A particular sound and aesthetic come to mind when mentioning Bay Area rap music. However, local artist G-Eazy worked the indie scene operating as the outlier and his grind is finally paying off.
G-Eazy, a bubbling rapper and potential heartthrob, released his debut album These Things Happen via RCA records back in 2014. Since then, he’s been on an upward trajectory, becoming a recognized name and brand in the process, as well as performing on some of the biggest festivals — last year’s Roots Picnic in Philadelphia and Bonnaroo 2015 included.
Some of G-Eazy’s success can be attributed to his love and adoration for the Bay Area (he’s collaborated with legends E-40 and Too $hort, and performed with fellow up and comers like IamSu!). But he also scored a major look on Lil Wayne’s “America’s Most Wanted” tour and dons a look more equatable to the late Johnny Cash than any hometown rap star.
G-Eazy has spent much of his time touring following his first major label release. During a weekend stint in New York City, during which fans experienced his “From the Bay to the Universe” tour concept, he spoke with Hip-Hop Wired about why his experiences make him Certified Fresh.
Who: G-Eazy, an Oakland native with his sights set on a global takeover, represents the Bay Area with pride. In actively releasing projects ranging from mixtapes, EPs, and albums since 2007, it was 2014’s These Things Happen album that earned him national appeal.
Credentials: At just 25-years-old, the rapper has amassed some major co-signs from Bay Area legends like E-40 and Too $hort
Fun Fact: G-Eazy recognizes that his name is pretty dated. While speaking with Interview magazine, he said “The name probably sounded cool to me when I was 13, [like G-Unit]. The climate has definitely changed since: the fashion trends, the style of music I listen to.”
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Photo: YouTube
Hip-Hop Wired: How does the “From the Bay to the Universe” tour differs from past tours?
G-Eazy: The tours get bigger each time we go out. But what makes this different is that the whole bill is from the Bay Area. From Kool John to Kehlani to Jay Ant to me, fans get to see different sides and styles of Bay Area music.
HHW: The Bay Area houses an array of artists. How did you decide who’d accompany you on the road?
G-Eazy: Well, Kehlani is an incredible talent, she has a buzz and I believe in her. And I met her a few times, we clicked. Outside of music, she’s cool people.
Kool John just put out a crazy project (Shmop City) that was really well responded to. Jay Ant is a really good friend of mine and like a mentor. Since we did that record “Far Alone,” it makes sense to have him on the road to perform every night.
HHW: Does the story told in the “Downtown Love” video have any personal truth?
G-Eazy: The director had the idea based off an old Louis Vuitton commercial. An idea of passing by this one room continuously while telling a story — going from light to dark. From a place of happiness, partying and going out, and love and sex to a dark place of fighting and spiraling out of control.
The song is about a lot of girls. When I make a song about a girl like that, it isn’t necessarily a story about one. It’s usually a bunch of stories combined in one based off people I’ve seen and met.
HHW: How did it feel to record a track is Too $hort?
G-Eazy: That sh*t was crazy, man. I was starstruck being in the room with him. The first time I met him was that day in his studio when we recorded. I was naturally nervous because I grew up idolizing him.
The first thing he said to me was “Wassup! I damn near want you on my album.” At that point, I’m shook. This is a superstar.
We went to the studio and everyone is playing beats, and finally, I was like f*ck being nervous. This is an opportunity [to collaborate] that I’ve waiting for some time. I rapped my idea for the chorus. Then $hort and I wrote “Show The World.”
HHW: Did Too $hort give you any gems during the convo?
G-Eazy: No, not really, we just talked about women.
HHW: I saw you say that there’s a level of self-loathing and unstoppable confidence that comes with creating art. Could you expound on that?
G-Eazy: There’s duality of doubting everything that you create and loving everything that you create. Making music is like magic in that you create something out of thin air that didn’t exist before, then it’s in a tangible form. It’s like your baby.
You’re excited about this creation, but at the same time there’s a balance of questioning everything and asking yourself if it’s good enough. I personally go through a stage of love and hate with almost each song I create.
Anybody rapping feels like they’re the dopest thing alive. But you also go through these phases when you ask, “Am I good enough to be here? Do I deserve these opportunities?” With me it’s hyperextended because I’m a gemini; there’s G-Eazy, who doesn’t give a f*ck and lives like how he wants to live it, and then there’s Gerald, who’s much more vulnerable and honest.
HHW: Would you say that being a white rapper amplifies that feeling?
G-Eazy: I don’t know. I can only comment on the way I feel. But I’ve felt like that my entire life, even outside of music — a balance of those two emotions.
If you ask me, almost any creative person in life struggles with that. Whether they decide to openly admit it is a different thing. This is just me being honest and open, saying that sometimes I feel like the coldest alive. Other times I feel like I’m not good enough to be there. But I think I do a good job at overcoming it. I never let it defeat me, ever.
HHW: Closing out, what can fans expect from G-Eazy in 2015?
G-Eazy: I’m excited about the next album. These Things Happen caught a lot of people off guard. Now we’re on base and have a chance to do something with the next record. Once the tour ends, I’m looking forward to spending a few months in the studio creating.
Essentials:
“I Mean It” ft. Remo
“Downtown Love” ft. John Michael Rouchell
“Let’s Get Lost” ft. Devon Baldwin
“Lotta That” ft. A$AP Ferg & Danny Seth
