G-Eazy

G-Eazy
Birth name Gerald Earl Gillum
Born May 24, 1989 (1989-05-24) (age 22)[1]
Oakland, California, U.S.
Genres Hip hop
Occupations Rapper, songwriter
Years active 2007–present
Labels Independent
Associated acts Devon Baldwin
Website http://www.g-eazy.com/

Gerald Earl Gillum (born May 24, 1989) better known by his stage name G-Eazy is an American rapper, songwriter and producer most known for his sample of the 1960's hit Runaround Sue. [2][3]

Contents

Career

Early career

Born and raised in Oakland and Berkeley, Gillum has gained recognition as part of the growing hip hop scene in the area, joining artists such as Lil B and The Cataracs.[4] Having an interest in making music at a young age G-Eazy put together a local group known as the 'Bay Boyz' who released a number songs via their Myspace page.[5] He began to produce a number of singles as a sophomore while attending Loyola Univeristy.[6]

Solo career (2009-present)

Success from his earlier mixtapes, Gillum continued to release further songs, notably "Waspy" and "Candy Girl".[7] The latter as of 2011 having attained over 400,000 plays via Myspace. [8] Continuing to combine both his studies and music, 2009 saw G-Eazy nominated for the annual mtvU Best Music on Campus Woodie, however the award went instead to indie pop band Hotel of the Laughing Tree.[9]

Late 2010 saw Gillum being handed the opportunity of appearing as an opening act for the rapper Drake at the Gibson Amphitheater.[10][11] In recent years he has opened for an number of notable artists such as Lil Wayne[12] and Snoop Dogg[13][14]

In August 2011 G-Eazy released the mixtape The Endless Summer via his official site. The mixtape samples from a number of other songs, most notably an updated version of the 1961 US No. 1 hit Runaround Sue by Dion Dimucci, which as of December 2011 has achieved over 360,000 views via Youtube. It features collaborations with artists such as Greg Banks, Erika Summers and American Idol contestant Devon Baldwin.[15]

During November 2011 Gillum embarked on a nationwide tour with fellow American rapper Shwayze.[16]

Released on "Dreams and Dream Killers" by Circa '87, as well as G-Eazy's "The Outsider" the track "My Life is a Party" was featured in the game Saints Row: The Third. The song can be heard on one of the in-game radio stations "94.5 KRhyme FM".[17]

Personal life

Gillum graduated from Loyola University in 2011 attaining a BS in Music Industry Studies.[18] During an interview in December 2011 with the Student Publication of the University at Buffalo, Gillum explained his decision to pursue both music and education "I knew I had to go to college, but I knew I wanted to pursue music, that's why I chose Loyola. I've been lucky enough to meet people, and I knew I had until college was over to get it all done."[19]

Discography

Albums

Mixtapes

EP's

Awards and nominations

Year Event Prize Nominated work Result Ref
2009 MtvU Awards Best Music on Campus Nominated
2011 Best of the Beat Best Rap/Hip-Hop Artist Nominated [22]
Best Rap/Hip-Hop Album or Mixtape The Endless Summer Nominated
Best Music Video Runaround Sue Nominated
The Best of the Booth Breaking Through in 2012 Nominated [23]

