Urban Vault caught up with Los Angeles-based Hip Hop artist GIN, to ask her some questions about the recent release of her new album SPIRITUAL BARS and more…

GIN fell in love with Hip Hop at a young age and grew up in South East Los Angeles, which exposed her to the various elements of Hip Hop. She started in the industry as a promoter, organizing events and booking talent and has worked with the likes of Kxng Crooked, Chino XL and ONYX. She previously released two EP’s titled My Lyrical Expression and Dream Getting. Gin’s recent album is titled ‘Spiritual Bars’, which is 13 tracks of Hip Hop and a bit of trap.

What is your name?

GIN

Where are you from?

I’m from Los Angeles, CA born and Raised

How old are you?

I’m an 80’s baby.

How long have you been making music?

I recorded my first song in 2006.

How many songs albums have you released to date?

My First project is My Lyrical Expression EP released in 2012 and Dream Getting EP in 2013. My recent album is Spiritual Bars released 9.18.18.

Can you tell us about your album ‘Spiritual Bars’, the background, and inspirations behind it?

I have been meaning to do an album so this is like long awaited. But Spiritual Bars is a reflection of my personality. I’m a very spiritual person. Meaning I pray, I believe in God. There was a point in my life recently that I was going through some discomforting situations with my significant other. That I really couldn’t take any more of his lies and I was at a really low point. In 2017 I released a mixtape compilation with the artists I work with as promo for the booking agency that I established (GSBookings) and even went to so far to put one of the arguments which was one of the voice messages on the mixtape which is the intro to my song Truth.

I threw a release party for the mixtape and when the DJ played the song. Myself and the people that were there were impressed by the track. It actually motivated me to ask more DJs to play the song Truth as a single. Which later I got the song played in a few nightclubs in the Middle East.

This provided me with the motivation to go back and do something that I love. Which is Hip Hop. I was caught up with my recent situation that I forgot to do me. So I went on vacation in the summer of 2017 and on that trip I decided I was going to do an album.

Besides the background about my personal motivation. Spiritual Bars is also a reflection of keeping the real essence of Hip Hop alive. I just feel a lot of the commercial music is not positive and doesn’t depict the true essence of storytelling raw lyricism. So based on my inner feelings and the current state of hip-hop. I felt it was my calling to do this album and save Hip Hop.

How have you ended up in the music industry?

I started as a promoter in the music industry in 2003, I established Cali Style Productions and promoted and booked my own events. I have done events with DJ Melo D from the Beat Junkies, DJ Revolution from the World Famous Wake Up, Double K from People Under The Stairs to name a few. Then in 2010, I started working with Ras Kass and was helping him with his A.D.I.D.A.S project. I took on a managerial and booking assistant role. Working with Ras Kass really helped me understand the game and I was introduced to L.A. Hip Hop artists such as Planet Asia, Chino XL and Crooked I. From that point I established GSBookings which is my promo and booking agency.

What did you think of the music industry in 2018?

It’s a different playing field. Now it’s about streams and playlists. Getting music on the right playlist is really fundamental to helping an artists’ career.

What have you got planned for the rest of 2018?

Right now just pushing visuals and my album.

What inspires you when you make your music?

I think the beats and the concepts is what inspires me. Like when I listen to a beat. I think of the story and what would sound good.

Who have you collaborated with so far in your Career?

I have worked with Zoolay, Patrick Antonian, Phil The Agony, Turbin, EQ, Chris Cape, Komo Sarcani, Mystic Butterfly, BDM and Sullee J.

Who would you like to collaborate with in the future?

I would be interested in collaborating with the artists I know. For example, Chino XL and KXNG Crooked. I am also interested in sitting in a writing session with Post Malone.

What’s your favourite track at the moment?

Right now the favourite track off my album would be Track 7 Part II. I have been sitting on this particular beat for 6 years. My friend Default produced me 2 beats. One of them was Outta My Head which is on my first EP. This beat is the same baseline but with a darker tone. I was originally going to add this to first EP My Lyrical Expression. But now its finally out and on my album Spiritual Bars. Hence why its called Part II on the album. I’m happy I was able to put this track on there even though I was sick when I recorded this track. You could hear the raspiness in my voice on this track.

What do you do when your not making music?

I read. A lot of reading and writing.

Facebook or Twitter?

I am trying to get back into Twitter. I am more of an IG person.

In a few words sum up your thoughts about Urban Vault and what we’re trying to do?

Urban Vault is dedicated to providing Hip Hop Music, News and Fashion. Keeping it real and spreading good vibes worldwide.

Thank you for your time and may you carry on making dope, fresh music…

GIN – Spiritual Bars via iTunes/Spotify

https://therealgin
www.facebook.com/therealgin
https://twitter.com/ginger_gs
https://instagram.com/befreegin