Table of Contents
Who is G-Eazy?
G-Eazy, born Gerald Earl Gillum, is an American rapper and producer known for his collaborations with artists such as Lil Wayne and Britney Spears. He gained recognition after independently releasing his first full-length album, Must Be Nice, in 2012. The album reached No. 33 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop album chart and No. 3 on the iTunes Hip-Hop chart. G-Eazy made his major-label debut with the album These Things Happen in June 2014, under RCA Records. His 2015 single “Me, Myself and I” became a chart-topping hit, further cementing his place in the music industry.
Early Life
G-Eazy was born on May 24, 1989, in Oakland, California. His father, Edward, is an art professor at California State University, Fresno, and his mother, Suzanne Olmsted, is an artist and teacher. He has a younger brother, James, who is also a musician. Following his parents’ divorce when he was in first grade, G-Eazy and his brother were raised by their mother, who worked multiple teaching jobs to support them. Financial challenges led them to live with his grandparents, where all three shared a room.
From an early age, G-Eazy demonstrated a strong work ethic, working at the Top Dog restaurant chain at 14 to contribute to the family’s income. He attended Berkeley High School, where he was inspired by his peers, the hip-hop group the Pack, who achieved success with a Billboard hit. This motivated him to pursue music seriously, leading him to create beats using production software and sell mixtapes for $5 each at school.
College Mixtapes and Early Career
G-Eazy’s initial sound was heavily influenced by the energetic hyphy movement from Northern California, but his style evolved when he moved to New Orleans for college in 2007. Immersed in the city’s rich musical culture, including Southern bounce music and the influence of local legends like Lil Wayne, G-Eazy’s musical direction began to shift. Determined to pursue a career in hip hop, he enrolled at Loyola University, majoring in music industries studies. During his time at Loyola, he released several mixtapes as digital downloads, including The Tipping Point (2008), Sikkis on the Planet and Quarantine (both 2009), Big (2010), and The Outsider (2011). He also released a download-only LP, The Epidemic LP (2009). These projects gradually built his reputation in the hip hop scene, and by the time he graduated in 2011, he had already toured with Lil Wayne and Drake. Though he didn’t spend much time socializing with these stars offstage, he carefully observed how they programmed their live sets, worked the crowd, and projected star power—skills that would prove invaluable in his own career.
From Must Be Nice to When It’s Dark Out
Following graduation, G-Eazy released another mixtape, The Endless Summer (2011), which featured a modern take on Dion DiMucci’s 1961 hit “Runaround Sue.” The accompanying video helped solidify his signature style, blending contemporary hip hop with a 1960s aesthetic. In 2012, G-Eazy released his first independent full-length album, Must Be Nice, which peaked at No. 33 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Album chart and No. 3 on the iTunes Hip-Hop chart.
In 2014, he made his major-label debut with These Things Happen under RCA Records. Featuring collaborations with artists like A$AP Ferg and E-40, the album reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and earned gold certification. His success continued with a worldwide tour, “From the Bay to the Universe,” which expanded his fanbase internationally, with dates in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
His second major-label release, When It’s Dark Out, arrived in November 2015. Featuring guest appearances from Big Sean, Chris Brown, Bebe Rexha, and more, the album debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and went platinum. The lead single, “Me, Myself & I,” a collaboration with Bebe Rexha, marked G-Eazy’s first Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 7.
A Personal Reflection: “Everything Will Be OK”
While much of G-Eazy’s music is known for its themes of hard work and indulgence, When It’s Dark Out also showcased a more introspective side. On the track “Everything Will Be OK,” G-Eazy opened up about personal struggles, including the guilt of leaving loved ones behind to pursue his dreams. In the song’s third verse, he candidly addresses his journey of accepting his mother’s same-sex relationship, and the tragic loss of her partner, Melissa, to an overdose. G-Eazy later revealed that the song marked the first time he had publicly shared such deeply personal stories, telling Nylon magazine, “It’s about love and appreciating people while they’re here.”
Continued Success: Collaborations and The Beautiful & Damned
G-Eazy’s rise to fame continued in 2016 when he was featured on Britney Spears’ hit single “Make Me…” In 2017, he released the single “Good Life,” a collaboration with singer Kehlani, which amassed over 13 million views on YouTube within the first month. That year, he also released the Step Brothers EP with DJ Carnage.
His third studio album, The Beautiful & Damned, dropped in December 2017, further cementing his place as a prominent figure in the hip hop scene. Through his evolving sound, introspective lyrics, and consistent work ethic, G-Eazy has proven himself to be a versatile artist with staying power in the music industry.