Grimreepa isn’t just rapping about the grind—he’s lived it, survived it, and turned it into raw lyricism that refuses to pull punches. From growing up in a home where hip-hop was more than background noise to stepping into the same booth where Biggie once recorded, his story is as unfiltered as his bars. The rapper speaks on everything from his early freestyle days to the harsh realities of the streets, the therapeutic power of music, and the fight of his life—beating cancer with the same relentless mindset that fuels his pen. Now, with a solid team behind him and big plans for 2025, Grimreepa is ready to drop visuals and tracks that demand attention.
Welcome to A&R Factory, Grimreepa! We’d love to get an idea of the artist behind the hits. Let’s jump in with your origin story; what got you hooked on hip-hop in the first place? Was there a track or moment that made you think, “Yeah, this is me”?
In the household I grew up in, my older brother would be taping videos when I was younger, and I just fell in love with hip hop and the culture as a whole
Growing up where you did, how much of that shaped the way you rap and tell your story?
I embodied the fact that where you’re from and your reality of where you grew up can shape your music indefinitely.
Who were you listening to when you were coming up? Any artists that made you pick up the pen and start writing?
I’m still very much a LOX, rakim, G-rap, wu-tang biggie smalls, red man, dmx, all ruff ryders, all dipset, special ed, biz mark, big daddy kane, and LL and so on……..
Speaking of writing—when did that start for you? Was it bars straight away, or did you mess around with different styles before locking in?
I actually started freestyling first, rip to my cousin Blizzy he was the one that got me rhyming, believe it or not, I used to beatbox while Blizzy would rhyme, then outta nowhere I just tried it and stuck with it, and here we are now
Beating cancer is no small thing. What was going through your mind during that time, and how did it change the way you move through life now?
As far as beating cancer, I had to make a decision the day the doctor informed me that I had a cancerous tumor between my heart and lung, the size of a softball
I had to choose to cry about it or fight, I chose to fight. I cried when they first informed me, but after that, it was ballgame I was ready for whatever.
Leaving the streets behind isn’t easy. What was the turning point for you, and what was the most difficult part of that process?
The streets are a myth to the young brothers that’s in the streets it’s all bullshit ain’t no love or loyalty in them people will lie on you use you and beg all in the same minute if you in the trenches get ya money set a goal and get out ain’t nothing at the end of that road but jail or death and betrayal I learnt the hard way, trust me.
Do you ever find it tough putting certain life experiences or emotions into your music, or does it help to get it all out?
That’s all I do, I use the studio as therapy. I vent into that mic and let all feelings go, and bring my experiences to the forefront to be honest, experiences push my pen
Looking at where you started and where you are now, what’s been the biggest shift for you—personally and musically?
From where I started to now is totally unbelievable, but never let anybody put their expectations on you and limit what you can do I’m super proud of myself for not giving up. What’s crazy to me is recording in the same booth and studio BIGGIE SMALLS once recorded in; that’s motivation within itself.
The industry’s full of superficial noise. What’s the realest thing you’ve learned about making it as an artist?
I don’t know if I’ve made it yet, to be honest, I’m not paying attention. I’m constantly writing, recording and staying inspired and sticking to what I know, which is my truth
What’s next for Grimreepa? New music? Collabs? Anything wild we wouldn’t expect?
Alotta visuals, I have a lotta music coming in 2025, I have management behind me as well, something I didn’t have b4, as well as support in alotta different areas, as being an artist just GET READY for G-R
Stream Grimreepa on Spotify now and connect via Instagram.
Interview by Amelia Vandergast