I Died For This!?

With his two prior releases, Snubnose and Porch, not amassing the recognition and praise GRIP yearned for, it seemed as though things would only get worse with the pandemic slowing down the progress of the music industry. “Just a couple days from quittin',” GRIP recounts, Eminem reached out and before he knew it, GRIP’s music would go on to be distributed through Shady Records.

The title, “I Died For This!?” has several interpretations complemented by the use of exclamation and question marks. GRIP has told stories through his raps about the sacrifices he made; ending his relationship and missing out on memories with his two children as a result of time in the studio, touring abroad, attending meetings, and more, in order to chase his dream. The title therefore poses a rhetorical question, aimed at himself, along the lines of “Did I work this hard to have this little impact on the industry?” A second interpretation shows GRIP’s boastful side, incorporating the exclamation mark to tell the world that he died for rap, this is his true purpose, and he’s proud of it.

I Died For This!? stands as GRIP’s third studio album, and first album since signing for Shady Records just a month prior. Both “Gutter!” ft. WARA and “Momma Told Me!” were released as singles, with “Walkthrough!” ft. Eminem naturally leading in success.

The release date was announced on the 19th of August, with the track list revealed two days later.