When Gillum was in the first grade, his mother left his father, an associate professor of art at CSU Fresno. Gillum moved in with his grandparents in Berkeley, California, where he attended Berkeley High School. They later moved to North Oakland, although Gillum continued to attend school in Berkeley. Gillum attended Loyola University New Orleans, where he graduated with a BA in music industry studies in 2011.
Starting out as a record producer, G-Eazy began working on singles while he was still a student at the Loyola University at New Orleans with his producer Christoph Andersson who also was a student there.[4][5] He gained some recognition for being a part of the new hip hop scene back in the East Bay Area, joining with such artists as Lil B, Crohn and The Cataracs.[6][7] He became a member of a local hip hop group called "The Bay Boyz", who had released several songs on their Myspace page.[8]
In 2008, he was performing at a college talent show and was nearly booed off, when Matt Bauerschmidt noticed him and signed him as a client to his new music management company The Revels Group which he started with Matt Davis.
In 2010, G-Eazy was given an opportunity to open for some well-known artists, most notably Lil Wayne and Snoop Dogg.
G-Eazy's mixtapes at this period of time were met with limited success. In August 2011, he released The Endless Summer, with an updated version of the 1961 hit song "Runaround Sue", which garnered over four million views via YouTube. The music video was directed by Tyler Yee. The mixtape features guest appearances from Greg Banks, Erika Flowers, and Devon Baldwin. In November 2011, Gillum embarked on a nationwide tour with Shwayze. "My Life Is a Party" was featured in the game Saints Row: The Third on an in-game radio station.
On June 16, 2012, G-Eazy performed all United States dates on the annual Vans Warped Tour. On July 25, 2012, the Excellent Adventure Tour was announced, which featured Hoodie Allen and G-Eazy. The two performed in cities across the U.S., including Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Columbus, Des Moines, New Orleans, Atlanta, Austin, and Philadelphia. On September 26, 2012, G-Eazy released his first full-length album, Must Be Nice. The album, which was completely independent of a label, landed at number 3 on the iTunes Hip-Hop Chart. On July 9, 2013, G-Eazy, alongside 2 Chainz, opened for Lil Wayne's "America's Most Wanted Tour". On December 15, 2013, G-Eazy and Master Chen B performed "Lotta That" from These Things Happen in New York City. On January 15, 2014, G-Eazy announced his "These Things Happen Tour" with Rockie Fresh, KYLE, and Tory Lanez accompanying him. The tour ran for 40 stops throughout the United States and Canada from February until April 2014.
On June 23, 2014, G-Eazy released his major-label debut album, These Things Happen. The album topped the US Billboard's Hip-Hop/R&B and Top Rap Albums charts, also earning him the number 3 spot on the US Billboard 200 and the Top Digital Albums Chart. The album has sold nearly 265,000 copies to date. On October 21, 2014, Gillum embarked on his sold-out "From the Bay to the Universe" tour. The tour traveled across the globe to countries like Australia and New Zealand. This was his first headlining tour overseas.
During the summer of 2015, G-Eazy played some of the main stages at a series of notable music festivals, including Lollapalooza, Electric Forest, Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, Made in America, and Austin City Limits. With the rise of his music career, Gillum has also taken up an interest in fashion by releasing a collaboration with Rare Panther in the fall of 2015 and being named GQ Magazine's top 10 most stylish at New York Fashion Week. Gillum's second album, When It's Dark Out, was released on December 4, 2015. On January 6, 2016, G-Eazy launched his second world tour. The tour saw G-Eazy tour the United States, Europe, and Australia. His single "Me, Myself & I", in collaboration with Bebe Rexha, peaked at number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
He co-headlined the Endless Summer tour with American rapper Logic, along with YG and Yo Gotti as supporting acts, from June to August. Before the tour, he announced his mixtape, Endless Summer II. He canceled the tape due to problems with sample clearance. In May 2016, G-Eazy confirmed that he would be featured on Britney Spears' single "Make Me...". The single was released on July 15, 2016, and serves as the lead single from Spears' ninth studio album.