References

  1. ^ http://itsnoteazy.wordpress.com/?s=birthday
  2. ^ "G-Eazy ft. Greg Banks - Runaround Sue - Listen & Download MP3 Now". Djbooth.net. http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks/review/g-eazy-runaround-sue/. Retrieved December 14, 2011. 
  3. ^ Up for Discussion Jump to Forums (September 7, 2011). "Fashion Week: Top 10 Songs We Want on the Runway - The Hook". Billboard.com. http://www.billboard.com/column/the-hook/fashion-week-top-10-songs-we-want-on-the-1005340632.story#/column/the-hook/fashion-week-top-10-songs-we-want-on-the-1005340632.story. Retrieved December 14, 2011. 
  4. ^ "A Berkeley High star-turned-rapper takes tumble". Berkelyside News. November 21, 2011. http://www.berkeleyside.com/2011/11/21/a-berkeley-high-star-turned-rapper-takes-tumble/comment-page-1/. Retrieved December 16, 2011. 
  5. ^ "Cornell University spotlight". Cornell University. 2009. http://www.rso.cornell.edu/ccc/Spotlight/geazy.php. Retrieved December 14, 2011. 
  6. ^ 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.)
  7. ^ "G-Eazy drops new album - Life & Times - The Maroon - Loyola University New Orleans". Loyolamaroon.com. http://www.loyolamaroon.com/2.8033/g-eazy-drops-new-album-1.1124699#.TuQDWPIavqc. Retrieved December 14, 2011. 
  8. ^ "Myspace". Myspace. December 8, 2011. http://www.myspace.com/search/music?q=g-eazy&ac=t. Retrieved December 14, 2011. 
  9. ^ "mtvU Woodie Awards". MTV. November 18, 2009. http://www.mtv.com/ontv/woodieawards/2009/. Retrieved December 16, 2011. 
  10. ^ Brooklyn Projects. "Interview: G-Eazy". Brooklynprojects.com. http://brooklynprojects.com/main/archives/2975. Retrieved December 14, 2011. 
  11. ^ "The LAST @a3c article: 18 top acts that smashed and The Most Honorable Mentions..EVER", Urb Magazine, October 19, 2011. Retrieved December 19, 2011.
  12. ^ Swan, Rachel. "The G-Eazy Life | Music | Oakland, Berkeley & the Bay Area". Eastbayexpress.com. http://www.eastbayexpress.com/ebx/the-g-eazy-life/Content?oid=2355303. Retrieved December 14, 2011. 
  13. ^ "TUCP Spring Concert". Tulane University Campus Programming. March 15, 2011. http://www.tucp.net/2011/03/15/tucp-spring-concert-snoop-dogg-the-snoopadelics-ft-g-eazy/. Retrieved December 14, 2011. 
  14. ^ Savage, Emily. "Localized Appreesh: G-Eazy" San Francisco Bay Guardian, November 22, 2011. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  15. ^ "The Endless Summer (Free Album)". G-Eazy.com. August 12, 2011. http://www.g-eazy.com/music/the-endless-summer-free-album/. Retrieved December 14, 2011. 
  16. ^ Dirty Laces (November, 2011). "Shwayze tour dates". Songkick.com. http://www.songkick.com/artists/1169597-shwayze. Retrieved December 14, 2011. 
  17. ^ "Saints Row: The Third Soundtrack - 94.5 KRhyme FM". December 06, 2011. http://uk.ign.com/wikis/saints-row-the-third/Official_Soundtrack. Retrieved December 14, 2011. 
  18. ^ Dirty Laces (August 23, 2011). "INTERVIEW: G-EAZY and The Endless Summer Release". Dirty Laces. http://dirtylaces.com/sound/interview-g-eazy-and-the-endless-summer-release/?googleb0t=true. Retrieved December 14, 2011. 
  19. ^ "G-Eazy interview". Student Publication of the University at Buffalo. December 6, 2011. http://www.ubspectrum.com/arts/keeping-the-balance-1.2727772#.Tu06UPIavqe. Retrieved December 17, 2011. 
  20. ^ "The Epidemic LP". Billboard.com. http://www.billboard.com/artist/g-eazy/bio/1113087#/artist/g-eazy/discography/albums/1113087. Retrieved December 14, 2011. 
  21. ^ "G-Eazy". Music.g-eazy.com. August 9, 2011. http://music.g-eazy.com/. Retrieved December 14, 2011. 
  22. ^ "Best of the Beat 2011 Nominees". Offbeat Magazine. 08 December, 2011. http://offbeat.com/2011/12/08/best-of-the-beat-2011-nominees/. Retrieved December 17, 2011. 
  23. ^ "The Best of the Booth 2011". DjBooth.net. December, 2011. http://www.djbooth.net/index/best-of/vote. Retrieved December 20, 2011. 

External links