Greg Beamish

What’s in Your Fridge is where the Straight asks interesting Vancouverites about their life-changing concerts, favourite albums, and, most importantly, what’s sitting beside the Heinz Ketchup in their custom-made Big Chill Retropolitan 20.6-cubic-foot refrigerators.

On the grill

Greg Beamish

Who are you?

Greg Beamish, Vancouver rapper/sports-trivia genius. Coming off a broken leg didn't stop this dude from touring 12 shows around Germany and Switzerland last November with American DJ/producer/MPC legend KutMasta Kurt and German MC Retrogott. He also just came back from rocking an official showcase at NXNE 2015 in Toronto last month. Recently, he recorded his latest EP, Dude on Fire in only two days with production help from Juno award–winning, West Coast legend Moka Only.

First concert

My first concert I ever went to see was Mr. Dressup. I think this was probably somewhere around 1986 or 1987? I'm about three years old at the time. I went with my mom and I remember I was really f*ckin excited! When Casey and Finnegan came on stage I was so stoked, I started shaking uncontrollably! When Mr. Dressup actually appeared I was full-blown freaking out. Like a girl from Atlanta at an R. Kelly concert. By the time they wheeled the Tickle Trunk out, my little three-year-old brain just couldn't process all the excitement anymore! I had reached the pinnacle of life! I'd seen it all already and I just couldn't handle it. I just straight-up passed out right there! We had to leave the show because my mom was scared and had to take me to the hospital. This really happened.

Life-changing concert

This was back when I was in grade 9 or 10. At the time if you were born in 1984, you could take a thumb-tack and scratch the "4" on your driver's license to make it look like a “1”, making it appear as if you're born in 1981. I became a master of this technique. Boom! I was instantly transformed from a boy into a 19-year-old man in the eyes of any undiscerning doorman. The house band at the Rose and Crown Pub in Tsawwassen was alright, but Context Mondays at 7 Alexander was really more my cup of tea. I would hop on the 601 bus and make it to Gastown in time to cautiously sip a beer before the end of soundcheck. I only needed two or three beers to get drunk in those days, so by the time the show had actually started, I was on beer number three and my 16-year-old ass was feeling pretty cool! One night I was there and Swollen Members performed and it was a really crazy show! This was in their heyday and the place was really packed. I was young, drunk, and impressionable, but being from Vancouver, wanting to be a rapper and seeing the huge response they got from the crowd, knowing they were a local group, set a tone for me. Maybe one day I too could get drunk on-stage and say stuff for money. They made it look like a fun job.

Top three records

MC Hammer Please Hammer, Don't Hurt ‘Em Around 1989 I used to stay up late after In Living Color was on and watch The Arsenio Hall Show. When Hammer came on the show one night and did "U Can't Touch This", that was it for me! I was an instant fan. I made my dad buy me the Please Hammer, Don't Hurt ‘Em album on tape at A&B Sound on Marine Drive the day it came out. Then I made him listen to the whole thing in our 1985 Mercury Lynx all the way up to Grouse Mountain one night when we went skiing. Then I put the tape in my yellow Sony Sports Walkman and I went skiing with headphones on! That's when I invented that. I was the first guy to do that—the skiing with headphones on thing! I was five. I was a spoiled kid, but I was a trendsetter.

Ice-T O.G. Original Gangster Before Ice-T, I really didn't know the difference between what was considered gangster rap or pop rap or anything really. I didn't care if it was Ice Cube, Vanilla Ice or Kris Kross or whatever. They all rapped right? So it was all rap music to me. This all changed when my friend’s older brother introduced me to this album. I was only in Grade 1, but before then I didn't know what a little pussy I was! (Prior to this, nobody had showed me Ice-T in the movie Breakin') I ditched my Cross Colours gear and insisted from then on that my mom only buy me black Levi's and L.A. Kings gear so I could look cool in front of all the Grade 7 girls at recess. It didn't work. But the album helped define my taste nonetheless.

Del Tha Funkee Homosapien Future Development I stumbled upon this record online sometime around when I was in Grade 11. Up to then all the music I had was a physical copy, CD, tape, or vinyl. I remember this was the first full album I ever downloaded off the Internet. Probably off LimeWire or something similar. I was already a big Del and Hieroglyphics fan back then. I just liked this album because it seemed so chilling and effortless, especially compared to the stuff that was coming out around the time. The lo-fi beats, the careless and fun lyrics about partying and hanging out with your crew at the mall. This was the type of hip-hop that I could picture myself in.

Favourite video

Dr. Dre "Nuthin' But a ‘G’ Thang" I remember I was at a friend's house and we were watching another riveting episode of Full House. Stephanie had just driven Danny's car into the kitchen when my friend’s older brother came in and switched the channel to MuchMusic because "Rap City was on". I think that was the first time I remember seeing Master T as the host. Within a few minutes the "Nuthin But a ‘G' Thang" video came on. There was Dr. Dre, Snoop Doggy Dogg, and a bunch of crazy bouncing cars! I grew up in Richmond so I'd never seen cars like that. I'd seen Hondas with doilies and Kleenex boxes in the back, but I hadn't seen that shit! I was like whoa! These guys are fuckin' cool! I had been to a barbecue before—how come the barbecues I'd been to weren't like that one? I'd go on to spend the rest of my life attempting to make every barbecue I would ever attend a little more like the one in that video.


What's in your fridge

Granny Smith apples. I really like Granny Smith apples, not only because of their great taste, but because I have an actual grandma named Betty Smith and as a kid she told me that they were apples named after her. In my early years I thought everybody's grandma had their own signature apple in their name. Later on, I learned this was not the case. One time, I went to a fortune teller and she mentioned something about my affinity for green apples. Since then, I've always ate Granny Smith apples before I do a show. Usually, I've been drinking and smoking weed all night prior so having an apple before I rap alleviates the dry-mouth that comes along with that. Until recently, I thought I was the only person that did this! A few years ago I went to school and they told us that a lot of professional broadcasters eat apples before they hit the air. I guess they all went to the same weird fortune teller as I did.

