"Griffen is a songwriter (specializing in high caliber, clever rhymes) that writes, records and performs a lost brand of hip-hop music where lyrics reigned supreme and content mattered."
B I O G R A P H Y
If there's a common thread through the story of Griffen, the Chicago based rapper and MC, it's his belief that nothing is impossible – you just have to do what you have to do to get it. In his years working the underground scenes in Chicago, Atlanta and L.A., he's made his mark by any means necessary. The reward for his tenacious and unrelenting style is his new project, "The Urn", scheduled to drop Spring 2009, a collection of songs that showcase his skills as a songwriter (specializing in high caliber, clever rhymes), rapper and performer, bringing back a lost brand of hip-hop where lyrics reign supreme and content is paramount.
Born on Chicago's south side, Griffen took his earliest cues in determination from his grandmother, one of the first female lawyers in Chicago. "It took her eleven years to get through law school," marvels Griffen, "I got her tenacity". "There was no quit in her. If they shut the door, go through the window – that's what I got from her."
Griffen was introduced to hip-hop by his older brother, a DJ, who exposed him to the greats of the music's golden era. "The minute I heard N.W.A., I knew what I wanted to do," he remembers. His first shows, opening for the likes of Raekwon and Souls of Mischief, earned him spots within Chicago's elite underground crews, Elements of Nature and Cyanide. His "Jacken Fa Beats" mixtape (the first in a trilogy), released in 1999, got a lot of backlash from the hip-hop scene in Chicago, due to its overt commercial aspirations. Griffen dismissed the criticism. "The more backlash I got, the more mixtapes I wanted to do," he recalls defiantly, and to date, Griffen has released nine more mixtapes as free giveaways. After a brief stint in Atlanta, he traveled to LA to record his first official album, Insomnia, which was released to iTunes in 2003. "That's when I got real focused," Griffen says. "I taught myself everything – built my own website, did my own graphics…I bought an MPC and started making my own beats. I worked for CBS as an engineer; I was a color technician for Kinko's…I learned it all and incorporated everything I did into my music hustle and launched my own label."
Griffen followed Insomnia with DrunkMusik (The Gigoloco LP) in 2005, recorded with an array of underground producers. To spread the word, he began doing shows in L.A. and Santa Monica and recording exclusively with Bionik, who was working with Ice-T and Aceyalone. In 2006, he graduated to recording, editing and mixing projects with the release of his group's debut album Outfitt – Tha Shock & Awe Campaign, where Griffen was not only half of the duo in front of the mic, but the man behind the board as well.
This year has seen Griffen step it up as his track "N. Donesia" was featured on the FX Network show, Dirt, starring Courtney Cox. He collaborated with Ice-T and Black Silver on the song "Most Uv Tha Time" from Ice's latest endeavor, Black Ice – Urban Legends. He's won acclaim for the internet released Purpill Mixxtape, featuring reverse-engineered music by Prince & Sade. But it's on Griffen's own records where he is shining the most. "B-Boycott" (from the upcoming Tha Urn LP – downloaded over 2,000 times free on yessur.com) is a brilliant indictment of the insanity of the Bush Administration, big business and the bloodsuckers of the poor that have betrayed the community of the Earth. The lyrics are smart, sharp and incisive, and in an environment where barely anyone has the courage to tell the truth to power, Griffen is doin' it. "Hip-Hop is a genre where it's almost impossible to grow up. I want to make an adult version of it," declares Griffen.
Griffen is currently getting ready for the launch of Tha Urn, readying the world for his biggest statement yet. It's a testament to his perseverance that after two solo albums, a series of mixtapes and moves from Chicago to Atlanta to L.A. and back, that Griffen is still out there, raising his game and drawing in new fans. But when you think about it, it makes perfect sense – it's in his blood to be unstoppable.
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It's allot of hate floating in the air about me, but I welcome that. Hate is fuel. I hold myself down. I'm cool wit whoever's cool wit me...Period. My music is drunk, joe.