G-Eazy performed "Make Me..." and "Me, Myself & I" with Spears at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards and the 2016 iHeartRadio Music Festival. Gillum released an EP with Guatemalan DJ Carnage called Step Brothers on March 27, 2017. G-Eazy released his new single, a collaboration with American singer Kehlani called "Good Life", which is a part of the eighth installment of the film franchise Fast & Furious, titled The Fate of the Furious. He was also featured in the new Dillon Francis single titled "Say Less".
On June 14, 2017, G-Eazy announced through Instagram and Twitter that his next studio album, The Beautiful & Damned, would be released in the fall of 2017. On November 8, 2017, the official release day was announced as December 15, as well as an accompanying short film.
On December 5, 2017, G-Eazy released his second single from The Beautiful & Damned titled "Him & I" with Halsey, with whom he was in a relationship. They performed the song together on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve of 2017. On February 27, 2019, G-Eazy released the single, "West Coast", featuring Blueface, and released the video on March 28, 2019, adding ALLBLACK and YG.\\G-Eazy released an EP B-Sides on June 25, 2019, which contained the songs that wouldn't make it onto his then-upcoming album. The EP spawned the song "Bang" with American rapper Tyga. He later re-released the EP on August 22 and September 19 with additional tracks.
Gillum released the single "I Wanna Rock", featuring American rapper Gunna, as the lead single of his EP Scary Nights, on October 16. The EP was released on October 18. In March 2020, G-Eazy announced a new project featuring an indie rock sound titled Everything's Strange Here. The album was officially released on June 26, 2020.
G-Eazy released his long-anticipated fourth studio album These Things Happen Too on September 24, 2021. It was supported by the singles "Running Wild (Tumblr Girls 2)" featuring Kossisko, and "Breakdown" featuring Demi Lovato in the weeks leading up to the release date.
In 2018, G-Eazy headlined a concert for Bay Area fire relief that raised $15 million, pulled out of an H&M sponsorship deal after blowback about a sweatshirt advertisement that some considered to be racist, performed at an Everytown fundraiser on the eve of March For Our Lives, and used his platform to speak out against gun violence. Also that year, G-Eazy launched the Endless Summer Fund, which is a non-profit dedicated to helping young people reach their full potential and strengthening the Bay Area community.
In 2022, G-Eazy joined the ownership group of the Purpose-driven, professional soccer team Oakland Roots.
The Illest
G-Eazy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Two words… fuck it!
This is what the deal is, survival of the illest
Dog eat dog world, kill or be killed shit
So better bring the heat and go hard every time
Any rapper that be lacking bars is left behind
Y’all know what the deal is, survival of the illest
Dog eat dog world, kill or be killed shit
Any suckers that be hating, well let ‘em hate it
You heard him let them hate then, I got no time for playing
'Cause Imma be the greatest, don’t care ‘bout what ya saying
That’s not an invitation to start a conversation
I got no types of patience for any rappers faking
Imma just hop on the beat, G sent me a track, I made it a feast
This is my season so I’m ‘bout to eat, time to kill these actors while I’m asleep
Type to run it up like I’m in sneaks, swiftly handing all these posers defeat
They all looking up to me but I’m 5’3, me and G-therz, the illest in the East
I think I been sleeping too long, they like, “InteLLeK, where ya new songs?”