Orange juice. Orange juice really is the Undisputed King of Juice. It's like the Budweiser of juice. I've sampled a lot of other fruit juices on the market out there, but I keep going back to OJ. If you order straight pineapple juice at a bar people always assume something. Mango juice is too thick. Apple juice should only be consumed by children under five. Coconut water, by name, isn't really juice. But anyway it's too trendy and tastes like shit! Obviously, I go for fresh-squeezed OJ whenever possible, but time and cost can be a factor there. Otherwise, in terms of simple consumer juice, for me it's usually a toss-up between Simply Orange and Tropicana, with “Some Pulp”. “No Pulp” is okay, but if you go for “Extra Pulp”, you are just a sick, sick fuck. Gross!

Fresh local produce. Of course in the freezer we have some locally sourced greens raised by local providers. Grown in some of the finest well-lit attics, walk-in closets, and basement suites that this amazing city has to offer! Super Natural B.C.. - The Georgia Straight

WHEN GREG BEAMISH throws it down for his city, he goes all in. Judging by the bars slung throughout the Vancouver rapper’s latest release, Disposable Income, the MC is pumping his extra cash into local business by packing his rolling papers with the finest B.C. bud. More ambitious a sell, however, are the Van City–minded verses on “Chad Kroeger Money”, which attempt to get West Coast rap fans celebrating the polarizing bro-rocker, if only for his fiscal dominance. This is clearly the focus, since the song, balancing boom-bap rhythms with Molson-soaked guitar solos, goes so far as to note that the Nickelback leader “writes songs that are bad, but he makes a lot of money and I think that’s kind of rad.”


“I’ve never seen a group in music conjure up so much hatred,” Beamish says of the successful but much-derided chart-toppers as he sips on a pint of Schwarzbier at a table in off-Main brewers 33 Acres’ tasting room. “I’ve never met a person that likes them, but obviously somebody does; I think they do a pretty good job in that respect. I was trying to, with my tongue in cheek, stick up for Chad Kroeger. I don’t think he really deserves all the hate he gets.”

Helping further spread the word about B.C., Disposable Income likewise gets Beamish smoking as much homegrown as possible (“Blaze”), getting a buzz on with West Coast locals (“Walking Down Robson”), and shouting out B.C.–bred hero Terry Fox (“Terry Fox”). The nice-guy angle wasn’t always Beamish’s forte, having first worked his flow from Tsawwassen house parties into the local battle-rap scene. Slinging slurs eventually grew stale for the rhymer, though.

“I don’t really want to make fun of people,” he says earnestly of his current m.o. with an aw-shucks smile. “Battling has progressed into studying someone’s Facebook and calling up their little sister. I never really saw much of a future in that anyways. I wanted to be an artist that makes songs that people enjoy.”

Despite revamping his ideals, bad habits can be hard to break. Beamish is still getting his digs in on “My Shit’s Tight”, going to war against his enemies with barked-out attacks like: “I got two fists built like two bricks/With two hits, crack your fucking ribs like toothpicks”. Adding insult to injury, the oral assault caps with him stealing a girlfriend or two to have dirty sex in a Lexus.

Backing his brags on the eight-song outing is beat work from Stroker DeLuca. The pair first encountered each other when a teenage Beamish opened for the producer’s Def Poets Society project nearly a dozen years ago, and later evolved into a studio relationship that has resulted in both Beamish’s 2011 set Premium Boss Playa Status and Disposable Income. This time around, DeLuca fits the tracks with everything from a head-bobbing mashup of ’70s prog-rock samples on “Greg Beamish” to a mojito-sweet mélange of steel drums and gunshot sounds on “Cuba Cabana”, a cut that also includes vocal appearances by the producer, J. Dohe, and Lord Diamonds.

“We get in a little trouble on vacation in a made-up, Cuba-esque location where we have to rescue our friend J. Dohe,” he sums up of the fictional story, which quickly goes haywire after a drug deal set up by a cabbie turns into a kidnapping plot. Alluding to the song’s cast of dubiously accented villains, Beamish offers: “I hope we didn’t offend any Cubans with that song, because there are a lot of clichés and stereotypes thrown in there. It’s all in fun, I don’t think it’s too bad.”

Grounded more in reality is “Terry Fox”, an inspirational track built around chiming, ’80s-era keyboard work and rhymes comparing his own ambition to Fox undertaking his legendary Marathon of Hope. While only just briefly, it’s also the only song on Disposable Income to reflect on Beamish’s personal life beyond partying, saluting both its titular philanthropic athlete and the rapper’s mother, who died of breast cancer when he was a teenager.

“I’ve been pretty reserved, not letting too much of myself out there,” he says of keeping his family life close to his chest. “I tried to block that bad shit away. I do mention it at the end [‘I’m doing it for him and my mom I had to bury’]. I think I want to let my audience get to know me before I start dropping really emotional stuff. As a music listener I was never a fan of the really emotional Eminem songs. I always like the good-times stuff, myself.”

Despite this, Beamish is hoping to let even more of his personality sink into his verses as he continues to evolve. Currently the head waiter at a Yaletown eatery, he’s been considering bringing his fine-dining expertise into his hip-hop career, though he realizes it’s a niche element that’s already been nicked.

“Action Bronson came out and beat me to it,” he says, referring to the New York–based foodie MC, for whom Beamish actually opened in Vancouver last fall. Still, the project could be served up in the future, and the rapper already has a thematically on-point title for the record: Mise en place.

“It’s French for having things in place,” he explains, “That’s an expression that gets thrown around the restaurant a lot. By my next record I’ll hopefully have things in place.” - The Georgia Straight

Hip-hop artist Greg Beamish will get his first taste of performing at a big festival next weekend at NXNE in Toronto.

“I’m really looking forward to that,” says Beamish, 30, who grew up in Tsawwassen and is now living in Vancouver.

NXNE (North by Northeast) runs June 17 to 21 and features performances from many artists at a number of venues around the city.

He’s no stranger to performing in front of sizable audiences, having opened for some big names in the genre like T-Pain, Ghostface Killah and Redman. Beamish has also taken his act on the road, recently playing shows in Japan and Germany.

He says the crowds were good in Tokyo and that it’s more about the vibe and feeling there compared to Germany where people really like to dissect your lyrics.

