GOAT: absolute truth

GOAT

absolute truth

© 2006 Justin Griffith (634479231759)

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An emotional roller-coaster ride of alcohol-influenced experiences filtered through the eyes of a meaningful and powerful Emcee/Producer.

notes

GOAT (G.rades O.f A.bsolute T.ruth)

ABOUT ALBUM:
This carefully crafted project is an incredibly personal look into GOAT. It displays the array of talent that he possesses to the fullest. From rhyming and singing to playing guitar and piano to engineering and mixing...he shows it all. It is obvious that this artist is, truly, as skilled as he is serious, but don't be fooled. This is no typical hip-hop album. GOAT smears poetic verses into catchy hooks, and laces tracks with melodic instrumentation to push the boundary of genre. Now it's up to you to check it out.

BIO:
With the motivational drive of a predator, GOAT, born Justin Griffith, has been consistently building a respectable reputation as a well-rounded artist since 2005. Hailing from Dallas, TX, GOAT (G.rades O.f A.bsolute T.ruth) represents a mature and classy side of melodic hip hop with a rock tint, which has yet to be seen in the mainstream. PegasusNews.com states, “Each of his songs takes on its own distinct flavor, pulling from varied musical and lyrical sources.” When writing, GOAT is a focused musician carefully crafting each phrase to perfection. On stage, he immediately attracts his audience with an inviting, endless energy.

Aside from GOAT’s guitar obsession at the age of 12, his passion for writing quickly progressed into lyrical expression. After collaborating and performing in rock, blues, and metal bands throughout high school, he soon realized that his hunger for success outweighed that of anyone around him. GOAT began producing solo material that evolved toward hip hop, but he thirsted for more knowledge of the recording industry. Without skipping a beat, he ventured on to study audio engineering and music production at The Recording Workshop in Chillicothe, Ohio (2001). After returning, he continued honing his performance skills by studying Classical Voice at The University of North Texas in Denton, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Music Degree (2005).

In early 2005, GOAT and dj three6t, a long-time friend, began building a loyal fan base by performing several times a month in various venues throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. By the time of GOAT’s CD Release Party for "Absolute Truth" (produced by GOAT) in August of 2006, they would perform for a packed house at Club Clearview. "Absolute Truth" received extremely positive reviews, thus increasing live sales of the LP and name branding merchandise.

Soon after the release of "Absolute Truth," GOAT and dj three6t took a look at the current mainstream mixtape frenzy and decided it was time to show some home-town love. "Dallas Got Next: The Mixtape" was released to an eager crowd at the Curtain Club in September of 2007. A solid 80-minute headlining performance concluded another strategically planned and perfect night.

While desiring to help unify the D/FW scene for a philanthropic cause, GOAT founded "Hip Hop Helps Heal," or "H4," in August of 2008. "H4" is a non-profit organization built on the love of music, where egos are left at home and people become selfless. They pledge to throw two events annually to financially aid specific concerns of the community, such as hunger, disease, and abuse.

GOAT’s professionalism is at its peak, and his obsessive-compulsive tendencies fend for a keen sense of self-reflection; therefore progression is definite. He recently solidified a 5-piece band to accompany him at special events. Their debut performance was in August of 2008 at the "Hip Hop Helps Heal Breast Cancer Benefit Show." A West Coast Tour can be expected from GOAT and three6t in July of 2009 to promote the duo’s release of "Mileage," which will include a guest appearance by Young Bleed. Though currently teaching music at an elementary school, GOAT is still in full pursuit of his life-long goals. The ultimate objective is to make a living creating music, but judging from his persistency, it won’t stop there. According to LIT Monthly, “…you’ll learn that, in this incarnation, G.O.A.T. ain’t playin’.”

reviews

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  • Hip-Hop with rock ideals making for a very concrete and catchy collection of son
    author: Bryan Farrish Radio Promotion

