Grip (rapper)

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Kyle Thomas Clow (born January 13, 1989), known professionally as Grip is an American hip hop artist from the Eastside of Atlanta, Georgia, hailed as 'Atlanta's Next Great Storyteller'.

With his critically acclaimed debut project, Porch, Grip snatched the attention of listeners and publications across the globe. In his follow up full length, Snubnose, Grip's subject matter, witty & relatable lyrics, and true artistry of rap is undeniable.

During the pandemic, Grip's music caught the attention of Eminem, which led to Grip signing a deal with Shady Records/Interscope in 2021. His first full length album with Shady dropped shortly after, featuring collaborations with none other than Eminem, Kenny Mason, Wiley From Atlanta and more. His music has been placed extensively across the film & TV landscape and can be heard in Euphoria, Boomerang, Good Girls, Madden NFL '20 soundtrack, and most recently in Bose's earbud campaign.

Kyle Clow was born on January 13, 1989 in East Atlanta, Georgia, later moving to Decatur.

He described his childhood in several different occasions; "As a kid, we ain't really have too much. I grew up in my grandma's house, and it wasn't in the nicest area... I was always smart, but we were in the hood, so we'd get into shit. At age 12 or 13, I jumped off [the porch]... I was doing dumb shit, you know what I'm saying, being reckless and shit. We wouldn't have light sometimes. Nobody else's shit was like that, but our shit was. Sometimes we wouldn't have light, water, whatever"

When Clow entered middle school, he began rapping, citing T.I.'s 2003 album Trap Muzik as being the final push to seriously pursue rapping. He also stated that he was also expelled from his school due to selling drugs, which also served as motivation. He cites T.I., Jay-Z, Outkast, Nirvana, Goodie Mob and Nas as his inspirations.

On November 2, 2017, he released his first studio album, Porch, which featured 11 tracks, to favorable reviews from audiences and critics. His second album, titled Snubnose was released on October 11, 2019, which also higly praised by fans and critics.

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he released two extended plays, Halo and Proboscidea. During the year, Clow stated that he felt defeated after the year came and went. "It feels like I get slighted left and right." he stated, as the pandemic caused issues for him both financially and music wise, taking a heavy toll on the rapper and causing him to nearly quit the music scene all together.

At some point in July 2021, Eminem discovered Grip's second album Snubnose. Eminem stated: "It was really refreshing to hear a new artist so focused on making a conceptual project and it caught my attention." The two artists met up and conversed about a record deal for Clow to join on Eminem's label Shady Records. Grip announced his third studio album, and the first under Shady Records, titled I Died for This!?, which released in August 27, 2021.

• Porch (2017)
• Snubnose (2019)
• I Died for This!? (2021)

• Halo (2020)
• Proboscidea (2020)

• 5 & a F**k You (2022)