Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

GIN, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I think all the albums I released and every song I do is meaningful. Each album has a story to it. For example, my first album Spiritual Bars was about Spiritual Growth and Development. It was like I found my calling in doing music as an artist. My second album self titled GIN was released during the pandemic. One of the singles is titled “Lockdown” and reflects on what was going on during that time. Another single “Welcome to LA” released from that album talks about the beauty of LA. My first two albums were mostly hip-hop and trap. My third album titled Birds of Feather was released in 2022 and is a mix of Hip-hop and Amapiano. I was introduced to Amapiano by friends in South Africa in 2019 when I was touring the country for my first album. My friends put me on to this new sound. I was introduced to T-Man SA who blessed me with my first Amapiano Single titled “Elevate” which is on the Birds of a Feather album. The album is a mix of Hip-Hop, Amapiano, and Afro-tech. I followed up with my fourth independent album La Dolce Vita which also follows the same format with the single “Beats and The Sauce.” I am currently working on my fifth independent album C’est La Vie which will come out in 2025. Two new singles from this forthcoming album are “Wo Ai Ni” and California Psychics. Pre-orders are available for C’est La Vie and can be place at: therealgin.bandcamp.com

I am happy that I was introduced to Amapiano at the right time and I am one of the first LA artists to do this Genre of music. Also I released music videos shot all over the world for my albums. I have videos filmed in countries such as United Arab Emirates, Turkey, South Africa, Italy, France, Singapore and the U.S. My single Wo Ai Ni was shot in Singapore and released earlier this year.

GIN, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I started in the music industry as a promoter. I would promote events and brands. Then I started organizing and booking my own shows. Then I started my booking agency GSBookings in 2010 and started booking artists locally and internationally in venues. I always would dabble into music by making songs and recording, but there was a point in my life where I decided to take it seriously. I released my first EP My Lyrical Expression in 2012 followed up with the Dream Getting EP in 2013. I received positive feedback and eventually released my first album Spiritual Bars in 2018 from then I started identifying myself as an Artist.

From that album I created Spiritual Bars handmade soap, Spiritual Bars Gemstone Bracelets and clothing.My merchandise is available at spiritualbars.com and therealgin.threadless.com. My bracelets even made it to the Latin Museum of American Art in Long Beach. I am just thankful that I was able to create something and share it.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The goal is myself. I want to see myself make it. I work really, really hard and I want to see the fruits of my labor. It’s not easy. But I know if I am consistent, I am going to make it.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I really like how flea markets and community events have becoming more common and supporting independent artists and creatives. I definitely think more community events are needed and creative spaces to help artists network and expand on their business.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://therealgin.bandcamp.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/befreegin
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/therealgin
• Youtube: http://youtube.com/therealgin
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6S8vAvG3LOHYD2woN1NMLv?si=EQ6OhEm_T96rvMqut4EPXw
  https://music.apple.com/za/artist/gin/1271690778
  https://spiritualbars.com
  https://therealgin.bandcamp.com

Image Credits

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