“Toronto, I hear they’re kind of a tough crowd, so I’ll have to see how it goes,” he says with a chuckle.

The South Delta Secondary grad’s latest release, Dude on Fire, came out in January. The album, produced by Moka Only, has a lo-fi feel to it and a more ambient or relaxing sound than an intense one, he explains.

The album process is usually drawn out and Beamish says that can be frustrating but that wasn’t the case with Dude on Fire. He says it was completed in about two days. - See more at: http://www.delta-optimist.com/entertainment/south-delta-rapper-heads-east-1.1967544#sthash.CeFgEZ0S.dpuf - Delta Optimist

ARTIST NAME: Greg Beamish
INTERVIEWEE: Greg Beamish

1. What's your favourite thing about a festival like NXNE?

This is my first time performing in a festival environment, so I'm not entirely sure what to expect. I'm really stoked though! I'm hoping to just soak it all in and have a good time. My favourite thing, I'm guessing, will be my official showcase at Coalition, Saturday June 20th at 8 PM! (laughs). As well as checking out some other cool music and shows around the city that I wouldn't have been exposed to otherwise.

2. What should we expect from your live show?

To be honest, you never know what you're gonna get from a Greg Beamish show, I don't even know what I'm gonna do yet! For sure you can expect some high energy, some beers on stage, some crowd interaction. Chicks, hopefully. Good times. Maybe a beach ball gets kicked around... Music. Basically, 35 minutes of pure, un-adulterated entertainment. Best show on Earth.

3. Tell us something we probably don't know about your band.

Umm, you probably didn't know that I am severely allergic to nuts. I'm also a wicked tennis player.

4. If you could write the soundtrack for any existing film (from any decade) which film would you choose and what would the songs sound like?

Top Gun. Maybe the best movie and soundtrack of all time? I know, you can't mess with a classic. If it ain't broke why fix it? However, I always thought "Highway To The Danger Zone" could have used a hot 16. The songs would sound like Kenny Loggins mixed with Greg Beamish, which coincidentally sounds like the music that's played on the PA system inside the elevator that ascends to heaven.
5. Would you rather open for Neil Young or Bruce Springsteen, and why?

Bruce Springsteen, hands down. 'Cause he's the boss! - The Spill Magazine

Greg Beamish is interviewed on German Music TV station Hyperbole TV in Berlin, Germany.

Wir alle haben Lieblingslieder, besondere Melodien und vor allem auch ganz spezielle Textzeilen, die uns lange im Kopf bleiben. Lyrics, die uns an unsere erste Hausparty erinnern und die Leere am Morgen danach, an den ersten Kuss, einen unvergesslichen Urlaub, an schöne, aber auch traurige Momente. Zeilen können uns inspirieren, zum Nachdenken oder zum Lachen bringen und lange treue Wegbegleiter sein.

Wir haben Musiker gebeten, uns die privaten Geschichten zu erzählen, die hinter ihrer Lieblingszeile stehen – hinter der EINEN Zeile, die für sie aus ganz persönlichen Gründen etwas Besonderes ist. THE LINE eben. - hyperboleTV

Everything You Needed To Know About Weed, Drake, Chad Kroeger and your Career in Hip Hop. Greg Beamish has the answers...and the weed.

By Scott Wood

Vancity MC Greg Beamish was introduced to me by Vancouver music scene mainstay Christian Flores (one of my favorite Vancity DJs and hip hop specialists). Christian described Greg as “a hilarious and solid dude, easily one of the most consistent hip hop artists over the past few years in Vancouver.” With a recommendation like that, I was very interested to hear Greg’s latest release Disposable Income. (Although I must note that when I asked Christian for “a funny question I can ask Greg that will fuck with his head a bit,” Flores declined to comment.)

I get a lot of emails from local bands asking for interviews and sometimes it takes me a while to listen to a record and write some questions. Greg Beamish was not going to let things slide. I got many follow up emails and even some assertive but cheery phone call reminders to make sure this interview happened. I had to admire the man’s hustle. You get the feeling that Beamish is a funny guy to talk to outside a show while sharing some herb.

Hello folks, Scott Wood here! I'm the host of the interview show, which is a syndicated radio program you can find on several campus community radio stations across Canada. Each month, I profile one of the "hidden talents" in my local Vancouver scene. Basically, I am going to give the campus community radio readers the chance to get to know some of Vancouver's most interesting, up-and-coming bands.
In between puffs, local MC Greg Beamish answers my questions.

Scott Wood: You've opened for a lot of big names including Action Bronson, Redman, Ghostface Killah (twice), Dogg Pound, Dirt Nasty (twice), Mickey Avalon, Black Moon, Digital Underground and T-Pain. Can you pick one of those guys and talk about what you love about them?

Always have weed on you at work... just in case Chad Kroeger shows up. Don't blow it like I did.
Greg Beamish: Throughout my career so far I've been fortunate enough to get the opportunity to perform alongside some great artists. I've also opened for T-Pain. Redman has always been one of, if not, my favourite emcee. Period. I just like how he uses a lot of humour in his raps at the same time he flexes some skill and doesn't appear to take the music industry stuff too seriously. I think he was always sort of an underdog too, which is something I could always relate to. His live shows are amazing as well. I've actually got to open for him twice now. Both shows were crazy!

Scott Wood: Your track “Chad Kroeger Money” celebrates the Nickelback lead singer's financial dominance. Kroeger once bought my friend (and a complete stranger) a drink at Brandi's (Vancouver’s upscale peeler bar). If Kroeger did the same for you, what would you want to talk about?

Greg Beamish: He seems like the type of guy that would totally buy a drink for a complete stranger at a strip club! If he bought me a drink at Brandi's I'd ask him, "Hey Chad, who do you think is hotter, Avril [Lavigne, his wife] or that stripper over there?" Then, I'd ask him if he remembered that real handsome waiter in Yaletown last year that he said "smelled like weed but didn't have any" for him.

