Gridiron are about to light it up again, with Poetry From Pain dropping May 30 via Blue Grape Music. But first, they’re taking a second to break down some of the sickest moments when hardcore and hip-hop smashed into each other head-on.
They kicked off the new album cycle by rolling through the streets of L.A. in a Rolls Royce in the Dan Centrone-directed video for “Mascot.”
“‘Mascot‘ is about people who say they are going to do things and don’t follow through with them, no matter what it is,” says frontman Matthew Karll.
Gridiron also dropped a video for “Talk Real,” doubling down on their boundary-blurring sound—part death metal beatdown, part hardcore punch, part gold chain bravado. One foot in OZZfest ‘97, the other in Rolling Loud 2027.
The band’s roots go back to marathon Call of Duty sessions during lockdown, but the roster—members of Never Ending Game, Simulakra, and Scarab—meant they weren’t starting from scratch. After 2020’s Loyalty At All Costs EP, 2021’s Worldwide Brotherhood EP, and 2022’s first full-length No Good At Goodbyes, Poetry From Pain is the next step in a run that’s seen them crash tours with E Town Concrete, Trapped Under Ice, Incendiary, and soon Sanguisugabogg and 200 Stab Wounds. They’ll also be hitting Sonic Temple.
They’ve pulled millions of streams and props from places like Stereogum, Brooklyn Vegan, and NO ECHO, but it’s clear Gridiron’s playbook is still being written—and it’s full contact.
Before Poetry From Pain hits, Lennon Livesay of Gridiron lined up five of the best moments where hardcore and hip-hop collided in the wildest ways.
5 crucial times Rap and Hardcore collided
by Lennon Livesay of Gridiron
1. KRS-One appears on Sick Of It All’s “Clobberin’ Time” (1989)
As far as mosh intros go, NYHC Stalwarts SICK OF IT ALL minted the gold standard with “Clobberin’ Time”.
How cool is it that the version that appears on their landmark 1989 LP, Blood, Sweat & No Tears features an appearance by New York hip-hop legend KRS-One. Two certified legends in their respective scenes coming together for one of the coolest moments ever put to wax. Absolutely overflowing with style. “Fresh for ‘89 you suckasssss!”
2. Biohazard & Onyx team up for “Judgement Night” (1993)
Judgement Night: the Movie? Kind of sucks! Judgment Night: the soundtrack? Absolutely awesome. This soundtrack saw Metal/Rock bands of the era teamed up with rappers to blur the lines between hip-hop and hard guitar music.
The standout track is the title joint which sees NYHC favorites Biohazard and the “kings from Queens” Onyx team up for a track that’s every bit as tough and grimey sounding as their respective individual output.
3. Mental gets in touch with their inner Eminem at the Planet Mental record release show (2005)
This is a bit of a niche one, but if you’re a Mental head (you should be!) maybe you’ve seen this: the band opens their set at the record release for the Planet Mental LP by covering “Lose Yourself” off the 8 Mile soundtrack.
This one is more funny than anything. Speaking of which…
4. Ray Raps! (1985)
Youth Of Today: Passionate, heartfelt, 100% genuine and, let’s be honest, a little goofy sometimes. But that’s what we love about ‘em.
On 1985’s Can’t Close My Eyes EP, Cappo busts out some “golden age of New York hip hop” style rhyming on “I Have Faith”. It’s pretty bad, but it’s brimming with character in a way that only a band as earnest as YOT could pull off.
This moment has been mimicked by many of the band’s acolytes, including but not limited to: Wide Awake on “Insight” and Carry On on “Problem Solved.”
5. Cold World. (2003 to Infinity)
I mean… you knew this list was gonna be topped by the coolest to ever do it. Realistically, every pick here coulda been related to Wilkes-Barre’s most dope, but I decided to consolidate it to the top spot.
Meyhem Lauren, Max B and Kool G Rap on How The Gods Chill. Drummer Nick Woj’s beats throughout their discography (and on his own Wojavelli mixtapes, which are incredible).
The song and music video with Sean fuckin’ Price (RIP).
Countless hip-hop influenced shirt designs. It’s all just so swagged out!
But I’ve gotta say, as a massive Dipset fan, for my money the coolest time Cold World flexed their hip-hop side was getting JIM JONES on the intro to the iconic Ice Grillz 7”. “You already know it’s cold world… holler at em…”
