Talent: Rappers
Single: "Here We Go"  
Label: 5e/Gotee/EMI
Contact: www.grits7.com
               www.myspace.com/officialgrits

GRITS have been hip-hop's best-kept secret long enough. Rolling into 2004, this Tennessee rap combo tackles a primetime platform with the one-two punch of back-to-back albums, DICHOTOMY A (June 29) and DICHOTOMY B (November 2).

GRITS, who sold a career-best 125,000 copies of 2002's ART OF TRANSLATION, further elevate their rap game as DICHOTOMY A and B slam out their most assertive, club-banging tracks yet. Though setting out to make just one album, the duo's creative spree produced so many innovative new songs that the label insisted they press on, even if the final output required two full-length releases. In the end, the DICHOTOMY albums retained GRITS' radio-ready touches, but the energy level got cranked up to turn clubs upside down.

Says Bonafide of the new discs, "Past albums had a good balance of urban with a mass appeal, but this time we did songs that are predominately more aggressive. We just went for it with the beats, rhythms, and feel. We did a record that gave our music a fresh breath of life." "People slave at their jobs all week long. When they get out to kick it, they want to kick it hard, and they need the music to match how they're feeling."

Though highlighted by such anthems as "I Be" and "Bobbin Bouncing," DICHOTOMY A and B ultimately cover the whole spectrum of urban music, from the soulful vibe of "Pardon Me Yo" to the dancehall flavor of "Gutter Boy." The albums, produced by GRITS and Otto Price, also feature thematic diversity such as "Hittin' Curves" to celebrating life with the '70s soul-flavored "Get Down." Overall, the foundation clearly reflects their southern roots, though lyrically the group's east coast influences come through in the intensity of the rhymes themselves.

"Our lives are reflected in our music, and that's the bottom line," explains Bonafide, whose everyman affinity helps empower the lyric's spiritual themes. "That's the essence of GRITS. We just do us and keep it as real as possible, and that's why our songs are so personal." "We never put on airs once we get on stage or do interviews," adds Coffee. "We aren't up there mean mugging and trying to be the rawest thing out. Young people often think you're no rapper if you don't got the bling bling, but we want to show that you can be successful without perpetuating stereotypes."

Rolling back the calendars, Coffee originally made his mark coming up in the local Atlanta scene, while Bonafide cut his emcee teeth with a group down in Jacksonville, Florida. As fate found both rappers relocating to Nashville, Bonafide and Coffee (their parking tickets read Teron Carter and Stacy Jones, respectively) came together to form GRITS in 1993. Eventually signing with Gotee Records, the duo dropped their rookie bow MENTAL RELEASES in 1995 and followed with FACTORS OF SEVEN two years later. GRITS scored a major national breakthrough with the remarkable 1999 disc GRAMMATICAL REVOLUTION. Among other accolades, the album earned the group a Billboard Video Award and an appearance on the nationally syndicated radio show Sway & Tech.

While GRAMMATICAL REVOLUTION established GRITS as underground icons, ART OF TRANSLATION solidified the group's assent as one of hip-hop's hottest new rising stars. The 2002 disc set new sales records, inspired a remix with Talib Kweli, and landed its hit "Here We Go" in the Jack Nicholson film "Something's Gotta Give." The disc also added spins to GRITS' radio-video track record, which includes cracking MTV2's Top 10 Most Requested and Top 5 Handpicked and climbing countless hip-hop charts including Gavin, CMJ, Hits, and PAJ (where they set a ten-week record at number one). Moreover, the immediacy of GRITS' music worked well on the small screen landing placements in such shows as America's Next Top Model, Pop Stars, Boston Public, Resurrection Boulevard, BET's Rap City, The Real World, Tough Enough, and MTV Cribs. Uses in other entertainment mediums include Disney's Extreme Skate Video and the video game NBA Jams.

With each new album growing in momentum, GRITS also found themselves sharing stages with such top artists as OutKast, Jay-Z, Nappy Roots, Ice Cube, DJ Shadow, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Goodie Mob, and Monica. Of course, the press didn't miss a beat either praising GRITS in the pages of XXL, Spin, Vibe, Billboard, The Source, URB, Rap Pages, and Rap Sheet.