This battle-hardened linguistic skill comes in handy all the time these days during arguments with friends and family and girlfriends...and girlfriend's families.
Chad Kroeger never bought me a drink before, but I did serve him a drink one time at a bar I used to work at! I saw him buying drinks for people and he seemed like a pretty dope guy at the time. So in my head I was like "Whoa, Chad Kroeger is fuckin' cool!" But then I guess my shirt smelled like weed or something because all of a sudden he said to me, "Hey, you smell like weed, dude."

I guess he was disappointed when I said, "I'm sorry I don't have any." Feeling quite sheepish, later on he put his hand on my shoulder and said it was "all good bro." But I could see it in his eyes that I had truly let him down. Lesson kids: Always have weed on you at work. Don't smoke it out back with the dishwasher, just in case Chad Kroeger shows up. Could be your big chance. Don't blow it like I did.


Scott Wood: I'm a fan, but some people feel that Toronto rap superstar Drake is contributing to the feminization of rap. What do you think?

Greg Beamish: Yeah I like Drake too. He's a good Canadian boy. I bought all the Drake albums on iTunes. I'm a real fan. They need to have one of those Canadian Heritage Moment things featuring him and the lint roller. But I'd agree he might be contributing to the feminization of rap. However I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. It's cool to have female fans. A lot of rap shows having nothing but dudes in attendance. I like having a lot of girls at the shows because then more people come out and everyone has a good time. I empathize with Drake in a way that together we walk a fine line between appeasing both the ladies and the serious hip hop heads.

I think Drake has the right idea. Get the girls down, and then all the guys buy tickets to the shows because all the chicks are into it. That's probably one of those things Drake picked up from me after creeping my Facebook page over the years. I think I influenced him a little there. He saw the way I gave away tickets to the hot girls, which brings all the brothers out the woodwork. He caught onto that. He's a smart guy. It's all love Drizzy, I'll let you have that one. Vancity to TO, bro.

Scott Wood: In your recent release Disposable Income, you name drop all sorts of famous local Vancouver British Columbia heroes. Chad Kroeger from Nickelback and cancer crusading hero Terry Fox, to name two. There are a few I can think of that you've missed... Pamela Anderson, Michael Bublé and Michael J. Fox. Which BC hero would you want to tribute next and why?

If you frequent Vancouver hip hop shows, you'd know there's going to be a lot of people smoking weed in the audience. I'm used to it being all hazy on stage.
Greg Beamish: It's true; on Disposable Income, I gave a musical tribute to a selection of local heroes, some regional icons which I consider influential. You mentioned a few notables, all strong candidates. But on the upcoming album, instead of simply doing a tribute, I decided to go one step further. The next time around I'm actually going to bring in some of these individuals to record as featured artists on their own tribute song on my album.

For example, David Suzuki is actually going to rap on my next project. He's on a song we did with Treach called "The Naughty By Nature of Things." We're also in talks right now with Bryan Adams about shooting a feature film, coming of age comedy "Waking Up Tha Neighbours 2." That's going to be accompanied by the soundtrack. We've actually already laid down some vocals for what could be a lead single and I must say, I really like what I've been hearing so far. I've got The Man In Motion, himself Rick Hansen, rolling through to record some drops. He's keeping it moving, turning out some nice stuff. My Lilith Fair shorty, Sarah McLachlan she's got bars. Diana Krall is coming in dropping heaters. Who else? Jim Pattison expressed interest in funding the project and maybe spitting a sixteen on the album. He's a big endorsement. By the way, David Foster is signed on to produce the whole thing, he's a BC boy. There's a lot of BC love here, Scott. Also, recently I've been hanging around a lot with Ryan Reynolds. Ha hah heh.

Scott Wood: I've read you used to be local battle rapper, but have retired. Does this skill ever come in handy nowadays? When?

Greg Beamish: Yeah, I used to enter a lot of freestyle battles when I was getting started in hip hop. You heard I retired? When I do retire for real I plan on living half the year at a timeshare in Clearwater, Florida. I might enter another battle again someday though.

But yeah, that skill is handy nowadays with my live shows. Basically, with just being comfortable on stage—reacting to things that happen in the audience and incorporating that into the performance. Not to mention, this battle-hardened linguistic skill comes in handy all the time these days during arguments with friends and family and girlfriends...and girlfriend's families.

Scott Wood: Presumably when Greg Beamish battle raps, he shoots to kill. Vancouver's music scene can be small. Did some of your battle rap competitor's ever hold grudges? What's that like when you run into him/her at a show?

If smoking weed is fucking you up to the point where you can't get your shit done, don't bother cutting back. Just switch to Sativa!
Greg Beamish: You're presumptions regarding my battle raps are spot-on, Scott. I shot, and will continue to, shoot to kill. Everything . You're also right about the music scene in Vancouver. It's pretty small. Especially the hip hop scene and even more-so, the battle rap scene. Everyone definitely knew their competitors pretty well for the most part back then. Granted when I was entering battles, this was 2006/2007 before Facebook had really caught on and you could dig up the serious dirt on your opponent. I remember saying some pretty wild stuff though!

I also remember my friend Aspire and this dude Manik always having crazy battles that made for some pretty entertaining drama. It was kind of like WWF. I was like [wrestler/manager/color commentator] Ted DiBiase. Not sure if I said anything that would make anyone hold a grudge though?


One guy actually told me that I beat him at the 604 Hip Hop Expo battle way back and that inspired him to pursue a career in rap or something? Which is crazy, because the dude turned out to be Matt Brevner—for those that don't know his name, the guy is killing it right now. So I took that as a compliment. On the other hand, not sure if it's a grudge or not, there's another notable Vancouver emcee I bested in a past battle who constantly mentions it every time we run into each other. So, basically I was every established Vancity rapper’s stepping-stone from battles into legitimate musical careers. You had to go through me to get to the top. Ha hah heh.

Scott Wood: As a music critic and fan, people should be supportive, as supportive as possible, because you know how HARD it is to make it as a musician/performer/rapper (especially in Canada), but too much support can make music writing bland. Let's not forget even a rapper anyone thinks is shitty is putting in a lot of work to get their music on front of the world's eyes. A lot of sacrifice. Hip hop has a particular history of "calling people out." A local hip hop blog, StirThePotVancouver, recently published a list of the top 15 worst Vancouver rap videos. What are your thoughts about this?

