Scars & Memories

A veteran MC from upper Manhattan, MF Grimm has a backstory that is almost too crazy to believe. Child actor on Sesame Street turned gangster rapper/drug dealer, he was shot repeatedly, paralyzed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair. Though he had been entertaining offers from various major labels, after the shooting, his corporate suitors scattered — this was before it was "cool" to get shot — leaving him to continue hustling both on the streets and in the studio. Scars & Memories compiles much of his early, rare material, some of it re-recorded due to missing masters. Joints like "Bloody Love Letter" and the title track address his near-death directly, (also mourning the loss of his brother who was killed in the same ambush), "So Watcha Want?" bangs with golden-era drums and rowdy chanted chorus, and "Aids" finds Kool G Rap and Akinyele stopping by for a cautionary tale about the dangers of raw-dog exploits. Quality production comes from Rob Swift, Dr. Butcher, and MF DOOM, while brief skits feature Grimm reflecting on his wild and drama-filled life.