GILLATINE

A San Francisco native, Gillatine became inspired by Bay Area rap artists such as Jt the bigga figga, Quinn, Cough nut, and of course, E-40. “I’ve always been involved with hip hop since way back,” says Gillatine, “posted on the block or at my folks’ house, free styling over some beats and break dancing, having the older folks in the hood giving us props.” Gillatine remembers riding the bus one day and suddenly hearing the track, “Don’t Give Me No Bammer.” It got him thinking: the Bay Area is...

A San Francisco native, Gillatine became inspired by Bay Area rap artists such as Jt the bigga figga, Quinn, Cough nut, and of course, E-40. “I’ve always been involved with hip hop since way back,” says Gillatine, “posted on the block or at my folks’ house, free styling over some beats and break dancing, having the older folks in the hood giving us props.” Gillatine remembers riding the bus one day and suddenly hearing the track, “Don’t Give Me No Bammer.” It got him thinking: the Bay Area is coming up, and how can he get involved? Where is the studio? “No answers until 2004, says Gillatine, “when I ran into some folks that kicked it with Earl Stevens and Mac Shawn from the Dogg pound, who both laced me up with game on how to hustle on the independent level.” Soon Gillatine founded a recording studio and got to work with Nick Nolte on his first album, “Money Hustlin,” which set him up for a nomination at the 2006 Bars Awards. “That’s when everything started for me. Been hustlin’ my music ever since, wanting to be on the same level as Earl Stevens and Mac Shawn in the music industry.” Gillatine’s way of rapping is to keep it in the hood, the gansta rap that fans are most familiar with, but still “not trying to sound like someone else or fake. I speak the truth.” The truth spawns from Gillatine’s own experience hanging around pimps, hustlas, players, and thugs who love his music and feel his struggle: “Maybe that’s why I get collaboration from hood to hood, big names like The Outlaws, Big Rich, B-legit, P-coat—just to name a few all from around the Bay Area.” So despite being a little hyphy, Gillatine makes a point to convey the daily grind of the streets in a fashion that renders to young listeners. “Don’t get me wrong; I don’t promote violence. I just want everyone to know how it is to live in the ghetto here in Frisco, such as the Mission District, Excelsior, Hunters Point, The Moe, Lakeview, etc.” When it comes to his art practice, Gillatine aspires to be at the top. “I just want to make it to the top or see how far I can go for the ride.” This is what makes Gillatine happy. “Besides family, I love to make music. It’s the greatest feeling to hear my music getting played on the radio or in the club.” So besides working on songs, Gillatine enjoys playing with his son and going on trips, enjoying the night life, and relaxing with no worries. He believes in following one’s own dreams, and “try and make music for your hood first. If it’s not hood-approved, then keep trying.” This, in a true sense, is what makes a rap artist ultimately succeed—the ability to fulfill the community’s hunger for music and maintaining an unaffected attitude toward one’s self. “If the hood is feeling your music,” Gillatine comments, “then you’re in there like swim wear. And when I mean “hood,” I mean the youngstas in your area, females, etc. Remember that is who is buying our music everywhere