    Hip-Hop with rock ideals making for a very concrete and catchy collection of songs. GOAT produces hard driven beats accompanied by a very tangible voice and lyrical flow. Sharing a similarity to "Aesop Rocks" ability to unravel a story told with nonstop rhyme schemes and very interesting lyrical phrasing. The songs are catchy with an ability to selectively pick the correct areas to produced vocal hooks for the choruses. Tr. 4 Hollowed LUV – Heavy introduction with a great piano line leading into a great flow eventually taking you into a catchy chorus. Tr. 5 Toxic Tears – Wonderful acoustic guitar and synth violin accompanied by a very interesting beat, taking you through a very good vocal melody line for its chorus. Tr. 15 Reflections – Dark and dismal beat and melody with Goat leading you through a story of hard partied nights and the after math producing its effects on its victims. -Damon Kellard

  • From hip-hop lovers, to rock enthusiasts, to spoken-word poets...
    author: TexasGigs.com (November 14, 2006)

    There is something to be said for learning and studying one's craft. Local hip-hop artist, GOAT (which stands for Grades of Absolute Truth), who has recently released his full length, solo album entitled Absolute Truth, holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas, with a concentration in classical voice. Anyone familiar with music education in the United States knows that UNT has one of the premier music programs covering a broad spectrum of study. Those who take the time to check out Absolute Truth will be treated to GOAT's passion for and knowledge of his profession. The theme of alcohol pervades throughout the entirety of Absolute Truth, including a playful reference in the title (think Citron, Raspberri, Mandarin… there you go). The listener, however, is not underwhelmed with countless trite party references. Instead, GOAT covers several situations where alcohol can play a role, including at the party, in the bedroom, and even the tragedies that can occur when mixed with driving. Heavily infusing this theme of alcohol and excess into the entire album may make it difficult for most artists to differentiate between songs, but for GOAT the task is easily met. Each of his songs takes on its own distinct flavor, pulling from varied musical and lyrical sources. According to GOAT, he is influenced by musicians like Talib Kweli, Brandon Boyd of Incubus, and Stevie Ray Vaughn, as well as the poet Edgar Allen Poe. When paying close attention to the Absolute Truth one can hear GOAT's varied influences given voice. The album starts off with the sounds and voices typical of a bar setting, which lead into the first track, "Count Me N," sure to be a frat party favorite across DFW colleges as the album gains in popularity. Then in "Hollowed LUV," GOAT steps out of the hip-hop mold and breaks it down with a furious, rock-inspired passion that I haven't seen from this genre in far too long. GOAT later brings in an early 90's groove with the track entitled "Sexual Playgrounds," featuring Stacia McNeil, which is reminiscent of L.L. Cool J's old favorite "Doin' It." Creepy factoid: a simple Google search reminded me that L.L. Cool J came out with an album entitled G.O.A.T. in 2000. Coincidence? Ok yeah, probably, but I can speculate. What struck me the most about this album were its depth and its ability to transcend musical and artistic genres. From hip-hop lovers, to rock enthusiasts, to spoken-word poets, most everyone will be able to find something to appreciate in Absolute Truth. -Erin Rice

  • Absolute Truth combines musicianship and lyrical content through modern sound.
    author: Harder Beat (September 2006 - Vol. 14 - No. 5 - Issue 152)

    Dallas-based producer, musician, and MC, GOAT, brings a different and complex approach to hip hop. The disc begins amidst the clatter of jubilant voices and talk within a bar setting---before GOAT extols the virtues of libation in "Count Me In." Mystical and classical violin sounds, humor, self-analysis and tight rhymes emanate throughout. The theme focuses on alcohol, but does not simply glorify it. Instead, the good times had while imbibing are offset with the consequences of drunk driving. The ear-gasmic eroticism of the duet "Sexual Playgrounds" has an R&B flavor that drips with anticipated carnality, while hidden track "...173" begins with a melancholy piano solo and lyrics that seek to reconnect with a dearly-departed friend. Absolute Truth successfully combines musicianship and lyrical content through modern sound, and listening to it is time well spent. -Brian Carr

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