RI EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Rapper G-Tribe – Hip-Hop’s Best Kept Secret

Hip Hop’s greatest secret may just be unleashed over the course of this article – brave claim eh! Nas claimed hip hop was dead…Well Hip Hop has just risen from the ashes and Irish Rap sensation G Tribe has hit the industry with a bang.

Rapper G Tribe, for those who don’t know, is one of Ireland’s freshest Hip-Hop artists to date. Gabriel Agiode, originally from Nigeria, has had his unique vocal talent compared to that of a young Nas, blended with a 2Pac style in the way he delivers his powerful lyrics. With a singing and song-writing ability to match his rap skills, G has been involved in many live events and has even opened for the chart-topping Chiddy Bang.

With 2011 upon us, G-Tribe awaits the one thing that stands between him and his fans: “Destiny”. G Tribe is indeed a rare and extravagant talent which will without a doubt influence a new era of Hip Hop Artists and change the face of the Irish Hip Hop industry forever.

To discuss this and more, Rap Ireland‘s Scott McLoughlin sat down with the young rapper for an exclusive interview;

RI: G Tribe, How long have you been involved in music?

GT: Well I got involved with music at the age of 9, I remembered I always wanted to be around music, because it was the only thing that made me happy, so I as grew older it became part of me, I’ve never kept the music out of my life.

RI: Who would you say your main influences are?

GT: My main influences would be, Tupac Shakur, Bob Marley, Coldplay, Chiddy Bang, Eminem and my late cousin Slim-P R.I.P…

RI: Are you currently signed to a music label?

GT: I’m unsigned at the moment, but I have my own management team, we’re doing everything individually for now, don’t want to settle down and hope for a record deal and not do anything, has me day dreaming. I don’t day dream, so I’m doing my music record deal or no deal. Shout out to Gorilla Gang Ent.

RI: What is your favourate kind of beats to rap over?

I like kind of hip-hop/rock beats, more into the old school California beats similar to Dr Dre‘s style and I would no doubt jump on any of Pharrell Williams’ beats. I Did a track called “Dublin City”, produced by Ciaran Chaney, a mix of hip-hop and Irish traditional pipes and stuff like that really Irish, that was on my first mixtape ”Ready Or Not’



RI: If you had to work with anyone in the history of hip hop who would it be and why?

GT: I would like to work with 2pac, the reason is because Pac is the greatest rapper that ever lived. Nas, because of the way he cleverly uses words. Black Thought from the roots, because he’s lyrically insane. N.E.R.D, I like the whole energy they bring. Big Sean, as he is lyrically good but like [the way] he struggled before he became famous reflects where I am right now. Lauren Hill, Sara Tevares, the two female rapper/singer love the way they put their music together with strength and courage. J.Cole, because he’s the future of hip-hop, and definitely Nicki Minaj, just for the craic (laughs)

RI: Having first heard your music on YouTube, I have to say I’m a converted fan; I believe you’ve helped put Dublin on the map, do you have any big plans for the near future? Any mixtape or tracks due to be released?

GT: Oh yeah thanks a lot for that bro, I’m glad you like my music, I feel humbled. Yeah I say that a lot in my music lately I ”put Dublin on the map” yeah I feel like I’m the only one who’s really proud to live here in Ireland and make rap music and still let people know, it makes no difference if I was in America or Ireland, obviously not the same thing, but yeah just really trying to let people know that we’ve got talented rappers in Ireland. We don’t get a fair chance here because we don’t have any major rap record companys here, sometimes just makes me want to give up, but like I love the music so much, I can’t stop doing it. I released a mixtape in 2010 titled ”Ready Or Not” 11 ,12 songs on the mixtape, currently working on my second mixtape at the moment titled “Outta My Comfort Zone”. It should be ready before the summer.

RI: Is there a main message behind your music? If so what is it?

GT: Yeah just enjoy life while you still here. Never give up and hard work is the key to success, peace and love.

RI: Have you played any big gigs? If so where and when?

GT: Yeah last year I open for Chiddy Bang, before then I’ve played in some spots like Wright venue in swords and a few other places in Dublin.

RI: You opened a concert for the legendary Chiddy Bang? Tell me a bit about that experience?

GT: Yeah it was a life changing experience for me, Chiddy Bang is one of my main influences so to get to finally meet him back stage, had a drink with him and open for him that was big. It did a lot for my confidence, shout out to Chiddy Bang.



RI: G Tribe, I just want to say thank you for your time and I wish you the best of luck in your rap career, is there any where the readers can go to hear more of your music?

GT: Thanks to you for taking the time to interview me, you’re very welcome. Yeah you can find my music on YouTube or reverbnation, just enter G.tribe, have a few gigs coming up, so you can stop by, you can also add me on facebook , my band page is titled G tribe.

WORDS // SCOTT MCLOUGHLIN // RAP IRELAND