GOAT

Artist Information

Biography

With two tours and over 250 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 - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Double J - keys, DJ, Back-up Vocals

Discography

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

• Website
• Bandcamp
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Twitter

Audio

• Cleansed In Dirt (Justin "Double J" Jones Remix)
  Listen  
• Ain't Felt Nothin'
  Listen  
• Highest Low
  Listen  
• Outta My Head
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Cleansed In Dirt (Justin "Double J" Jones Remix)
• Ain't Felt Nothin'
• Highest Low
• Outta My Head

Video

Highest Low

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

Photo Gallery

Press

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

  A few months ago, I blogged about GOAT & three6t’s latest CD release party to introduce “Mileage” to...A few months ago, I blogged about GOAT & three6t’s latest CD release party to introduce “Mileage” to the world. The album is a true hip hop work of art, involving a complex story and seriously righteous beats. This, plus the crazy effort and heart that GOAT puts into his music, made this work not just something to bob your head to, but to open your mind with.
  
  Here I am again to give you my take on the duo’s latest video release of “Highest Low,” just one of the stellar tracks available on the record.
  
  “How low will you go to get as high as you can be?” – This is the first thought provoking inquiry that GOAT poses to you, the listener. What’s your answer? Mine was, “Oh wow. That’s REAL.” To me, it brings images of junkies in the street injecting ignorant bliss, or kids getting screwed up and pushing limits like so many red buttons that they knew they should never have pushed.
  
  The video has images of its own for you to absorb, many including familiar faces to the Dallas art & music scene brandishing tattoos with similarly familiar words such as ‘corruption,’ ‘greed,’ ‘lust,’ and ‘hope.’ All of these human experiences that we ourselves are faced with on a regular basis certainly made me feel the music and its meaning. Another message I found was the message to be thankful for how lucky we really are, even if only to remember the food that’s in our fridge and our family being there for us at the end of what can be a long and difficult ascension back up.
  
  GOAT is a mnemonic device of sorts. The letters stand for something, that something being “Grades Of Absolute Truth;” but also GOAT himself embodies such a device to me. For those of you checking dictionary.com for what I might mean, let me help you out a bit. A mnemonic device is a device that is used to help somebody remember something they are supposed to be learning. We are all supposed to be learning right now, even if it is just remembering absolute truths that we were born to live.
  
  Go check out the video for “Highest Low” and see if you can remember one or two of those truths right now.

• Cappuccino's Hip Hop Page [+ Show ]
  

  For so long the Southern music movement has been grounds for scrutiny, degradation, and a mentality ...For so long the Southern music movement has been grounds for scrutiny, degradation, and a mentality that mediocrity in the industry is the standard. With time has come a renaissance in the state of mind and the style of music rising from the shadow of "ring-tone rappers." Of this new-era of southern lyricists comes an underdog known simply to his family, friends, and fans as GOAT.
  
  Given the nickname "GOAT" as an adolescent, Justin Griffith took the hand he was dealt and has run with it under a creed of "honesty and truth" in himself and his lyrics. GOAT is a product of the Dallas area, getting his education in the city he loves and faithfully pays homage to. GOAT understands the value of hard work and sheer dedication both behind a microphone and in the classroom. GOAT attended Cedar Valley Community College, and headed north to study audio engineering before making the transition to the University of North Texas where the idea and realization of his melodic "Intelligent South" music would soon hit the streets. Today GOAT works as a teacher and mentor to aspiring musicians in addition to being one of Dallas' top independent hip hop artists.
  
  GOAT has a sound as unique as his name. The words flow as smoothly and effortlessly as his cool demeanor. His messages are as powerful as the thunderous bass that lines every rhyme. GOAT's daring experimentation with a plethora of different genres makes his sound as diverse as his hometown.
  
  Thumbs up for having such dedication and tenacity at a young age to become an accomplished musician and artist. A professional, well grounded positive role model and friend. Striving and progressing to be successful releasing hot singles, mixtapes, CDs, and collaborations, unselfishly making positive efforts to be of aid and support in our community. GOAT is definitely headed to the top. He says he wants persistency, and no doubt - that's what we get!
  
  OFFICIAL ALBUM RELEASE PARTY - November 7th, 2009. The Intelligent South presents "Mileage" from GOAT & three6t at the Curtain Club in Deep Ellum. Do not miss the opportunity to hear the multiple genres of music as the artist rocks the crowd with his crunk and southern style! Visit musicbygoat.com for more info. Now That's Hot!

• 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...You love boobs, even if you won’t admit it in any audible fashion. It’s OK–so do hip-hop philanthropists Justin Griffith a.k.a. G.O.A.T. (Grades Of Absolute Truth) and Vincent “Young Heartbreak” Tucker.
  
