G-Eazy

Gerald Earl Gillum, known as G-Eazy, is an American rapper from Oakland, California. He began making music in 2006 and released two albums on his own before joining RCA Records. His third album, These Things Happen from 2014, was his first big success, reaching number three on the Billboard 200. One of its songs, "I Mean It", became very popular and was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

G-Eazy kept making music, and his next two albums, When It's Dark Out in 2015 and The Beautiful & Damned in 2017, also did well. Songs like "Me, Myself & I" with Bebe Rexha and "No Limit" featuring Cardi B and ASAP Rocky became big hits. His later albums, including These Things Happen Too in 2021, did not perform as well, and his most recent albums, Freak Show (2024) and Helium (2025), did not appear on any charts.

Early life

Gerald Earl Gillum, known as G-Eazy, was born on May 24, 1989. He is the older son of Edward Gillum, an art professor at California State University, Fresno, and Suzanne Olmsted, an artist and professor who passed away in 2021. He has a younger brother, James, who is also a musician.

When G-Eazy was in first grade, his mother left his father, and he moved in with his grandparents in Berkeley, California. He went to Berkeley High School. Later, they moved to North Oakland, but he kept attending school in Berkeley. G-Eazy went to Loyola University New Orleans and graduated in 2011 with a degree in music industry studies.

Career

2008–14: Career beginnings

G-Eazy started his career as a record producer while he was a student at the Loyola University at New Orleans. He became part of the new hip-hop scene in the East Bay Area, working with artists like Lil B and The Cataracs. He joined a local hip-hop group called "The Bay Boyz" and shared their songs on Myspace.

In 2008, G-Eazy performed at a college talent show and was noticed by Matt Bauerschmidt, who signed him to his new music management company, The Revels Group. In 2010, he got the chance to perform before famous artists like Lil Wayne and Snoop Dogg. His mixtape The Endless Summer in 2011 included a new version of the song "Runaround Sue", which became very popular on YouTube. He also went on tour with Shwayze that same year.

In 2012, G-Eazy joined the Vans Warped Tour and later announced the Excellent Adventure Tour with Hoodie Allen. He released his first full album, Must Be Nice, in 2012, which reached number 3 on the iTunes Hip-Hop Chart. In 2013, he opened for Lil Wayne's "America's Most Wanted Tour" with 2 Chainz. In 2014, he announced his "These Things Happen Tour" with Rockie Fresh, KYLE, and Tory Lanez, which traveled across the United States and Canada.

2014–16: These Things Happen and When It's Dark Out

In 2014, G-Eazy released his major-label debut album, These Things Happen. The album reached number 3 on the US Billboard 200. He began his first headlining tour, called "From the Bay to the Universe," which traveled to countries like Australia and New Zealand.

In the summer of 2015, G-Eazy performed at major music festivals such as Lollapalooza, Electric Forest, Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, Made in America, and Austin City Limits. He also showed interest in fashion, working with Rare Panther and being named one of GQ Magazine’s top 10 most stylish at New York Fashion Week. His second album, When It's Dark Out, came out in December 2015. In 2016, his single "Me, Myself & I", with Bebe Rexha, reached number 7 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

He also went on tour with American rapper Logic, along with YG and Yo Gotti. Before the tour, he announced a new mixtape, but it was cancelled due to problems with sample clearance. In May 2016, he confirmed he would be on Britney Spears’s single "Make Me...", which was released in July 2016 and served 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.

2017–18: Step Brothers and The Beautiful & Damned

G-Eazy released an EP with Guatemalan DJ Carnage called Step Brothers in March 2017. He also released a single called "Good Life" with American singer Kehlani, which was part of the movie The Fate of the Furious from the Fast & Furious franchise.

In June 2017, G-Eazy announced his next studio album, The Beautiful & Damned, which was released on December 15, 2017, along with a short film. On December 5, 2017, he released the second single from the album, titled "Him & I" with Halsey. They performed the song together on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve in 2017.

2019–21: Acting debut, B-Sides, Scary Nights, Everything's Strange Here and These Things Happen Too

G-Eazy released an EP called B-Sides on June 25, 2019, which included songs that didn’t make it onto his next album. The EP featured the song "Bang" with American rapper Tyga. He later added more tracks to the EP in August and September 2019.

He made his acting debut in the crime-comedy movie Hustlers, playing a character named Johnny. The movie was released on September 13, 2019.

G-Eazy released the single "I Wanna Rock" with American rapper Gunna on October 16, 2019. The EP Scary Nights came out on October 18. In March 2020, he announced a new project called Everything's Strange Here, which was released on June 26, 2020.

G-Eazy’s fourth studio album, These Things Happen Too, was released on September 24, 2021. It included the singles "Running Wild (Tumblr Girls 2)" and "Breakdown" featuring Demi Lovato.

2022–present: Freak Show and Helium

In April 2022, G-Eazy released a song called "Angel" as a tribute to his mother, who passed away in November 2021.

In March 2023, he released "Tulips and Roses", marking his return after a year off. G-Eazy confirmed in interviews over the summer of 2023 that his next album would be coming soon.

On April 4, 2024, he released "Femme Fatale" with Coi Leray and Kaliii as the lead single for his upcoming seventh studio album Freak Show. On June 6, 2024, he released "Anxiety" as the second single from the album. Freak Show was released on June 21, 2024.

G-Eazy released his eighth studio album titled Helium on May 23, 2025.

Philanthropy

In 2018, G-Eazy helped raise a lot of money for fire relief in the Bay Area and spoke out against gun violence. He also started a non-profit called the Endless Summer Fund to support young people and help the community in the Bay Area.

In 2022, G-Eazy became a part owner of a professional soccer team called the Oakland Roots.

Personal life

From 2017 to 2018, G-Eazy had a well-known relationship with singer Halsey. Later, from 2020 to 2021, he was in a relationship with actress Ashley Benson.

Legal issues

In May 2018, G-Eazy was arrested in Stockholm, Sweden. He was accused of hurting a security guard and having illegal substances. He admitted to the charges in court and was given a warning and had to pay a fine.

Later, in September 2021, he was arrested again in New York City for allegedly hurting two men at a place called the Boom Boom Room.

Discography

G-Eazy released several albums over the years. Some of his albums include The Epidemic LP in 2008, Must Be Nice in 2012, These Things Happen in 2014, and many more up to Helium in 2025. Each album brought new music for fans to enjoy.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards

G-Eazy has been recognized for his music at several award shows. The MTV Europe Music Awards celebrate popular music videos and performances, and G-Eazy has been nominated or won there. The iHeartRadio Titanium Award is given to artists when one of their songs plays a billion times on iHeartRadio stations. G-Eazy received this award for his popular music. The People's Choice Awards let people vote for their favorite entertainers, and G-Eazy has also been part of this celebration.