PDX: “Get To Know Your Artists” featuring Mr.MR of Gray Matters

Get To Know Your Artists: Mr.MR of Gray Matters

By Diezel P

As far back as Mr.MR (Mister Murr) can remember, he has been a fan of Rap music, and like most teenagers growing up in the late 90’s inner city Portland urban culture, he found himself mostly influenced by the highly commercialized and popular West coast Rappers such as 2Pac, Dr. Dre, Black Market Records, and Mac Dre. It wasn’t until he found the art of graffiti that he decided to get involved in the Hip-Hop scene, after being introduced to a much wider variety of Hip-Hop that he never knew existed. After being highly intrigued and impressed by this new found genre, he began searching for new artists to broaden his horizons, and in 8^th the Mystik Journeyman’s first album would do just that. Mr.MR started expressing himself through beats and rhymes after hearing the Mystik Journeyman’s masterpiece and hasn’t looked back since.

It’s been 10 years since he found his artistry of rhyming, and he has a lot to show for it. In July 2008, he collaborated with Seattle native Introspective to form the powerhouse duo “Gray Matters” releasing their first album titled “Intelligent Decline” featuring various members of the Portland elite super crew “Sandpeople” and up and coming smooth sounding group “Living Proof.” Since the release he has been on a West Coast tour with Luckyiam of Living Legends and is consistently booked for popular events in the Northwest. But if one were to ask Mr.MR what his biggest accomplishments were, he’d tell you that it’s gaining the friendships and respect from other artists that he would consider admirable and influential.

Mr.MR has plans to put out a solo project called “Low Budget Genius” and follow up his 2008 release with Gray Matters with another local classic called “Til the World Blows Up”, a title describing their loyalty to each other and their craft, with plans to make music until they are globally recognized.

The Gray Matter’s album “Intelligent Decline” is available in record stores all over Portland and online at www.cdbaby.com/graymatters. Or check out his myspace page at www.myspace.com/theendakamrmr to contact Mr.MR and preview some of his music. Get to know your artists in Portland and support local hip hop, for talents like Mr.MR are demonstrating work ethic and touring various states to properly represent the Rose City through creative and honest Hip Hop music.

Links:

www.myspace.com/theendakamrmr

www.cdbaby.com/graymatters