In 1994 gunshots took down a young man with potential to take over the world. An emcee with the moniker Mista Grimm was supposed sign with Atlantic Records for a $500,000 deal, however the ten bullets that he sustained would prevent this. “I have to say at the time I was thinking about the money and the fact that if I was to die that day, how my mother would ‘kill me’,” Grimm explains.

Prior to this tragic event, Grimm was on a fast paced rise to his rightful place in Hip Hop. MF Grimm came up with characters such as King Sun, Large Professor, neighborhood deejay Looie Loo, and Kool G Rap. The company that Grimm kept confirmed what he was put here to do. “The control the music has over me feels like a curse; I wish I was a doctor or something.”

Rewind: Born June 11th, 1970, MF Grimm grew up with what can be called an average lifestyle. Grimm was raised in Manhattan’s upper west side by his stepfather, Eddie Miller, and his mother, Minnie Miller. At six months old Grimm’s biological didn’t bother, so Eddie filled the role. Unlike most rappers, MF Grimm makes it clear that his upbringing was not an influence in the negative things he would perpetuate later in life. “My parents raised me, and taught me right from wrong,” he says. “I chose to do the negative things in my life and I have only me to blame for all of my failures.”

Financially, Eddie and Minnie did the best that they could for young Grimm. He grew up in a neighborhood mixed with Blacks, Latinos, and whites. “We were not rich, and we were not poor…my parents did the best that they could,” he explains. As stable as things seemed, the winds of change were coming, “When I started high school, that’s when I noticed the change,” Grimm continues. “My Godfather LeAndrew ‘Chico’ Batts passed away - I acted with anger and rebellion.”

MF Grimm became enthralled in the street life, only to flirt with his true calling—music. He had many opportunities to express himself in the Hip Hop community through various outlets; one of the few was journalism. MF Grimm had several columns in Right On! magazine, including ‘Grimm Reaper’s Harvest ’, ‘Rapper to Rapper’, and ‘Blast From The Past’. Unfortunately, the streets kept calling Grimm, and he left the growing world of Hip Hop journalism. “Ms. Cynthia Horner gave me the opportunity. She had faith in me, but I let her down when I stopped writing for the magazine,” he says. “At that time I was dealing with a life that wasn’t beneficial to ‘Right On!’. Ms. Horner exposed me to a honest new life and expected me to live accordingly, but at that time of my life I took it for granted like everything else in my life. Ms. Horner is family to me and scolds me for my wrong choices in life but she also lets me know it’s never too late for me to change my life. I love Cynthia - she’s a beautiful person and saw something special in me that I couldn’t see on my own.”

His romance with the criminal life could not suppress his love for Hip Hop. MF Grimm eventually appeared on Kurious Jorge’s album A Constipated Monkey, and also teamed up with his partner in rhyme, MF Doom (then Zev Luv X) on KMD’s “What A Niggy Know” remix on Elektra Records. He appeared on cuts with Kool G Rap – “4,5,6”, “Take ‘Em To War”, and “Money On The Brain”. To some this may pale in comparison to when MF Grimm went head to head with Supernatural at the World Supremacy Battle in 1993. Judges included Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs, Clark Kent, and Traci Waples. It seemed that MF Grimm was serious about his music career, but yet he was always walking that fine line between positive and negative. Earlier that day of the competition, MF Grimm was in a shootout - his gun was still warm while battling Supernatural. In Supernatural’s 60 seconds, he took his verbal skills and attacked MF Grimm. However, Grimm was not pressed. “He entertained the crowd, the crowd was amused. I didn’t do that. I was spitting street venom; there was nothing amusing about my rhymes. I was there to get a deal,” Grimm explains. “I had plans to get the ones I loved out of the streets. I was living a crazy life, it was always drama…I escaped that drama through my music.”

MF Grimm lost the battle against Supernatural and took third in the contest. He says optimistically, “Supernatural is a talented brother, if I had to lose, at least I lost to who was considered the best in the world that year.”

