Whatever way you shake it, Atlanta’s GRIP had a hell of a 2021. The long underrated MC (just check out 2019’s superb Snubnose) finally broke into the mainstream with an assist from none other than Eminem, who signed him to his Shady Records.
Quite unlike, say, Conway the Machine, whose (excellent) Shady debut only just arrived after years of delays, GRIP hit the ground running almost instantly. His major label debut, the bold, ambitious I Died for This!?, arrived seemingly almost immediately after his signing, all but instantly solidifying the rapper as an exciting “new” voice in hip hop.
Well, he isn’t slowing down in the least. Kicking off his 2022 right, he’s offered a brand new stand alone track, the amusingly titled “Emo Stick”. Worlds away from the often heavy display of the grave Died, GRIP’s latest finds him in playful mood, flexing and taking his much deserved flowers for himself, rather than waiting.
With references to Ludacris (Can we get a collaboration, please? For the people.) and Michael Jordan – even boasting a precise, clever 23 second pause in the latter’s honor – the track captures GRIP in all his purely scorching glory. We can only hope for more from him soon.
Check out “Emo Stick” below, and stay tuned to Beats Per Minute for more from the Atlanta rapper.
