“GRIP is Far From the Porch” - Halo by GRIP Review
As a listener, it feels like we’re watching Grip shadow box in front of an audience with a spotlight on him. You can feel that he’s aware of the eyes on him but his confidence is energized off his sharpened lyricism.
The snubnose rapper opens up his five-track ep with the lyrics “this shit feels like a classic” on “Cassius,” followed by towering drums that remind you of a Just Blaze production during his Roc-a-fella/Dipset run. As a listener, it feels like we’re watching Grip shadow box in front of an audience with a spotlight on him. You can feel that he’s aware of the eyes on him but his confidence is energized off his sharpened lyricism since his 2019 release Snubnose.
“Dont get it confused cause I’m a nigga who raps”
On “Randy Watson,” Grip pokes fun at himself, emulating Eddie Murphy’s subconscious spirit in the 1988 comedy Coming to America. Poking fun at his fellow rap mates and himself shows that Grip is down for the antics but demands respect for his lyrical efforts.
The final track “Memories is 4eva” brings the EP insync. Grip allows grief to strip away his ego and reveal what is beneath the Halo. Grip thinks back on the loss of friends, his grandmother, and his first child. “My grandma was right there for my first words/ Damn I wasn't even there for her last/ I figured I would visit when I could/ I was at work and got the call when she passed.” It feels like Grip is having a conversation with his listeners and is trying to find a hopeful brightside.
In 2017, I heard Porch by accident. What I appreciate about Grip as an artist is that he makes you believe him. The details in his storytelling are captured to the point where you don’t have to ask questions... but, you want to, just to see where his explanation would take you. Halo is definitely a tape I would suggest listening to. Grip is far from the Porch.