100GrandRoyce sat down with The Real Gully TV to discuss his journey in the industry, working with legendary producer Dame Grease, witnessing Max B record classic records, and touring with Conway.
Coming up in Harlem, Royce naturally found himself around Dame Grease, who was already a staple in the neighborhood. In 2008-2009, Royce’s circle was working on a project with Grease, which led him to spend countless hours in the studio, absorbing the game. He recounted watching heavyweights like Max B, French Montana, and Chinx come through, laying down records deep into the early morning hours. Though Royce contributed verses here and there, he knew his time would come, so he remained patient and kept grinding.
While Royce always kept a strong relationship with Grease, their official collaboration came about unexpectedly. El Camino reached out to Royce looking for beats from Grease, which prompted Royce to reconnect the two. From there, Grease offered Royce the opportunity to work together, leading to multiple projects. Royce went all in, ensuring the music got major placements, including spins on Shade 45 and Hot 97.
Spending time in the studio with Max B was an unforgettable experience for Royce. He described the energy at the Veg studio—where artists were constantly working, with no set sessions. Max B would roll in, turn up with bottles of Henny or Remy, and then proceed to lay down 30-40 tracks effortlessly before dipping out. Royce was in awe of Max’s work ethic, noting how he and his crew would be intoxicated yet still produce high-level music.
Despite being around industry legends, Royce never saw himself as stepping into anyone’s shoes. Instead, he focused on building his own sound and movement. He acknowledged that while others had their waves, his approach with Grease was unique, and he was determined to make his mark.Beyond working with Grease, Royce has built an impressive catalog, including projects like Triple Crown and His Personal, which he considers his Reasonable Doubt-level albums. He’s collaborated with names like Smoke DZA, El Camino, and Breeze Mantana, crafting records that blend sharp lyricism with top-tier production.
