Grimm was an experienced battle rapper and placed at the World Supremacy Battle of 1993. That year, he released his first 12” single, So Whatcha Want Nigga? as The Grimm Reaper and performed at the Jack The Rapper convention on Execution Night, sharing the stage with Lady of Rage, 2Pac, and Tha Dogg Pound, in Atlanta.
"It was in a snowstorm, a blizzard. An hour before, I was getting prepared to go to Atlantic Records to get signed for a half million dollars. I was coming out of the barbershop and jumped into the car my brother was driving. They shot the car up. My brother got killed. The first [bullet] I remember was on my side. As soon as it went into my body, it collapsed both lungs. I remember that one clear as day. The closest thing I can think of for the feeling is like how Superman would burn laser beams out of his eyes. It was that much heat, internally, trying to come out through my eyes. One went in my neck, ricocheted in my head and came out my mouth. Like a TV short-circuiting, it was like static in my head. The rest of them—side, arm, back—I don’t remember as much."
"Death is something I never feared, but it did wake me up. You realize how weak you really are. Life has a higher calling beyond the physical aspect. I was pronounced dead for a moment. I woke up and there was an officer over me. I was in the ambulance with detectives. I’m strapped down, I’m bleeding, dying. All I can tell you is when I was pronounced dead, I did go somewhere. I’ve seen things it would be hard to explain. The place I was going, I was at peace and it was bliss. But I had to come back. It was one of the biggest disappointments for a while. But that was my journey, coming back here and getting another opportunity. Paralysis, which is like purgatory, was a bitter blessing. But it put me on my path to try to become a better human being."
"The physical body is just a puppet. It’s not who I am. I never knew myself. Before this happened, I was already paralyzed—but it was just my brain. When someone is blind, their other senses kick in. It happens with paralysis as well. I can feel things that other people might not realize I can feel. Originally, I was blind in the right eye, deaf in the right ear. I couldn’t talk. I was paralyzed from the neck down. Since then my feelings have come back."
"I don’t remember how to walk, though. It’s my own fault for not staying on top of remembering how to walk, but I do have a great chance of walking again. It took a moment not to view this totally selfishly. I’m in this for a reason, for other people to learn from it. I’m not an angel—I’ve done a lot of shit. I’ve been on the other side of the gun. It’s nothing to glorify. At the time this happened, I was getting label deal When I got shot, the labels all wanted to separate from me. Now it’s part of your deal."
In the late 90s, he founded his record label/international distribution company, Day By Day Entertainment, with the intention of supporting and releasing independent artists. At around the same time, he put together his Godzilla-inspired MC collective, the Monsta Island Czars.
In 2000, Grimm was sentenced to life in prison for conspiracy and narcotics charges. His debut LP "The Downfall of Ibliys: A Ghetto Opera" was recorded by Grimm in 24 hours, out on a $100,000 bail for one day.
In jail, Grimm studied law and filed many counter-suits and eventually got his sentence reduced to only 3 years. Grimm is currently a free man.
He has since completed his sophomore album "Digital Tears: E-mail from Purgatory" under his M.I.C. moniker Superstar Jet Jaguar. Grimm recently released his third album, American Hunger, the first triple album in hop hop history to critical acclaim. De La Soul attempted to to the same with the AOI project, but record label restrictions and time issues forced them to abandon the idea. American Hunger was originally supposed to be released on July 3 2006 but was pushed back allowing him to address recent issues that were not previously on the album and due to the US Government threatening court action if Grimm didn't remove some George W. Bush vocal samples.
MF Grimm recently added the GM title (Grand Master) to his name, sometimes going by GM or sometime MF. The MF stands for Mad Flows or Master of Flows.
Grimm has hinted at being one of the ghost writers on Dr. Dre's The Chronic.
Fame
MF Grimm Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"You don't know nothing do you?
