7 Things You Need To Know About MF GRIMM’s Return

Published by Tyler Hakes on June 7, 2010 at 10:00 am

Percy Carey, better known by his self-appointed title, MF GRIMM, is preparing to step back into the world of hip hop. After an almost-four-year hiatus, his new album and graphic novel, You Only Live Twice: The Audio Graphic Novel, is set to hit shelves on June 8. The MC has been followed throughout his career by a past riddled with problems, beefs and tragedy. The loss of his brother, his own paralysis, his incarceration, and many other hardships faced Carey — who started out his career as a child actor on Sesame Street — throughout his life.

The New York MC who used to kicked it with Dr. Dre and was shot on the day he was supposed to sign a deal with Atlantic Records has come out of these tribulations with his head held high. Even after a long-lasting lyrical shoot-out between Carey and his old friend and collaborator, DOOM (formerly, MF DOOM), he seems at peace and ready to reenter the game as a new man.

I got the chance to chop it up with GRIMM about his album, we discussed his life and how he’s changed. After the interview I came up with a list of eight things that were shared with me that will help our readers — and all of GRIMM’s fans — better understand him as a person, and this album as his masterpiece.

1. He Thought He Was Done

After The Hunt For The Gingerbread Man dropped in 2007, he thought he was done making rap records. In fact, after his ground-breaking triple disc, American Hunger, in 2006, he said he was focusing on TV.

“At the time, my sister had passed away and I was going through a lot of personal moments,” he said, “so I was at the point where I wasn’t interested anymore. I was just focused on comic books and television.” The MC went on to write for various magazines, including Marc Ecko’s Complex, about comic books and graphic novels and then worked with DC Comics. “I wasn’t sure if there was anything else I could bring to the rap game. If you can’t bring anything else to the game, then it’s time for you to get out to make space for upcoming MCs.”

He decided it was time for him to come back after reading books on being a writer. He learned to tap into his creativity, he said. “It took four years for me to cope with my sister’s passing,” he told me, “So, I wanted to make a hybrid to show my appreciation [for graphic novels]. An audio graphic novel. I wanted people to see with their ears and hear with their eyes.”

2. He’s Not The Same MF GRIMM

“I try not to go back. I don’t want to be seen as the drug dealer my whole life,” he said somberly. He explained how he’s come to grips with the fact that children from around the world hold him up as a role model in many ways. “I get feedback from all over the globe. Serbia, Germany, places where, as I understand, it’s a lot harder. Lebanon — where kids are stepping on bombs — I get mail all the time from kids all over the globe. Kids who have either read my book or understand the choices I’ve made. And, they know I’m trying to come back, that’s really what my focus is right now: Giving back. I took so much for so long. I owe them.”

“I took so much for so long. I owe them.”

3. He Wants His Fans To Understand He’s Not The Same

When asked if it’s been hard for him to leave his old life behind, he said it’s probably more difficult for his fans to move forward. “I think it’s harder for the audience to accept if you evolve. People want to hear you rapping about picking up a gun and hitting a guy in the head.”

“I’m more conscious of children looking up to me now. I know a lot of rappers say ‘I’m not a father, it ain’t my responsibility,’ but back in the day the village used to raise the children,” he said. “That’s just me speaking. I’m not speaking for anybody else.”

“Look, when I came into this I was a kid — 14 — now, like I just told you, I’m going on 40. Would you expect the same things from someone going on 40?”