PLAY
FOLLOW
SHARE

Hip-Hop artist from bronx, NY. New songs free to stream or download, with purchase options starting at $1. Add to your playlist now.

cover pic

gif

BROOKLYN BORN, HARLEM RAISED, STYLE IS CRAZ

22 songs
38.3K plays
Picture for song 'OH LOVE' by artist 'gif'

OH LOVE OH LOVE

Hip Hop General

Picture for song 'Street Conspiracy' by artist 'gif'

Street Conspiracy Street Conspiracy

Some street shit

Hip Hop General

Picture for song 'INTRO' by artist 'gif'

INTRO INTRO

Hip Hop General

Picture for song 'WHO U R' by artist 'gif'

WHO U R WHO U R

Hip Hop General

Picture for song 'POISEN TO US' by artist 'gif'

POISEN TO US POISEN TO US

LISTEN AND SEE

Hip Hop General

BROOKLYN BORN, HARLEM RAISED, STYLE IS CRAZE
Band/artist history
Gif was born in Brooklyn, NY on October 22, 1979. Several years later at the tender age of 9 he began to explore his artistic interest in what was the relatively new music genre; rap. Armed with only an old, busted tape deck and the highly influential streets of East Harlem, Gif quickly began to respect and quietly yearn for that unique urban machismo and straight up coolness of being a dope emcee. His expedition throughout the world of hip-hop began when two childhood friends approached him about performing together in their schools annual talent show. Shortly after he was a mainstay at block ciphers; often getting crushed in the beginning, but always coming back stronger and with even more determination. Despite word on the street the gif had a book full of rhymes that he was fiercely self conscious about. He would hide and protect his rhymes until his older brother started volunteering him for ciphers outside the school. Crowds would gather to see what the hype was about. He did not disappoint. From that point on the artist now know as Gif would go on to join a fledging rap group, decisively crush local talent at battle rap showcases, record a full album under another pseudonym and court myriad management and record deal offers. Gif attributes his sole musical influence to rap phenom Nas. His early raps were solely written to Nas beats; and if you listen closely to his storytelling skills- - one can definitely spot the influence. However, despite the high regard for the rap great; Gif deliberately rationed his intake of Hip-Hop music, so as not to sound too much like anyone else. With Gif, individuality reigns above all else. He says: I wanted to have a style that was my own and I figured that listening to other emcees in repetition would hinder that. Just this year, Gif began exclusive collaboration with up and coming producer Kidd. While working with Kidd, Gif was given the green light to express himself in a way never before seen, during which he was also constantly encouraged to raise his consistently high standard of artistry. Kidd named the label Art Official, a fitting title in an era of titles that include such monikers as murda and death. As the world shall see their shit is serious. As Gif puts it: We do Hip Hop for the art of the music; were not just searching for a hit though we wont be mad if we get one. My rap style is like a cat scan read out in lyrics. Its a reflection of my personality. Sometimes Im comical, sometimes Im political, sometimes Im rebellious, and sometimes I just feel like talking shit. Some may view my political songs and other songs I do as extreme contradictions as on a few joints I do seem to glamorize actions that I condemn in another, but Im human. Everything has a balance of bad and good, a yin and a yang. Just like God has The Devil, Light has darkness; just as fire can cook food it can burn you. I dont say Im exempt of these actions I just know they arent what should be done. A thief knows stealing is wrong, but he just might enjoy stealing or need to steal in order to survive. That doesnt mean he isnt remorseful about what he does or that he doesnt question why he has to resort to such methods of survival or even despise it. Im just me. Just Gif.
Have you performed in front of an audience?
yes
Your musical influences
LIFE IS MY MUSICAL INFLUENCE
What equipment do you use?
NONE OF UR BUSINESS
Contact
Sorry, this artist currently doesn't accept email messages.
Comments (28)
Please sign up or log in to post a comment.
Promoted Not related to artist