Interviews

Published on March 11th, 2020 | by MuzikScribe

Blimes and Gab: B.A.G. Season

Tell me y’all’s whole inception into music — When did you all first become interested in it? And, how did it actually all begin for Blimes and (Gifted) Gab?

Gab: I think I’ve always had a thing for music, before I decided I wanted to do it foreal foreal. I played piano from (ages) 7 (till) 13, drums, sang in the choir, and could hear a song only a couple times and know all the lyrics. Just been in me I guess.

Blimes: It started before I was conscious of it. My grandfather played Jazz, my dad still tours playing the blues. My family tells me the first time they sat me behind a drum set at 2 years old, I knew what I was doing.

So where exactly do you all hail from? And growing up there, who all did / do you all consider to be your strongest musical influences?

Gab: Seattle, Washington. Was born and raised in the Central District, and that used to be the hub for music / culture/ all things lit…until it got gentrified to hell. I was inspired by my surroundings and the people I’d see everyday.

Blimes: San Francisco in the ’90’s; at a time when the culture was rich and the artistic communities were thriving. My parents are both artists. I’m really grateful they raised me there, it definitely contributed in large to who I am today.

At what particular point in time did you all opt to pursue music on a professional level?

Gab: Sometime around 2012.

Blimes: I started playing shows in the Bay around 2007 / 2008, then went on my first tour in 2014.

Where do your respective moniker(s) originally derive from?

Gab: My name is Gabrielle, and my nicknames have always been “Gabby” and “Gab,” so no-brainer.

Blimes: Started battle rapping when I was 11 / 12 on the school yard. I was listening to a lot of UK Hip-Hop, reading Harry Potter, and developed an affinity for English slang. So Blimes is a derivative of my first moniker, “Oh Blimey.”

That being said, how do you all classify your overall sound and / or style?

Gab: If TLC was one person and then had a baby with Suga Free…that’s me.

Blimes: And with Blimes and Gab, you get a little bit of everything within the sub genres of Hip-Hop; you have R&B driven hooks, pap anthems, turn-up tracks, hard-hitting bars, witty punches, call and response, baby makers, roll up and smoke to this music…pretty much everything excluding mumble rap.

Y’all’s latest single is “Magic,” featuring Iamsu! — Tell me about this track specifically; how did it even come to fruition?

Gab: Well Blimes, you the Bay Area representative, gone tell ’em!

Blimes: Been listening to Su and the whole HeartBreak Gang religiously since high school. Been a big ass fan! Even stood in line to get my copy of ‘Suzy 6 Speed’ signed on Fairfax Avenue here in L.A.. Anyway, he was one of the many people that our first single together, “Come Correct,” reached and he DM’d me on IG saying we were hard and asking where we were from. I hit back right away and told him we should work – knowing that this song would suit him perfectly – and when he said he was with it, I sent it through immediately.

“Magic” comes courtesy of y’all’s highly anticipated debut as a collective, ‘Talk About It’ — What all exact details; i.e. title, favorite selection(s), producer(s) credit(s), cameo appearance(s), etcetera, can you all reveal and / or divulge about upcoming said set at this particular point in time?

Gab: Hard to pick a favorite song and I’ma have to plead the fif and say wait til y’all hear it…but if you really know me, you’ll know which feature is my favorite, off top!

Blimes: Maaan…we have some legendary features on this album. I’m excited for the old-school-know-everything / hate the next generation ass naysayers to catch wind and see that the folks they so highly respect, respect what we do. Favorites include, but are not limited to “Sacred” produced by Sean C from Hitmen and half of Sean C and LV. We wrote that in the studio with him in New York while he was in the process of working on a record with one of the greatest rappers still living, and that was one of the major moments that will stick out for me when we recorded this album. “Magic” is a favorite, “Un Deux Trois” is a favorite, and the album title track – which I’m filtering myself on until we announce – is fire, too!

What do you all feel you bring to the music industry that we don’t already have in other performers?

Gab: Authenticity and a genuine passion and skill for the craft.

Blimes: First word says it all. No gimmicks, just us. No faltering on that.

Have you all encountered any problems in getting to this point in your career?

Gab: We don’t have enough time for this question *Gab giggles* Sike! But, hell yeah, I’ve – we’ve – encountered problems. This game is not for the weak at heart.

What do you all want people to get from your music?

Gab: Hmm…I don’t even know! I hope they get something out of it. Whether it makes your day better or evokes memories or whatever, I hope you feel sum’n.

Blimes: To me what I hear often is that the way that we’re fearlessly authentic inspires people to be themselves. If we can empower other women and, shit, people around the world to get up and do what they love authentically, then I’m happy!

If y’all could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Gab: Can’t pick one…but dead, Big L…alive, Suga Free / Quik.

Blimes: Tracy Chapman.

If y’all could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?

Gab: Sydney Opera House, ’cause I mean who wouldn’t?

Blimes: I hear manifestation is amplified with more minds on the prize, so I’ma back Gab on this one.

One track of yours that you all think defines you all and why?

Gab: Hmm…what do you think Blimes?

Blimes: The album title track, “Talk About It,” really tells where we came from, “My Way” shows the growth we’ve undergone, and songs like “Feelin It” and “Magic,” capture how much fun we have when we link up.

In terms of longevity, what do you all feel it is that will continue to sustain you all in this grueling industry?

Gab: I can do almost anything. I’ve been paying the bills from my creativity for a long time. I’m a master at creating something outta nothing, so I’ma always flourish.

Blimes: We don’t just rap, we know the business. We’ve had to learn to wear all the hats from the days before a team was ever in place. We’ve had to work our asses off to get here and we’re never just gonna accept if a lane isn’t taking us the direction we wanna go, we’re gonna shift gears and hop in the next.

Do you all have any other outside / additional future aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?

Gab: Yeah, fasho! Writing for shows, films and comedy. I’ve always wanted to do voice-acting. I also have a love for old school cars, so I’ll definitely have an auto shop or sum’n. Oh and traveling, constantly, for whatever!

Blimes: Yup! Television and film became a day job turned passion. Now we’re writing the shit!

It’s also my understanding that you all have your own upcoming TV show, directed by the legendary Nelson George, in the works — What all can you all tell me about this forthcoming vehicle?

Gab: It’s gonna be life changing. Love Nelson!

Blimes: People always wanna know the Blimes and Gab story. It’s gonna explain it all, and make you laugh til you cry.

To date, what has been your biggest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?

Gab: Playing Austin City Limits, and performing with Method Man.

Blimes: Rocking “Hot Damn,” with Method Man and Gab, live in Las Vegas.

Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you all see yourselves?

Gab: Drinking Sake on a Suzuki in Osaka Bay.

Blimes: Touring the world, meeting the folks that listen, shooting a fourth season of our show, raising a family, empowering creative voices.

As for the immediate, what’s next for Blimes and Gab?

Gab: Album, tour, new merch, new music, new content; all the shits, all the stuff.

Blimes: You heard the lady!

Is there anything I left out or just plain forgot to mention?

Gab: Shit, I think you covered it…what do you think Blimes?

Blimes: If you still got questions, we’ve probably covered it on one of our YouTube segments, or will be covering it soon, so make sure you subscribe to our YouTube Channel HERE.

Any “closing” thought(s) for our readers?

Gab: I still don’t know wtf female rap is?

Blimes: Yeah, stop with that!

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