Greg Beamish: People should realize that early on in a career everyone's stuff is going to suck. Some will get better, but others will continue to suck. In either case, those that are involved in hip hop should expect some harsh criticism along the way. That's why I never put my stuff out there expecting everyone to like it. You gotta have a thick skin. It's not for everyone. Especially nowadays with all these disgruntled hip hop, internet-bullies out there.

What I'm saying is I don't think that someone who's learning guitar and playing guitar recitals is exposed to the same degree of online criticism compared to someone that is learning to rap. But, that's the breaks. And unfortunately not everyone notices or gives a shit about all the hard work and sacrifice that someone may have put in.

People can say whatever the hell they want about my music online. I don't care, I'm awesome! I'm Greg Beamish. If some punk behind a keyboard isn't feeling my stuff, they have the right to say whatever, but at the same time they can also eat shit! Ha hah heh. I'm out here putting my face and my real name on the internet for the world to critique, in a day and age where any jackass with too much free time and a Blogger account can come and try to slander everything I've worked for. I think that takes some serious balls to put yourself out there like that.

I realize this is a bit of a rant but I thought it was too funny not to say: Unlike some anonymous net­thug with no credibility, that's obsessed with little rap boys and spends all his time making shitty blogs about amateur music videos that he thinks suck because he's jealous and he hates himself because he's obviously just a washed-up, piece of crap with some broken dreams. Ha hah heh.

Scott Wood: Back in November 2013, you performed shows in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan in support for Disposable Income. What was the biggest difference between Japanese audiences and Vancity crowds?

Greg Beamish: The biggest difference between Vancity and Japan is that there are a lot less Chinese people and a lot more Japanese people! Ha hah heh. Second biggest difference from Vancouver is that the Japanese audience isn't all completely stoned! If you frequent Vancouver hip hop shows, you'd know there's going to be a lot of people smoking weed in the audience. I'm used to it being all hazy on stage. Not the case in Japan—except for the fog machines. Weed is super illegal there, so it's not worth the risk for people to smoke it at concerts. So due to the lack of chronic, the crowd was a little more engaged. Or maybe it just seemed that way to me, because I, myself, wasn't stoned for once?

It's apparent that there also was some sort of language barrier there. Obviously, the fans, for the most part, didn't know what the hell I was saying, but they seemed cool with it either way. They were just getting into the vibe and flow of the music—not dissecting the lyrical content, which is good for me because my stuff's mostly filler anyways! Ha hah heh. Which reminds me, they love the word “motherfucker!” The people in Tokyo, Osaka and all over the country were amazing. I can't wait to tour Japan again. I love it there!

Shout out to the Harajuku Crew! Beamish is coming back!

Scott Wood: What's your biggest opportunity for growth as an emcee?

Greg Beamish: That's a good question, Scott. Glad you asked. As an emcee, I see an opportunity for growth in three areas: song writing, musical composition and live performances.

As far as song writing, I want to progress my lyrics into more personal topics about past experiences. I've had a lot of crazy stuff happen to me with my family. My mom passed away at young age. So far, I haven't translated that into my music as much as I'd like to, which to this point has been strictly reserved for party-rocking. I’ll always make party-friendly tracks; I just want to bring more options to the table for my listeners.

Those that are involved in hip hop should expect some harsh criticism along the way. You gotta have a thick skin.
As far as the music goes, I want to push the recording quality as far as I can: using the best microphone I can get, the best pre-amp I can get, using more analog gear and incorporating more live studio musicians. My homey Stroker Deluca is an awesome engineer and he recorded some live guitar on the Disposable Income album. I want to continue to progress with more stuff like that.

In terms of live performances, I think's it's just about evolving. Utilizing whatever buzz I've obtained from my local shows and taking that and building on the road. Transitioning from bars and clubs into tours and festivals. I've already had a good start in touring Japan and that's really where I see a large opportunity for growth: marketing myself as an artist in Asia and places abroad.

Scott Wood: You talk a lot about your love of smoking pot in your lyrics. Starting a career in music can take a lot of work. What's a tip to being a huge pothead, but getting shit done?

Greg Beamish: Hey Scott, all this pot dialogue might make it harder for me to get into Asia to tour the next time around. Ha hah heh. You're right though, starting a music career can take a lot of hard work. But it can also take a lot of pot smoking. I've always been one of those people that have been able to smoke a ton of weed and still get my shit done.

I attribute it to growing up as an athlete. I had a real competitive spirit and was dedicated to whatever I was doing. Once I discovered smoking pot, I never let it keep me away from doing what I love, which was being an athlete that smokes pot. However, I did let it keep me away from what I didn't love, which was school. For some reason I never ended up becoming a professional athlete. I don't blame it on smoking weed though. I blame it on politics.

Anyways, what I'm saying is if you enjoy something enough you're not going to let your little habits interfere with it. Now that I'm involved in music I keep the same mentality. It's a labour of love. I don't let weed impede my progress. If it did I would probably stop smoking it. And simply start ingesting it!

Luckily, I'm pursuing a career where smoking pot doesn't interfere too much with my current endeavour as a pot-smoking rapper. My tip for the huge pothead trying to get shit done is this: Write everything down and drink a lot of coffee. Don't blame stupidity on weed. If smoking weed is fucking you up to the point where you can't get your shit done, don't bother cutting back. Just switch to Sativa!

Scott Wood: Thanks for answering my questions! Could you please introduce your favourite Greg Beamish video?

Greg Beamish: No sweat, Scott. It was a pleasure answering them! This is my favourite video of mine that's out right now. It was directed by Nick Van Berkel and features some hilarious scenes filmed on one of Vancouver's most famous streets. (I also have some more videos in the works that are yet to be released. Including one that was filmed in Tokyo, Japan by Santa Nakamura from VICE! So stay tuned for that.)

In the meantime, here's “Walking Down Robson! - Earshot-Online.com

April 7, 2015 Greg Beamish is a special guest on The Crimes & Treason Radio Show on CiTr 101.9 in Vancouver, Canada. - Crimes & Treasons Radio on CiTR 101.9

Greg. You’re insane. I love you. Can you tell my readers a little about yourself?