I took a couple steps then I fell off it’s 'cause I was slacking, yeah it’s my fault
I’m grinding right now and Imma keep going, I promise to y’all I’ll never be gone
But for right now I’m all in my zone, handing out these verses if you want smoke
This is for all of you mumblers I’m on a whole ‘nother level man
I’m ‘bout to go to ya city, ya settlement, give me the cash embezzlement
Can’t fuck with frauds, I’m celibate
Ain’t no compromising or no settling, money stay the topic and it’s delicate
Don’t wanna talk to you less it’s relevant, let them hear it bro, get the message in
This is what the deal is, survival of the illest
Dog eat dog world, kill or be killed shit
So better bring the heat and go hard every time
Any rapper that be lacking bars is left behind
Y’all know what the deal is, survival of the illest
Dog eat dog world, kill or be killed shit
Er'body out here climbing just to be the greatest
Any suckers that be hating, well let ‘em hate it
It’s time to put ya bitches in check like the Verizon logo
Might as well call me Jason Derulo, bitch I'm riding solo
But I got the intellect, these others can’t stand me
'Cause this Pinoy delivers punches but I ain’t Manny
While all these frauds act super cocky like they run the Illuminati
‘Til the moment where they're going out like they’re Luca Brasi
I’d be low key like as if I was the god of mischief
And in the short run, I’d be lasting longer bitches
It’s best recommended ya calm it down, 'cause you don’t want no fucking drama now
'Cause pressing my buttons is like putting ya motherfucking fingers in a piranha’s mouth
If I ain’t fucking with you, I will take me a bite, with nothing to lose, I am crazy tonight
I’m the best of the ‘Del, I’ll forever excel, running the jewels like I'm Jaime and Mike
Don’t care what these bitches like, long as what I spit is tight
Got these trees lit bitch without the need of Christmas lights
Just because you rap doesn’t mean you’re quite the same as me
'Cause I always got it, fat shit popping like it’s bacon grease
This is what the deal is, survival of the illest
Dog eat dog world, kill or be killed shit
So better bring the heat and go hard every time
Any rapper that be lacking bars is left behind
Y’all know what the deal is, survival of the illest
Dog eat dog world, kill or be killed shit
Er'body out here climbing just to be the greatest
Any suckers that be hating, well let ‘em hate it
This ain’t no last of a dying breed shit
Just 'cause that mumble shit is what these jackasses like doesn’t mean that we’re done
We ain’t going anywhere, nahmean
Fuck what ya heard
Y’all know what the deal is, survival of the illest
Dog eat dog world, kill or be killed shit
Er'body out here climbing just to be the greatest
Any suckers that be hating, well let ‘em hate it
The lyrics of G-Eazy's song The Illest talk about the survival of the fittest in the music industry. The rapper talks about the dog-eat-dog world where one has to kill or be killed. He emphasizes the need to bring the heat and go hard every time; any rapper that lacks bars is left behind. G-Eazy collaborates with other rappers in this song like G-therz, IntelleK, and Pinoy to show that they are the illest in the East. The lyrics also stress the importance of hard work and consistency, and the need to ignore naysayers and focus on one's goals.
The song also has a boastful tone where G-Eazy calls out those who hate on his success. He does not have the patience for any faking rappers and is determined to be the greatest. He also mentions his height, and although he may be short, he is still one of the illest in the game. The song talks about the struggles of the music industry, where everyone is trying to be the next big thing, but not everyone can make it to the top.
Line by Line Meaning
G-G-G-therz
Introducing the artist G-Eazy
Two words… fuck it!
Dismissing any need for explanation or justification
This is what the deal is, survival of the illest
The music industry is highly competitive and only the best survive
Dog eat dog world, kill or be killed shit
The industry is cutthroat, and you need to be ruthless
So better bring the heat and go hard every time
You need to perform at your best constantly
Any rapper that be lacking bars is left behind
You won't make it without great skills and talent
Y’all know what the deal is, survival of the illest
Reiterating the competitive nature of the industry
Dog eat dog world, kill or be killed shit
Re-emphasizing the need to be ruthless
Er'body out here climbing just to be the greatest
Everyone is striving for success
Any suckers that be hating, well let ‘em hate it
Ignoring haters and focusing on success
You heard him let them hate then, I got no time for playing
Reiterating the idea of ignoring haters
Imma be the greatest, don’t care ‘bout what ya saying
Focusing on personal success and ignoring negative opinions
That’s not an invitation to start a conversation
Not interested in engaging with negativity
I got no types of patience for any rappers faking
No tolerance for fake or inauthentic rappers
Imma just hop on the beat, G sent me a track, I made it a feast
Taking advantage of opportunities to showcase talent
This is my season so I’m ‘bout to eat, time to kill these actors while I’m asleep
Making the most of the current moment to gain success
Type to run it up like I’m in sneaks, swiftly handing all these posers defeat
Quickly overcoming lesser rappers
They all looking up to me but I’m 5’3, me and G-therz, the illest in the East
Despite his physical stature, he and his crew are the best in the region
I think I been sleeping too long, they like, “InteLLeK, where ya new songs?”
