Artist Spotlight: Grieves

During my show, The Subterranean, I strive to look for and play artists who deserve it. And every once in while, you find a musician that is over-flowing with a new sound, new flow, and better beats.

Grieves is a Seattle based rapper and hip-hop artist. In 2008, he teamed up with producer Budo to release the next two full-length albums by Grieves. His latest album, Together/Apart was released in 2011 and is currently signed to Rhymesayers Entertainment. Why I'm bringing him up at this time is because he just ended his Back On My Grizzly tour with Sweatshop Union. Even without a new album he's on the grind. He is constantly connected to his fans by updating his blog himself, making video updates, and touring without a new album! As an underground artists connecting with fans is the most important activity you can do (besides releasing great music).

Grieves' music style ranges from sexy and sultry (https://soundcloud.com/rhymesayers/grieves-what-you-need), to nostalgic (Light Speed), to surprisingly real (He Won't Answer). In Together/Apart he explores daily human emotions and how an individual is constantly pushing and pulling to get through life. Themes of addiction, growing up, and fighting for what's right are all embedded in these tracks. Grieves accomplishes something that's crucial as an artist: to make your listeners feel as if they're not alone with their issues.

Here's a live version of the single "Sunny Side of Hell" performed at Seattle based radio station KEXP. In this performance Budo plays guitar live and Grieve's vocal are superb. Give the skinny white kid a listen and I promise you'll be pleasantly surprised.