New Jersey is home to an unbelievable amount of musically gifted individuals. There are a few who undeniably standout among the pack and keep their craft consistent. Grimm Doza is a producer/artist who has made a name for himself that is certain to ring bells, his presence in music is felt more with every stride he takes. Just within this last year he has capitalized on his already impressive career, recently he was appointed to produce the legendary Retch‘s project, “After The Verdict”. This is only one of the huge accomplishments and steps of progression he’s had. It seems everywhere that there is a buzzing artist he has managed to produce something for them along the line. Some familiar names include the late XXXTentacion, WifisFuneral, Lucki, $ha Hef, Drayco McCoy, BigBabyGucci, Lil Xelly, and many more. His go-to gritty and obscure sound is unlike that of anyone else’s, when he’s behind the production it is nearly impossible to mistake. The ability he has to keep a distinguishable sound even when working with and tailoring to the delivery of other artists is an admirable talent alone.
There is absolutely no question that Grimm Doza is in a category of his own, the way he manages to take on both production and the artist side of the game. Then to be successful and truly skilled at both emphasizes his versatility among others trying to take the same path. Only few people can genuinely perform this task and create music that is well put together. Nobody can put him in a box when it comes to anything musically. When you can adeptly produce, rap, and sing as he can, you’re unstoppable. That’s what makes a true musician, being capable of branching out into different pockets and sounds with ease. Get in tune with the maestro below as he speaks in depth about his music and the process behind it.
You’ve had an impressive 2018 so far, what are some of your favorite records you’ve worked on this year?
Yeah thank you, I appreciate that. Favorite records from the year off top, After The Verdict by Retch. He had hit me up to make a whole project and since then shit just happened natural, got to say it’s some of my best production ever too. To be honest though, it’s too many to pick from. I’ve dropped a lot of music this year and I treat every song like my child. My solo shit and all the collabs I did go too crazy. Shout out to everyone I work with.
Definitely man, you’ve been all over; do you prefer to produce for others or yourself more?
Shit, I just love producing. I want to produce for everybody cause I think me & almost anyone make a good combo. As long as I’m on the beats but producing for myself is fun. Sometimes I lay some shit to a random beat I make then make a whole new beat for it before I drop it. Being a producer also helps me rap. Helps me know the pockets and shit.
I’d agree with that, you always seem to capture whatever artist you’re working with’s sound. Do you write to every beat or just the ones you make for yourself?
Honestly my writing process changes from time to time. Sometimes I’ll just be writing in the back of an Uber to no beat. I’ll have something playing in my head, so I can keep a flow without actually hearing any beat. That’s usually my best verses too. Other times I’ll make a beat and start freestyling to myself and either just wing it or I’ll write some hard shit. Lately I been making beats with the intention to give to other artists though. I’ve been on my self-producing shit for a minute, so I want to branch out a bit more, work with other artist and producers.
Which artists and producers are you working with currently?
Currently working with; Retch, $ha Hef, Revenxnt, Booshido, Izzy Izz, Hvnzo, A$AP P on the Boards, Wifi Mami, Morgue, Tripp Jones, Lonny X, Swum, Bzkt, Lil 2Dow, Danny Towers, Ankhlejohn, Koncept jack$on, pink siifu, sub9k, Wifi gawd, Lil Xelly, Bigbabygucci, and way more. To be honest, shit is really in the works more than anyone will know! Real special shit coming soon.
Is there anyone specific you want to work with in the future?
There’s a lot I want to work with Roc Marciano and Dave East more. Westside Gunn, Jadakiss, Styles P, Domo Genesis, Hodgy Beats, MF DOOM, Black Kray, Rejjie Snow, Future, Young Thug, Valee, Erykah Badu, Max B (FREE MAX B), Cam’ron, Juelz Santana, Curren$y, Fetty Wap , Chief Keef ,50 cent, SpaceGhostPurrp. I’d say they all a must to work with. Earl too how could I forget.
Who are some of the artists you listened to growing up that inspired or influenced you to make music?
Definitely 50 cent, Kanye, Dipset, Max B, Clipse, Pharrell, Lil Wayne, Erykah Badu, T-Pain, Chris Brown, Eminem, Wu-Tang, Rick Ross. Who inspired me to start making music honestly when I started listening to J Dilla beats, Odd Future and that whole Beast Coast movement. I always had beats in my head and was very creatively inclined n they inspired me to put my shit to life at the time. I was 13 when I started writing & making beats. I’m 20 now.
How do you think your sound has evolved over the past 7 years? Were you making the same style of beats when you started?
