The 6'4", slim in build, Five Grand (b.k.a. Greazie) grew up in the rough neighborhoods of West Philadelphia. He would start his music career at the age of 9, forming a group with 2 of his childhood friends, one becoming his partner now at the Global Recording Group. Three years later they signed to a Philadelphia based independent record company called Mecca Entertainment. Before the CEOs arraignment, Five Grand would gain some minimal exposure opening shows for Channel Live, Black Moon, and Mad Lion with the assistance of Chris Ramos and KRS-One at Front Page Management.
In 1996, to avoid the hustler environment of his hometown that he saw so many of his peers fall victim to, Five Grand would travel down south to attend Clark Atlanta University in pursuit of a career in Electrical Engineering. After curtailing his matriculation at CAU in 97, he decided it was time to go back to his musical roots. With the sudden return to Philadelphia, he found himself being lured into the very street life he was trying to escape from. And in 97 following the lost of three of his closest friends to street violence, Five Grand started the independent record company, the Global Recording Group, with his partner Allen Prezie Stokes. A bachelor degree in business legal studies/marketing would be sufficient ammunition needed for Allen Stokes to lend his business expertise in the rise of the independent conglomerate. Their intentions are to learn from their predecessors and succeed in todays music industry. Within the first year of operation, they were able to assist their company with getting the first single, G.L.O.B.A.L., in slight rotation on WUSLs Power 99 FM Battle of the Beats with Colby Colb and Q-Deezy. Now, with the addition of Juwan Lee (acclaimed music video director) & Benny Boom as business mentor, the sky is definitely the limit for Global Recording Group.
Five Grands style of rap gives you a vivid description on how life is trying to be a successful entrepreneur, scarcely eluding the temptations of the streets. His songs reflect the struggle of a young man caught in the midst of many positive and negative influences; the positives being provided by his academic background and the negatives stemming from his numerous personal experiences with street life. He really defines the thin line street hustlers accost when juggling two lifestyles, simultaneously pledging to give listeners all possible outcomes when dealing with the streets. While not limiting himself, his is able to depict clear images of his experiences enjoying the city night life with his crew on more radio friendly tracks. His goal is to be able to control every emotion of his audience with each song whether it be melancholy or club influenced.
The many inspirations of Five Grand can be credited to artist of the past like Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, and KRS-One to artist of present times like The Notorious B.I.G., 2pac, Jay-Z, Nas, Eminem, and 50 Cent. If you had to compare Five Grand to the artist of today, the only one that comes to mind whos stylistically similar would be Jay-Z.
Five Grand is due to release his mixtape, The Ransom hosted by The Affiliates, a street album SIN CITY in the middle of the third quarter, 06. His debut album, The Grand Life is set to be release by the first quarter of 07.
