They’re calling Nick Grant the savior of hip-hop, and he’s only getting started. This battle-rapping prodigy from SC is a viable threat to mediocre rappers, and just “a step away from legendary.” Grant formalized his management in 2014 with Jason Geter, president of Grand Hustle Records in Atlanta, which was famously co-founded by T.I. Two major groups have adopted Grant as their star-to-be, Culture Republic and Epic Records. His newest album, “Return of the Cool,” dropped Jan. 13 of this year.
After numerous mixtapes and eps, “Return of the Cool” is Grant’s breakout project, featuring a variety of tempos, textures, and techniques. Grant’s lyrics are buoyed by a novel selection of beats, produced by the likes Dj Khalil, Karriem Riggins, and Organized Noize. Unlike Grant’s prior releases, ROTC received mixed reviews. For his first full-length album, it was regrettably under-promoted and has yet to find traction in the mainstream. However, Grant’s supporters, which include Nas, Talib Kweli, and Andre 3000, couldn’t be more enthusiastic about his potential. ROTC is just a few weeks old, and could still bring Grant the recognition he deserves. Vibe Magazine named Grant a “true southern gentleman,” “rooted in realness,” and ranked him on their 10 Artists to Watch in 2017. Artists like DJ Khaled, Ludacris, and Charlemagne Tha God have also praised ROTC on social media.
Prior to his first official release, Grant made a series of appearances on some of the most acclaimed hip-hop shows, from Hot 97 to the BET awards. One of these was Sway in the Morning, where Grant was praised as “the golden ticket” by Sway himself. Grant was swiftly compared to Kendrick, Nas, and Nasir Jones by the cast for his presence and humble demeanor. His freestyle left the room speechless, which starts 24 minutes in here:
There’s no fear in Grant’s rap, he’s tenacious and unapologetically talented. He casually flips taboos into lyrical trifles and embraces non-conventionality; something many commercial rappers cannot or will not attempt. He speaks critically about hip-hop culture and society and exposes contradictions in both. While his contemporaries catch heat for their pseudo-intellectualism, Grant flows without pretension. His delivery is penetrating, and his symbols are as authentic as his skill. Artists and fans alike are anxious to see Grant’s advance on the scene, and people love giving him press cause he’s the real deal. Maybe you haven’t heard Nick Grant yet, but you can bet many “higher ups” are already tuned in.
Grant made his cable TV debut Jan. 17 on Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show,” with a tribute to MLK Jr. Watch the performance here:
Grant recently interviewed with Rap Radar on Jan. 24 where he speaks about his plans and ambitions for 2017.
Experience Nick’s music below!
