Jamila Young – Arts & Entertainment Editor
Sage The Gemini
Born: June 20,1992
Fairfield, CA
Jamila Young (Arts & Entertainment Editor):
Where did your name Sage The Gemini come from?
Sage The Gemini:
“From my eyes. When I was younger, they would change to a certain green, and then of course I’m a Gemini. Sage The Gemini means ‘wise man.’ ”
Jamila:
Can you describe how you felt when you got signed in Aug. 2013?
Sage:
“It felt like a big accomplishment. I went gold by myself. I was like, man once I get signed I get that extra push, and I definitely got that extra push. Then I went platinum.”
Jamila:
You taught yourself to create beats at 14. Can you describe that?
Sage:
“I was still in school of course. I started doing this music stuff when I was in elementary school. That’s all I could focus on. No girls really liked me; it’s all I could focus on. [I played] basketball, then I stopped having a dedication to basketball. I did firecamp; wanted to be a firefighter. I did ride-alongs. I did everything, but then music just stuck with me more.”
Jamila:
I know you’re in the HBK Gang (Heartbreak Gang), can you talk about that?
Sage:
“I’ve actually been a big fan since I was like, in the beginning of my teenage years. I was a big fan of IamSu, and just the whole movement. It’s all about positivity. We’re all unique in our own way. A big diverse group. No one’s tryna shine better than anybody else. We all just wanna see each other make it”
Jamila:
So is it like a group of producers and rappers?
Sage:
“Everything. Producers, rappers, singers.”
Jamila:
Any females in the group?
Sage:
“No, I don’t think so. Probably like clothes designers. I haven’t even met everybody yet. There’s people I’ve met, but don’t even know they’re in HBK, like clothes designers –people that work for like Pink Dolphin and stuff like that.”
Jamila:
Who are some of your music idols?
Sage:
“IamSu, Chris Brown, Robin Thicke, Justin Timberlake, Outkast.”
Jamila:
Who would you want to collaborate with on a song?
Sage:
“Justin Timberlake.”
Jamila:
How did that work with Justin Bieber on the ‘Gas Pedal’ remix?
Sage:
“I guess he freestyled over it before. He was like, “I like that song.” …They were like “Who do you want on ‘Gas Pedal’ remix?” I was like Justin Bieber, but I didn’t know until after the song that he did a freestyle to it. We sent it to him, and he sent it back, and I was like whaaat?”
Jamila:
What’s your favorite song, and who’s your favorite artist right now?
Sage:
“IamSu. My favorite song is ‘Thank You’ by Busta Rhymes and Q-Tip.”
Jamila:
What’s one thing people don’t know about you?
Sage:
“That I’m very tall. 6ft. 5. A lot of people don’t know that. They think I’m short”
Jamila:
Since you’re on a college campus, do you think you want to go to college?
Sage:
“I do kinda wanna go to college, probably for the women. (laughs) I feel dumb sometimes. I always doubt myself all the time. I always overwork myself, over think. I always feel like I don’t know enough. I was a very smart kid in high school. I had good grades…towards the end of high school, but I always feel like I could learn more, and I need to learn more.”
Jamila:
What would you major in?
Sage:
“Music and business.”
IamSu
Born: November 17, 1989
Richmond, CA
Jamila:
I know you guys are from different parts of California, so how did you guys meet up?
Su:
“Different cities, but it’s probably like 30 minutes away. I go out there frequently, and he would come out to us. I would see him around. I was cool with one of his friends who also did music, and I went to record a verse for that person at his house. That’s how I met Sage informally. Got introduced. That’s when he played me ‘Gas Pedal’ actually, so that’s how we got cool, from there.”
Jamila:
You were in the ‘Up’ video (with LoveRance & 50 Cent). How did that come about?
Su:
“Well basically, we recorded at my friend’s house back in Richmond. We were just working on that song, and I came up with the hook –it was hella dumb. We wrote our verse and just bounced out. That was my first gold record.”
Jamila:
How did you get interested in music?
Su:
“I just have a super musical family. I just always connected with music more than anything else. It just made me feel a different way. I could just build on that, and I would try to make beats on whatever I could make beats on.”
Jamila:
Who are your musical influences?
Su:
“People like Pharrell, Snoop, Kanye of course, Jay Z, Outkast, Mac Dre.”
Jamila:
So did you produce before you rapped?
Su:
“Yeah.”
Jamila:
If you had to pick one what would you choose?
Su:
“I couldn’t.”
Jamila:
You were also on the ‘Function’ track. How did that come about?
Su:
“E-40 just called me. I didn’t have his number. I picked up. He said, “I got this song for us.” So he sent me the song with just the hook on it. I did my verse –I was sick. Just knocked it out still. That’s why I sound the way I do on there.”
Jamila:
How do you come up with verses?
Su:
“I just get struck with inspiration. I don’t go searching for it, it just hits me.”
Jamila:
Which artists do you like that are out now?
Su:
“I listen to hell of Migos. I listen to hell of Chief Keef. I listen to a lot of Wiz. I been listening to hell of old skool music, like all OG Neptunes productions. Stuff like Kelis, The Clipse, like Rhythm & Gangsta –the whole Snoop album that they did. I’ve been downloading hell of Missy. More old skool stuff recently, that’s just the kind of space that I’m in. Outkast. ”
Jamila:
What about current people, like Kendrick, Drake?
Su:
“Oh of course, of course, of course! Of course I listen to them, but the people that I’ve always listened to, and I’ll go and pull up, is Chief Keef.”
Jamila:
What do you think of all your success?
Su:
“It’s just a blessing. This what I wanted. This what I prayed for. It’s finally starting to come to fruition, and I’m just really appreciative. I’m just enjoying every experience.”
Jamila:
What would you say to someone who wants to get to your level?
Su:
“You just gotta put in the work. Put in the time. And I think it’s just about staying consistent and being dedicated.”
