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G-Eazy

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G-Eazy
G-Eazy performing in the Lollapalooza Music Festival in 2015
G-Eazy performing in the Lollapalooza Music Festival in 2015
Background information
Birth nameGerald Earl Gillum
Also known as
  • G-Eazy
Born (1989-05-24) May 24, 1989 (age 35)
Oakland, California, United States
GenresWest coast hip hop
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • record producer
InstrumentVocals
Years active2008–present
Labels

Gerald Earl Gillum (born May 24, 1989), better known by his stage name G-Eazy, is an American rapper and record producer from Oakland, California.[1] His first major-label album, These Things Happen was released on June 23, 2014. The album peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard 200. His second studio album, When It's Dark Out, was released on December 4, 2015. It featured the single "Me, Myself & I", which reached the top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100.

Early life

When Gillum was in the first grade, his mother left his father (who is an associate professor of art at CSU Fresno).[2] Gillum moved in with his grandparents in Berkeley, California. They later moved to North Oakland, although Gillum continued to attend school in Berkeley. When Gillum was around 12 years old, his mother began dating a woman named Melissa Mills.

This initially confused and embarrassed Gillum, who could not comprehend the change in his mother's personal life. However, as he came to accept Mills as a part of the family and grew close to her, Mills became depressed due to drugs she was taking to treat her manic depressive disorder. One day, Gillum came home to find Mills dead from an overdose. He details this experience in the last verse of "Everything Will Be OK" on his third album, When It's Dark Out.[3]

Career

2008–14: Career beginnings

Starting out as a record producer, G-Eazy began working on numerous singles while he was still a student at the Loyola University at New Orleans.[4] He then gained some recognition for being a part of the new hip hop scene back in the East Bay Area, joining with such artists as Lil B, Crohn and The Cataracs.[5][6] During his early years, he became a member of a local hip hop group, called "The Bay Boyz", who had released several songs on their official Myspace page.[7] In 2010, G-Eazy started gaining popularity when he was given an opportunity to open for some well-known artists, most notably Lil Wayne[8] and Snoop Dogg.[9][10][11]

G-Eazy's mixtapes at this period of time were met with limited success. In August 2011, he released The Endless Summer via his official site. The mixtape sampled a number of songs, most notably an updated version of 1961's US No. 1 hit song, "Runaround Sue", performed by Dion DiMucci. This song garnered over four million views via YouTube. The music video for "Runaround Sue" (featuring Devon Baldwin) was directed by Tyler Yee.[12] The mixtape features guest appearances from Greg Banks, Erika Flowers and Devon Baldwin.[13] In November 2011, Gillum embarked on his nationwide tour with Shwayze.[14] "My Life Is a Party" was featured in the game Saints Row: The Third on an in-game radio station.[15]

G-Eazy performing in 2013

On June 16, 2012, G-Eazy performed all United States dates on the annual Vans Warped Tour.[16][17] On July 25, 2012, the Excellent Adventure Tour was announced, which featured Hoodie Allen and G-Eazy. The two performed in cities across the U.S., including Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Columbus, Des Moines, New Orleans, Atlanta, Austin, and Philadelphia.[18] On September 26, 2012, G-Eazy released his first full-length album, Must Be Nice. The album, which was completely independent of a label, landed at number 3 on the iTunes Hip-Hop Chart.[19] On July 9, 2013, G-Eazy, alongside 2 Chainz, opened for Lil Wayne's "America’s Most Wanted Tour".[20] On December 15, 2013, G-Eazy and Master Chen B performed "Lotta That" from These Things Happen in New York City. On January 15, 2014, G-Eazy announced his "These Things Happen Tour" with MMG's Rockie Fresh, KYLE and Tory Lanez. The tour ran for 40 stops throughout the United States and Canada from February until April 2014.[21]

2014–present: These Things Happen and When It's Dark Out

On June 23, 2014, G-Eazy released his major-label debut album, These Things Happen. The album topped the US Billboard's Hip-Hop/R&B and Top Rap Albums charts, also earning him the number 3 spot on the US Billboard 200 and the Top Digital Albums Chart. The album has sold nearly 265,000 copies to date.[22] On October 21, 2014, Gillum embarked on his sold-out "From the Bay to the Universe" tour. The tour traveled across the globe to countries like Australia and New Zealand. This was his first headlining tour overseas.

