Jontae "Taeboi" Grant, after serving his country honorably in Afghanistan, has resumed his love of sharing his music in the Tacoma area.
A transplant from Virginia Beach, Taeboi got his start at the age of 16, recording "Time for War". His first album was produced in 2004, and he has continued to produce albums through 2010.
Before deploying to Afghanistan, Taeboi moved to Tacoma to continue learning about the music scene. He soon found himself as vice-president of Underground Assassins a local music label. In his tenure with Underground Assassins, he has stepped up to lead during president, A-Dub's, deployment and then leaned on A-Dub to keep the company going during his own deployment. Despite the distance, Underground Assassins has remained successful, producing Still Smoking Nationwide Mixtape-Young Slim and Killin the Underground Vol 1-Underground Assassins in 2008 and current album, Killin the Underground Vol 2-Underground Assassins. And of course, Taeboi continues performing throughout the United States.
His most challenging performance, he says, was a miltary ball. Their hip hop performance of "What It Is" in such a formal environment garnered his brother and him $200 for best show, and the catchy lyrics were shout out throughout the night by attendees.
Despite influences of Jay-Z, his family, and other local artists he has had the privilege to meet, Taeboi finds his greatest inspiration in the military. He explains, "The military has played a big part because I have met so many different people that have so many different talents, and with my talent, I learn something new every day." He cites Washington state and Georgia as the best places to find good music. And he is grateful to Underground Assassins, A-Dub, Corey Lang of Propha C Prolific Presence, Kevin "AKA" Johnson and all the other local artists "keepin' on the grind".
You can see Taeboi as he performs Friday, August 27, in Kent at "Welcome Back Troops/Corey's Birthday Bash". Tickets are still available at Brown Paper Tickets.
To learn more about Taeboi through his Artist Facebook page, personal myspace, Underground Assassins' myspace, and Underground Assassins' twitter.
Comments
this is really nice a guy that serves his country and has hot music.. I just added him on fb and i love everything that he dose
I had to go and check out what he was doing just for the fact that i know people that say they rap or are known and have no talent..This guy right here I dont know him but i feel like I know him thru his music.. May 22 was one that listen to and had my brother (who was deployed) listen and he had a tear in his eye from the way this guy painted the picture...Taeboi is what they call him and I am a fan
I know SGT. Grant and i have been a fan of his for a very long time .... He happens to be one of the most talented artists i have ever had the pleasure to meet ....and he is a very amazing person as well ...i hope to see his career skyrocket !!!
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