913
Hi Reddit- I'm Greg Porn, an MC from Philadelphia. You may have heard my work as a solo artists, or in my work on The Roots albums, including3 tracks on the critically acclaimed 2011 release, undun. Also, i have been on the Roots album, how i got over and rising down.
I'm here to share my work, my life, and my story with you.
Thanks for all the love. This has been a lot of fun! Follow me on Twitter and Facebook to find out about new stuff, and look for a brand new track on the Bon Rappetite mixtape coming out next month.
Talk with me @porndmc!
Oh, proof, if you need it.
sperdoj23 karma
So your last name is actually Spearman... I'll be the one to ask then: where did you get your name from? Why did you switch your name from P.O.R.N. to Greg Porn?
IamGregPorn55 karma
ok i hate that acrynem shit that was an atempt to help ppl google me Porn is my nickname on the streets it started as joke and just stuck ppl dont even know i rap call me tht and my full rap moniker is gregory allen porn lol
ArniePie131 karma
Not a question, just have to say Undun is an awesome album. You guys packed more amazing lyrics in 45 min than most MCs rap in their whole career.
IamGregPorn108 karma
i have to go record now so if u have any ? ill b here same time tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!thanx for your time
robobot82 karma
Would love to see a Roots/Madlib collab in 2012. Any chance you can make it happen?
ArniePie69 karma
I never said I'm ready to die, but I accept it, Never said I"m ready for war, but I'm protected, I don't even know when it's coming but I expect it, Lost thoughts innocent hopes an now I'm left with Nervous conditions, addictions, in addition To vixens that mixed in to the wrong crowd, My life is on a flight that going down, My mother had an abortion for the wrong child, With the time I felt loved, that's gone now, That's replaced with purples rays some storm clouds, Misery love Misery, so why make friends let's make enemies, An now I got a habit that's wasn't meant for me, Now I'm in a marriage that wasn't meant to be, One more reason to change identity, The cars, the crime, K's, penalties.
One of my favorites as well.
IamGregPorn94 karma
damn i havent heard that in years it feels surreal to say i wrote that thank u for that
IamGregPorn67 karma
if u knew how many ppl tied to remove that verse lol but it was jay z's fav off that album also
ArniePie25 karma
If they tried to remove a verse that good, I have to imagine you've got some great verses that have never been included in an album.
Can you share some of your favorites that never made it in?
IamGregPorn213 karma
my mother had a baby the baby came wit a sicknes the sicknes the sumthin viscious malicious devil delishes trysts hotter than pisses with misses wit poisen kisses snakes wit out hisses witches sexy submissive, scammin and schemin dreamin swayin and swervin slurrrin flirtin wit murkin myself who wanna help
Zippy_The_Chimp12 karma
what do you mean tried to remove that verse? As in they wanted it to be featured on their song instead? Also that verse was fucking dope
IamGregPorn49 karma
as in i am a group of the dopest lyricist you will ever meet and the challenge yyou its hoow we stay dope
t-why42 karma
On undun, you rapped as part of a larger narrative and concept. How was writing your verses for that project different than writing other verses? Were you part of planning the overall concept of undun or did the band plan it out and bring you in to rap your specific role?
IamGregPorn48 karma
my verses on undun r more evolved than the previous works and i was used to bounce ideas off of for the concept with tariq and ? and u audition for roles like those
hexualsealings42 karma
what do you think about up-and-comer rap crews such as A$AP and oddfuture? do you see them as talented kids or snot nosed punks? love the roots. pass the popcorn. yep.
IamGregPorn91 karma
i am a supporter of youth movements without them society would become redundant so asap has a vibe that is invigorating and oddfuture is sickly talented
mofovo38 karma
Sup Greg, can I get some feedback on some beats I produced?
Wexican1238 karma
How much "trouble" did you and The Roots get in for the michele bachmann thing on Jimmy Fallon? Also what is it like working on the show?
creativebaconmayhem28 karma
Damn, I've been a Roots fan forever. How I Got Over was one of my favorite CDs to paint to last year. I'm just now getting into undun. What song have you done in your career that was the hardest to write/record? What line recently have you done that you are most proud of? What kind of lines do you draw between your real life and what you put on a record?