I’m Greg Beamish. I’m probably the best rapper to come out of Vancouver BC, Canada, right now. Maybe ever. I pretty much invented Canadian hip hop by accident when I was drunk at a house party in grade 11. I’m a pretty fun dude. I’ve done a lot of shows with some of my favorite rappers like Ghostface Killah, Redman, Action Bronson, and Kool Keith. I’ve also performed with T-Pain, Mickey Avalon and a million other different types of artists. I like to try and be versatile. My first show ever was opening for a famous Canadian, punk-rock band called D.O.A. When I rap, I like to drink and bring cool stuff up on stage and get the crowd hyped and basically have a good time. I like to keep it energetic. I use a lot of funk and classic rock samples in the production. Sometimes we use a synth. Lately, I’ve been working more with live studio musicians - guitarists and keyboardists and stuff, which is awesome and really more the direction I want to go. I’ve never really taken my music too serious, even though now, I’m having some success with it. I’m happy with the way my career is progressing, I guess. But I’m always trying to do more. I talk about a lot of Vancouver stuff in my rhymes, because that’s where I’m from and what inspires most of my material. I used to enter a lot of freestyle battles, but now I just do shows and record. I do other stuff too though. I like sports. I like rap. I like music. I’m only partly insane. Who told you all this?
I first heard about you through another Canadian rapper I interviewed - Michael Rushden. He worked on the title track for your new album “Disposable Income”. What in the world is it like when the two of you get together in a studio?

Oh yeah, Mike! Yes, we’re both Canadian rappers - two of the best. I guess you could classify what Mike did on my record as “work.” Yup! my new project is called “Disposable Income,” so dispose your income on it! The album is about listening to rap, self-medicating, digging Chad Kroeger, shit being tight, being Greg Beamish, disposing currency, walking down Robson Street and taking trips to Cuba where you murder kidnappers. Which at the end of the day, I feel really represents having fun, being you and having no responsibilities, but at the same time giving major props to a Canadian athlete, humanitarian and cancer research advocate, Terry Fox. That about sums it up. The whole thing was produced by my crazy neighbor, Stroker Deluca. He liked working on the album so much. One day he got so hyped he kicked a hole in my door! True story. When Michael and I are in the studio it’s a fncking nightmare! There’s a lot of beer, cigarettes, loose women, and McDonald’s. Sometimes, there’s so much Marlboro smoke I can’t even see! It’s a disaster zone! The guy’s a total jackass, but that’s OK because we’re usually not at my house. Me and Mike really go hard in the paint, as they say. One time, Stroker Deluca almost had to kick him out the studio! Especially when he brings over his big buddy Jerry - watch out! Michael is my dude though! He even did the cover art for my album one night when we drank a whole jug of sake together in Japan.

And what about leisure? I’m assuming during tea time, he is drinking an Arnold Palmer and you’re a drinking a more medicinal green tea?
Oh man, I love leisure! Really for me, that time, that’s my time to shine. I hang out like no other, brother. I like drinking beer, but mostly I drink Starbucks all day. They say the human body is 80% water but mine is more like 80% Americano. I also really like Gatorade. Yeah, Mike might be having an Arnold Palmer Sweet Tea. I’m more of a Lipton Brisk guy, myself. I do drink tea whenever I’m kickin’ it with Lord Diamonds, though. We all had tea together the other day at the Empress Hotel in Victoria. However, I’ve been known to enjoy a variety of different beverages, tea included. Sometimes it’s green, sometimes it’s medicinal, I guess. But, to me, my body is a temple, so really everything I put in it is medicinal in a way. Only the best drink and food allowed in here, dude. I do enjoy smoking weed on occasion, if that’s what you’re trying to get at, Michael.

What’s your favorite weed bar in Canada?

I think you mean weed bar, like a bar where people hang out in and smoke weed? Yeah to be honest I don’t hang in them that much. I guess I used to like going to this spot called Blunt Brothers in Vancouver back in the day, but it burnt down or something. Some people think it was burnt down by the CIA, I’m not sure about that though. Once in a while, I go to a place called The Amsterdam Cafe in Gastown. But honestly, my favourite weed bar is in the comfort of my own home. Less hippies. I really prefer to smoke and do something outside. When it’s a nice day I like to walk around and check stuff out, go to the beach, go snowboarding, ride a bike… catch a ball game at Nat Bailey in the summertime. Vancouver has lots of beautiful scenery and things to do outdoors, so I like to enjoy it. I try do something constructive, write some raps, but sometimes I play video games. Who am I kidding? I usually just play video games and fuck around the house all day or make faces in the mirror.
You have toured in Japan, and that’s always really impressive and intriguing to me, as being able to tour in Japan is strangely difficult! You have to have toured in Japan before to tour there again, and that really doesn’t make any sense. Most people have to find another artist who has already toured there to invite them to be on the tour with them. And thus, welcome to Japan and you’re set on Japanese tours for life. It’s so bizarre. How did you get “in” with the Japanese?

There’s a lot of sushi restaurants, karate dojo’s and ESL schools in Vancouver. The real truth is, I used to hang with some Japanese kids that went to English class near my apartment. One day, I challenged them all to a sushi rolling competition… and I won! They were so impressed, they decided to pass on the ancient, secret, samurai technique of what’s really good with touring in Japan! That’s really how I got “in” with them, so now I’m set for life. But, like you mentioned - besides that, we were lucky because we had some prior hook-ups through an American DJ / producer friend of ours named Kut Master Kurt, who had previously toured throughout Japan with Kool Keith. He was able to pass on some of his connections. Kurt is the guy who aligned me with Santa Nakamura - a celebrated director and filmmaker from Tokyo. He works with VICE Japan. He also let me sleep on his couch for a week. Shout-out to Santa! Thanks, bro! We filmed a video for my song ”Greg Beamish” in downtown Tokyo. It was dope! Also shout-out to Yasu at Bad Quentin Clothing in Tokyo for helping me look fly for the video shoot with some fresh, japanese fashion. Tokyo is dope! It’s fnckin’ nuts. Crazy. My favorite area is Shinjuku also Ebisu. Akihabara was cool. That’s where all the video game and manga character sh!t is. Checked out Roppongi and Ginza - that’s like the real expensive, baller area. I recorded in some nice studios in Shibuya, which was dope. We stayed in Kuenji, which was like an artsy kind of area. The crowds at the shows were real responsive even though they didn’t know what we were saying. People just like the vibe. We also stayed in Osaka and a few other cities which were crazy dope too. The food in Osaka was really good. The Japanese are really on another level with the visuals and technology, in general. Japan is awesome! I love it there. Can’t wait to go back and tour again. I met a lot of cool people there. Shout out to my Japanese homeys! Konichiwa! You guys are tight!
My favorite song on the new album is “Cuba Cabana.” It’s seriously one of my favorite songs I’ve heard all year. It reminds me of some of my favorite satirical rappers, and personal friends, Lord T & Eloise. Have you ever heard of them? I feel like a collaboration between them, you, Michael Rushden, and Lord Diamonds would literally bring down houses.

