As a mainstay of the Central Florida Hip-Hop scene and a staple on Rolling Loud since its whole inception, prolific rapper and producer professionally known as Gat$ has been steadily carving out his own niche since 2012. Our Gat$ interview details just a hint of that decade-plus long journey.
Having already performed stellar shows with fellow luminaries such as A$AP Rocky, Future, Kid Cudi, Cardi B, Denzel Curry, Danny Brown and Freddie Gibbs, the still-on-the-rise emcee, largely known for both his cinematic flair and genre-bending tendencies, has unleashed his latest offering and short film, “White Bronco,” featuring former TDE signee, Reason.
Last year, the self-proclaimed ‘Big Bank Bobby’ inked a multi-project indie deal that enables Gat$ to record, distribute and release bodies of work under his own Robbafella Records imprint.
Gat$ Interview…
“White Bronco”:
Gat$: Man, I have to give thanks to my boy, Sam Illy. We were trading some music back and forth, and he sent me a beat I rapped over and sent back. Got into a convo about getting someone on the track, and he put Reason onto my work. Reason was super gracious to want to work with me on it, and made it happen.
Life On Film LP:
Gat$: For me, I’ve felt like my whole life has literally been a movie. God scripted the most insane plot for me, and just talking through my experiences, this sounds like a soundtrack to my life; as you hear this music, you can picture the situations.
Equity Distribution / Roc Nation:
Gat$: Peace to Kai for linking me up with Dylan Green. I was a big fan of his writing style, him, Jade, and Yoh are probably the Big 3 for me when it comes to Hip Hop journalism. I got a chance to link up with Dylan at Rolling Loud a few years ago through our peer Kai, and we hit it off well. I sent him some music from my last album, Thank You for Robbin’, and he passed it off to Saleem, my A&R. He hit me the next day and that was back in 2023, and the rest was history.
Rhyme Book:
Gat$: I don’t sit down. *laughs* I’m constantly writing in my head all the time, and if I can remember something for a few hours, it’s good enough to write it down. Even when I’m actively recording, I record takes dozens of times and improvise a lot. I treat it like an actor on set. Like, yeah, you work to memorize the lines enough to know how you can riff on them. I treat my life like a movie, so I can always draw inspiration from my experience.
Musical Beginning(s):
Gat$: My pops. My dad used to put these big ass headphones on my head to get me to chill out for a bit, and would just play music. All my first memories surround music. What he listened to. Four Tops, (The) Dramatics, (The) Temptations, Barry White, Marvin (Gaye), (The) Stylistics, Curtis (Mayfield)…and my moms has taste, too! Loved her Al Green, Stevie (Wonder)…of course MJ. My older adoptive brother put me on to everything Hip Hop,
Influences:
Gat$: …right! The South made me. I only heard what my bro played, and that was it for him. Outside of X, Hov and Cam, NY didn’t get a lot of play when I was growing up. Trick Daddy, No Limit, OutKast, a lot of Wayne…and as far as the crib is concerned, Tom G, Strizzo, that was what we was on.
Sound and / or Style:
Gat$: It’s the South having something to say…it got that bounce to it, we gonna get that Soul and Gospel in it, but I’m not afraid to splice in House or Funk and make ’em dance.
Moniker:
Gat$: The Great Gatsby.
Musical Takeaway:
Gat$: Life is what you make it. That’s really the clear objective; I think I’ve gone through so many things, positive and negative, I can make those things relatable for people to not feel alone dealing with their things, positive and negative.
Dream Collab:
Gat$: There’s so many people I’d love to say, but there’s one correct answer. I met Madlib at the Teñata show a few months back, and he was just a brilliant mind to speak with. I’ve been a fan for over 20 years, and I told him we was gonna work, and he said, “now it has to happen!”
Venue Wish-List:
Gat$: There’s so many amazing ones that are on a personal list for me; like Radius in Chicago, the Tampa Theatre, Hollywood Bowl…but I’ve got to say the Palladium is such a gorgeous venue. I gotta do it.
Current State of Hip Hop:
Gat$: No! Next question… *laughs*
Longevity:
Gat$: Living life. You gotta live and continue to introduce new things into your life, new things to thrive on, new things to struggle through and grow from.You gotta harvest your crops, so you can have space to grow them again.
Outside / Additional (future) Aspirations:
Gat$: Oh, that’s easy. The album title tells you exactly what I want to get into next.
Robbafella Records:
Gat$: Me and only me. *laughs* I don’t have any aspirations of running talent, per se, but I do want to make this a vehicle for even crazier endeavors.
Biggest Career Moment(s):
Gat$: There’s been so many, but going to New York, seeing that contract and signing? Can’t describe the feeling.
(an) Average Day:
Gat$: This is a funny one. Wake up, go to work, drink too much coffee, get back to the crib and I get to the real work; production, late conference calls, recording takes, sending emails, I’m on a Discord digital session as I respond to these questions. *laughs* Shout out my dawg, Scott!
Fan Interactions:
Gat$: Love fans. It’s been a weird experience going from being a local legend to getting more notoriety from beyond the home state, but I love it; I’m embracing it. I want nothing more than to have a positive impact on the people with this music, so I’m here to chat, take photos, and all that jazz.
Most / Least Favorite Aspect of Music Biz:
Gat$: I love the creation process. That’s what we’re here for; brewing concepts, baking these ideas, and serving it up. I think I have trouble with my own physical limitations when I’m performing or shooting visuals. I love that part of the job, too, but sickle cell can make it tough.
5 / 10 Years Ahead:
Gat$: A Tony away from an EGOT.
What’s Next:
Gat$: Life on Film, summer 2025. I gotta touch Rolling Loud again. I gotta get on the road again. Alchemist and I need a lifestyle rap album ‘bout me finessing into all the wrestling events.
Anything Else:
Gat$: First interview I ain’t have to talk about sickle cell or my brother too much. Nice to not just speak on trauma, for once.
Final Words:
Gat$: “White Bronco,” featuring Reason, out now!
Connect w/Gat$ Online:
