Ahead of his three-city Sunburn tour in India, the American rapper talks about his visit, evolution of music, favourite moment in his career till now, and why he addresses tough subjects like mental health through his music
American rapper and music producer G-Eazy will perform in Mumbai tomorrow at the NSCI Dome in Worli. Photo Courtesy: Sunburn
Having always wanted to visit India, American rapper and music producer Gerald Earl Gillum, better known by his stage name G-Eazy, is very excited to be in the country Coming here for the first time ever as a part of a three-city tour with Sunburn, he will perform in Mumbai on February 15.
Known for hits such as ‘Me, Myself & I’, ‘Tumblr Girls’, ‘Good Life’, ‘I Mean It’, ‘Him & I’, and ‘No Limit', G-Eazy has already performed in Bengaluru on February 10 and New Delhi NCR on February 11 before coming to the island city for his first and final performance to end the tour at the NSCI Dome, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium in Worli. The supporting lineup includes the likes of India rappers Yashraj and Dino James, singer-songwriter Talwiinder, DJ Spindoctor among others.
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With him performing in Mumbai this week, mid-day.com spoke to the American rapper about his visit to India and all things music. G-Eazy not only talks about the evolution of his music but also about his collaborations and last but not the least diving into mental health through his music.
How excited are you to perform in India? What have you planned for your set in Mumbai?
I am so excited not only to perform but also to get to visit India for the first time. It is a place I have wanted to travel to my whole life, and I am just grateful I get to finally be here. It is an added bonus that I get to perform there and do what I love.
How have you seen rap music evolve ever since you started out close to 20 years ago?
Rap and hip-hop in general are constantly evolving and I think that’s a beautiful thing. But that goes for all genres of music and all categories of art as nothing stays in one place forever. It is all about evolution and growth. I think the most interesting part is seeing the walls that separated genres and categories in the past fall down. It feels like everything is inspired by everything these days and there is a freedom that wasn’t always there and that is a beautiful and amazing thing.
You can make whatever you want to make.
Being around for close to two decades, how have you seen yourself evolve as a rapper and music producer?
I have grown creatively and musically just in the same way that I have grown as a human being. I am constantly inspired by new things, and I am grateful for that. I am always excited when I find new music or new ideas or a new artist that catches my attention and drives that spark of inspiration and makes me want to go create. The music I am making now, I never could have made 20 years ago because it is all a culmination of everything I have been exposed to and inspired by through the years that helped influence me.
You have collaborated with some of the biggest industry icons. Do you have a favourite memory working with any one of them?
I have been lucky enough to meet a lot of my idols and heroes. I have got the opportunity to collaborate with legends I look up to, and I am eternally grateful for that. However, ultimately my favourite moment was having dinner with Jay-Z and getting the opportunity to have a conversation with him.
Your music delves into themes of mental health, apart from love and heartbreak, and self-discovery. How important do you think it is to talk about mental health today? It is an aspect that has also affected musicians for the longest time.
I think it is very important. We are all dealing with something, and you never know what someone else is going through. Art is ultimately a form of self-expression, and it brings us together. So, when an artist’s story is something other people feel like they can relate to, it can be powerful.
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