Gat$: Nothing But Greatness
- Muzikscribe
- Apr 3
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 3
Having already graced stages alongside such top tier acts as A$ap Rocky, Future, Kid Cudi and Cardi B, rising Floridian emcee Gat$ returns with his latest offering and short film, “White Bronco,” featuring former TDE signee, Reason.
The self-proclaimed ‘Big Bank Bobby,’ whose reality fueled rhymes delve into personal loss - the 2020 untimely passing of his older brother - painful suffering - struggling with a sickle cell anemia diagnosis - and basically just living life on life's terms, is what uniquely sets Gat$ completely apart, as well as head and shoulders above his industry contemporaries.
Let’s hop right into this lead single / video, “White Bronco,” with Reason — Tell me about this particular track; how did it even come to fruition?
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.
Of course "White Bronco" comes courtesy of your still forthcoming body of work, Life On Film -- Conceptually, what does this title represent both to and for you?
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.
Life On Film is an Equity Distribution / Roc Nation project -- What particular string of events actually led to this linking?
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.
As an emcee when you sit down to pen your rhymes, where do you draw inspiration from?
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.
Reflecting, tell me your whole inception into music -- When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for Robb Ferdinand?
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 mom’s has taste, too! Loved her Al Green, Stevie (Wonder)...of course MJ. My older adoptive brother put me on to everything Hip Hop,
Now you’re a native of Tampa, FL, correct? So growing up in 'Cigar City,' who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?
...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.
That said, how do you classify your overall sound and / or style?
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.
Where does your moniker originally derive from?
The Great Gatsby.
Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?
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.
If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
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 wasgonna work, and he said, “now it has to happen!”
If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?
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.
On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip Hop?
No! Next question... laughs
What do you feel has and will continue to be the key to your longevity?
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.
Do you have any other outside / additional (future) aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?
Oh, that’s easy. The album title tells you exactly what I want to get into next.
You also have your own imprint, Robbafella Records -- What are your future plans and / or goals for the label? And, who all else, besides yourself of course, currently makes up its artist roster?
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.
To date, what has been your biggest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?
There’s been so many, but going to New York, seeing that contract and signing? Can’t describe the feeling.
What’s an average day like for you?
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!
Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans...
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.
What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?
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.
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Don’t! laughs Make your own footsteps.
Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?
A Tony away from an EGOT.
As for the immediate, what's next for Gat$?
Life on Film, summer 2025. I gotta touch Rolling Loud again. I gotta get on the road again. Alchemist and I need a lifestyle rap album ‘bout me finessing into all the wrestling events.
Is there anything I left out or just plain forgot to mention?
First interview I ain’t have to talk about sickle cell or my brother too much. Nice to not just speak on trauma, for once.
Lastly, any “parting” words for our readers?
"White Bronco," featuring Reason, out now!
Connect w/Gat$ Online:
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