**Sip it responsibly...**
"B-Boycott" produced by BIONIK. Click George Hitler to download one of the most important songs of this generation, absolutely FREE! or click here to BUY a physical CD:
what up GRIFFEN? check out the new beatz... http://www.jinxbeatz.com/
if you wanna battle sign up at www.jinxbeatz.com/battle
(¯'·._.·[JïÑx?ßèÅTz®]·._.·'¯)
add me on myspace http://www.myspace.com/jinxbeatz follow me on twitter http://www.twitter.com/jinxbeatz add me on facebook http://www.facebook.com/jinxbeatz
Hey wuts cookin? Well, wutever it is it smells like success to me...so stay focused!!!
But, I gotta let u know I have new music up and official ringtones available on Every Major US Cellphone Carrier...check 'em out. And u can check out my profile for the new music. Free mp3 downloads are also available courtesy of Microsoft, "I am a PC". Go to reverbnation.com/hunnedproof to claim your free download.
I appreciate ya support...
"People begin to become successful the minute they decide to be." -Harvey Mackay
DJ SLUGO then Fathered a RESPECT MY GRINE Family! WithOut the BIG EGo TRIPN, he can't finish! Cuz From BLOK 2 Block, ClLUB 2 Club, DJ 2 DJ, CHITOWN 2 MIDWEST WE AIN'T STOPPN!!!!
FOR FUTURE RMG VOL'S SUBMISSION INFO(4real this shhhhh..is not stopping!) Contact: DJ SLUGO http://www.myspace.com/djslugo http://www.myspace.com/respectmygrine DJSLUGOMUSIC@GMAIL.COM
Yo GRIFFENasaurus. I just found out that we're related...and as a special family only present we've made a new song for you called "End of Days" (start doing backflips now). It's an epic instrumental opus to the moment when our ancient Dino relatives saw a large fiery object plummeting towards them. Please come to our page, give it a listen and let us know if it makes you feel like something catastrophic is gonna happen. If the song upsets you too much we will be holding several s support groups (read: comcerts) in the near future. Check our page for locations, dates and times.
Wassup GRIFFEN? Mixtape Mondays is celebrating a birthday! We're officialy turning 1 this Monday! So on Monday Oct. 19th the first 25 performers are in FREE! Darkroom CD's and Oregano Studio Time Giveaways Exodus II 3477 N Clark St. Chicago Chicago's Paid Open Mic. Over $1000 given away every month - The crowd decides who get the doe, so bring your people. Also bring your original music on CD 9 pm sign up - List closes quick 21 plus
*Silent Auditions all month long for October's Mixtape E-event at The Darkroom and the MtM Midwest's 'In and Out' Tour this Fall
Hottest Song Tournament follows the Birthday Bash on Oct. 26th
Wassup GRIFFEN? This Monday Sept 28.. Mixtape Monday's Signature Hottest Song Contest Bracket Style Competition - The More Rounds You Win, The More You Perform! $350, tour slots, beats, studio time all up for grabs! Exodus II, 3477 N Clark St. (2 blocks S. of Wrigley Field) Sign up: 9 pm sharp - Bring your original music on CD $15 to compete/ $5 to watch 21 plus Powered by: MtM Grp, oreganostudio.com, L'Evated Marketing, illiesoulife.com and SP1 Further questions email mixtapemondayz@gmail.com
Thank you Chicago! They said it couldn't be done this long..
Change is inevitable and constant. Not getting the "CHANGE" you expected? This is my two cents. (NEW SINGLE 4-QUARTER CHANGE COMING SOON!!! -- Check SpiritualHipHop.info for Updates)
YO JUST STOPEN BY TO SAY hi, and thank u for all the support. got a new show @the black box would be great to see you their. pass the word along need help with promotion thanks phraydoe
OZONE HIPHOP ANONYMOUS @THE BLACK BOX If you are a Hip Hop Head and are fiending for a fix. Then you need to come down to Hip Hop Anonymous at the Black Box September 12th. Hip Hop Anonymous specializes in the treatments of microphone fiends, needle junkies, graff heads, and break addicts. This is for anyone who has an addiction to Hip Hop. Remember the first step to recovery is admitting you need help.
