Gran Larson
Gig Seeker Pro

Gran Larson

Dallas, TX | Established. Jan 01, 2010

Dallas, TX
Established on Jan, 2010
Solo Hip Hop

Calendar

Music

Press


"Gran Larson - The Ave"

Calvin L. Nelson is GRAN LARSON. And in ‘The Ave’, he shows much of his skills in production and arrangement that is deserving of the artist. The Dallas, TX based young artist is aggressive, in tone, in conviction, in lyrical satisfaction. The old school style in ‘The Ave’ is the heat that you feel from the proverbial bat to the neck. Your teeth knocked out, your neck crunched, you still crawl towards your goals and ambitions. The struggle is always real. Will you step up to that challenge? - Chris Staff - comeherefloyd.com


"Winnin: Interview With Independent Hip Hop Artist Gran Larson"

Gran Larson was born Calvin L. Nelson on July 11, 1991 in Dallas, Texas. He developed an interest in music at an early age, when he would freestyle and rhyme for fun with his friends.

He figured he could do more than just rap for fun so he began to pursue bigger aspirations that quickly came to a hault in middle school when he lost in a talent show, but it would take more than that to keep him away from his dreams.

He started to rap again with the support from a few friends and classmates. This comeback featured a new style and approach. He wrote everyday, but did not limit himself to only rap. He wrote poetry as well; it helped his thought process prior to writing music.

“Putting your heart into poetry allows it to come out through the music,” Gran Larson says. With the influences of The Notorious B.I.G, Scarface, Method Man and Outkast, Larson recorded his first song titled “Listen (Feel Me)” letting everyone know that he’d entered the rap game. He released his debut mixtape “Burn Notice” on his birthday 7/11/12 showcasing his style of rap.

1) How long have you been doing what you’re doing and how did you get started in the first place?

I’ve been doing music for awhile. Started taking it serious recording back in high school, linking up with the homies and starting freestyle sessions. The lunch time rap sessions always gave me ideas to work on real song with. It was up to me to craft the inspiration into a skill, I’m still working on it.

2) What sort of hurdles and obstacles did you face to get to where you are now?

Man not having recording equipment or money to record and not having resources. Over the years since I’ve started I’ve met so many people I connected with musically and personally. Everything sort of fell into their place. Not to mention people not believing I was writing raps haha. Till this day when I play a record for my moms she don’t believe it’s me.

3) What’s the hardest thing about being an independent artist?

The hardest thing as of now is getting people to believe in your vision. That’s not just with music that with any profession. Family and friends won’t see the ideas and inspiration until a few moves are made. No trip though, in due time if you continue to push issue and things start to shake they’ll understand. It’s all a process.

4) Are there any independent hip-hop artists out there who inspire and motivate you?

The homie Raw Elementz!! That guy there is a workhorse, headlining his own shows and opening up for other artist like SZA & Dave East. He got his clothing line going and his homies are with him pushing too.

Can’t forget lil bro Reb Creezy and Bobby Session. One love to Bobby recently signing to Def Jam, if that’s not motivation I don’t know what is. To people talking about Dallas don’t support Dallas. They still sleep I guess.

5) Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Where ever the universe allows me to be. Everything works on its own, lets see what happens.

6) Who were the first influences on your music and style?

Master P!! Dude really gave us proof that there IS a way out the ghetto. Always been a big fan of Styles P, the ways he tells stories in his raps you can relate to as far as style and how to put things into perspective. As of right now my favorite artist is Curren$y. Work ethic is on 9000 man.

7) If you could choose to collaborate with 3 other artists on the same track – who would they be?

Scarface, Kendrick Lamar & Method Man….honorable mention could be Redman, Curren$y & Berner. Another honorable mention could be Sade, SZA & Joey Bada$$, that would be fire to hear.

8) How do you currently make money as an independent hip-hop artists?

The old fashion 9 to 5 haha. Got to invest in the craft somehow, it won’t just happen by itself.

9) What are you hoping to achieve with your music?

I’m hoping to inspire the world. Can’t do it all at one time start with the ones closest to me and then aim to expand the vibes further. It’s super cool to be different. Like I say, all in due time.

10) What do you think is the biggest barrier an artist like yourself has to overcome, to gain commercial success?

Greed, shade, the word “NO” (a lot of people most definitely struggle with that) and a few other things. Ways to overcome that is to stay focus and overstand that everyone is not going to like what you’re doing and what you have to say.

Forget them just keep pushing eventually they’ll become supporters. If not, then there are millions of other people to inspire. Everyone won’t make it to the end of your journey. - Hao Nguyen


"Gran Larson – “The Groove” (Prod. By MarcDBeats)"

It’s a celebration.

