Interview: Illinois Based Artist Griffin Bars Discusses His New Track "Dividends", Featuring Rockie Fresh
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“When I saw the success Hopsin and Funk Volume had achieved at an independent level, that’s when I realized that it may indeed be possible to get myself in the industry. Especially now that I have this story to tell about my upbringing, I needed to get back at it.”
What are some things/people/places that have inspired you as an artist as you write and record your songs?
I’ve been influenced by so many great artists. Lil Wayne’s energy and lyricism I think really sealed the deal for me wanting to be a rapper at such a young age. Then I began writing and realized I wasn’t too bad at it. Kept going and I got better and better.
Around 15 I stopped everything when I entered the foster care system. More so because I didn’t really have a way to make or listen to music easily. In my last year in the system I was re introduced to hip hop by a friend of mine who wasn’t in the system. When I saw the success Hopsin and Funk Volume had achieved at an independent level, that’s when I realized that it may indeed be possible to get myself in the industry. Especially now that I have this story to tell about my upbringing, I needed to get back at it.
Above everything else, my biggest inspiration is the kids who are currently in the system. I want to be the example for the foster youth that you can achieve whatever you want despite your past situation.
Congratulations on the release of your new song "Dividends", featuring Rockie Fresh. How did you connect with Rockie and how did you decide on the instrumental provided by Nathan Spieser?
Me and Rockie connected via Instagram late 2021. After some conversations we decided a collaboration was the move. The beat was sent to me a couple weeks prior to connecting with Rockie, I was stumped on the 2nd verse.
I sent a pack over to Rockie and he absolutely killed that second verse. Which worked out perfectly because I no longer had to come up with a second verse.
With "Dividends" now released, what can we expect to hear or see next from you? Also, will "Dividends" be appearing on an upcoming EP or album this year? If so, what can you tell us about it?
“Dividends” will be on my first project “Lamborghini Day Dreams”. I will say though, it is a real dream come true having Rockie fresh on my album. I’ve always thought that he’s a great representation of the non drill Chicago rap scene and hip hop as a genre in general.
Aside from dividends, there are 11 other tracks on the project. Some songs are upbeat and go hard and on some songs I talk about my experiences in the foster care system and other struggles I’ve faced. We can expect to see that drop in the summer of 2022.
What do you look for in the beats that you decide to write to, and where do you generally find them?
I work with a few producers who send me beats regularly. When I hear a beat I really think I can do something with, it’s almost like it writes itself.
Seriously I just start thinking of bars and before i know it. We gotta verse, then another and another and then a hook. And it’s a wrap.
We're four months into a new year; what are some of your goals musically for the rest of 2022?
2022 plans include dropping “Lamborghini Day Dreams. Some music videos for the project, and live events. The goals remain the same tho, make an impact and get the bag.
Stream and Share “Dividends” on Soundcloud
Connect with Griffin Bars: Instagram