Oh yeah! That’s the song of the year, haha! Jeez. Is it really your favorite? That’s cool! Haha! I’m happy you like it, because that song is weird as hell, but it’s been getting a good response from the critics. It’s like a 6 minute story track where in the song we to have to rescue my homey from some kidnappers. You gotta listen to the whole thing, it’s a crazy soundscape. Shout out to Stroker Deluca on the production. He did a great job on that one and the whole album in general. Yeah, I’ve heard of Lord T & Eloise! It’s crazy you mention them, because I think Rushden and Lord Diamonds already did a song with them on their first album!? Look it up. It’s a classic! Of course, if you add Greg Beamish to the mix on any track it’s guaranteed to bring down a house or two! Haha! Just playing though. I think a collaboration between all of us might be in order. When we come down to L.A., make sure to line that up for us! I’m crashing at The Mall of Michael, by the way!

Deal. But, they spend most of their time down on their plantation manor house in Memphis, TN - so you’ll have to keep up with their southern, rapper-dandy pace. If the Cuba Cabana called and told you that you had accidentally left your $1,000,000 behind and that you needed to come back and get it - what would you say?
Haha! I’d say, “Yo Paco! Anndelez! Put the Havana Club on ice, I’m coming to Cuba Cabana and getting my $1,000,000 back, hombre!” I’d catch the next Air Canada flight to get it back. $1,000,000 is a lot of money, Michael! Shit.

"Chad Kroeger Money"… This song… makes me… LMFAO. I love that you barely mentioned Avril Lavigne. Is Nickelback’s career a heavy inspiration to you as a rising star?
Haha! That song is all jokes! But at the same time, kind of serious. I’m not hating on Nickelback. No way! They’re my dudes! I think Chad’s got me coming in to drop some guest verses on their next album or something. But seriously, Nickelback is a very, what can I say? A polarizing rock band where I come from. Everybody hates on them. But why? I think they’re OK. I mean they’re not the worst band ever… what’s the big deal? Fnck it. I’m putting it out there. Greg Beamish is a Nickelback fan! I’m standing up for these dudes. There is way sh!ttier bands in the world. Leave Nickelback alone! Fnck off!

Yeah, I touched on Avril for a sec’. She needed a shout out. Can’t leave her name out this. Of course, Nickelback’s career is a huge inspiration to me as a rising, entertainment mega-superstar! Music aside, I mean who wouldn’t wanna be as successful as Nickelback? I know I want that Chad Kroeger money. Guy’s a fnckin’ legend. Shout out to Chad Kroeger, what up dude? I got you bro! Respect.
Ok, wow. That’s a lot for me to process. If you were Chad Kroeger, what would you buy?

If I were Chad Kroeger, I would buy 500,000 copies of Greg Beamish’s Disposable Income album off iTunes. Then I would build a hockey rink in my backyard, drink beer, skate around all day, and listen to it on repeat.

PERSONAL MESSAGE TO CHAD KROEGER! Chad, if you’re reading this, please do this. For real, help a bro out.
Would you keep Avril?

If I was Chad Kroeger? Yes. If it was me? …Sure, why not? I’d be cool with it. Hopefully, my girlfriend would be too, haha!

GREGBEAMISH.COM - ihatemichaelshirley.com

Greg Beamish has spent the past year piling up the kind of bucket-list experiences most budding MCs would trade their gold teeth for: playing shows with Ghostface Killah and Redman, touring Japan, and collaborating with Juno-winning ska queen Elaine “Lil’Bit” Shepherd. Brilliant as all that is, shit is about to truly get crazy with the release of the hip-hop head’s debut full-length, Disposable Income. - The Georgia Straight

The April 1, 2014, Greg Beamish is a special guest on the Crimes & Treasons Radio Show on CiTR 101.9 in Vancouver, Canada. - Crimes & Treasons Radio Show on CiTR 101.9

Vancouverite Greg Beamish has a lil rap and video about Robson Street. Shit's Tight! - Winnie Cooper

Being a local artist who’s looking to gain notoriety and recognition can be difficult in the music industry. When Greg Beamish aka Greg B. first performed at a local show, we approached him to cover and review his newest album ‘Disposable Income‘. We were intrigued and excited to see what this Canadian rap artist could bring to the table. For the past few ears after releasing ‘Premium Boss Playa Status’, Greg B. has quietly gone along and opened for several acts such as Action Bronson, Redman, Ghostface Killah, Dogg Pound, Dirt Nasty, Mickey Avalon, Black Moon, Digital Underground, T-Pain, and most recently a sold-out show for Devin The Dude.

Impressive? Well the Canadian artist didn’t stop just there. He has also was on tour with Linkin Park’s DJ, DJ Kut Masta Kut, around British Columbia, Canada as well as parts of America. Needless to say since Greg B. has been leaving his mark to the masses where he has performed and is continuing to build upon a solid foundation that he has already laid out. On his brand new 7-track album, here were the 3 tracks that we liked the most:

‘Greg Beamish‘ feat Elaine ‘Lil’Bit’ Shepherd

It’s possibly the one track that Greg B. is having the most fun out of his whole entire album. From the sampling of the horn to the hook by Elaine Shepherd, it reminds us that he is one of the positive artists that is coming out of Vancouver, BC. Everything about the lyrics emphasizes that he’s all about having a good time without leaving someone out of it regardless who they are. However, with all this being said you can hear the passion and enthusiasm he delivers this song. With that Greg B. is still doesn’t lose sight with what his end goal is.

