G-Eazy

G-Eazy
G-Eazy performing at Roseland Ballroom in 2013
Background information
Birth name	Gerald Earl Gillum
Born	(1989-05-24) May 24, 1989[1] Oakland, California, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Rapper, songwriter
Years active	2007–present
Labels	Independent
Associated acts	Devon Baldwin, Black Lung, Mod Sun, Skizzy Mars, Hoodie Allen
Website	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 rendition of the 1960s hit Runaround Sue.^[2][3]

Career

Early career

Raised in Oakland, California, 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 of songs via their Myspace page.^[5] He began to produce a number of singles as a sophomore while attending Loyola University of New Orleans.^[6]

Solo career (2009-present)

With 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, in 2009 G-Eazy won the NAACP Best Music on Campus Woodie; Late 2010 saw Gillum being handed the opportunity of appearing as an opening act for the rapper Drake.^[9][10] In recent years, he has opened for a number of other artists such as Lil Wayne^[11] and Snoop Dogg.^[12][13]

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 1950 US No. 1 hit "Runaround Sue" by Dion Dimucci, which has gone on to garner over three million views via YouTube (Directed By Tyler Yee).^[14] It features collaborations with artists such as Greg Banks, Erika Flowers and American Idol contestant Devon Baldwin.^[15]

During November 2011, Gillum embarked on a nationwide tour with 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 "95.4 KRhyme FM".^[17]

Beginning from 16 June 2012, Gillum performed at every venue during the annual Summer Warped Tour.^[18]

On July 25, 2012, the Excellent Adventure Tour was announced which featured Hoodie Allen and G-Eazy. The two performed in cities such as Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Columbia (Missouri), Lincoln, New Orleans, Atlanta, Charlottesville, and Philadelphia.

On January 15, 2014 G-Eazy announced a new tour with MMG's Rockie Fresh and Tory Lanez, the "These Things Happen" Tour. The tour will run for 40 stops throughout the United States and Canada from February until April.^[19]

Personal life

G-Eazy graduated from Loyola University New Orleans in 2011 attaining a BS in Music Industry Studies.^[20] 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."^[21] Gillum has one brother, James Wolcott Gillum, 3 years younger. James plays trumpet, entered the Music program at Loyola University New Orleans in 2010, and is very close to Gerald. Gerald and James were raised by their mother, artist Suzanne Olmsted. His brother is a big inspiration to his music. Gerald is also close friends with New Hampshire rapper Jack Salvatore of the collective Polo and Shades. Some say his style is similar to that of rapper Eric Liebl. ^{[citation needed]}

Discography

Albums

• The Epidemic LP (2009)^[22]
• Must Be Nice (2012)
• These Things Happen (2014)

Mixtapes

• Sikkis on the Planet (2007)

• The Tipping Point (2008)
• Quarantine (2009)
• Big (2010)
• The Outsider (2011)^[23]
• The Endless Summer (2011)

EPs

• Fresh EP (2008)
• Nose Goes EP w/ Swiss Chriss (2011)
• Must Be Twice EP w/ Christoph Andersson (2013)

Singles

• Sherry (2011)
• Rebel (2011)
• Kings (feat. Jai Paul) (2011)
• Mercedes Benz (The American Dream) (2011)
• Lost in Translation (2011) (feat. Kyary Pamyu Pamyu)
• Rappin A$$ Rappers (feat. Mod Sun & Metasota) (2012)
• Lady Killers (feat. Hoodie Allen) (2012)
• Jack Skellington (2013)
• Been On (2013)
• Gotta Go (feat. BEND & Daniel Johnston) (2013)
• Far Alone (feat. Jay Ant) (2013)
• I Don't Believe You (feat. Team Robot) (2013)
• Almost Famous (2013)
• Marilyn (2012)
• Tumblr Girls (feat. Christoph Andersson) (2014)
• Last Night (feat. Devon & KYLE) (2014)
• Sleepless (feat. NYLO) (2014)

Awards and nominations

References

External links

• Official G-Eazy website
• Official Youtube page
• G-Eazy Public Page