That's the beauty of gold
It never tarnishes
Lasts forever, too
You can melt it down, pound it, twist it, piss on it
But it's always the same gold
It was here long before we were and it'll be here a long time after we're gone
[Verse 1:]
If you cry under fire then you wasn't built for war
If a pimp take you girl then your girl was never yours
Mental kickboxer, still test jaws
I'm Grandmaster, Grimm Reaper
Feds snooping at door like Mr. Roper
Monitored cause talented like Mr. Ripley
State frustrated, hated, can't get me
The Gingerbread Man but for short call me Gingy
Suicidal, jump right in a glass of milk
I'm made of dough so watch a nigga swell
I could never fall apart cause mad is the flow
You could never ever take my crown, I'll kill you at a show
Hit stars with guns, make 'em see stars
Hit cops with dum-dums, trying to be smart
Gotta lay him down, didn't know he was a narc
Gingerbread man but I have a stone heart
Payback extortion from fraternal order
Informant sent letter to D.A. with tracing paper
With invisible ink, trapped in magic library
I wanna scream but it's a secret indictment
Judge whistle Dixie from excitement
The law is a lefty, so where the rights went?
Pain on display for world like David Blaine
True crime stories but they think I entertain
A man with a dream with plans to make cream, cream, cream
I want the money fuck the fame
A man with a dream with plans to make cream, cream, cream
I want the money fuck the fame
A man with a dream with plans to make cream, cream, cream
I want the money fuck the fame
A man with a dream with plans to make cream, cream, cream
I want the money, I want the money, I want the money
[Verse 2:]
Are you down with so and so?
What's your gimmick?
Nothing, my life is lyrics so I spit it
When murder is something that you become accustomed to
Taking a life just don't fuck with you
House niggas faceless, buried in field of potters
Field niggas found shelter, now squatters
If eyes are the window to soul, then why am I squinting?
My face is on the money that I'm printing, strike a pose
Wanna take life, strike my foes
I rolled through Hell and it froze
My halo got burnt but it still glows
I'm not on my feet but I stay on my toes
If we ain't cool then that's the way it goes
Forget all the kid shit fucking with a grown man
Niggas running around fantasizing like they're Peter Pan
Your life's a scam and I'm a fuck it up like Neverland
A man with a dream with plans to make cream, cream, cream
I want the money fuck the fame
A man with a dream with plans to make cream, cream, cream
I want the money fuck the fame
A man with a dream with plans to make cream, cream, cream
I want the money fuck the fame
A man with a dream with plans to make cream, cream, cream
I want the money, I want the money, I want the money
All that other shit is overrated
I want the money
Cash
[Sample from "Trespass":]
"I don't know what this stuff is anymore
God's gold, our gold, fool's gold
What we can do is take as many of them as we can and hope for the best"
"What about trading the gold to 'em for our safety? "
"They'd kill us anyway
I would if I was them
Truth is Vince I don't see any way we're gonna get out of here quiet"
A man with a dream with plans to make cream, cream, cream, cream cream
The song "Fame" by MF Grimm explores the artist's desire for wealth and success, while navigating the violent world of crime and corruption. The opening sample from the film "Trespass" serves as an extended metaphor for the allure of fame and fortune. The quote compares gold to fame, stating that it lasts forever and can never truly be tarnished or destroyed. This sets the tone for the rest of the song, as MF Grimm describes his own desire for success and money as an unyielding force that drives him forward, despite the danger and violence that comes with it.
In the first verse, MF Grimm references his own experiences with law enforcement, describing the constant state of surveillance and monitoring that he lives under. He also alludes to his own involvement in criminal activities, describing the violent acts he has committed against both law enforcement officers and other criminals. Throughout the song, MF Grimm paints a picture of a dangerous and ruthless world, where the pursuit of money and power can lead to destruction and chaos.
The second verse takes a more introspective turn, as MF Grimm reflects on the real cost of his actions. He references the divide between those who have wealth and those who do not, describing the ways that the pursuit of money can lead to a loss of identity and a sense of self. He also touches on themes of betrayal and loyalty, implying that those who are not true to him will face his wrath. The final line of the song, "All that other shit is overrated, I want the money," serves as a final statement on the importance of material success in the world of the song.
Overall, "Fame" is a complex exploration of the desire for success, the allure of money and fame, and the violence and danger that often accompanies these pursuits.
