GOAT

Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
Secondary Genre: Alternative Dallas, Texas USA Contact

The illegitimate child of promiscuous genres.

Artist Information

Biography

With two tours and over 275 performances under his belt, GOAT, born Justin Griffith, has been relentlessly building an independent movement since 2005. This elementary music teacher hails from Dallas, Texas, and represents The Intelligent South, bringing soulful indie music laced with melodic and poetic lyricism. When writing and recording, GOAT (Grades Of Absolute Truth) is a focused musician carefully crafting each phrase to perfection. On stage, he immediately attracts his audience with an inviting, endless energy by combining singing with rhyming, instruments with live looping, and multimedia visuals.

In early '05, GOAT & dj three6t, a long-time friend, began building a loyal fan base by performing several times a month in various venues throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. By the time of GOAT’s CD Release Party for Absolute Truth in August of 2006, they would perform for a packed house at Club Clearview. Absolute Truth received extremely positive reviews and Harder Beat named the Release Party one of the “Best Shows of 2006.”

While desiring to help unify the D/FW scene for a philanthropic cause, GOAT founded Hip Hop Helps Heal, or H4, in 2008. H4 is a non-profit organization built on the love of music, where egos are left at home and people become selfless. They have raised and contributed thousands of dollars to several charity organizations.

GOAT & three6t took their music out of state for the first time in 2009 during the Summer of Mileage, a week-long west coast tour to promote their upcoming album. Their performances were received with immediate positive feedback at venues such as Babylon in Fresno, CA, and Copper State Tavern in Glendale, AZ. In November, after months of hard work and preparation, the long awaited birth of Mileage had arrived.

Several doors were kicked open in 2010. GOAT joined forces with director Teddy Cool to produce “Highest Low,” his first official music video. Filled with intense symbolism, the video shows the internal struggles that life brings us, each character personifying a different battle. It would later go on to be screened at the Fall Indie Fest. The same month the video was released, GOAT was invited to perform at SXSW for the first time. The summer of 2010 brought the successful completion of the Southern Elements Tour, a month long run covering Colorado, Utah, California, and Nevada. In the final days of 2010, GOAT was booked to play at the House of Blues in Dallas, where a live band accompanied him. The show was the culmination of an amazing year and was yet another result of his undeniable perseverance.

Mileage: Retuned was released the first week of 2011. The album was a collection of songs from Mileage that were each remixed by a different producer. The result was a showcase of multiple genres that gave fans a new take on songs they already knew and loved. Then came another milestone in his career. He was signed on to co-produce ArtLoveMagic’s prestigious Underground 2011, a live show that boasts over 75 artists of various mediums. It set in motion the creation of a massive collaborative song. Produced by GOAT, it joined 14 musicians, each from different groups performing at the event. “We Rise Up” was performed once and released in February, along with an official music video by uFilmhouse. He is currently recording an insightful project entitled senseless, which highlights the abuse of our five senses.

GOAT’s professionalism is at its peak, and his obsessive-compulsive tendencies fend for a keen sense of self-reflection; therefore progression is definite. He intends to continue building a larger regional and national following by consistent performances, creative releases, constantly being proactive with his website, and staying connected with fans through facebook, youtube, and twitter. According to LIT Monthly, he is named “one of Dallas’ top independent artists” and “you’ll learn that, in this incarnation, G.O.A.T. ain’t playin'."

Instrumentation

GOAT - Guitar, Lead Vocals
Double J - keyboard, DJ, Back-up Vocals
G. B. - Guitar
J. B. - Drums

Discography

GOAT
"Lead"
2013

ArtLoveMagic's Underground
"We Rise Up"
2011

GOAT
Mileage: Retuned
2011

GOAT & three6t
Mileage
2009

GOAT & three6t | JackRabbit & Elle
The 4 Track Sessions: Volume 1
2009

dj three6t & GOAT
Dallas Got Next: The Mixtape
2007

GOAT
Absolute Truth
2006

Links

Audio

  • Lead
    Listen  
  • Cleansed In Dirt (Justin "Double J" Jones Remix)
    Listen  
  • Highest Low
    Listen  

Lyrics

Video

Highest Low

Live at Trees in Dallas, TX (Main Support For LOS & Jon Connor)

Photo Gallery

Press

  • Get To Know - GOAT - Dallas' Hottest Star [+ Show ]

    IAA: Why do you want to record and release your own music? GOAT: I don’t want to record and rele...

  • "Highest Low" Official Video Release [+ Show ]

    A few months ago, I blogged about GOAT & three6t’s latest CD release party to introduce “Mileage” to...

  • Cappuccino's Hip Hop Page [+ Show ]

    For so long the Southern music movement has been grounds for scrutiny, degradation, and a mentality ...

  • The Rap Up: Save Some Boobs This Weekend! [+ Show ]

    You love boobs, even if you won’t admit it in any audible fashion. It’s OK–so do hip-hop philanthrop...

  • Odd Jobs [+ Show ]

    Justin Richard Griffith, aka GOAT, raps about things he would never teach his elementary students. B...

Setlist

GOAT has written and recorded over 100 original songs, which are all performance ready. With a varied repertoire to choose from, he customizes each set specifically for the venue/crowd he is performing for and can tastefully compliment indie-rock bands, underground hip-hop, or stand completely alone. Content ranges from care-free to thought-provoking. Oftentimes, a few covers or mainstream instrumentals are also included to heighten familiarity and crowd response.

Censored performances are available upon request.

HEADLINING SET
(14-16 songs / 50-60 minutes)

SUPPORTING ACT SET
(7 songs / 30 minutes)

OPENING ACT SET
(5 songs / 20 minutes)

*DJ performance can be included (pre-show or post-show)

Basic Requirements


Calendar

DateTimeVenueCity
Jun 25, 2013 Tuesday 2:00 PM KNON 89.3 FM: Kanesblock - Interview Dallas, TX, US
Jul 5, 2013 Friday 11:45 PM Curtain Club - Uncle Sam Jam with Christian Sly and The Breaks (Special Guest Appearance) Deep Ellum, TX, US