‘Cuba Cabana’ feat Lord Diamonds, J. Dohe and Stroker DeLuca

Now we know it’s still the Winter pretty much across Canada. One play of this song though it just makes you prepared for the summer and wanting to hit the beach as soon as possible. Not only does this song make you think of the warm sandy beaches, but the way that this track was constructed it consists of a thought process that shows the creative aspect to have all the artists conversing with each other without losing that story-telling aspect to it. Just to add to another creative layer, the beat of the song completely changes when you can hear them scheming on a plan to rescue their counterpart who is held a hostage. Food for thought, but maybe vacations won over the phone aren’t always the greatest news one could receive after all eh?

‘Walking Down Robson’

Quite frankly, this reminds us of our hometown Vancouver, BC the most. Greg B. basically throws it all on the line here since metaphorically speaking it shows that he was just an average dude who came literally from his couch to where is he now is nothing but short of impressive. It’s an inspiration to say that if you could put enough work into what you really want that it’s not really impossible. I look at the line ‘Walking Down Robson’ as a metaphor to him finally getting himself out there and gaining exposure that Vancouver should keep an eye out for.

All in all, this album was really another step for Greg Beamish aka Greg B. to take for him to get to his end goal of making it as an artist. If you want to listen to the rest of his album, you can check out the links below for all his music. We’re all about supporting the local acts and this is just another one that we’re chalking up that you should keep an eye out for! - Electrocrates.com

Living the local artist life, there will be clear hurdles to overcome. Being one who’s always seeking for opportunities to gain notoriety and recognition can be difficult in the music industry now-a-days. When Greg Beamish. performed at a local show, we approached him to see what this act has been up to. Upon some chatting we were invited to listen to newest album ‘Disposable Income‘. We were intrigued and excited to see what this Vancouver based Canadian rap artist could bring to the table.


For the past few years following his release ’Premium Boss Playa Status’, Greg B. has quietly progressed to open up for several acts such as Action Bronson, Redman, Ghostface Killah, Dogg Pound, Dirt Nasty, Mickey Avalon, Black Moon, Digital Underground, T-Pain, and most recently a sold-out show with Devin The Dude.

Impressive? Well Greg didn’t stop just there. He has also was on tour with Linkin Park’s DJ, DJ Kut Masta Kut, traversing around British Columbia, Canada. in addition he also grazed parts of America too. Needless to say, Greg B. has been leaving his mark to the masses where he has performed and is continuing to build upon a solid foundation that he has already laid out. On his brand new 7-track album, here were the 3 tracks that we liked the most:

‘Greg Beamish‘ feat Elaine ‘Lil’Bit’ Shepherd

It’s possibly the one track that Greg B. is having the most fun out of his whole entire album. From the sampling of the horn to the hook by Elaine Shepherd, it reminds us that he is one of those positive artists that is coming out of Vancouver, BC. Everything about the lyrics emphasizes that he’s all about having a good time without leaving someone out of it, regardless of who they are. However, with all this being said you can hear the passion and enthusiasm he delivers towards this song. Greg B. doesn’t seem to be losing sight with what his end goal is and that is to make it to the big stage.

‘Cuba Cabana’ feat Lord Diamonds, J. Dohe and Stroker DeLuca

We know it’s still the Winter across Canada. One play of this song though gets you prepared for the summer and wanting to hit the beach as soon as possible. Not only does this song make you think of the warm, sandy beaches and the fun times a head but it let’s realize how tight knit his crew is. The way that this track was constructed, well it consists of a thought process that shows the creative aspect to have all the artists conversing with each other without losing continuity in regards to the story-telling aspect. Just to add another creative layer, the beat of the song completely changes when you can hear them scheming a plan to rescue their counterpart, whom is held a hostage. Food for thought though, maybe vacations won over the phone aren’t always the greatest news one could receive after all eh?

‘Walking Down Robson’

Quite frankly, this track throws-back to our hometown Vancouver, BC. Greg B. basically throws it all on the line, metaphorically speaking of course. Greg gives us a glimpse on how he was just an average dude who climbed from his couch to where is he now is now… nothing short of determined. It’s an inspiration to say that if you could put enough work into what you really want, its achievable… not impossible. I look at the line ‘Walking Down Robson’ as a metaphor to him finally getting himself out there and gaining exposure which Vancouver should keep an eye out for.

This album was just another step for Greg Beamish. to propel him further, taking him closer to the end goal… making it as an artist. If you want to listen to the rest of his album, you can check out the links below for all his music. We’re all about supporting the local acts and this is just another one that we’re chalking up that you should keep an eye out for! - DBTV

Canadian rapper Greg Beamish’s Premium Boss Playa Status comes on like both an homage to big-pimpin’ corporate-rap and a parody of it. The Vancouver MC seems to understand that pop audiences enjoy 50 Cent and Rick Ross because their cartoonish personas are both fascinating and mildly ludicrous; when they paint a vivid picture about screwing five women, it’s hard to look away, and harder not to laugh. Playa Status's sound is grimy and glossy, where you'll find Beamish spitting enough head-turning lines to have you asking yourself, “Did he really just say that?”

Greg Beamish—takes a battle rapper’s approach to lyrics; his lines are clear and cutting, and what he lacks in sophistication he makes up for with a willingness to shock at any cost. He’s probably the most booty-crazed MC around, channelling Too $hort on “Appetite To Mack”, where he tells us “I just burned a fat sack/So I’m feeling laid-back/Looking for a little cat/To take back to the shack.” But on “One, Two, Three”, his raps are more positive and introspective, "There ain't no stoppin' my reign/ My mental mind-frame always at the top of it's game." Buttressed by solid production from Stroker DeLuca, this is project has solidified Greg Beamish as one of the premier hip hop artists in Western Canada. - The Georgia Straight