Gregory Earl Gillum (born May 24, 1989), better known by his stage name G-Eazy, is an American rapper. His first major-label album, These Things Happen, was released on June 23, 2014, and peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard 200. It featured the single "I Mean It", which reached number 98 on the Billboard Hot 100. His second studio album, When It's Dark Out, was released on December 4, 2015, and peaked at number 5 on the US Billboard 200. It featured the single "Me, Myself & I" (with Bebe Rexha), which reached number 7 of the US Billboard Hot 100.
His third album, The Beautiful & Damned, was released on December 15, 2017, and peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard 200. It featured the single "No Limit" (featuring Cardi B and ASAP Rocky), which reached number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100. He released his fourth studio album These Things Happen Too on September 24, 2021.
Early life
When Gillum was in 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.
Career
2008–14: Career beginnings
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. 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. He became a member of a local hip-hop group called "The Bay Boyz", who had released several songs on their Myspace page.
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 that 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.
2014–16: These Things Happen and When It's Dark Out
On June 23, 2014, G-Eazy released his major-label debut album, These Things Happen. The album topped the US Billboard 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.