Posted by In this interview, we sit down with hip-hop recording artist JaeFrmJerz and producer Grimm Doza to get an inside look at their creative process behind the long-awaited project “GRIMMJERZ 2.” From the influences that shaped their style to the streets that molded their perspective, they break down what drives their music and how their Jersey upbringings continue to fuel their art. Here’s how it went down, exclusively on Rap Olympus Media.
Introduce yourself to the people.
[JaeFrmJerz] My stage name is JaeFrmJerz. I’m a rapper/producer from Jersey City, N.J, Hudson County to be exact. I’ve been rapping for almost 20 years & producing for about 10. Honestly, my inspiration comes from everywhere. My parents had different tastes in music, so I listened to a variety of genres growing up. Some of my musical inspirations are The Lox, Curren$y, and Beanie Sigel.
[Grimm Doza] What’s good, it’s Grimm Doza. I’m a producer and artist from South Orange, New Jersey. I’ve been creating music for about 13 years now. I got into rapping and started using FL Studio at the age of 14, setting the foundation for everything that came after.
In what ways has your environment influenced your style and perspective as an artist?
[JaeFrmJerz] Well, I grew up in the same neighborhood my entire life, never really moved anywhere. I bounced between my dad’s and grandparents’ houses on the weekend, but they all lived in Jersey City. I feel my environment shaped everything about me, down to my name. I’ve seen and experienced so much with my time here, and I’ve traveled almost all of America. There’s nowhere I’ve been that’s like New Jersey, just like there’s no one like a New Jersey artist.
Is there a specific emotion you try to capture in your production?
[Grimm Doza] It really depends on my mood—there’s no single emotion driving it, but whatever I’m feeling naturally flows into the music.
What made this the right moment to bring GRIMMJERZ 2 to the people?
[JaeFrmJerz] To be honest, Doza and I felt like it wasn’t complete until this point. When I work on a project, I build it from the ground up until I have all the pieces. Over the last five years, we recorded countless records. I feel like once we got back from our Japan tour last year, it put the battery in our backs. We completed 5-6 more records, and boom, album time.
If you had to pick one song to represent the project, which would it be and why?
[Grimm Doza] It’s tough to pick just one, but if I had to, I’d go with SS3. Overall, it captures the essence of our sound.
Was your writing process any different this time around?
[JaeFrmJerz] 100% different. Before, I would write to 3 or 4 beats before I recorded anything. I’m managing my time more efficiently so I can be more productive with my music. I’ll go through beats until something inspires me, and I’ll write & record everything in that time frame.
What advice would you give an upcoming producer working on a collaborative project with an artist?
[Grimm Doza] My advice to an upcoming producer doing a collab tape is to make sure you and the artist have chemistry and take your time when creating. Things can take years sometimes, but it’s worth it in the end.
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YOUTUBE | JAEFRMJERZ | GRIMM DOZA
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