#38 What he said: A conversation with my guy friend

Today's Guy: Bettie Grind

Topic: Career vs real life and family

How I know him: I met Bettie at Power 98 one year when he came by to do a community event. I think he was giving shoes away to kids for back to school.

Bettie Grind (I usually use people's government names...but I met him as Bettie Grind...so I'll stick with that name.) was born in Richmond, VA but grew up in Charlotte on the west side. When I met him at the radio station, he was a bit quiet but friendly. His former manager, Fresh, and I had agreed to set up a blog interview.

Fresh and I kept playing text tag and I could never get my schedule together to interview Bettie. I would often see Bettie Uptown with his daughter, and wondered who he was behind the "I'm Fly" lyrics I'd once heard.

When I ran into Bettie the other day, we finally got an interview scheduled...with him working around  some things to accommodate my schedule.

What I learned about Bettie Grind

• BETTIE GRIND grew up with a part time father who was heavily into the street life.
• BETTIE GRIND, his mom and sister struggled financially.
• BETTIE GRIND eventually chose to make street money like his father.
• He treasures his family and would eventually overcome the bitterness he felt towards his father to build a new relationship with him in adulthood.
• He values being a father and makes his daughter the center of his priorities.
• His life decisions began to change when he started paying attention to the bond he was building with his daughter.
• Music is an extension of his poetry that started when he was a kid.
• He has a very traditional view on relationships.
• He plans to graduate college and has been studying network administration. 
• He's working on a new album and "Groove" is the bridge over to the new album.

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