GRiZ - Ride Waves
Multi-instrumentalist producer and performer GRiZ has released his fifth studio album, Ride Waves. Drenched in the creative passion and cultural connectivity of the artist, the LP sees GRiZ immerse himself into the soundscapes of his influences and the causes of today.
Everything that GRiZ does encapsulates a feeling. Whether it be the heartache of tragedy or the thrill of success, every sentiment, commitment, or track he makes embodies just how it feels to be a human under the weight of modernity. The result is an artist, producer, philanthropist and LGBTQIA advocate living a legacy of love and positivity.
Ride Waves is the culmination of the last two years for GRiZ––a period pillared by his own creative exile, high impact socio-cultural issues, and a slew of communities and relationships in which he has embedded himself.
Grant armed the album with a multitude of genres; not as a spectator, but instead, he sunk himself into these societal landscapes to produce something as authentic as it is timely. He tapped hip-hop favorites like Wiz Khalifa on “Find My Own Way,” DRAM for “It Gets Better,” Funk-icon Bootsy Collins on “Bustin’ Out” and Matisyahu for their Reggae hymn to peace. His sonic journey touched down in New York’s urban core to record with the Harlem Gospel Choir, stepped into Chicago’s South Side to collaborate with a children’s choir, and spanned across many sessions in New Orleans. Snoop Dogg even lent a hand in creating My Friends And I Pt. 2.
There’s truly something for everybody in the album. Each song tips a hat to Grant’s personality, and many parts of this represent moments of reflection. GRiZ and Matisyahu were in the studio soon after last year’s Parkland shooting, and wrote a song about gun violence, “A New Day,” became of it. The song was matched with a video which features stories from multiple people impacted by gun violence. Grant, in partnership with Brady, used the video to encourage fans to unite against gun violence by asking their federal representatives to pass universal background checks.
Ride Waves comes paired with a world tour, which will kick off at the beginning of May and will see him touch down everywhere from Brooklyn, to The Netherlands, to the eclectic stages of Shambhala, Firefly, and lastly Bonnaroo where he has the honor curating this year’s Superjam.
GRiZ is a youth culture hero; he lives and breathes to better the communities around him not only through his art, but also his actions. Last year marked the five-year anniversary of his charitable event series 12 Days Of GRiZMAS – which to date has raised over $100,000 towards music education for Detroit public school students. Adding to this, he recently released his own GRiZMAS coffee blend, which donated all of its proceeds to the same cause. Last year in celebration of Giving Tuesday, he partnered with Dan Savage’s foundation It Gets Better which aims to empower, uplift and inspire the nation’s youth members of the LGBTQIA community. By no coincidence, “It Gets Better” stands as one of the foundation’s anthems as they prep to continue their partnership later this year.
Ride Waves sees GRiZ enter a new realm of production prowess defined by collaboration and an unwavering sense of progression. It is from this new vantage point that he is simultaneously connected to both the history of contemporary music and its evolution. From here there is only growth, respect, and the refining of a new generation.
