Grap Luva
| Grap Luva | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Gregory Phillips |
| Also known as | The Younger Soul Brother |
| Born |
September 11, 1971 The Bronx, New York City, New York, United States |
| Origin |
Mount Vernon, New York, United States |
| Genres | East Coast hip hop, jazz rap |
| Occupation(s) | Music producer, rapper, Dancer |
| Instruments | sampler, SP-1200 |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Labels | Elektra |
| Associated acts | CL Smooth, INI, Heavy D, J Dilla, Pete Rock, Marley Marl, The Sound Providers |
Gregory Phillips (born September 11, 1971) better known by his stage name Grap Luva is a hip-hop producer and rapper primarily active during the 1990s as a member of the group INI (composed of him, Rob-O, Rass, Marco Polo and his older brother, Pete Rock—who is himself one of the most influential producers in hip-hop history.) His first appearance was as a guest on the track "The Basement", included on Mecca and the Soul Brother (1992), the first album released by Pete Rock and his creative partner CL Smooth. Once Phillips had a daughter he felt that he was more of a man, not in anyones shadow or acting as a 'little brother'. He moved, through a mutual friend he became a teacher, and an after school carer, where his daughter attended. Around this era of him working he "dabbed" in and out of the game, mostly making beats and producing - what he originally wanted to do in hip hop. One of INI's first demo-tape was "Concerned", although appearing to be named "For your own concern" on YouTube. The one and only INI album was never officially released, but was one of the most bootlegged albums in hip hop history. The album had actually been named, INI - "The Life I Live". Contradictory to the YouTube label stating INI - "Centre of Attention" as the album name. Grap Luva is noted for being among the star-studded lineup of producers involved with The Best Part, the debut LP by the rapper J-Live. O He has been largely silent in the 2000s; his activity has been limited to sporadic guest appearances on albums by Grooveman Spot, Marley Marl, Kev Brown and the Nextmen. He currently resides in Washington, DC.
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