New artist makes his way into spotlight

Gerald Gillum, known as G-Eazy since his rap debut in 2007, is on the verge of breaking out.

Be easy · Gerald Gillum, also known as indpendent artist G-Eazy, started gaining a following by releasing free mixtapes online. He will be performing at the Henry Fonda Theatre on Thursday. – Photo courtesy of Billboard

After spending many years gaining a grassroots following via free mixtapes released online while finishing college, G-Eazy is currently transitioning into the mainstream music scene as he tries to keep his strong fan following and classic mixtape sound intact. His decision to remain an independent artist without major label support leaves the door open for complete artistic freedom, but is an extremely risky course and will only fare well if executed correctly. If anyone knows how to pull this off, however, it is G-Eazy, who completed a Bachelor’s of Science in the music industry from Loyola University of New Orleans to back up his strong creative instinct.

“These Things Happen,” the title of his current headlining tour as well his upcoming album, is the catalyst for his imminent fame. After spending the past few years opening for artists such as Big Sean, Drake and Lil’ Wayne, G-Eazy said that his current 40-date stateside tour is what he’s been working toward.

“[The tour] is what you build for,” G-Eazy said. “Everything I’ve done in my career has all been building toward this moment when I would eventually have enough momentum to go on a full-fledged tour as the headline act.”

So far the tour has proven to be a strong indication of his success, and the growing craze over his brand is evidenced by sold-out venues filled with enthusiastic fans eager to sing along to some of their favorite songs and get a taste of unheard tracks from the rapper’s forthcoming album. The album These Things Happen, his second LP as an independent artist, is due this spring and the rapper promises it will be an array of his highest quality tracks yet.

“I think it’s a huge step forward both creatively and in regards to my career,” G-Eazy said.

The rapper has a lot of faith in his new album, partly due to the fact that he has matured as a person. This maturity has influenced his rapping skills, his lyrics and production, all of which he is heavily involved with. Because of album delays and a fervent case of perfectionism, G-Eazy has spent the last two years making sure this album is nothing short of the best work he is capable of making.

“If you have two weeks to turn in a paper, and the teacher extends it by two months, you have the chance to put in the effort to make the project near perfect,” G-Eazy said.

The crisp production and confident swagger heard in the rapper’s latest single, “Almost Famous,” matches the superb quality of the visuals in the song’s accompanying music video, released in December. “Almost Famous” is another bullet point on the list of reasons why fans are looking forward to what he has in store for them.

With the traction that he has already created and the eventful schedule he has planned for 2014, it makes perfect sense why G-Eazy chose to name “Almost Famous.”

G-Eazy will be taking the “These Things Happen” tour to Hollywood on Thursday at the Henry Fonda Theatre.