Celebrate life as Gran Larson teams up with MarcDBeats on “The Groove”. The single feels like something your mom and pops would dance too but the bars from Larson makes it relevant to the youth. - J.GOOD - Str8OUTDADEN.com


"Top 5 submissions for 3rd week March"

Calvin L. Nelson aka Gran Larson crafts a winners anthem in the form of his new record titled “Winnin”.

After losing a talent show in middle school. He started to rap again with the support from a few friends and classmates. This comeback featured a new style and approach. He wrote everyday, but did not limit himself to only rap. He wrote poetry as well; it helped his thought process prior to writing music. With the influences of The Notorious B.I.G, Scarface, Method Man and Outkast, Larson recorded his first song titled “Listen (Feel Me)” letting everyone know that he’d entered the rap game. He released his debut mixtape “Burn Notice” on his birthday 7/11/12 showcasing his style of rap. - Tackzilla - thewordisbond.com


"The Gran Larson Experience Is Like No Other"

Check out the interview with Gran Larson exclusively on Skilly Magazine Online.

Skilly: Where did this all start? Tell us about your journey in the entertainment business.
Gran Larson: It stared back in elementary school. Honestly, I never did wanted to rap. I just loved music in general. I did kick a few flows with the homies during lunch though. I started writing and recording on instrumentals with a few of the homies in high school and after a crew of people heard me rap told me I had the skills to make something happen I ran with it. I started challenging myself to get better and better with each verse. Crazy how things turn out in the long run.

What would be your biggest piece of advice for the young kids out there trying to do what you do?
Ride the vibe and keep the dream alive. There’s gonna be times you want to throw your hands up and do something else but just keep at it. Long as you’re being true to yourself and your words someone is gonna feel you.

What are some of the hardest challenges and tasks in your position?
Great teamwork and originality. A lot of artists sound the same and have identical concepts in their music. Better to create your vibe and give people a music experience they’ve never heard.

We all know the entertainment business is very tough, but what do you find is the best way to promote and advertise your music?
I’d say YouTube and Soundcloud so far. Plenty of blogs that might dig your music is a bonus too.

Tell us about your city. How are the artists and the fans?
Dallas, one of the dopest cities you could ever be in. Traffic sucks at times but hey, the dope outweighs the bad right? We have a bunch of groovy artists in the city like Raw Elementz, Fat Pimp, Honey Banks, and Robin Rhymes. Everyone is doing their thing and making a name for themselves representing for our city. Re-established unity is taking place and everyone’s about to make something shake.

Where do you see yourself a year from today?
If the lord says the same, I’d be touring here and there giving people dope vibes they can take with them everywhere.

Who and what were your biggest inspirations? Who do you look up to in today’s world?
Listening to Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole really inspired me at a time when I was feeling down and out mentally and spiritually. They really lifted me. Even to this day they inspired millions with their stories.

How do you feel about the music coming out today? Do you like it?
I feel there’s a pool of artists that deserve to be where they are or dissevered to be heard. Then there’s that other pool. I like the music Curren$y has been putting out lately, even coped his album Canal Street Confidential. Honestly, I’d be happier when artists from my city get that spotlight.

Where can we contact you and find you online?
Twitter: @BigHomieLarson
Instagram: @BigHomieLarson
YouTube: @ GranLarsonORLS
Soundcloud: @GranLarson
Snapchat: @GranLarson - Skilly


Discography

Still working on that hot first release.

Photos

Bio

Gran Larson was born Calvin L. Nelson on July 11, 1991 in Dallas, Texas. His interest in music started as far back as elementary school when he would freestyle and rhyme for fun with his friends. He figured he could do more than simply rap for fun so he began to pursue bigger aspirations. These aspirations came to a halt in middle school when he stopped rapping because he lost a talent show, but it would take more than that to keep him away from his dreams. He started back rapping during his freshman year of high school with support from everyone around him. This comeback featured a new style and approach. He began writing every day, but did not limit himself to only rap. He wrote poetry as well. Poetry helps him brainstorm and helps his thought process before he begins to make music. “Putting your heart into the poetry lets it come out through the music,” Gran Larson says. 

Some of his musical influences include: Notorious B.I.G., Scarface, Big Pun, UGK, and Z-Ro. His genre of music is hip hop and rap although he considers himself to be vice versa when it comes to his style of music. The first song Gran Larson ever recorded was called “Feel Me” which was his introduction, telling people that he had entered the rap game. He released his debut mixtape "Burn Notice" on his birthday 7/11/12 bringing out his lyrical style of rap. In 2015 Larson released Cruise Control with an all new approach featuring smoother production and deeper detail. 

Band Members