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Putting it down on the mixtape scene over the last five years, G-Eazy has carved out a name for himself with a series of six mixtape releases, his last being 2011′s critically acclaimed The Endless Summer. A white rapper from the Bay Area, G-Eazy doesn’t really sound like anyone else from region, yet wisely gets his ghetto report card stamped by E-40 on the catchy “Far Alone”, the second track on his major label debut, These Things Happen.


One look at the video for “I Mean It”, and heads will be reminded of Eminem’s early costume changing antics in the “My Name Is…” clip, yet despite his high pitched vocals, his critics have been drawing closer comparisons to Drake. He doesn’t sound like Drake, but his approach is similar, taking super-chilled out production, and rhyming about newfound stardom and the sex that comes with it.


“I Mean It”, with an infectious hook by Remo, is the song that will sell G-Eazy, much like it’s predecessor “Far Alone” helped build the album’s buzz. He makes no qualms about “fucking your bitch”, but there’s a certain confidence and hints of battle rap swagger here that shows he is a well rounded, skilled emcee. Yet this will ultimately be a hard sell to the old and jaded. But your kids’ll love it.


Despite the Drake comparisons, he actually does a great job of making a highly listenable album. Songs like “Opportunity Cost” and “Almost Famous” are well executed, as he explores the old “Mo’ Money, Mo Problems” adages, with precise skill and visually rich lyrics. Relationship talk is what much of the album is based around, as he blasts scenester chicks on “Downtown Love”, faces rejection on “Shoot Me Down”, and even samples Ginuwine on “Complete”. Yet he will have a hard time shaking the critics that suggest “Drake already did that with Aaliyah!”


It will undoubtedly be hard for older heads to relate to songs like “Tumblr Girls”, as this is clearly meant for a younger generation. And the album’s closing track, “Just Believe”, you can almost hear Drake singing in the background (is that a sample?).


However, G-Eazy is a smart, yet edgy emcee, and he isn’t afraid to reveal his vulnerabilities in his songs, without sounding soft. It’s clear he is influenced by the Em’s and Drake’s of the world, however once he finds his own signature sound, he could easily become one of the biggest mainstream emcees of the next generation.

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2 Responses to "G-Eazy – “These Things Happen” – @@@1/2 (Review)"
  • corey lewis says:

    Nothing better than seeing new exclusive artists trying to gain exposure! We need new blood in the industry!

  • JKA says:

    Very fair review – i think the second half of the album is a nice listen

  • Comments (2)

    corey lewis

    July 18th, 2014 at 12:43 pm