INTERVIEW: Nick Grant Talks 'Smile,' Bars & Books,' J.I.D,. TDE. Interest In Screenwriting + More

Nick Grant, the lyricist behind the new album 'Smile,' reveals a raw, emotionally charged journey through grief, artistic integrity, and the contradictions of fame. After losing three loved ones in a single year—including a cousin and his sister, who became his mother figure—he confronts the myth that success brings fulfillment, arguing instead that it often exposes the worst in people. His album, a 'spiritual listening experience' held at the Brooklyn Public Library, is designed to be a communal, cathartic space where vulnerability isn’t just allowed but essential. Despite being overlooked by the mainstream, Grant refuses to let disappointment turn to bitterness, crediting therapy, family, and a deep commitment to his craft. He shares a powerful vision for the future: transitioning into screenwriting, inspired by Punch’s encouragement, with a story rooted in his father’s legacy at Freaknik. His candid reflections on the music business—its selfishness, the need for 'cosigns' to break through, and the emotional toll of being a 'sensitive gangster'—paint a portrait of an artist who values authenticity over acclaim. When challenged on his claim that he raps better than JID, he doubles down not out of arrogance, but as a necessary act of self-belief in a system that undervalues lyricism. The episode culminates in a defiant yet tender message: you don’t need the world’s approval to be great—just the courage to keep creating. Grant’s story is a masterclass in resilience.