Hip-Hop Lives Here
Hip-Hop Lives Here
Chicago-based GBO–otherwise known as Gilberto Johnson–is an up-and-coming hip-hop artist taking over the scene with his latest single, “Gone Too Soon.” Beginning with a calming (yet still somehow upbeat) instrumental, "Gone Too Soon" immediately captivates listeners with robust vocals and intricate verse connected through perfect delivery.
Naturally gifted at storytelling, GBO sees music as a way to connect to people and share experiences. Transforming personal stories into songs, GBO creates an auditory experience that resonates with his audience. Meshing stories of struggle and survival with upbeat vibes, the artist spreads his gospel while also entertaining.
“Throughout my life, I’ve had a few close friends and loved ones that passed away. It inspired me to write a song about remembering them while also keeping alive hopes for the future- ‘time is precious. tells GBO of the inspiration for his new single.
When it came to writing “Gone Too Soon,” GBO took a beat that captured his ear and got down to writing. “I didn’t like the lyrics at first so I changed them,” says the artist. “I redid them 2-3 times until I got to where I liked it.” Striving for perfection is the name of the game for GBO, who will continue to tweak a song until it feels just right.
For the single, GBO enlisted the vocal stylings of Rachel Phillips, a Pennsylvania-based singer-songwriter. In addition to the strong vocal delivery on the chorus, Rachel has a brief riff, later on, the “too soon” that sets the mood mid-song. It is the marriage of the two distinct voices that makes “Gone Too Soon” an enchanting mix of melancholy and positivity.
“I like having fun with my music,” shares GBO. “‘Gone Too Soon’ is sad, and different than what I usually write; however, I wanted to pay tribute to my lost friends and loved ones. I want people to listen to my music enjoy it. At the end of the day, my audience is going to like the song for one reason or another and that’s ok with me. Whether it’s for happy or sad reasons or to work out at the gym. I want to connect with my listeners.”
This single is a taste of more music to come in the new year. Listeners can expect to hear more of the vivid stories GBO tells, all connected by the string of empathy that laces his music together. Make sure to stay connected to GBO on all platforms for new music, videos, and social posts.
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The lyrical delivery is rap, and so is the beat, a lot of the settings, the urban themes and scenes, some explicit lyrics here and there, and the action.
It is, no mistake, rap.
But the rap bass line is acoustic guitar, the flow is slower, the lines between the rhymes are longer, and the melodies, Zelgin Jackson’s smooth, mellow baritone voice, all combine to make it totally, awesomely country.
No mistake about it.
Zelgin, from Richmond, Virginia, is a social media influencer with a following of 2 million and is a rising star in hip-hop and R&B, but his new album, despite a title from the Beatles, All You Need Is Love, is country.
“In the past I’ve worked on mostly rap and R&B projects,” he said, “and this is my first time entering the country lane, but there definitely will be more projects after it.”
“And, yeah,” he said. “I had fun with it. Yep.”
And, yeah, no mistake about it, the 12 tracks are great listening, the kind that can make you laugh out loud when you recognize familiar elements from different universes that combine to make something new, something delightful.
“I grew up listening to country music, but I’ve never tried to make my own country songs,” he said.
Until, about a year and a half ago, he was writing music and going through beats when he discovered a BeatStars page for Beats in the Backyard, where he found the beat that became “16 Minutes,” the lead song on the album.
“That’s one of the first country songs I ever wrote. I just clicked on the beat, liked it and started to write,” he said. “It was fairly easy to write over the beat. It’s similar to writing a normal rap song, just with a bridge, and the chorus is more repetitive. But it was fairly easy for me to adapt.”
Did a doubleshift day for the pay
So I’m getting’ off late gettin’ off late
It’s been a minute since I seen your pretty face
So I’m speedin’ to your place speedin’ to your place
…
16 minutes on the freeway baby 16 minutes till you with me baby
The song, and the video on his YouTube channel are as enjoyable as a country breeze.
Before beginning his visit to country, he was listening to music by Zack Bryan, Morgan Wallen and other contemporary country artists and, “I was inspired.”
“It was only going to be a few songs, but I kept writing more and more and then I had enough for an album, so that’s what I put out.”
The Beatle reference in the title song, “All You Need Is Love,” is deliberate. One of his favorite elementary school teachers was a Beatles fan, and “she used to play that song in my elementary school class.”
“So, it was a play off that. I wouldn’t say I’m a huge Beatles fan, but I like some of their melodies.”
The chorus in the song even takes the Beatles melodic line for an iteration of “all you need is love.”
As for the name of the album, he originally wanted to name it “Virginia Is For Lovers,” but there were obstacles.
“That’s pretty heavily trademarked, and I already had the song named, so we decided to go with All You Need Is Love, and it worked.”
He will stay in the country lane for a little while longer.
“My next two new singles — I’ll probably drop this summer — will definitely be country songs.”
Although his social media career has taken off, music is his heart.
“Music is my passion. Right now, I’m pretty big on social media, TikTok especially, so I make content. But music is what I have the most fun doing. I’m always working on music. Every day.”
He put out many tracks during 2023. For about half of it, he said, he was dropping a song almost every other week. He doesn’t plan on releasing at that pace in 2024, but he has already produced the 12 tracks of “All You Need Is Love.”
He also plans on more videos, more than he did in 2023.
“Be on the lookout for new music,” he said, “because I’m always ready to drop more music and more videos. So, stay tuned.”
Stay tuned. Connect to Zelgin Jackson on all platforms for new music, videos, and social posts.
All You Need Is Love
Amazon Music
Apple Music
Famous Birthdays
Spotify
United Masters
YouTube
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