November 11, 2008
By Jonathan/Bloodwater
Thank you to Bonafide for taking the time to answer my questions and thanks to Jen from Big Machine Media for setting up this interview.
For those unfamiliar with you, first off where does the name Grits come from and why did you decide to go with it?
We are from the south, and when you hear GRITS, its already assumed. We wanted a name that stuck out and meant something that represented us.
How did you get the nicknames Coffee and Bonafide?
Our dancer days, I changed mine from T-Bone to Bonafide when we transitioned to recording artist.
How did you guys get the job of back-up dancers for DC Talk?
Basically through mutual friends but I had met them couple years before Cof in Jax, Fl.
Is that where you met each other or how did you get together?
Through DC talk, yea.
Your new album, Reiterate came out September 30th. Why did you choose that word as the album title?
It best fit our vision to move forward. We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel, just remain consistent in quality, growth, and identity.
What is the writing process like for you when you decide to do a new record?
Very organic, in the since that we don’t plan songs as much as they happen as we listen through to it and let it speak for itself. We do have a lot of ideas ahead of time also though, depends on what the track saying.
As far as the sound of this album, what can fans or people new to Grits expect from this album?
Us, we always make sure our music is conducive to all taste cause we’re music lovers too, very diverse.
What kind of topics do you cover in the lyrics of Reiterate?
Family, faith, and relationships … life.
Which is your favorite song on the album and why?
Love them all like kids no real favs but a couple I do rewind a few like Fly Away and Say Goodbye, Something About You, Reminds Me … music is the soundtrack to life.
How did you end up collaborating with artists like Dan Haseltine, Mac Powell, Tobymac and Martha Munizzi on the new record and why did you choose these people over others?
Having been in the market for awhile we had to stay consistently fresh but relevant no matter what. Every time we strive for something new or different but doesn’t get away from us from collabs to songs to wardrobe fortunately we love sharing the many parts of our make up. Friends are always the first you share with of course, after family.
Fans always seem to have an album in their mind that was the pinnacle of their favorite group’s career or are always looking for the next one. When putting together a new album like this one, do you guys ever feel the pressure to live up to your past work or do you always look to the next project as if the slate is clean and you can do what you want?
Always a clean slate, the past is study material for what’s next.
With this release you guys have left Gotee Records and started your own label called Revolution Art. Why did you decide the timing was right to leave Gotee and to launch Revolution Art now as opposed to several albums ago or several albums into the future?
Technically we were done a couple years ago we just partnered with Gotee for Redemption, but anyway back to the point, basically our deal was done after we exercised all the options, we lived it out 10 years, I’d say it was time wouldn’t you?
What market are you going to be going after with the new label?
Every one that opens to us. We’re an indie somebody got to pay for this … lol
If an upcoming hiphop/rap artist is interested in sending you their work, what would it take for you to consider adding them to your artist roster?
This aint reality TV, a lot a whole lot, but everybody’s not made for this besides its not something you can explain you just know it when you hear it, it just belongs and the relationship confirms it assuming talent and ethic is a given but must have a since of vision too.
Here are some random questions for you in no particular order.
In all of your work, who has been your favorite artist to collaborate with?
Mmmm … that’s a hard one cause I’ve worked with a lot of artist especially personally, most have been friends honestly.
Who haven’t you collaborated yet with but hope to in the future?
U2
One of our readers wanted to know if you are fans of early 90’s Christian rap such as D-boy, P.I.D., S.F.C. Transformation Crusade, Say what or E.T.W.? They would just really be interested to know who your Christian influences are?
No influences, but definitely inspired by, Dboy, PID, and SFC others too though.
Who are some up and coming hiphop/rap artists that we should be watching out for?
Everyone has there opinion mine is mine, just depends on what you like. Let me get back to you…
Have you given any thought to what you would both do after Grits?
Already doing it.
Are there any plans for solo discs in the works?
Summer 09′ looks like.
This is something I have honestly wondered for a long time and found hard to answer when people asked me. What is the difference between rap music and hiphop music?
Rap usually reflects the more marketable side of the music, Hip Hop is always going to be identified with rawness, originality, creativity, and ability for the most part. Lyrically you’ll always find it a lot more conceptual in depth and sometimes in delivery also.
Who are some spiritual mentors who you look up to and who have guided you through the years?
My Mom and my grandmother 1st, then my wife, many are on the chain but they’re the anchors truthfully.
What have you been learning recently in your personal walk with Christ?
True repentance, forgiveness, and love.
Lastly, is there anything we can be praying for you two about?
Always our families, they pay the highest price, but that’s why the deserve the biggest reward.
Any last words for our readers?
Dont make a difference, be the difference made…
Rom12:2