JOIN THE MAILING LIST http://www.phraydoepeans.com
WATZ GOOD DIS BANG. I GOT EXCLUSIVE SONGS ON www.reverbnation.com/bangakamonster. OR JUST GO TO www.reverbnation.com AND SEARCH 4 "BANG". I GOT BANGERS ON THERE SO I KNOW U'LL FELL EM. PLUS I STILL GOT HITS ON MY MYSPACE PAGE. EVERYBODY'S FEELING EM. HOLLA BACK AT ME AND LET ME KNOW WATZ GOOD
Whats Crackin GRIFFEN? This Monday Aug 31st is the last Mon. of the month.. which can mean only one thing..
Mixtape Monday's Signature Hottest Song Contest Bracket Style Competition - The More Rounds You Win, The More You Perform! Big Cash Prize as Usual, Free Beats, Studio Time, and a few Surprises Exodus II, 3477 N Clark St. (2 blocks S. of Wrigley Field) Sign up: 9 pm sharp - Bring your original music on CD $15 to compete/ $5 to support *Free to watch before 10 Hosted by: Notrydo Sincere and Lady Flipsyde Sponsered by: oreganostudio.com, L'Evated Marketing, the illiesoul movement and the legendary SP1 Further questions email mixtapemondayz@gmail.com
Thank you Chicago! They said it couldn't be done this long..
The 'Springboard' Event is: Mixtape Mondays.. Chicago's Most Talked About Hip Hop, Soul Open Mic Event EVERY Monday at Exodus II 3477 N Clark St. Chicago We pay artists weekly - Over $1000 every month. The crowd decides who wins, so bring your people Also bring your original music on CD 9 pm sign up - List closes quick 21 plus $5 to perform or watch all night/ $10 to compete for the cash Metromix pick for "Best Urban Music Networking Party in the Midwest"
**Silent Auditions all month long for September's Mixtape E-event and the African Fest Labor Day Wknd.
contact me anytime if i can produce any hits for you. I'm a hiphop/rap/r&b producer i'm allways working with artists, and I work in your actual budget. Don't forget to hit my page and check out some beats, read up on me, if your feelin my traxx feel free to comment your name and email address on here, with that info I can get you instant access to pick from some of the best beats in the business. Take care an see you at the top. Traumatic Productions!!! www.myspace.com/Traumaonthetraxx www.soundclick.com/Traumaonthetraxx www.twitter.com/TraumaticProductions If your serious about my company producing music for you my direct line is -1850-339-6202. (Leave a message if u cant reach me and i will return your call as soon as possible.) MAKE SURE TO READ MY PAGE! Traumatic Productions!! Original Traxx for Original Artists!!
I'm stoppin in to show love and to make sure you're good over here...I'm really diggin ya space...keep rockin!!! Also, I want to offer you a FREE download of my hit single, "Lose Control". Take a listen to it at www.reverbnation.com/hunnedproof and if you like it, click download and it's yours FREE...It's just that easy. All that I ask in return is that you share it and get it to as many of your homies as possible. If you google me you'll see this hit song is already spreading dumb fast. Be apart of the future...
I appreciate ya support...
"Even when your right on track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.."- Will Rogers
GRIFFEN!! WHAT DOWN!!!?HOPE EVERY THING IS GOOD WIT U!!!!....FOR THOSE THAT DONT ALREADY KNOW THE NAMES ...CLEW ROCK BEEN HOLDIN SHIT DOWN HERE IN THE CHI FOR A MINUTE.. DO YOUR SELVES A FAVOR ...ROLL THAT KUSH, PLAY THESE MIXTAPE JOINTS ON MY PAGE AND ENJOY!! IF YOUR INTO PRODUCTION, MIXTAPES, CLUB DJ-ING, ANR'S(YOUR WELCOME, THE HUNT IS OVER...LOL) OR AN EMCEE TRYIN TO COLAB...GET @ ME FOREAL WHY WOULDNT U WANT A NIGGA THIS COLD ON YO SHIT!?
![GRIFFEN: Tha Urn [Theatrical Version]](http://cdbaby.name/g/r/griffenmusic4_small.jpg)
