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"Jet Jaguar" Grand Master Grimm, NYC http://www.daybydayent.com/ Page 1 | 2 Lee: The spoken word included on "The Deal Is Done", "Enemy At Home" and "Straight Babylon No Chaser" is a great concept that I hope will be included more often in Hip Hop albums. When did you first hear of Monte Smith and what was your initial reaction after reading or hearing his work? GM Grimm: Monte used to write me while I was in prison and he sent me his poetry book and I was blown away by it so I would pass it around the prison and everybody loved his work. I asked Monte if it was cool for them to reach out to him and it was cool. As soon as I got out I called Monte. He will be on American Hunger. L: On "Taken" you speak on the Hip Hop task force. What sort of problems does this task force place on the artist, groups or business and how has it affected Hip Hop already? GM: Look at Suge. I mean you can ask anyone: Jay, Suge, 50, Tony Yayo, Young Buck, Styles P, Will Smith. They will all tell you that you are being watched. We have a lot of ways and means to make capital in this country and they don't want to see it happen. And let's not forget that they killed our ancestors over words. They want us to talk about crack and guns and I may be guilty of that too. It's power. You are talking about people who have the ears of millions of young people. L: Also, when I ask how has it affected Hip Hop already, do you have any input on the history of this task force that specifically targets Hip Hop artist/groups? GM: We'll get into that later Lee, that's a lot of research you are asking for. L: Tell us about "Ying and Yang" and "Love Jones" and how important those tracks were to you. GM: They are very important to me because I think that's one of the biggest problems. A lot of people are angry for a reason and most are angry for no reason. People don't want to hear about being in love with someone. I guess they rather hear me miserable. Sorry, I will write more but I don't want to write every song about killing my people. L: What are your thoughts on the materialism, illusions and stereotypes that are perpetuated in many songs that play on the subject of love today? GM: I think that's equivalent to the songs about killing people. They fit a formula and they are not heart felt. You can feel it, you can tell when someone really means something, whether you accept it or not it's a different thing. L: I'm very impressed with the cover art of this album and I'm very interested in finding out more behind the symbolism of the crucified statue of liberty, the American flag, the dollar nailed on the cross, the barb wire and the document that is included in the background. What do those images represent? GM: The statue of liberty is the symbol of liberty. Her being crucified shows that our liberty has been taken from us. Things that we are entitled to in the constitution of the United States. She's crucified to the constitution depicting that constitution even though its the most powerful document, has no power at all. The American flag was stuffed in her mouth, showing that freedom of speech is not respected and in America, if you choose to exercise freedom of speech you will be gagged. The dollar bill is above her head to show that it's above everything else. The dollar bill says in God we trust on it. That's their true God and it really makes you feel what they mean when they say "WE". Not everyone is included in that. Barb wire is simply there to keep people away from trying to make changes. They like it this way, martial law. L: Also what are your thoughts on the upcoming election? (Question was asked prior to November 2, 2004.) GM: As you know Bush won, but him and John Kerry are Danny Devito and Arnold Schwartzenegger - twins. Bush is Danny Devito. L: How do you feel about Hip Hop's involvement if it is involved at all? GM: It's cool but I don't like when artists say "I'm not going to tell you who to vote for". I prefer when artists support their political party. It's like telling people they are going to lead them out of the fire but not tell them what door to take. L: Thank you for the interview. GM: Anything for you Lee.
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