Standing in the shadows of Lupe Fiasco's success is not in the cards for 1st & 15th artist GemStones. After surviving the arrest of his label's CEO and the delay of his debut album, Troubles of the World, GemStones is ready to vent in a big way. Right now seems the perfect ime for the rapper to take on the role of superstar. Since adopting a healthier lifestyle and dopting a socially responsible rap style, GemStones has finally gotten all the ingredients necessary for an unforgettable album release coming this September. Read on as he talks to BallerStatus about his upcoming album and the troubles he went through while climbing his way up in the game. BallerStatus.com: You just wrapped up your mixtape, The Testimony of GemStones, and to the surprise of many, you're not talking about the same kinds of things you were on the last mixtape, Untamed Beast. Why did you change your style?
GemStones: Because I wanted to make a more positive impact on the world, I'm a role model now, there's a spotlight on me, and its growth. I already did all the negative stuff, and I don't want to leave behind something negative when I go, I want to leave a legacy. My momma used to always tell me "If you don't have nothing nice to say, don't say it at all." I just want to have a positive impact on a younger generation.
BallerStatus.com: Was there any one thing that made your decision easier or unavoidable?
GemStones: When my friend Mathew Cannon died, I had already started to change my style, but when that happened I knew I had to. That was sort of the icing on the cake. After that, this one weekend, we had 33 deaths in Chicago and that's when I knew I made the right decision. I couldn't have released The Testimony of GemStones as a shoot 'em up, bang bang, kick in the door type of mixtape, like Untamed Beast, in the midst of all the violence. Chicago needs a mixtape like Testimony of GemStones; they need to listen to songs like "Good Morning" and "Everything's Okay."
BallerStatus.com: What are the pro's and cons of adopting a conscious style?
GemStones: The good thing is I get to spread my wings. The sky is the limit; it's limitless for me now. I was limited doing the gangster thing, but now, my mom can listen to my music, older people too. No matter what type of event, my music is able to be played. The bad thing is there are some people that just don't want to change. They're used to the old Gemini, Untamed Beast. There are some people that say I softened up. It takes time for some people to catch on and change their life, so I guess the bad part is you can't save everybody.
BallerStatus.com: What can we expect from Troubles of the World?
Does anyone notice that every interview sounds almost the same?
ReplyDeleteWhy don't they start asking other questions?