During summer of 2015, G-Eazy played some of the main stages at a series of notable music festivals, including Lollapalooza, Electric Forest, Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, Made in America, and Austin City Limits. With the rise of his music career, Gillum has also taken up in interest in fashion by releasing a collaboration with Rare Panther in the fall of 2015 and being named GQ Magazine’s top 10 most stylish at New York Fashion Week.[23] Gillum’s sophomore album, When It's Dark Out, was released on December 4, 2015.[24] On January 6th, 2016, G-Eazy launched his second world tour. The tour will see G-Eazy cross the United States, Europe, and Australia.[25] His single "Me, Myself & I", in collaboration with Bebe Rexha, peaked at number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[26]

He co-headlined the Endless Summer tour with fellow rapper Logic, along with supporting acts YG and Yo Gotti, from June to August. Before the tour, he announced his new mixtape, Endless Summer II.

In May 2016, G-Eazy confirmed that he would be featured on Britney Spears' single, "Make Me...".[27] The single was released on July 15, 2016 and serves as the lead single from Spears' ninth studio album.[28]

G-Eazy performed "Make Me..." and "Me, Myself & I" with Spears at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards and the 2016 iHeartRadio Music Festival.

Personal life

After graduating from Berkeley High School, Gillum moved to New Orleans to attend Loyola University. While enrolled, he took classes on marketing, production, and business. In 2011, Gillum graduated from Loyola University with a BA in Music Industry Studies.[29]

Discography

Main article: G-Eazy discography

References

  1. ^ Hildebrand, Lee (November 21, 2014). "Hip-hopper G-Eazy on the brink". SFGate. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  2. ^ "Ed Gillum, Professor". Fresnostate.edu. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  3. ^ "G-Eazy (Ft. Kehlani) – Everything Will Be OK". Genius. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  4. ^ Samuels, Diana. "Sir Remix-a-lot - A Loyola student discovers you don't need a recording contract to make money making music", The Times-Picayune, New Orleans, Louisiana, September 29, 2008. Retrieved December 15, 2011. (Also reprinted as a blog post titled "A Loyola student learns you don't need a recording contract to make money making music" on September 29, 2008.)
  5. ^ Hildebrand, Lee. Hip hopper G-Eazy on the brink, San Francisco Chronicle, November 19, 2014.
  6. ^ "A Berkeley High star-turned-rapper takes tumble". Berkelyside News. November 21, 2011. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  7. ^ "Cornell University spotlight". Cornell University. 2009. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  8. ^ Swan, Rachel. "The G-Eazy Life | Music | Oakland, Berkeley & the Bay Area". Eastbayexpress.com. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  9. ^ Brooklyn Projects. "Interview: G-Eazy". Brooklynprojects.com. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved December 14, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ Savage, Emily. "Localized Appreesh: G-Eazy" San Francisco Bay Guardian, November 22, 2011. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  11. ^ "TUCP Spring Concert". Tulane University Campus Programming. March 15, 2011. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  12. ^ Official video of G-Eazy's "Runaround Sue" on YouTube
  13. ^ "The Endless Summer (Free Album)". G-Eazy.com. August 12, 2011. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ Dirty Laces (November 2011). "Shwayze tour dates". Songkick.com. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  15. ^ "Saints Row: The Third Soundtrack - 95.4 KRhyme FM". December 6, 2011. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  16. ^ "Warped tour dates". Vans Warped Tour. June 16, 2012. Archived from the original on July 25, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ "Vans Warped Tour 2012 announce stage lineups". Alternative Press. March 19, 2012. Retrieved Jan 3, 2016.
  18. ^ "Hoodie Allen + G-Eazy Excellent Adventure Tour Dates + "Plastic Dreams" (feat. Johanna Fay) | Tour Dates + New Song | this song is sick". this song is sick. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  19. ^ "Must Be Nice, by G-EAZY". G-EAZY. Retrieved 2015-09-30.
  20. ^ Zerbib, Kathy. "'America's Most Wanted' Tour Ends On High Note In Irvine". Retrieved 2015-09-30.
  21. ^ "G-Eazy Announces "These Things Happen" Tour With Rockie Fresh". Hotnewhiphop.com. 2014-01-15. Retrieved 2016-01-06.
  22. ^ "G-Eazy | ACL Music Festival". Aclfestival.com. Archived from the original on 2016-01-11. Retrieved 2016-01-06. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ Sebra, Matthew. "The 10 Best-Dressed Men at New York Fashion Week". Retrieved 2015-09-30.
  24. ^ "G-Eazy Details The Creation Of His Sophomore Album. [New Video]". Retrieved 2015-09-30.
  25. ^ "G-Eazy Tour". G-Eazy Official Website. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  26. ^ Trust, Gary (March 28, 2016). "Rihanna's 'Work' Leads Hot 100 for Sixth Week, Meghan Trainor's 'No' Hits Top 10". Billboard. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  27. ^ New single will feauture G Eazy
  28. ^ headlineplanet.com
  29. ^ "Meet G-Eazy: A Rapper Who Outsells Phish But Is Still 'Almost Famous'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
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