IamGregPorn25 karma
first this album was the hardest one of them all and stomp was the most challenging second the line im most proud of " hardy har har, jokes on u dog, tell the world to kiss my blue balls, cuz i dont give a fuck" lol i right like im watching my life on tv or the net or puppet shit and then i report on it in song form lol
ArniePie14 karma
Fuck getting fuck Immaculate conception Now what’s beef ain’t even a question Calico kisses, cold blood and crime tape Flirt with death every night it’s a blind date One night stand paybacks a bitch Shit have you skinny dipping in a pool of your piss Blood sweat and tears broken teeth and spit Put the barrel in your mouth Blow the devil a kiss Put the knife in ya back cut down to the red meat Daddy should’ve let me be a stain on the bed sheets I’m one shot short of a Molotov cocktail Kick in the door like welcome to my world I’m an evil genius when it comes to this dumb shit Half of the time ima keep it one hundred Don’t play chicken when I’m driving them crazy Get hit in the wing thigh breast or drumstick We like<
How long does it typically take you to write something like this?
IamGregPorn19 karma
depends that was me learning that style so it took me a few days to perfect it but now i can do it in a few hours
localsomal5624 karma
how do you feel about were hip hop is right now and were do you see it in the future?
IamGregPorn41 karma
i like hip hop now its evolving into sumthing else tho like a mesh of the future and past and singing i c it becoming more segregated and at the same time more definitive
silverbackjack22 karma
Have you ever taken crack while fucking a midget dressed as a t rex?
FrancisDollarHyde22 karma
I don't know who you are, so what tracks would you like to recommend me to listen to?
IamGregPorn53 karma
i cant help it, the otherside, singing man, radio daze, walk alone or go to gregpornmusic.com and hear me rant about all sorts of decadence lol
americanslang5919 karma
What is it like working with ?uestlove? Dude seems like a character.
IamGregPorn26 karma
he is, when im fortunate enuff to work with hime its an electricity in the room the synergy is amazing
caffeineTX18 karma
Thank you, How I Got Over was my favorit album to drop in 2010 as well as Shabbazz Palaces double lp.
caffeineTX17 karma
its one of the guys from Digable Planets solo projects, raps over some really cool abstract beats. If you are looking into him check the song Gunbeat Falls (one of my favorites) off the s/t and the album Black Up released last year.
anywhose, keep making awesome music. the roots really have to a large extent saved R&B/rap imo with an actual band that plays real music and mc's with meaningful and intelligent lyrics/themes, I don't see much of that anymore within the rap genre, atleast from the popular crap that is spewed out for the sheep masses.
[deleted]15 karma
Let me just say I searched your name on google images to see exactly who you were and I got gay porn among pictures of the whole Roots crew.
I'm stupid.
Edit- Question: Were you featured in the "Roots watch 2 girls one cup" youtube video?
meluvulongtime15 karma
Thanks for the AMA A few Questions:
How/when did you get the moniker?
What is your favorite roots song that you're on, and favorite that you're not on?
What/who did you listen to growing up, any artists that historically have influenced you?
If you're not listening to hip hop are there other specific genres/artists you like?
IamGregPorn54 karma
i got caught eating a girl out at a homey house and it started as joke and stuck ppl call me porn and have no idea i rap lol around the way i listend to prince, nas, big, nore slick rick jada wu, jay, riq, mos, nirvana, audio slave, p e, and i luv frank ocean, mia, adele, sum dream, eminem, and i reallly fux wit alot of indie rock but i get so busy i dont get a chance to look em up
kazakhpimp13 karma
Hey Greg, thanks for doing this AMA. Long-time fan. You and the Roots are incredible. How long have you worked with ?uest and BlackThought? Are y'all friends? Do you have anything planned for 2012 or 2013? Love you man, thanks again.
IamGregPorn24 karma
thank u, i am incredible no no i kid im really a self consciouus ocd prefectionist so i never think i am good enuff and i have known those guys for 20 years the last 7 or 8 closely and we r fam in 2012 i planned to put out music til everybody starts talking about me on twitter trending topic lol
gr00ve8813 karma
I LOVE UNDUN! Listened to the free pre-release you guys had online three times, then bought it the day it was released. Such a powerful album, incredible vocals and meaningful lyrics. Job well done.