  The duo teamed up to present Save the Boobs: Hip Hop Helps Heal Breast Cancer Benefit Show, to support the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Hip Hop Helps Heal (or H4) is the brainchild of eloquent rhyme-spitter G.O.A.T., whose sense of social responsibility is present in many of his actions. Tucker is also no stranger to utilizing hip-hop’s unifying strength for the forces of good. Save the Boobs marks his fourth charitable event since December 2007.
  
  It all goes down at The Bone in Deep Ellum on Saturday, August 23, at 8 p.m. The lineup includes performances from Pikahsso and Tahiti, G.O.A.T. & DJ Three6t among others. There will also be a body painting showcase by 3 of 1 Art, live art creations by ArtLoveMagic and breast exam demonstrations. Check out what G.O.A.T. and Tucker had to say about the upcoming show, their philanthropic efforts and what they’ve got in store for the night after the jump.

• Odd Jobs [+ Show ]
  

  Justin Richard Griffith, aka GOAT, raps about things he would never teach his elementary students. B...Justin Richard Griffith, aka GOAT, raps about things he would never teach his elementary students. By day he is an elementary music teacher in a North Texas school district. By night Justin Richard Griffith, 25, morphs into GOAT (Grades of Absolute Truth), a skilled rapper who boasts among other things of the liberating effects of vodka. "Time to tilt the bottle up/no need for a cup," raps Griffith on "Count Me In..."

• CD Review: GOAT's Absolute Truth [+ Show ]
  

  There is something to be said for learning and studying one’s craft. Local hip-hop artist, GOAT (whi...There is something to be said for learning and studying one’s craft. Local hip-hop artist, GOAT (which stands for Grades of Absolute Truth), who has recently released his full length, solo album entitled Absolute Truth, holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas, with a concentration in classical voice. Anyone familiar with music education in the United States knows that UNT has one of the premier music programs covering a broad spectrum of study. Those who take the time to check out Absolute Truth will be treated to GOAT’s passion for and knowledge of his profession.
  
  The theme of alcohol pervades throughout the entirety of Absolute Truth, including a playful reference in the title (think Citron, Raspberri, Mandarin… there you go). The listener, however, is not underwhelmed with countless trite party references. Instead, GOAT covers several situations where alcohol can play a role, including at the party, in the bedroom, and even the tragedies that can occur when mixed with driving. Heavily infusing this theme of alcohol and excess into the entire album may make it difficult for most artists to differentiate between songs, but for GOAT the task is easily met. Each of his songs takes on its own distinct flavor, pulling from varied musical and lyrical sources.
  
  According to GOAT, he is influenced by musicians like Talib Kweli, Brandon Boyd of Incubus, and Stevie Ray Vaughn, as well as the poet Edgar Allen Poe. When paying close attention to the Absolute Truth one can hear GOAT’s varied influences given voice. The album starts off with the sounds and voices typical of a bar setting, which lead into the first track, “Count Me N," sure to be a frat party favorite across DFW colleges as the album gains in popularity. Then in “Hollowed LUV," GOAT steps out of the hip-hop mold and breaks it down with a furious, rock-inspired passion that I haven’t seen from this genre in far too long. GOAT later brings in an early 90’s groove with the track entitled “Sexual Playgrounds," featuring Stacia McNeil, which is reminiscent of L.L. Cool J’s old favorite “Doin’ It." Creepy factoid: a simple Google search reminded me that L.L. Cool J came out with an album entitled G.O.A.T. in 2000. Coincidence? Ok yeah, probably, but I can speculate.
  
  What struck me the most about this album were its depth and its ability to transcend musical and artistic genres. From hip-hop lovers, to rock enthusiasts, to spoken-word poets, most everyone will be able to find something to appreciate in Absolute Truth.

• Hip Side: GOAT - Absolute Truth [+ Show ]
  

  Dallas-based producer, musician, and MC, GOAT, brings a different and complex approach to hip hop. ...Dallas-based producer, musician, and MC, GOAT, brings a different and complex approach to hip hop. The disc begins amidst the clatter of jubilant voices and talk within a bar setting---before GOAT extols the virtues of libation in "Count Me In." Mystical and classical violin sounds, humor, self-analysis and tight rhymes emanate throughout. The theme focuses on alcohol, but does not simply glorify it. Instead, the good times had while imbibing are offset with the consequences of drunk driving. The ear-gasmic eroticism of the duet "Sexual Playgrounds" has an R&B flavor that drips with anticipated carnality, while hidden track "...173" begins with a melancholy piano solo and lyrics that seek to reconnect with a dearly-departed friend. Absolute Truth successfully combines musicianship and lyrical content through modern sound, and listening to it is time well spent.

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