This is not the jacket of the next street novel this is the real life story of Brooklyn's own Big Grand. Born Saladine Bell, which is Muslim for "wise spoken warrior of Allah." The name given to him by his father, when the 5th and last-born child showed a true warriors spirit from inside the womb, always kicking and punching.
Grand grew up fast, and learned from his older siblings and parents on everything from hustling, to pimpin', to music (not necessarily in that order). When Grand was nine his music ability became ever present and the young star performed in front of the family all the time singing oldies, Michael Jackson, and others. By age nine, Grand started rapping under the tutelage of his older brother Jay- Ski who was a member of the rap group Bad Boys. In 1989 the group's single was gold and that's when Jay- Ski heard Grand rap and even at such a young age he knew he would be special. Others started to notice but Grand lost focus when the dangers of the streets started to show its repercussions. His father was murdered and his mother was shot twice in an attempted robbery. The events left the young Grand with a huge void and life made a drastic change for the worst. It took almost three years for his mother to fully recover from the attack, and with no husband to help and protect her she began to abuse cocaine, and sell any drug she could get her hands on. Sadly this was directly shared by Grand who through Junior High and High School sold everything from heroine, crack, cocaine, ecstacy, women, whatever made the money Grand was down. This soon caught up to him when he was arrested after completing high school. The repercussions of his action almost got the young man kicked out of college.
After being released on a technicality and given years of probation Grand realized it was now time to focus on his future. While attending lowa-Wesleyan College music brought the young rapper back to a familiar setting...the center of attention for all the right reasons. With his first mixtape released he was part of a promotional tour from New York to the Carolinas. With a steady buzz and freestyles making radio rotation. Grand was on his way back from obscurity. With unmatched versatility Grand's pain filled past enabled him to tell true stories of the street and showing a rap style that is hot in New York and spreads across the Mason Dixon line smoothly. He expanded from just the East Coast to Iowa, Indiana Tennessee, and Los Angeles.
Grand later released his second mixtape, Da Real vol. II that increased his credibility as an artist even higher. After arriving back in New York the buzz on him began to spread and his mixtape made it into the hands of the Drama King, Kay Slay. Kay respected the smooth flow and punch line filled delivery and placed him on the Certified Troublemakers mixtape free styling on Fat Joe's Lean Back. After ripping that, he opened for different artists including Little Scrappy during his album release tour. Grand showed his versatility by adapting to the southern drawl of the people and ripped it; he ended with more than just a standing ovation. This has all led to the recent release of his third mixtape, Half Baked Still Burnin' Vol. 1. Which is currently being sold nationwide, over the internet and in brick and mortar stores. Mixunit.com warned major labels to pay attention, that the up and comer Big Grand is soon to be a household name. Grand has the ability to change the game; his punch line filled flow entertains while the real life stories draw you in. He is a talented rapper on his way to the top and his drive, dedication, and commitment will keep him there.
"I’ll always be a hustler music or otherwise, its in my blood, but now its different, I'm movin' the keys different, the guns sound different, and the tops come in Gold, Platinum, and Diamond.â€