IamGregPorn26 karma
no those r for snobs lol i kid i kid but no they look a little to obvious
scalzo199 karma
I saw you guys when you came to Ottawa for bluesfest this past summer. I had no idea who you guys were but after the performance I was a fan! Just wanted to say you guys are awesome.
NGRoachClip8 karma
It's great to have you answering questions! I've been listening to the Roots for a long time now. Two questions 1. What is your process for writing a verse? Does it largely depend on the song you're hopping on or is it a situation where I hear J. Cole talking about how a lot of his raps were written years before he put them to a record. 2. What was it like working with Black Thought? Is he as unreal live and in the studio as he sounds on the record?
Thanks, you make great music
IamGregPorn15 karma
thank u and tariq is a monster talent live and studio, my process starts with me listening to the beat and coming up with a melody and then a perspective based offf the vibe the melody and beat then i block out my surroundings and wa la and i have a million rymes all over the place i draw from if i need to
subtleWASP8 karma
Would The Roots ever consider a follow-up to "Double Trouble" with Mos? I've always imagined some insane song with The Roots x Black Star (Mos + Talib Kweli). What's Black Thought like in real life? And most importantly, when can we expect announcements for THE ROOTS PICNIC 2012!?!?!? Keep reppin Philly, brother. We love ya!
IamGregPorn12 karma
i never say never as long as the track is right i can c thought and mos doin it and he is kool as shit and aroound may early april for those announcements
bwilkz7 karma
Hey man, what's your favorite Black Thought verse where you were just like "God damn this dude blacked out"
tnuts4207 karma
who are your top 5 favorite all-time lyricists? any popular rappers right now that you feel have no business making music? are the roots as cool as they seem (huge fan)? what was it like working on Rampart?
IamGregPorn17 karma
nas, mos, chuck d, fab, riq and i think everyone should make music who can predict the future and the roots r cooler than they seem lol i luv them they r by far the coolest world famous ppl u will ever meet and i wasnt their for the ramport movie
t-why7 karma
Also, are the Money Making Jam Boys dropping anything new this year? I love the mixtape you released last year. Thanks for doing this AMA.
IamGregPorn12 karma
thank u and yes we will b dropping in may or maybe sooner depending on schedule
britheguy6 karma
Saw the roots in San Francisco this past summer, one of the best shows I've ever seen, quest can play like no other.
How do the roots write, is it a jam process? I can imagine you guys are fast.
kingac6 karma
are you at all involved with the production of the music side at all or just vocals? how much money have you made off the album so far?
IamGregPorn21 karma
i do not play any music at all buuuuuttttttttt i help in peicing play parts together in post production with the powwers that b loll and i made around 15000
BeardedAxWound6 karma
It's a shame you aren't Russian and your name isn't Ilov Porn or something
fredcai66 karma
First off, Undun is amazing. My favorite track is Stomp, since you guys use Derrick Moore's motivational speech for the Georgia Tech football team (I'm an alum). Is that actually his voice, or is it someone else's?
Edit: I just took another look at which tracks you are on on the album, and those three are hands down my favorite. Great stuff, made all that much greater with your lines.
HermanCain696 karma
What was it like working with big krit, I know you weren't on the track "make my" with him. but i think the kid has so much talent and soul comin outta mississippi and bringin southern hip hop back to its roots
IamGregPorn12 karma
i was there for post production and part of the decision pprocess in making the song and he was more than wat we asked for super dope
JMangina5 karma
I'm a fan of your appearances on The Roots' albums, are you scheduled for any shows in Northern California this year?
Uberslaughter5 karma
Huge fan, loved How I Got Over and still remember hearing The Next Movement in middle school, which got me into hip hop.
What was your inspiration for your verse on Walk Alone (probably my favorite song on the album) and what's it like working with Black Thought?
IamGregPorn10 karma
i was broke and goin out my mind at that timee and thought is like working with a ice cold legend
Zippy_The_Chimp4 karma
Are you working on any solo projects? Where can we find new material from you?
bodean554 karma
What is your biggest inspiration for rap? Who are your favorite collaborators? Thanks for doing this, big fan!
IamGregPorn13 karma
thank u and these days rick ross mos def kanye who i forgot to put in my top five, and frank ocean ger me excited and wat do you mean about collaborating? with who or someone i have already
Walterchron4 karma
Have you get heard of the Philly rapper Kev Turner? He's super dope, mad lyrical and has a very oldschool hard hitting style. If you have time check his mixtape Soul City Music. He's mad underrated so I'm always tryin to rep him and what better chance than to the legendary Greg porn lol.