I like to think I just got more and more confident. Tried new sounds and styles out still remaining true to me and my sound. Over the past 7 years I’ve def progressed and find it easy to pretty much make whatever I want now. I picked up singing. Got nice with making my own melodies from scratch on a keyboard. Learned a lot about mixing to where I mix and master all my songs (always have just nice at it now) all shit I had no clue how to do in the beginning. I’ve never watched a tutorial in my life. I think it’s important to be self-sufficient in and outside of music. Yes, I still make the same style beats. If you listen to my old ones and the ones now. You can see how they’re all Grimm Doza but nothing stays the same. Never done innovating and creating.
Absolutely it’s all about progression, it must be close to second nature to you by now. What three words would you use to describe your distinct style?
Of course! I don’t even bother trying making beats or rap if I’m not inspired. So the shit is definitely second nature. Three words to describe my style got to be be pretty, gritty, and rare. My sound can take you anywhere from a garden in space to the gates of Hell and anywhere in between. That’s why it’s so special. My sound contrasts dark and light. Good and evil. My sound embodies a lot of people and their struggles, they tell a story every single time. Whether making a beat for a R&B artist or gangster rapper, I come with the same energy. It can be taken either way. Although most the time people say my shit is dark. I think it’s just as pretty sounding.
It paints a picture for the listener and leaves it up for their perception. You can just tell it’s genuine. Let’s talk about your latest track “I’m $o Dedicated”, what was the story you had in mind creating that?
“I’m $o Dedicated” was basically a freestyle. I had the melody for the hook just kind of stashed in my brain and was singing it in my head the past days before I recorded it. I sang it to a random beat I had made a while ago and wasn’t feeling it, but I fucked with my vocals. So, I just made a beat around the hook. That shit sounded wavy, so I pulled some bars out my phone and did a verse to it too. I really caught the vibe once I laid the verse. I just had to talk my shit in my own way. When it was finished I thought the shit was perfect cause the beat sound like all the seasons combined and we’re transitioning from summer to fall. Especially up here in new jersey. I made that song for me though and what I want to hear, I knew some of my fans wouldn’t like it as much.
What is life like living in New Jersey? Do you feel more creative there or when you’re traveling?
New Jersey is cool. The weather is for real bipolar. Brick as hell in the winter and the summer is crazy hot. People don’t know a lot about New Jersey but there’s a certain attitude that comes with living here almost similar to New York. I’ve met more creatives in New Jersey than anywhere else to be real. Maybe it’s something about the versatility as a state that makes the artist so unique. Jersey you could be in the hood, suburbs 10 minutes away, highway 5 minutes from everywhere, then you got beaches and a whole bunch of shit in South Jersey. I have no idea about. Leaving the state and then returning usually gives me the most inspiration though. I’m trying to travel more, live, then get back to jersey and repeat that cycle.
Can you explain the New Jersey Gremlins?
New Jersey Gremlins is the homies. That’s me, Booshido, Hvnzo , Izzy Izz, and Wifi Mami. Basically it’s a label type idea, we building ourselves up under a name all as individuals but under New Jersey Gremlins. We plan on signing artist later when we’re more established with it. The merch is going to be so tough. Definitely get ready for that Gremlin gear. We also got a show October 6th in New Jersey, our first one. Shit really falling into place for us.
You just produced the “Rexxrdent Evil” EP for Lil Xelly, how did that come about? What picture were you trying to paint with the production?
Shit to be honest, I just know Xelly a beast and whatever I send him would sound crazy. I went bout production how I always do really and knew he would complement my sound, our shit goes crazy together. In terms of a picture I basically just brought hell to the trap and let all the spirits out there so that’s the soundtrack to that. Nah but my trap beats go stupid.
What projects or records do you have coming out before the year ends? Is there any you’d like to shed light on?
#Reaperszn (a full mixtape with Morgue of 5fingerposse), #Omnipotent (full mixtape with Booshido of New Jersey Gremlins), and #Gasoline3 (full beat tape with Revenxnt). Those 3 projects are finished just a matter of time. Besides that I have a full tape with Izzy Izz of New Jersey Gremlins and working on a R&B album executively produced by A$AP P On The Boards. There’s even more that’s just what I know so far. Def be excited for all that.
Absolutely I’m excited to hear it all, where do you see your career by this time next year?
Next year this time I just want to have my own place paid for and be more relaxed with where I’m at in life, all because of my music that’s the goal. Also trying to travel and branch out, work with more artists over the year. Def just need to take the next step up and keep delivering and improving.
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me, is there anything else you’d like to tell your fans?
I want to tell my fans I love em and appreciate them listening to my music even with the amount of artists it is out here. You know it’s the law of attraction, so I fuck with you. It means a lot I got a family of fans, no dick rider shit #Gremlins.