As support continues swelling from all mediums and outlets, GRITS prove that the streets can't keep a secret when the talent looms so large. Surpassing all expectations, the DICHOTOMY albums bring more mainstream exposure to hip-hop's life-affirming alternatives, that is, renaissance rappers with genuine style and spiritually uplifting joints. For those ready for some bobbin' and bouncing, GRITS delivers a double dose of positive party music that honors real people and real hip-hop through powerful emcee anthems.

"When we get a bunch of people together in a room, it's time to let loose, be yourselves, and have a good time," says Coffee. "GRITS is all about getting involved and having a celebration."

Which member am I speaking with?

This is Bonafide and Coffee is right here next to me.

Where are you guys from?

Me, I’m actually from Jacksonville, Florida but I’ve been in Nashville for about 15 years now.  But Jacksonville is my home. As a group we are based out of Nashville.

How many members does the group consist of?

It’s two of us.  It’s me, Bonafide and Coffee.

How did you guys get the name Grits?

Grits came about because it means Grammatical Revolution In The Spirit. It’s where we are from and that’s the south.  It’s a representation of what you can get in the south.  It basically has dual meanings.

I hear that you guys are putting out two albums this year? What made you guys want to put out two albums in less then six months?

Really we’re putting out one main solid record.  We are putting out a tester album which is gonna be like the 7 album but The Redemption is what is gonna come out maybe like in November. We are just getting the songs out there.  We are giving the people testers and letting them vibe so that we do have the right single when its time to put it out there. 

You said that it’s a tester but what separates the July album and the November album?

Well the July record is like a reintroduction of us.  Some of the songs we’ve released before on a much smaller level.  So we kind of revised some of those and did some remixes and there are some completely brand new joints on there.  So it’s basically to get it out there and get it into the peoples hands.  The November album is for the fans.  We like to call the July one, our industry album. 

Tell me a little about "Dem Tennessee Bwoys Tour".

It was something that we wanted to do for our fans.  We brought some other artist out to introduce.  It was some cats that we strongly believe in and we support.  We wanted to make a spiritual influence to make our mark.  Everybody is doing their thing but this is something that we wanted to offer that was a little different and something that people can bring their kids to and be comfortable with it. 

You speak a lot about your music being a spiritual influence.  What kind of hip-hop do you guys do?

It’s just hip-hop.  We like to call it, that straight laced hip hop from the area of like Tribe Called Quest to Mos Def.  It ain’t ganasta but to me any hiphop is street.  Those are the ears that really listen to hip hp. 

Don’t you guys have a clothing line out?

Right now we are working on getting our textures right and the right material.  We want to introduce it by the spring of 2007.  

Do you have an idea where we would be able to pick it up?

Not right now but hopefully we’ll be able to get it into some of your boutique spots that has exclusive stuff because we’re really not trying to make a real commercial brand. We want it to be something that’s exclusive and that’s dope. 

  With all the music that you guys are recording, how do you manage to run your clothing line?

The music with us is like our lifeline.  It doesn’t take us long to put together albums.  With the clothing line, that’s just commanding your brand.  You gotta diversify your portfolio in this game.  You can’t just be on the music and think you’re gonna be around for a long time. 

What do you guys say when people say that you guys sound a little like Outkast?

I beg to differ.  I don’t see where we sound like Outkast.  The only similarity is that we are two guys that consist of a group of guys that have two different styles.  You really couldn’t pick out any of your songs and go yep yall sound like Outkast.  We meet them cats and have done shows with them and its all respect.  Its like saying that Jezzy sounds like T.I.  People will have their comparisons but you know what, I’ll take that comparison because they are like one of the greatest groups ever to put it down. 

Even though you guys have several Grammy nominations and have opened and toured with big name people, do you feel that your music is still under appreciated?

I think its more under exposed then under appreciated.  We are on an independent label and the distribution is a little limited. Its limited on when they want to put it out and what they want to put out.  Its even how they shelf it. With the album The Redemption that’s coming out in November, we are trying to get more exposure.  People have heard our music but don’t even know that they are listening to us.  We have a new song in the Fast and Furious movie right now and had the same sound in Big Mommas House too.  Its just a little under exposed when it comes to the business side of it. 

Besides the albums, and the clothing line, what else can we expect from Grits in the next couple of months?

Probably just more and more music.  We are trying to hit the game real hard and get expose to different markets.  We are basically concentrating on getting our music out there and getting the name out there on a greater level.  We want to win people first instead of selling them a bunch of junk.  Listen to it and give it a chance.  Embrace it and grow with it.