BeardedAxWound4 karma
What's your next project? Any desire to work with other Philly artists like Meek Mill
IamGregPorn13 karma
im a big meek fan and i have the feelin we will so sumthin by the end of the year and my next project is called "porn and dame" its a ep
goodbyeart4 karma
So... your last name is Porn.
Just thought I'd say it.
But questionwise, how did you end up in this line of work?
IamGregPorn23 karma
lol i have always had the music bug, i hear things in my head all the time that no one else can hear, i am a natural poet meaning i neveer had any formal training writing i just play with words its like i digest everything i hear and make art out of those thoughts
goodbyeart4 karma
Cool, thanks for the answer.
AMA virginity broken. I shall go inform the men.
IamGregPorn30 karma
wow it took me so much longer to lose my virginity when i was young lol
smithsknits3 karma
Hey Greg, I just came in to say that I love you guys and Undun is a great album. Keep it up!
rootsfan443 karma
awesome u are on here dude. undun is killer. got any new projects coming up? u gonna be on jimmy fallon soon? i saw u mentioned on twitter with bon rappatit, that shit's hilarious
mutatedfreek3 karma
What are your favourite hip-hop albums from the past few years, and who from this generation do you think will influence the future hip-hop movement the most?
IamGregPorn11 karma
carter 2, your welcome, jeezy first, undun, twisted fantasy, and kanye and drake will b the influence
ChuckYoCouch2 karma
First off, I'm big fan of the roots, and I appreciative you guys holding it down for real hip hop.
Ignore if someone else has asked this, but how long have you been writing/rapping? How long were you doing it when you knew you were talented enough to be a professional? How often do you write now? And would you ever want to get into the more production side of things?
Also, last thing, what was it like working with hot sugar? He seems so crazy yet cool yet talented yet indefineable haha.
IamGregPorn5 karma
20 years, like 3 years, everyday, no i do post production tho and thanx
EssenceLom2 karma
First off, Undun was awesome. Secondly, how do you feel about the underground movement? A lot of groups/rappers such as you all ride on the line of being considered mainstream or underground. Would you consider yourself more one way or the other? How do you feel about mainstream rappers such as Lil Wayne/Gucci/Flocka vs mainstream rappers such as J Cole, Kanye, Jay Z, etc?
IamGregPorn2 karma
am not totally defined either way yet and i apprecialte all rappers they all have at least one thing they do well and thanx
ItGotRidiculous2 karma
Where can I get the acoustic/unplugged sessions you did with Jay-Z? I have searched for a lifetime.
dm422 karma
What's your favourite Roots album?
What song are you most proud of?
Bonus question - what's your favourite album?
Love the Roots by the way.
IamGregPorn9 karma
thank uuuu and undun is my fav, singing man is the song im most proud of cuz that was my idea as far as the direction of the song or my first one actually, and llife after death, illmatic and nirvanas second album with teen spirit 3 way tie
Bendeutsch2 karma
did scott storch really get kicked out of the roots for being white? heard that once, wanted to known if it was true.
IamGregPorn23 karma
hell fuckin no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! he just got into a main stream loop and became his own entity
Pokemon08912 karma
Whatever happened to malik b.? did he leave the group cuz of drugs..thats just what i heard.
shun-162 karma
Hey I've been a huge Roots fan for years, I really think you guys are one of the few groups in any genre of music who don't put out weak albums, you have amazing consistency and diversity going on. My question for you is regarding the song The Roots did for Yo Gabba Gabba. Did you have any involvement in the song? I really love that song even before my daughter was born and to me it really speaks to the diversity you guys are able to put out there musically. Thanks for doing this.
IamGregPorn7 karma
i didnt have any involvement any that song but they r really into their craft i will relay the message
TyluhS2 karma
I know most artist get sick of their own tunes but you guys always look like you're having a good time ...
What's your favorite track to play/ what's your least favorite?
MegatronsAbortedBro2 karma
Do you tour on your own? You planning on making any trips to NYC anytime soon?
greatexpectations28182 karma
soooo, porn is your family name?
View HistoryShare Link