Feeling pressure to release new music
I took a couple steps then I fell off it’s 'cause I was slacking, yeah it’s my fault
Admitting to previous failures due to lack of effort
I’m grinding right now and Imma keep going, I promise to y’all I’ll never be gone
Determined to work hard and continue making music
But for right now I’m all in my zone, handing out these verses if you want smoke
Currently focused on his work and willing to battle anyone who challenges him
This is for all of you mumblers I’m on a whole ‘nother level man
Targeting rappers with bad enunciation and poor skills
I’m ‘bout to go to ya city, ya settlement, give me the cash embezzlement
Will perform in any location for the right fee
Can’t fuck with frauds, I’m celibate
Won't associate with inauthentic rappers
Ain’t no compromising or no settling, money stay the topic and it’s delicate
Money is the focus and won't be compromised
Don’t wanna talk to you less it’s relevant, let them hear it bro, get the message in
Won't engage in conversation unless it's necessary or relevant
It’s time to put ya bitches in check like the Verizon logo
Asserting dominance over lesser rappers
Might as well call me Jason Derulo, bitch I'm riding solo
Comparing himself to successful and popular musicians
But I got the intellect, these others can’t stand me
Acknowledging his intelligence and talent, which makes others feel inferior
‘Cause this Pinoy delivers punches but I ain’t Manny
A play on Manny Pacquiao's boxing career, indicating his own strength as a rapper
While all these frauds act super cocky like they run the Illuminati
Making fun of rappers who think they're part of a secret society
‘Til the moment where they're going out like they’re Luca Brasi
Referencing the death of a fictional character from The Godfather
I’d be low key like as if I was the god of mischief
Claims to be clever and subtle like the Norse god Loki
And in the short run, I’d be lasting longer bitches
Asserting his longevity as a rapper despite current trends
It’s best recommended ya calm it down, 'cause you don’t want no fucking drama now
Warning others not to provoke him
'Cause pressing my buttons is like putting ya motherfucking fingers in a piranha’s mouth
Provoking him will result in extreme consequences
If I ain’t fucking with you, I will take me a bite, with nothing to lose, I am crazy tonight
Not associating with certain people can lead to reckless behavior
I’m the best of the ‘Del, I’ll forever excel, running the jewels like I'm Jaime and Mike
Proud to represent Delaware and be successful as a rapper
Don’t care what these bitches like, long as what I spit is tight
Not concerned about pleasing everyone, as long as he's confident in his skills
Got these trees lit bitch without the need of Christmas lights
Can get high without the need for special lighting
Just because you rap doesn’t mean you’re quite the same as me
Asserting his uniqueness as a rapper
'Cause I always got it, fat shit popping like it’s bacon grease
Confident in his skills and ability to be successful
This ain’t no last of a dying breed shit
Refusing to believe that real rap is dead
Just 'cause that mumble shit is what these jackasses like doesn’t mean that we’re done
Disagreeing with the popularity of mumble rap
We ain’t going anywhere, nahmean
The real rappers will continue to thrive and succeed
Fuck what ya heard
Dismissing rumors and negativity
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Juan Roldan, Karan Menon, Rye Guether
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Hh
on Lady Killers II (Christoph Andersson Remix)
Line by line meaning pls