G-Eazy
An Oakland-bred rapper who fused a retro, James Dean aesthetic with slick production to define a strand of 2010s hip-hop cool.
Born 1989 (age 37)·American rapper·Birthday: May 24·Millennials
Biography
Gerald Gillum, known as G-Eazy, crafted his career from the ground up in the Bay Area music scene. While studying at Loyola University New Orleans, he was not just a student but a hustling performer and producer, selling CDs out of his backpack and building a local following. His breakthrough was a masterclass in independent hustle; the 2014 album 'These Things Happen' blended moody, sample-driven beats with his laid-back, precise flow and tales of late-night ambition, landing at number three on the Billboard 200. Hits like "I Mean It" and the massive Bebe Rexha collaboration "Me, Myself & I" turned him into a mainstream fixture, a poster boy for a specific, sleekly produced hip-hop sound. His persona—slicked-back hair, leather jackets, and a cool detachment—became as recognizable as his music. While later albums navigated personal turmoil and the pressures of fame, G-Eazy's legacy is rooted in that self-made ascent, proving the power of a distinct visual and sonic brand in the digital age.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
G-Eazy was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When G-Eazy Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
G-Eazy's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- His major-label debut album, 'These Things Happen' (2014), peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200.
- The single "Me, Myself & I" with Bebe Rexha reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and achieved multi-platinum status.
- Headlined the "The Endless Summer Tour" with fellow rapper Logic, playing to arenas across North America.
- Co-founded the record label The BSE (The Beautiful & Damned Era).
Did You Know?
He produced early tracks for artists like Lil Wayne and Snoop Dogg while still in college.
G-Eazy is a distant relative of former U.S. President Gerald Ford.
He directed the music video for his song "Sad Boy" and has creative input on most of his visual projects.
Before his fame, he worked as a disc jockey for college parties and local events in New Orleans.
“"I’m from the Bay Area, where the culture is so rich and the history is so deep."”
