How G-Eazy Proves To Millennials The American Dream Is Far From Dead
When you look at the music industry today, you will see Millennials in the spotlight in all genres. We have always been proponents of using talent and ambition to achieve success, and we are currently in that "prime" age of looking good, keeping fit and being icons.
When I listen to artists I like, I try to research them and get a background about how they got to where they are. The artist's history itself can explain so much of the music he or she produces.
I'm sure there are several artists we can name the ultimate Millennial artist, but in the rap game, G-Eazy stands above the rest.
1. He was born a Millennial.
G-Eazy was born in 1989, making him the same age as beloved Millennial pop star, T-Swift. This puts him right in the middle years of our generation.
Regardless of what anyone says, if you were born in the years that make up our generation, you're a Millennial. Growing up through the technological advances of the past and seeing all the changes in the world and in society have given us a unique outlook on the universe and our lives.
We think and act differently because we are different. If you listen to G-Eazy's music, you can almost feel the fellow Millennial connection coming through.
2. He built himself without the help of the music industry.
As many of us Millennials remember, the '90s were all about starting a band and getting discovered by big record label companies. They would essentially filter and direct every bit of music the bands wanted to play. As Reel Big Fish sang,
The record company's gonna give me lots of money, and everything's gonna be (all right).
Ironically enough, the same generation that grew up listening to and dreaming about record label music is the same generation that has become a big proponent of independent artists. We reject the record labels. With all the music applications now present on the Internet — SoundCloud, YouTube and Spotify — we can make anyone popular, regardless of whether he or she is on the radio.
G-Eazy worked from his home to create music people wanted to listen to. He was able to build himself enough to the point where record labels wanted him more than he wanted them.
3. He credits dedication and hard work — not luck — for his success.
If you haven't listened to the first song on G-Eazy's new album, go listen to it now. It is essentially everything Millennials embody.
In case you're unable to find headphones at work right now, but still want to know what I'm talking about, here are the lyrics that really summarize the Millennial mindset:
This sh*t is not random/ Imagine it, put the hours in and stayed passionate/ Wasn't blowin' money, I was stacking it/ Figured what the f*ck I want to do in life and practiced it/ Pay attention, none of this is happening by accident
It's true. G-Eazy says he spent countless hours producing music for others before he finally produced himself. He got his BA in music industry studies at Loyola University at New Orleans.
This shows us all he wasn't just hoping to get found. He actually wanted to become an expert in the craft he was pursuing, and he has.
4. He understands the importance of history, the past and networking.
Anyone who listens to G-Eazy's music can hear the 1950s style that clearly comes through in the melodies. Check out the way G-Eazy dresses as well. He often looks like a modern-day Danny Zuko.
Since he studied the music industry, he literally learned the parts of music people find catchy. Through his production skills, he is able to produce modern-day hits by using hits from the past.
He used college as a chance to meet other like-minded individuals, and he utilized those connections and opportunities. He knows the music industry inside and out, so he can rely completely on himself for any technical knowledge and industry know-how.
5. He parties the way all Millennials do.
We define ourselves by how much we can drink and how reckless we can get. G-Eazy brings a uniquely youthful classiness to our partying habits.
He's going out and get wasted off whiskey neat. He's gaming girls and passing around blunts. He puts in his time producing incredible music, and he rewards himself by attending dope parties you wish you could be at. He is living the Millennial dream (or at least, my Millennial dream).
I'd love to be friends with him because he has his sh*t together, but still knows how to have a good time. I'd be in his posse any day.
Right now, he's probably off driving Ferraris with a bunch of women or going to a party before his concert. In the meantime, I'll plug my headphones back in, crack a beer, dream of success and make my commute back home from my day job. Cheers.
