Chaze (Grim Team) Interview

You are the founder of Grim Team. Could you please tell us some things about your crew. Who is it consisted of when did it start etc.

i founded grim team in 1996 it was a mix of new and older graff writers from Paris…

Where does your nickname (Chaze) come from?

I don’t remember exactly where chaze comes from,i think i saw the cover of a wack book named chase and i just took that name and changed the s for a z

Grim Team is a clothin line at the same time as I have seen it supported by big names in the Rap game such as Mobb Deep, Prospect etc. How did this come up?

Well I moved to NYC with my partner Greg in 2001 and with the years,we started making contacts, some french magazine asked us to hook them up with mobb deep for a photoshoot and we was cool with littles from QB so he made it happen

You were born and raised in France and now you are livin in the US.France is in a high level in the rap game in Europe and Worldwide as well. Are there any differences between the Hip Hop Culture in these two countries?

Hip hop is now a worldwide thing,usa might have created it but it’s really serious and creative in the rest of the world too,you got ghettos and projects in a lot of countries outside of the us so a lot of things are similar even if the languages change.

Do you prefer Graffiti or Makin Rap Tunes?

It’s really different, hard to compare, it takes a lot of heart and balls to go bomb train and tunnels,music is less dangerous and you don’t risk to finish in jail for hittin’on your mpc. I think (for me) it’s another discipline of hip hop and i can make a living with it, I’m deep into that music shit now even if i still got ink in my veins. I will always throw a tag here and there.

Which is the worst 'destruction' you have ever made as a Bomber?

It was a subway station in paris called « the louvre » it’s the subway station under the famous museum le louvre….we got caught a month after and sent to jail for a lil while….i don’t regret anything i would do it again without a doubt!

Do you prefer Legal or Illegal Graffiti?

Illegal of course, there’s no adrenaline in doing legal bullshit.

I wish i could dj,that’s something i really regret no to have tryed when i started fuckin with the beats…breakdancing is crazy,but i’m not feelin a lot of shit they do,i like old school ny shit like roc steady in style wars,i don’t care about a dude spinnin on his head with a helmet.

Which rappers do you like and respect?

Waow, there is a long list…i gotta start with lord finesse, Big L, Show and A.G, Big Pun, Biggie, G rap.

Which are the components that make a good rap producer at your opinion?

First thing, know where it comes from and who did what, like marley marl was the first to chop drums and add them over a sample while others would just use a breakbeat and loop it….i respect the architects, it’s the same shit in graff,u gotta know the history then pay your dues…
Then it’s all about creativity,and i think sampling is inevitable to a real hip hop producer,i ain’t really feelin’ 100% keyboard beats with no feelin’ in it…i like emotions into music.

Which are the components that make a good graffiti artist at your opinion?

You gotta know how to do a ill tag,throw up,wild style etc….u can’t just know how to tag and that’s it….and don’t proclaime yourself a writer if u ain’t hittin trains or streets and if u just painting on the week ends on legal walls.

Have you ever heard Greek Rap?

My real name is ulysses so i get teased like i’m greek but i never heard greek rap…all i know in greek is « malaka »

Tell us some information about your upcoming release Once Upon A Time In America.

Well we have been working on a compilation album with the artists we met in ny since we moved here,before the album,we have a street cd called « once upon a time in america,the prequel » that will drop in may …u know it’s to start the buzz for the album in october….

If you like real hip hop and you tired of bubble gum music,go check our shit.. Peace to all greek writers hitting athens trains and streets!