feel it… if not… I dont fuck with it…My new cd has beats from 4 or 5 different people but now my homie been makin sum killa ass beats! Expect to see more DJ Dirtay Fingaz beats!!
TJF: You have a unique start that many dont have as far as underground music, wanna clue us in to your underground upbringing?FG: Man, I jus been a fan of the Underground scene since 96-97… before that tho I was bumpin “gangster rap” n Marilyn Manson, N.I.N. shit… Jus been doin this shit for a long time… as a silent, underground promoter… I worked in bars n clubs bouncin for bands… started wantin to do more cuz I had love for the sound n lifestyle. I could relate to the dirty n grimey feel the underground had.. its home, i love it!
TJF: Who’d you like opening for the most? Any good stories about them?
FG: I think the best band to open for is by far ICP! They ALWAYS bring the biggest & craziest crowds!! No good stories really… I keep to myself for the most part… aint tryin to be that annoying opener guy… but… I did get to throw Faygo with em in Wichita… to me, that was the ultimate shit!!
TJF: Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs?
FG: Me… everybit of every song you hear me do… its all me… I bring it from the heart… cant take other peoples shit n feel it like you feel your own struggles, your own success’, your own embarrassments… etc… As far as themes, I jus try to rep me and what I do, I keep it horror the best I can at all times… rap bout shit that not EVERYONE is rappin about… jus be you playa!
TJF: Could you briefly describe your music-making process?
FG: Well, usually it involves me gettin into an instrumental… I get the beat first n rock it… sometimes for days… Then I jus pick up my magic pen n let it go… I dont even know where it comes from sometimes… sometimes I listen to the playback & am like… dam… I wrote that?! lol, cracks me up! I amaze myself at times…. Once I get my lyrics written I might lay down a rough version in our lil studio… then once I feel its solid… I go to Chapman & record with the master, Rob Rebeck… if you dont know who that is, check your Tech N9ne booklets sumtime….
TJF: How has your music evolved since you first began playing music?
FG: I jus think it’s gettin better & better… Im learning more tricks n skills… shits takin less time… It’s like up to this point I was still discovering myself & Freddy Grimes… all the pieces have been placed together now tho… time to jus start destroyin stages across the US!
TJF: What has been your biggest challenge? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
FG: I dunno… I guess jus financial shit…. hard to keep up on everything at times… being independent and time limits… never enough time in the week lol…. i dunno if ill ever overcomb these things completely… jus part of the grind…
TJF: What’s your ultimate direction?
FG: Well I think the ultimate goal is to take this on the road and get people’s attentions… I really think we can bring it live! I got zombies n blood flyin, bodyparts flingin through the air… zombies chokeslammin eachother lol, one day Id like to see the stage show get bigger… do bigger thangs… if ya know what i mean!
TJF: What advice do you have for people who want to get into the industry?
FG: Don’t do it if your lookin for a quick money stack… Do it cuz you love doing it! I think you do that, everything else will fall into place.
TJF: Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge for offering support?
FG: Shit… all my poeples out there spreading the word, I cant do this shit alone!! Mad love to Daddy Long Legs & Buddha & the Wolfpac for puttin me on WFuckOff Radio at the Gatherings the past 5 years in a row… yall see the talent! I know the rest will shortly!! Mad love to George & Psychopathic for lettin me play multiple GOTJ’s, I am truly blessed! Plus, everyone that laid a verse on my new cd!! Id like to see this Underground Nation grow even stronger!! My Z.W.O. and all my homies here in KCMO and across this tiny Dirtball we call Earth!
TJF: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
FG: Ya, check www.freddygrimes.com and you can hear sum freshness!! Follow me on twitter @freddy_grimes and/or add me on facebook, like me or whatever the fuck it is… jesus… too many dam websites now… my reverbnation is reverbnation/
TJF: Any last words?
FG: FAMI-FUCKIN-LY!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!
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