We had the good fortune of connecting with Alan “89 the Brainchild” Grant jr and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alan “89 the Brainchild”, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Sometimes the ppl u dnt kno could care more than the ppl u do. I was goin thru shitty circumstances that alot of 20something dreamers faced. Broke, brokenhearted, unsure how to make rent; nonetheless fund artistic endeavors. A man who I seen bts working visuals randomly invited me to visit a space in pre-production phases. I took my last 20 bucks to just humor him. Me showing love turned into a job which has rewarded me not only financially but creatively since 2019.
All in all, to say: u never know who can be the one to pick u up nd also never underestimate how simple things, as inviting someone can possibly change their life. Give chances, take chances. Seize moments,

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I make rap gumbo frfr bringing ppl and styles together for something only I could serve. Not alot of rappers can have stake in a scene occupied by fatboi sharif, also ring bells with the Brooklyn + NJ club crowd while having the ability to write any genre & work with any artists. I’m proud nobody can make my songs but ME. I’m entering mid 30 with my 1st label since early 20’s. Both indie. Last few situations I got either take advantage of or sittin on the bench cuz the roster needs someone “weird”. I beat the typecast allegations nd became a stand out character due to persistence nd awareness.
U avoid bs when u open ya eyes and ears.
I want ppl to kno that hip hop aint about rap. It’s about experience, perspective + imagination. I provide that in my writing, events I’ve curated/booked nd just in my day to day engagements.

“89 the Brainchild was just as fun as he was thoughtful n thought provoking” – my mourners when I die

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1 U fly into newark airport on a thursday, we gonna hit the waiting room. Cool ass bar in my town tho they fired my mans… Get either the wings buffalo/lemon pepper or honey/dry siriacha. Get a drink to go and hit river city gaming [local arcade]. 20/30 bucks for hrs of FREE arcade games, pool table in shit.

Day 2. Friday. We goin to the studio to smoke weed wit rappers nd djs in the day. Make a nyc excursion. We hittin pelicana [Korean fried chicken]. Prob catch a show at elsewhere [bk club] the rooftop will be open by the time u visit lol. We crashing at my job cuz I got it like dat [lq cabinet]

Day 3. Saturday: still in bk. there’s prob a day party one of my dj friends workin. I hope I like street food. We smokin more then goin to mi sabor cafe for another party. Always rare sets and a sexy ppl. Get some.

Day 4. Sun. If u got some booty last night meet me back in jersey. If not we goin thrifting at this spot in my area of jersey in the late morning. After that if I got PAID we goin to Stricklands steakhouse not far frm my town for a baller lunch and they hired my mans I mentioned in day 1 so more drinks. If u like the boardwalk we gonna get belligerent along the shore. They got carnival rides and other drunk/high ppl

Day 5. Monday I’m goin to the office. Sleep u had a busy few days but meet me for late lunch in brooklyn by elsewhere at this spot called the johnson’s. Good ass burger, cool vibe there. We either hittin a studio or watever show is shakin

Day 6. Tues. U should go link up with whoever u met on ur journey cuz im tired homie. Meet back at the house for beer weed and watching wrestling.

Day 7. Look up housing prices cuz ull consider moving here lol. Thanks for coming friend

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
RAHWAY HIGH SCHOOL PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM & Stephanie Keat.

I got kicked out the Jr ROTC military program in my school for an explicit rap song I wrote. But my Sergeant wrote me a recommendation to the theater program for my next year. Ms keat really let me rock nd feel like my own art was as worthy as the works we studied from non hip hop oriented or non black writers.
Also she coached me and fatboi sharif in our 1st stage play which may be the foundation of our friendship. After classes/rehearsals
ms keat let me explore rap websites on her admin computer that student computer lab didn’t permit lol. I didn’t own my own computer till I graduated so I was grateful. My 1st rap performance was my theater final exam

Website: Under construction

Instagram: @89aintonthegram

Twitter: @89thebrainchild

Facebook: Banned

Youtube: Search 89 the Brainchild

Other: Find me in the streets

Image Credits
Marvelito, amghy, psyched(NJ)

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