Toronto-based DJ and producer Grandtheft built a successful career on the back of his high-octane electronic music productions, but he’s ready to show the world that his talent runs deeper than just dance music. Ending a year-long hiatus from releasing new music, today Grandtheft has unleashed an addictive rap banger entitled “Dripoholic,” featuring fellow Torontonian Yung Tory.
Until now, Grandtheft was probably best known for his dance remixes of pop hits from Rihanna’s “Bitch Better Have My Money” to Calvin Harris’ "Summer,” as well as his original songs such as “Mobbin” and “Easy Go,” both of which charted on the Billboard charts. But growing up in Brockville, Ontario and later living in Montreal for a number of years, Grandtheft was always into hip-hop, and is getting back in touch with his earliest musical inspirations.
"I first started out by DJing in rap clubs and making beats for rappers and singers; this year I found myself returning to these roots,” Grandtheft shares with us. “I took some time off tour to really focus in studio and make beats every day.”
Listen to "Dropoholic" below.
Living in a city like Toronto has many benefits for musicians, both aspiring and those as established as Grandtheft, and one of the biggest perks is proximity to world-class talent. “It’s been extra inspiring being home in the Toronto scene and working with talented artists there,” he tells us. “That’s where I first linked with Tory. He’s so creative in the studio! Aside from clever bars and flows, I think it’s his energy that really sets him apart. We have a few wild songs but ‘Dripoholic’ is the first one we made together. We had a lot of fun making it and I think you can hear that."
While “Dripaholic” is Grandtheft’s first release of 2020, it looks like it certainly won’t be his last as he shared in a recent Instagram post that he has a “ton” of new music to share. Sidebar: We spotted Polaris Prize winner Haviah Mighty in his comments alluding to a future collaboration, so it looks like there’s lots of heat in store from Grandtheft and friends.
