Today we’d like to introduce you to J. Anthony Grigger.
Hi J, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello, I’m J. Anthony Grigger or JAG, or JAGDaWriter. I am a writer. I am a writer of poetry, songs, inspirational words, and published magazine articles. I love writing. Writing is my power. Especially, lyrically. My love for words started with rapping, which grew into my passion for writing. I started writing lyrics at the age of ten, maybe even earlier than that. The more I think about it. It’s the enjoyment and the freedom to release my thoughts; and go in with my pen. I started loving music when I was in pre-school to believe it or not. I remember singing in the church that the pre-school was held in. It was a big brick red church. I remember watching and dancing to Beat Street. I remember being amazed by Sheila E. How dope Prince was in Purple Rain. I remember performing like Michael Jackson. I remember in summer camp. Some homies and I performed Jodeci. We did “Forever My Lady”. I pulled my then girlfriend on stage. It was dope. I have been a creator of art all my life. Thank you to the camp at Eastwick. Ms. Winnie and Ms. Harriett.
I was dancing in school choirs and singing in the church choir when I was away in private school. That’s when I was introduced to Jay-Z. That’s when my writing took off into something else. When I was like maybe about 12-13. I had a chance to be in a rap group called the Philly Youngsters or Youngsters. I remember the manager who was formulating the group’s name was Michael. My mom had a t-shirt shop and he was a customer in the store. He saw something in me. However, I missed the time he was gonna pick me up and take me to the studio. That ship sailed. I never stopped writing though.
At times so did my mom. I would rap in the basement with my friends, I rapped in High school. At lunch and after class with bul from Chester named Mike. Then I linked up with this girl I was into, her brother. His name Lloyd, he went by Ginseng Root. His lyrical wordplay inspired me. I remember us always freestyling in the living room. I’ve always loved music and words. My writing just grew over time. I enjoy writing about any topic, so no topic is off-limits. I literally write all day, lol. Anyone who really knows me will say that. I self-published my first poetry book in the summer of 2020.
Titled “Scriptures From A Gemini – Thoughts on 6:14 – Pieces I left 4 U 2 Find. Put that in the search engine, lol. It was something I have always wanted to do. I did that.
I have contributed my writing to MusicNotez.com, Parle Magazine, and KONTROL. I was a lead writer in the music department at SUAVV MAGAZINE. I am currently the Entertainment Editor for Obvious Magazine. I have also created my own beats to music. I have also some experience and knowledge assisting with the creative direction of new indie R&B soul entertainer, Hemmingw8y.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth ride. I don’t think it would be. Every day is a struggle honestly. There is always something moving around that grabs your attention. Support. Fighting with myself about my creativity. Self-esteem issues. I’m human. I deal with humanly issues similar to all the other humans here. Self-depression. Finances. I mean the list goes on. Trust and honesty of people are always an issue. I still swim through it though. I learned to become a great swimmer.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I was in a McGruff campaign as a kid. I have modeled in some print ads. My face was featured on the public transportation in my hometown of Philadelphia. It was for an AIDS/HIV awareness campaign. That turned into some controversy over the imagery of the photo. It was called “Have You Been Hit”.
It made the news, and not in a good way. That’s all I’m gonna say. I have acted in some very, very independent films years ago. I was in the drama class. I used to want to be a star so bad. Because at times in my own surroundings. I didn’t really feel like one inside. I always wanted to escape to feel important. I dealt with a lot of being picked on as a kid. In-house and out-house. I wasn’t passionate about acting as I was about music and penning.
Writing has always been my love and has always been one of my non-physically living friends. Lyrics and music, those two powers combined brings me joy. They take me to places I love to stay in. I am a writer. I am a writer of poetry, songs, inspirational words, and published magazine articles. I have also created my own beats to music.
What sets me apart is that I know that I am not like anyone else. No one is. No one has my mind. No one has my power. Once I realized that I have all the power in me. I moved differently. My pen game is ridiculous. I love what I do. Lyrical passionate penning is my power.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
To be honest I don’t have one. I’m drawing a blank. Maybe I need more time to think about that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://justagem.art.blog/ , https://linktr.ee/JAGDaWriter
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jagdawriter?r=nametag
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf7jnIXW2bmvF_x0lyL_DDQ?view_as=subscriber
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/zxHZ9Rjr946BevWGA
- Other: https://www.bandlab.com/jantdawriter
