Entertainment
The Positive Push
In the sunny state of Colorado, it’s hard not to keep a positive attitude and count your blessings every day. There’s legal cannabis, tons of music, art, culture and an overall vibe of positivity and hard work. So it’s not surprising that when CULTURE caught up with local Denver hip-hop artist GOAT (Greatest of All Time), AKA Marcus Gram, he couldn’t say enough positive things about the local scene, his parents’ influence on his musical stylings and how cannabis has positively impacted his life.
With parents into music like Earth, Wind and Fire and Quincy Jones, it’s no surprise that GOAT practically came out of the womb rapping and singing. He takes the eclectic influence from his upbringing and uses it to create hip-hop that is out of the box and unique. While he sites Jay Z as his biggest rap influence, his upcoming release will also be paying tribute to Michael Jackson, and he enjoys fusing singing, rapping and a variety of stylings.
As an upcoming local artist, GOAT appreciates the scene in Denver and all it has to offer. “Actually being able to see where Colorado came from a while back, and actually getting to see a bunch of hungry, talented artists out there who take things seriously, that’s what I love about the scene,” he explained.
“I am all for it, all pro-green on my end . . . I actually think it makes society a happier, more cheerful generation than what it could be.”
Another reason he loves Colorado is that GOAT is a major cannabis advocate, and someone who uses the plant both for recreational and creative purposes.
“I am all for it, all pro green on my end,” he told CULTURE. “I wish it wasn’t just in Colorado, but I am glad that it is more so a Colorado thing, because it gives us more of a branding that I like a lot, especially being a pothead, where you go anywhere in America and the first thing people think about is the legalization of recreational weed, and you can tell ‘em with that Grinch grin that yeah, it’s legal. And I’m all for the medical push. I actually think it makes society a happier, more cheerful generation than what it could be.”
In addition to his love for cannabis overall, GOAT has worked cannabis into his music as a theme by including cannabis references on his songs. He also derives great inspiration from the plant.
“The most it has done for me is that it has slowed down real life for me in order to pick it apart and actually make my own real life and show it to the world,” he stated. “It gives me a creative boost; it digs in deep and pulls it out of me.”
Catch GOAT at some soon-to-be announced local dates, and check out his upcoming releases Off the Wall this winter, and an EP entitled Purple Skies in spring.
