Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Grand Khai. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Grand, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
A time I can recall taking a risk was back in 2016 around the start of my career professionally. I had chose to leave the comfort of my mom’s house into a world of uncertainty. Figuring out day by day, without a dollar to my name. Sleeping on any couch I could find I was determined to make something happen with this musical journey. Everyday I’d challenge myself to writing a verse when I woke up. Then right before I went to bed I also made it an obligation to dedicate 2 hours out my day into exploring the internet, finding new opportunities to get my music heard. I barely ever ate; literally starving for success, I looked into every new/start up company and sent over 500 facebook messages a day to friends and strangers consistently. I would find emails of people I felt were in spaces that needed to hear my music. Then one day I came across a show ad for one of biggest performance venues in my area. To my knowledge at the time no one at my age or level in my genre coming from my city has ever performed at that venue with an industry act on their tour. I always dreamt big as a kid and had a burning desire to perform on a big stage let alone alongside an artist that gave me inspiration. I was determined to make it happen and immediately found the email to the show promoters and went even further to find the emails of the owner and staff. I then emailed each of them knowing this was my first real show but my confidence told them otherwise. Long story short I typed up a whole email lying about the amount of shows i’ve done, stating that I can sell over 100 tickets easily. When in fact, this would be the first time i’d ever be selling tickets. They ended up getting back to me and asked a few questions in which I lied about as well, then called me down to the venue to meet me and give me hard tickets to sale. they told me a minimum of 60 sales and i’m in. I woke up off that couch and every morning and got right to business. I ended up selling 160+ tickets presale tickets and the owners emailed me excited about the numbers not knowing I was just as excited as them. I was the only opener with a 45 min set. The first time I ever had a set that long. The first time doing an actually big show with a notable artist. it was huge at the time for me and a lot of people around me. I remember visiting my brother just to practice my set in the garage for hours. The artist I was opening for was PNB Rock. It was a crazy experience and an unforgettable one for sure. I’m glad I took that risk because it shaped a lot of my career and pushed me to another level.
Grand, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
The way I got into my craft all started with my older brother nonchalantly playing a 50 Cent song on the radio next to him while playing “GTA”. I would sit there and watch him play all the time, Then one day he came in the room & sat that radio down before turning on the game console & pressed play. The song that immediately played was “21 questions”. Since that day I became interested in music & could confidently say I now have a “favorite artist”. My older brother was in to music at the time so I became curious, started asking questions then the rest was history. I started music at 7yrs old, Moved from Queens to Stroudsburg Pennsylvania at 12 and been full force at it ever since. I came into the industry by being relentless. doing soundcloud drops & remixes that lead to being recognized by M-Phasez, Gill Chang, The Chainsmokers, Skrillex, Monte Booker, JR Jarris and the list goes on. I continued non stop writing, recording, collaborating, doing shows & just putting every dollar and minute into my craft. Not every decision or dollar spent was done the right way but it worked. I learned through it & without those mistakes, learning would not have been possible. I am a product of being confident mixed with being absolutely relentless. And to be honest I feel I haven’t even done anything yet. I’m not even half of what I envision for me but it’s a journey and I’ve also learned to enjoy every step of the way. which kind of leads into you guy’s next question. what sets me apart is my music substance. the way I express myself and the flows/cadences I choose to attack each instrumental. I come to every track as me. and say what I feel. I connect with my audience in many different ways beyond the surface.
what im most proud of? … I’m most proud of my willingness to keep faith and trust MY process and no one else’s. I’m proud anytime there’s a message that comes through and it’s another person maneuvering through life’s ups and downs expressing how I’ve helped in ways I never imagined as a little kid. Years ago, ask me this question and I probably would have gave you stats or milestones or a list of accomplishments. But although those are things I love to get done, I’m just proud i’m really doing what the younger me set out to do. Touching the lives of others in real time. I’m also humbled and grateful that years later I still have that same drive and vision. My artistry is a testament to the belief in “Everything Grand” as I navigate through the music industry with authenticity and a commitment to personal growth. What I want to leave with my fans, followers, friends & family is embrace your individuality. view it NOT as limitation but a source of strength. Believe in divine timing — recognize that creative expression unfolds in its own rhythm unaffected by external pressures or arbitrary timelines. Pressure isn’t real. Pressure is created in your mind by the potential & bar you have set for yourself. Pressure is only as heavy as you make and in most times of greatness can only be scaled by what you’ve done. so just keep on going at your OWN pace without thinking too much about it. because the outside world is gonna continue to spin and will forever have something new to say. learn the importance of patience, growth and the organic evolution of your craft. some of the most profound moments in this earth emerge when allowed to gestate organically. I want to be a reminder to each and everyone person that follows me; Creativity is a journey not a destination. My philosophy extends far beyond the confines of the music studio. It explores the idea that a grand life is composed of both triumphs and challenges…. successes and failures. Embrace the grandness is every experience. Embrace self discovery & the power of honing your true authenticity… Pursue your dreams boldly. Recognize that every step, whether forward or backward, contributes to the grand tapestry of life… Everything won’t always be sunshine but because you are you… it will always be Grand.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
First thing that came to my head is being less critical. allow the art to be digested. give things time. don’t be so quick to shoot things down that may feel unfamiliar. I know social media is a cause for a lot of that with faster consumption and huge platforms being able to share their thoughts to the world at the tips of their fingers. Although social media has it pros as well, I feel that aspect of it is troubling at times. but to answer the question. Be less critical, Especially when you haven’t given much time to consume and digest. and oh.. if you think something is good/great, voice those opinions more frequently as well.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I’d have to say the feeling of completing something you’re proud of that you’ve created from scratch in your brain. something that would have never existed had you not put that pen to that paper. then sharing it to the world…. creating something that can last forever, bring people together, and help someone through a time in life… like, we are literally creating the sound track to someone’s life every time we express ourselves on that mic. it’s an amazing feeling.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.grandkhai.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandkhai
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565075676077&mibextid=JRoKGi
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/grandkhai
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/grandkhai
- Soundcloud: https://www.soundcloud.com/grandkhai
Image Credits
@itsjustanthony, @off.ghani, @shitheftshoots, @aparkmedia, @mckinneymedia.co