It’s all too easy to overlook the stylistic diversity of hip-hop. Many MCs, though pure to the art form, naturally go against the grain and reset the livable parameters of our beloved genre. Since his beginnings in the music business, the living legend known as the Grouch has never been one to follow a set recipe when it comes to his music. Often praised for his ‘everyday man’ approach to hip-hop, the Grouch brings his fans more than just the ordinary.
Real heads may still be vibing on the Grouch’s last solo outing. A raw and innovative dusty-fingered epic, Making Perfect Sense catapulted listeners into his world. Though celebrated by fans, MPS, according to the Grouch, only scratched the surface of his musical potential. “I feel that album was just real raw and gritty,” says the Grouch. “Not to take anything away from MPS but I feel like my music is much more polished now, much more cohesive and thought out.’’
Moving on to make his presence well known as a beat conductor (with collaborations with groups such as Felt and Zion I), five years have passed since the Grouch did it solo. When asked about his resurrection from his solo hibernation, Grouch replied, “I feel as if I haven’t represented who I am right now for a while. I like to work with other artists, but your solo work is totally you, the decisions are all yours.”
Still not one to shy away from shared creativity, the Grouch’s new offering titled Show You The World (a title motivated by the birth of his daughter, Rio) is full of guest appearances ranging from underground heroes like Murs and Abstract Rude to neo-soul icon Raphael Saadiq. Show You The World displays the production and lyrical maturity the Grouch underwent. His no-nonsense, straightforward cadence over seismic melodies is infectious. Track after track, the Grouch confirms his ability to grab listeners by painting pictures of blue-collar concerns mixed with eye-opening social awareness. “I feel that with this album, I just want people to come with an open mind,” says the Grouch. “I think there is music on this album that will convert listeners to fans and if they are already fans, I just want folks to take SYTW as its own thing and not compare it with my past.”
