G-Eazy Listening

Three-time platinum-winning rapper and producer, Bay Area beat dropper and member of the Forbes “30 under 30,” G-Eazy is expanding his brand beyond hip-hop into the worlds of fashion, spirits and activism.

INTERVIEW BY { RACHEL MADISON HILL EDITED BY { BONNIE DAVIDSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO STYLING BY { ANASTASIA WALKER GROOMING BY { KATA BARON USING OLE HENRIKSEN AND ORIBE AT STILLHOUSE HEADQUARTERS IN BEVERLY HILLS

Fresh off his Endless Summer Tour and on the eve of both his 30th birthday and the release of his fourth major-label studio album (following the success of The Beautiful & Damned), Gerald Earl Gillum—that’s “G-Eazy” to you—is in brand-building mode. Already revered as an innovator in the music world, he now has his own line of merchandise (clothing and a haircare product) and has turned his attention to the spirits industry as partner and co-creative director of Stillhouse Spirits, the producer of six varieties of clear whiskey and an aged black bourbon. In addition, as founder of Endless Summer Fund, he is making his mark as a philanthropist, raising money and advocating on behalf of LGBTQ, homeless and mentally ill youth in his beloved home town of San Francisco.

What was it like growing up in the Bay Area and how did it impact your music?

It was an amazing time to be a teenager in theBay Area. The “hyphy” movement was a culturalphenomenon and I was right in the middle ofit. The music that came out of the Bay in themid 2000s was unlike anything else and westill listen to those songs today. I was a juniorin high school in 2006, which was basically thegolden age of the era, and I was finding my voiceand my sound at that time, so it was incrediblyinfluential on my career.

Which artists have most influenced your sound?

E-40, Mac Dre, A Tribe Called Quest, Drake,The Beatles, Lil Wayne and Johnny Cash. All ofthese artists have influenced me in one way oranother.

Who have you enjoyed working with and who do you want to work with next?

I did a session with Gashi the other night. He’san artist who I think is gonna have a huge 2019.He’s insanely talented. Another is ALLBLACK.He’s basically the hottest artist in Oakland rightnow, about to blow all the way up. There’s anartist out of Minnesota named 7AE who is supertalentedand I think he’s going be the next bigthing. We did a song already, but I want to workwith him more.

Can you describe your creative process?

When I go into the studio, it starts with themusic. A producer will either play me beats orstart making something from scratch. ThenI kinda zone out and start mumbling wordsand flows until something comes to me I like.It usually happens within the first five or 10minutes. And if it doesn’t, we generally move onor start over on something new. If it’s there, it’sthere. You gotta trust your gut and intuition.

What’s the best song you’ve ever recorded?

Maybe “Everything Will Be OK,” because it’s themost vulnerable and revealing.

You joined Stillhouse Spirits in 2017. Why?

I was a fan of the brand before I met founder andCEO Brad Beckerman and we just hit it off. Thereis a special connection there. It was almost like we’d been close friends or brothers in a pastlife or something. I related to him and I reallyloved the vision he had for the brand. I identifiedwith it. I’ve always felt like an entrepreneur andwanted to get into the spirits business, but Iwanted to wait for the right opportunity and thisfelt like the right time.

Tell us about your new philanthropic initiative to assist under-served youth.

Through the Endless Summer Fund, I have beenraising and donating money to homeless youthcenters in the Bay Area [including $50,000 toLarkin Street Youth Services] that keep kids offthe streets, help get them an education andfind jobs. It’s something I am really passionateabout. The Bay Area raised me and made meeverything I am, so it means a lot to me to beable to come home and give back. And althoughit’s one of the most beautiful and popular placesto live in the country, there are still around 1,300homeless kids sleeping outside every night.Larkin Street is one of the oldest and biggesthomeless youth centers in the region, so itmeans everything to be able to help these kidsby donating resources.

How would you describe your personal style?

It depends what mood I’m in. It’s either minimaldark with a timeless approach, a lot of leatherjackets and varsities, or it’s mid- to late 2000sstreetwear when I wear sneakers.

Can you describe your other venture, Gerald’s Essentials?

Gerald’s Essentials is a sub-brand/conceptI’ve been building and planning for a while. It’sbasically about taking the things I use or wearin my daily life—high-quality basics, likesweats, hoodies, shirts, socks—and makingthem available to my fans. I’m also developinga signature pomade, which I’m really excitedabout.

What would you like to say to your fans?

Thank you, thank you, thank you. You’ve mademy dreams come true and made all of thispossible.

What’s next for G-Eazy?

Taking over the world, one night at a time.

G-EAZY’S FAVORITES

Gift received:

A friend of mine who knew Mac Dre gave me a rosary that Dre actually gave him—and promised it would keep him safe—back in the ’90s.

Fashion designers:

Anthony Vaccarello, Hedi Slimane, Virgil Abloh and Jerry Lorenzo

Books:

Autobiographies by Steve Jobs and Johnny Cash, lots of classic novels (I obviously love Fitzgerald), and I just read The Celestine Prophecy.

Karaoke song:

“Beautiful Girls” by Sean Kingston

iTunes playlist:

Chet Baker, J Dilla, Johnny Cash (“Man in Black” is the theme song of my life), Lil Wayne and John Coltrane

Can’t live without:

Coffee, breakfast burritos, music, movies, family and friends that I love

Indulgence:

Sour candy. I can’t get enough.

Travel destinations:

Paris and Hawaii

Dream vacation:

Thailand