Line by Line Meaning
If you cry under fire then you wasn't built for war
If you can't handle pressure, then you are not a fighter
If a pimp take you girl then your girl was never yours
If a pimp can take your girl, then she was never really loyal to you
Mental kickboxer, still test jaws
I'm tough mentally and can still take on any challenge physically
I'm Grandmaster, Grimm Reaper
I am the supreme ruler and bring death to those who oppose me
Feds snooping at door like Mr. Roper
The authorities are watching me closely like a nosy neighbor
Monitored cause talented like Mr. Ripley
I am being monitored because of my talent and abilities like in the movie 'The Talented Mr. Ripley'
State frustrated, hated, can't get me
The government is frustrated with me, hates me, but can't catch me or bring me down
The Gingerbread Man but for short call me Gingy
I am like the Gingerbread Man because I am elusive, cannot be caught, and have a hardened exterior
Suicidal, jump right in a glass of milk
I have a death wish and would jump into a glass of milk, which represents death and nothingness
I'm made of dough so watch a nigga swell
I have many layers holding me together, like dough, so don't underestimate me or I will rise up and overpower you
I could never fall apart cause mad is the flow
I will never break down because my rhymes and style are too powerful and strong
You could never ever take my crown, I'll kill you at a show
I am the king of rap and no one can take my place, and I will prove it by killing any challenger during a performance
Hit stars with guns, make 'em see stars
I will shoot at celebrities and make them see stars, both literally and figuratively
Hit cops with dum-dums, trying to be smart
I will take down police officers with my powerful ammunition, even if they think they are smart or cunning
Gotta lay him down, didn't know he was a narc
I had to kill a fellow criminal who turned informant, not realizing he was working with the authorities
Gingerbread man but I have a stone heart
I may seem innocent and sweet like the Gingerbread Man, but I have a cold and hardened heart
Payback extortion from fraternal order
I am getting revenge on a secret society that extorted me or betrayed me in some way
Informant sent letter to D.A. with tracing paper
An informant sent a letter to the district attorney with tracing paper to hide their handwriting
With invisible ink, trapped in magic library
The letter may have been written in invisible ink to avoid detection, and it may be stored in a secret or hard-to-find location like a magic library
I wanna scream but it's a secret indictment
I want to reveal the injustice being done to me, but there is a secret indictment or legal action taken against me that prevents me from speaking out
Judge whistle Dixie from excitement
The judge is excited about putting me away and is figuratively whistling Dixie, a southern song about happiness, as a form of joy
The law is a lefty, so where the rights went?
The law seems to be left-leaning, favoring certain parties, so I wonder where the rights and fairness went
Pain on display for world like David Blaine
My suffering and pain are being publicly displayed, like in the tricks performed by magician David Blaine
True crime stories but they think I entertain
My real-life crimes are being turned into entertainment, and people don't realize the seriousness or impact of my actions
A man with a dream with plans to make cream, cream, cream
I am a man with big aspirations to make lots of money
I want the money fuck the fame
I am more concerned with making money than gaining fame or attention
Are you down with so and so? What's your gimmick?
People keep asking me about my associations and what makes me unique or different
Nothing, my life is lyrics so I spit it
My life is like a song, and I express myself through my lyrics
When murder is something that you become accustomed to
I have become desensitized to murder and it has become a regular part of my life
Taking a life just don't fuck with you
Killing someone no longer affects me emotionally
House niggas faceless, buried in field of potters
Those who are subservient and obedient are faceless and forgotten, buried in forgotten graveyards
Field niggas found shelter, now squatters
Those who are rebellious or independent have found a way to survive but are now squatting or living in makeshift homes
If eyes are the window to soul, then why am I squinting?
If the eyes reveal one's true nature, why do I have to squint or hide them?
My face is on the money that I'm printing, strike a pose
I am in control of the money, and my face is on the bills that I am printing, so I demand respect and admiration
Wanna take life, strike my foes
I will take the lives of those who oppose me or try to bring me down
I rolled through Hell and it froze
I have experienced the worst that life has to offer, but it no longer affects me emotionally
My halo got burnt but it still glows
I have lost my innocence and purity, but I still have a sense of righteousness within me
I'm not on my feet but I stay on my toes
I may be down or at a disadvantage, but I am still alert and ready to strike
If we ain't cool then that's the way it goes
If we don't get along or have a disagreement, then that's just how it is
Forget all the kid shit fucking with a grown man
Don't try to mess with me or take me lightly because I am a grown adult and not a child
Niggas running around fantasizing like they're Peter Pan
Some people are living in a fantasy world and refusing to grow up, like the storybook character Peter Pan
Your life's a scam and I'm a fuck it up like Neverland
Your whole existence is a lie or a scam, and I will ruin it and expose the truth, like in the fictional world of Neverland
All that other shit is overrated, I want the money
All other things like fame or attention are unimportant to me, and I only care about making money
Cash
Money
Contributed by Jason A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.