Hip hop producer gives back to school that helped foster passion for music

JONESBORO, Ga. — Walking the halls of Stillwell School of the Arts takes Kevin Price back in time. His talent as a visual artist led to his love as a musical artist. Price now goes by the stage name Go Grizzly, working with hip hop’s top performers. That work started at a magnet program at Mt. Zion High School, which then turned into the building of a new high school housing magnet program students.

“I’m the guy responsible for making the beat everyone’s favorite rappers and singers rap and sing on,” Price said. “Having this outlet and the resources here helped shape and change my life entirely. Whatever I can do to provide that same thing for another kid, that’s what I’m here to do.”

Jeremy LeMahieu said Price got inspired by music in his art class and outworked everyone. Now that work has paid off, and Price is paying it forward.

“All we can do as teachers is present an authentic version of ourselves and pass our passions onto our students,” LeMahieu said. “There were definitely signs he’d be successful. He had a really strong drive to get things done. But he was also working full-time making those beats, getting signed with a label already during his junior year. So he was working twice as hard as any of the other students I had in my class.” 

Three years ago, Price and his partner, Sunny Liberty, started the Go Grizz Foundation, through which they’ve donated $20,000 to Clayton County schools. The foundation also lets kids with special needs experience a music studio and participate in opportunities to create art.

“I believe the great legends always leave something behind,” Liberty said. “The foundation is all about the next generation of artists. There are so many programs dying out when it comes to art and music in schools. What better way to give back than the walls that raised him? He got his first deal when he was in this school. Even when you come from this and make it away and you make it out of it, you have to reach back to your roots and always bring someone up.”

LeMahieu said the donations have gone a long way during a tough time for arts programs in public schools. Oftentimes, LeMahieu said donations can make the difference between students who are able to pursue their passions and students who don’t have the adequate materials to thrive.

“Times are definitely challenging right now,” LeMahieu said. “In our fine arts budget, we get $7 per student that walks into our class in order to get some supplies. It’s really generous donations from people like Kevin and others who have supported us in our department and school that allows students to have state-of-the-art materials in their hands to best position them for success.”

Price said he would always remember his roots, making sure the beat goes on so others can have the same opportunities he did.

“I just want to be able to lead by example and show them this is something that’s actually tangible,” Price said. “I walked these same halls, sat in these same seats, had to encounter these same teachers every day, and look at me now. If you really have a passion for something, regardless of what it is, if you’re ready to put your 100 % into it, it’ll give you that 100% back.”