GRYNCH
TEXT: Lydia Sprague  |||  PHOTO: Ryan Lewis

When Seattle rapper Grynch wrote his popular song “My Volvo,” he says he was not expecting the reaction it has received. The song has gained the Ballard artist relative fame in the city he’s lived in his whole life.

“It’s gotten to the point where borderline everyday someone says, ‘What’s up,’ to me who I don’t know,” Grynch said. “It’s weird, but it’s cool, because I’m like, ‘Man that’s crazy.’ I have people come up to me like, ‘Man! I had a Volvo! That was the first car I ever owned.’ And I’m thinking, man when I wrote that damn song this was not my intention. I didn’t know it was going to strike a chord with folks like that.”

The attention is well deserved for a talented rapper who’s pretty humble. When asked about his relative success in Seattle’s hip-hop scene, Grynch is quick to give props to those who have helped him in his journey. He credits Seattle rapper Sonny Bonoho as the city’s first emcee to really embrace him into the community.

“Sonny Bonoho put me in some of my first shows,” Grynch said. “He had me come to his old spot and record when I was in high school. He was actually my mentor for my senior project. From there I met folks and got more involved and was really embraced [in Seattle’s hip-hop scene].”

Grynch speaks warmly about his fellow Seattle emcees. He talks often about his love for Macklemore, Fatal Lucciauno, Fresh Espresso and others. He’s the first to admit that he isn’t the greatest rapper of all time. He loves the music and the scene, and is well respected for that. From the song “Smoke and Mirrors:”

Grynch makes feel-good hip-hop that is easy to listen to and gets a room dancing—even if there is only one person in the room. His ryhymes and music is fresh and stays fresh after several listens. It can be listened to in the car, at work, in the shower… It’s fun and versatile—even for those who aren’t huge hip-hop fans.

Grynch’s flow is solid—he can hold his own on a record and on stage, but  regularly collaborates with interesting Seattle rappers. His Chemistry EP features guest appearances by One Be Lo, Ra Scion of Common Market and Geologic of Blue Scholars.

Known by those in Seattle’s hip-hop community as the King of Ballard, Grynch makes references to the neighborhood and the gentrification it is currently experiencing.  From the song “Time:”

But Grynch has expanded his reach far out from the North Seattle neighborhood in which he dwells. He attracted a huge crowd at Bumbershoot in 2010, full of kids singing along and nodding their heads to his songs.

He works with a lot of producers and DJs to produce the beats for his tracks on record. But on stage Grynch performs with DJ Nphared.

Grynch released his third LP in early March of 2012. Entitled Perspective, it has been lauded by Seattle critics as the emcee's best work. In the past two months the Ballard emcee has been playing tons of shows in support of the new release. Over Memorial Day weekend he plays Sasquatch Music Festival 2012.

Grynch has two previous full-length records: Chemistry 1.5 released in 2009 and 2008’s My Second Wind. He, also, has a handful of EPs including The Rapping About Rapping Mixtape released in March of 2010, Chemistry in 2009, Something More in 2008.

PRESS

“Most of the time, though, Grynch had plenty of his own style, especially on the breezy 206 summer ode “Summertime” and the appropriately aggressive “When the Beast Comes Out,” which was like a battle rap only with no takers. Also good was a little a cappella interlude in which Grynch, in a sure-footed cadence, acknowledged his local buzz while examining his less than monumental place in the larger rap scheme of things.” —The Stranger

“Storytelling is turning out to be the best part of Grynch's rap game. He establishes scenery clearly and doesn't rush plot-advancement.” —Seattle Times



LINKS

+ Grynch’s Official Website
+ Grynch on Facebook
+ Grynch on Myspace



FREE DOWNLOADS

Chemistry EP

GRYNCH - "My Volvo" (Official Music Video) from Stephan Gray on Vimeo.