Interview With GDP
Sure, the suburbs of New Jersey may not be the newest hot spot for rap, but that doesn’t mean that the occasional freestyler can’t come up from the land of manicured lawns and polluted air. For example, take West Orange’s own Matt Miller aka GDP. Full disclosure, I’ve known the man/myth/legend for quite a number of years at this point, but that doesn’t take away from his true dedication and commitment to the rap game. We here at LNWF sent off a couple of questions for GDP while he was on his tour with Gainesville punks Dirty Money back in June.
You talk about New Jersey a lot in your lyrics. What is it about NJ that inspires you so much and how do you see the current rap scene in NJ?
GDP: I rep NJ because I think it is an interesting place to grow up. Its the diversity of New Jersey, particularly my hometown West Orange that makes for such well-rounded, crazy emmer effers. The punk rock scene here is one of the best, if not the best, in the country and world right now. There’s some talented cats coming out of NJ and repping worldwide. Hip hop shows actually taking place in NJ are hit or miss, usually miss. A lot of acts suck too.
When it comes to beats, is J Stamps the main person you go to? I know you played in lots of punk/hardcore/grindcore bands and does that type of music have any influence on you?
GDP: I just did a 7-inch release with Dirty Money and J Stamps did [the] beats on that. I like to rip over a bunch of peoples beats. Biggups C-minus, Junkwaffel, Shape, Axis 360, Incognito, and so on.
Do you think that race still matters in hip hop or do you think people focus too much on whether someone is black or white and not enough on actual lyrical content?
GDP: I don’t really think I can speak on behalf of the hip hop community but I’m sure there are listeners with their opinions and predispositions. I figure, kids want lyrical content, but what someone deems “good content” is subjective. Listeners on a massive global level are falling in love with this style of music, and everyone of them for different reasons.
There are lots of references in your lyrics to how you seem disillusioned with the current state of hip hop and rap (Example: “hip hop is not a business,” “rap is such an outdated term,” etc.). What do you think the main problem is and how do you think your music/lyrics are contributing to change that.
GDP: People forget what they started making music for. Contemporary hip hop is mindless and embarassing. I’m not doing much for the cause because I don’t have the power to change a fucking thing and I think that’s what kids need to realize about rappers. The problems within the music industry [could be seen as an] example of what is happening to the rest of the world and if you want to change that, becoming a rapper and expecting people to pay you for making music isn’t going to change much. I just get a kick out of stating the obvious.
You make quite a Lot of references to drugs. are they a main influence on your writing or does it just make for better lyrical content?
GDP: I live quite a life I guess. Depends on my mood and the substance. Some things encourage creative thought processes while others are used with the intention to not think anything.
First rhyme you ever wrote?
GDP: Had to be 2nd or 3rd grade so like 6ish years old. I did a rap for a class presentation when I was in 4th grade but my parents had been found rhyme notebooks and thinking I was a nut job long before that.
How often do you write?
GDP: Really depends. I write something or other everyday but full on song-writing sessions anywhere from a few times a week to a few times a day.
Watch GDP - “Succumb” below
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good shit!