Unfortunately, things were not that positive within the next year for Grimm. He ultimately survived the gunshot wounds – but not without paying a price. Although he gained back all of his upper body strength and motor skills, the gifted emcee is now bound to a wheelchair. The physical shortcomings didn’t stop him, for he attempted deals with labels such as Loud, Tommy Boy, Columbia, and Capitol Records. Most of the deals were close to being finalized, but because he was in a wheelchair, the deals were nixed. “Marketing deals with creativity - and somehow my disability gave the so-called professional ‘creative minds’ a mental block,” says Grimm. These perceived setbacks were key motivators in MF Grimm’s future. He went on to team up with friends to form Day By Day Entertainment.

Tragically, Grimm’s karma has brought him into the prison system. Grimm’s memories of getting arrested strangely refer to another artist. “Kelis. I love her,” he states. “It’s funny because when I was apprehended I just bought her first CD. I got in the car, put the CD in, and pressed play. Then about 40 cars, undercovers, etc. surrounded me with their guns, and I didn’t get a chance to listen. Now I’m in jail facing 15 to life and all I could think about was her CD. The first thing I did when I got bailed out was listen to her album. I’m glad she’s off of Virgin Records - they didn’t understand her. Kelis and I are from the same planet. If I could get five minutes of her time to converse, I’d change her life forever.”

MF Grimm is currently serving his bid at Arthur Kill Correctional Facility, but not without releasing his critically acclaimed album, Downfall of Ibliys: A Ghetto Opera. In Islam, Ibliys is a fallen angel who falls from grace because of his arrogance and hatred for man. The CD is semi-biographic, except Grimm is no longer an enemy of man. “My mind state changed but I’m aware that Satan will always try to whisper in my ear. It’s up to me to respond to that whisper. The flesh is weak, I strive to be strong and surround myself with positive human beings.”

He has been stripped of everything, even relationships, “I had someone special in my life, but no longer. I do thank her for the time she did spend with me—I wish her the best, she deserves it.”

Currently, MF Grimm is holding his head. He spends his time playing chess, writing, reading, and conversating with others. Grimm is currently in the appeal process, and he’s not giving up. He realizes that he can’t keep everyone from the streets with his story. “I feel it’s important to stress the fact to all who choose to live that life: respect the rules. I’ve been in situations where people tried to kill me and I get at them, and they can’ t handle it and run to the police. Cops running up inside my house at 4:30A.M., trying to get me. Respect the game, even when the game don’t respect you!” Grimm reiterates.

The current stable of emcees bragging about being in the belly of the beast has left a bit of a sour taste in his mouth. MF Grimm stresses, “Certain emcees make it seem like prison is the place to be and you’re not a man until you go to prison, but it takes a stronger man to walk the right path and not stray off for an easy life. Most emcees be screaming that type of stuff out have never been to prison before and if they did they were in protective custody.”

On a positive note, MF Grimm is not alone in this. His soul brother MF Doom, Ms. Dionne Farris (formerly of Arrested Development), Raynashine, and Count Bass D are artists on Day By Day Entertainment, and are in his corner. To this day, MF Grimm refuses to give up. “My goal is to be the first emcee in a wheelchair on the cover of a magazine. That would be a part of Hip Hop history. I don’t feel like I’ve accomplished anything until that happens.”

MF Grimm has maintained his goals but names his muse outside of the culture. “I want to meet an intelligent, beautiful woman, get married, have children, and watch them grow. That’s my inspiration, maybe it will come true, if not, so be it.”

Life has been a whirlwind of sorts for MF Grimm. He’s lost many friends to the streets, as well as opportunities for himself, yet he keeps moving and stays focused. Grimm has been clear on what he wants with himself, but doesn't lose vision for the next generation of Hip Hoppers, “To all you children reading this: Respect your parents; money comes and goes, but when your parents go, that’s it. So enjoy them while they’re here and honor them. Show love to your fellow human beings. Being a tough guy is overrated.”

With an album already dubbed ‘classic’ under his belt, hopes for an appeal, and a strong support group, things are starting to look up for MF Grimm. Don ’t be confused, he doesn’t want your pity. As a matter of fact, he’s as selfless as they come. When asked about himself, or any last things he wants to say, he utters, “Find time to go to a children’s hospital and visit those with terminal illnesses. There’s orphans [out there] who feel no one gives a fuck about them; show them that they are wrong! Time is running out on us all, please use it wisely. All we have is each other, so teach the babies…I just hope my words have motivated at least one person.”

Words by Joseph Mandat jmandat2001@hotmail.com

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