Meet - Big Gib

Today we are kicking it with a new up and coming rapper named Big Gib. For starts where did the name come from?


Well my last name is Gibson. So people called me Gib and then it just went from Gib to Big Gib. I Upped My Soldya Game! (laughs)

Where are you reppin?


First and foremost Tha A-State a.k.a Tha A.R.K. Arkansas all day every day. All of Arkansas. I've been all over the state and got people everywhere so I'm not gonna limit myself to just one city cause I grew up in multiple cities throughout different times in my life. But I am from the other great H-Town, Hazen, Arkansas. Speaking of the other H-Town though right now I'm currently in Texas doing some more growing know what im sayin. So imma represent where I be at too fa sho. And right now its Central Texas.

What made you pick up a mic and get busy?

Man I don'-t even remember. I've been writing so long I cant even remember the first time I wrote some shit. I know it was at least 5 grade. And I would write off and on and it just was my release for everything I was going through. Once I turned 13 I got worse and more shit started happening in life so I wrote more and more. Now I try to write and prevent the youth from having to go through anything along and just for them to have something to relate too when they going through shit and dont know what they gone do cause I've been there.

Who were your influences to get into hiphop?

Damn theres so many. Tupac, Eminem, Dr. Dre, Ludacris, Chamillionaire, Bun B, Pimp C (R.I.P), Lil Keke, Scarface, T.I., shit really there are so many I could never name them all.

We heard you are in the military and will be going back to Iraq soon.
Are you dreading that ? How much time is left in your contract?

Yeah we are supposed to be going back next year. I definitely am dreading it but not because I'm scared of dying or anything like that. I dread it because I'm not looking forward to being that out of touch with my fans, and with the rest of the world. But as soon as I get back best believe the game is over. I have 4 years left in my contract I get out in 2012.

Is it hard to balance a military career and an inspiring music career?

Oh yeah it definitely is. Having a successful music career isn't just about the music, its about your connections with your fans too. Its about how much you really get out there and grind for it. So finding time to write, record, promote, and everything else and at the same time work around my army training and everything is really tough. Like I said earlier that's the only reason I dont want to go back to Iraq right now is because I feel like I have such good momentum right now and being gone for 12 months can really crush that. But its all good cause I am here and I'm always gonna be here!

If you can go back ...would you still joint the service?

Yeah I definitely would have joined. Like T.I. said "Some move away to make a way, Not move away cause they afraid". I had to take the initiative and get out of the situations I was in and the way I was living so I could do great things for myself and go back and do great things for those that have stood by my side.

Are you on a label? If so let us know.....

Im on my label : Divine Musik Records. I do not have a major label deal right now but honestly I dont even know if a major would know what to do wit me right now im so cold.

Any new projects coming out? Any features?

Yeah I got a couple new joints in the works right now. First and foremost we got Big Gib feat. Tha Advocate "Love Of The Game". Of course that joint goes hard and you can check it out exclusively on Digital Dynasty Vol. 3 presented by ballerstatus.com and Tha Advocate. So yall head on over to ballerstatus.com and go and download that Digital Dynasty Vol. 3 it should be out in the next couple months.

I Also got a couple solo joints in the works right now. Be on the lookout for my next single called "I Made It" and soon after that I hope to be dropping "Up Ya SoldYa Game"!

As for right now everyone should be hittin up myspace.com/divinerecordsbiggib and peepin all the game I got posted there. And if you haven't got it already go to itunes and get Divine Musik Presents: Seven On Da ComeOut. The first official mixtape from Divine Musik and Big Gib!

You are from the South, but have a universal sound. Your lyrics are also universal. Is it important to you to not "sound local" ?

You know its really not. And to me its not even about choosin this sound or that sound. What I spit comes from the heart. And my process of writing doesn't allow me choose a style. Whatever comes out and how it comes out is what you get. Whether you think it sounds North, South, East, West its gonna be hot.

How would you describe your style of hiphop?

I wouldn't really say I have a certain style. I like to switch it up and just make music everyday people can relate to.

Whats your goal for the hiphop game?

My ultimate goal is to just be able to have a positive effect on the people's lives around me and on anyones that listens to my music. Yeah Bentleys and Mansions are cool but before all that theres people I have to take care of. Thats why I do this!

Does it frustrate you that to get major spins or radio play you have to say "drop it,shawty,back it up"...etc.?

You know it definitely does. But then again at the same time it doesnt. Let me explain. Even if you aint sayin those things you can still get played on radio and get spins in numerous places. You might have to work harder and you might not reach the same audience but you can do it. And if you are that hot then you are going to get your major spins and radio play one day anyway. And these dudes that are just on the radio cause they can come up with a catchy hook or gimmick they are not going to be in the game 10 years from now when I am. They aint gone last. So I dont even let it phase me.

If you had to compare yourself to any 2 rappers dead or alive ..who would they be?

Im just gonna compare myself to 1 and thats Big Gib. I have alot of influences from many rappers: Jay-Z, Tupac, Em, Wayne, Jeezy, Kanye, UGK, Chamillionaire, Juelz Santana, Webbie, and I feel like that I'm on a level to compete with all of them. I can switch up styles and do any type of track. And I can make any type of track you want and make it believable cause I spit real shit from the heart and from experiences. But I can only compare myself to Me.

Here at SoldyaMuzik we like to ask our features some questions that really are out of the norm.We do this because it gives the fans a broader outlook on you.So lets get it cracking ....

Are you happy about Obama being elected?

Hell Yeah! Its about damn time. I was excited enough just to have Bush leave office. But now its like on a whole other level. This is such a triumph and sign of the strength and unity of this country and is a really big win for the little guys who have always felt like they was never gonna get there. Well now we got something!

Do you think change will really come?

I really do. I don't think its going to come just from Obama being president and anything he will do particular. But I think Obama being elected marks a great symbol of change for the better for this country. And I think people are inspired by that and Obama mixed with an inspired country of people will definitely create some change!

Are you more concerned with global warming or the state of hiphop?

Definitely the State of Hip Hop. If global warming continues to happen and the country heats up some more that is not going to get people out the streets and educated and going in the right direction. If we fix the state of hip hop maybe we could help more people get out the struggle and going in the right direction. And I think people would rather be hot than to continue without hope. Mother fuckers need to stop fuckin the game up. For real. Learn the rules homeboy.

Does major ringtone sales make up for bad albums sales?

I think it helps. I don't think it completely makes up for it. But I do see it as a point where people might download your album for free but after they hear it if its bangin they will go pay for a ringtone for it. So its win/lose to me. But in this day and age thats just what we face so you gotta be ready for it. You have to have a plan to market yourself and get yourself out there in more ways than just albums. Cause in today's game that shit just aint gonna set you alone.

Who would win in a battle ..Cassidy in his prime or Canibus in his hayday?

Cassidy

Back To The Norm....... Thanks for hollering at us and in closing give any shoutouts...F.U.'S or whatevers clever?

Yeah first and foremost I wanna give a huge shout out to God and to my grandma,
Sassy (R.I.P.) Shout out to Tha Advocate for holdin me down and SoldYa Musik for making this possible. My homegirl Patsy, Mysfyt, Big D, C Miller, Stitch. My dawg Avalanche and my wonderful (manager) Honey! Big Shout Out to Shadowville Productions and my man Slantize. Someone get this dude an award for these beats mane. My cuz Wendy and my God Son Clint. My homeboy T-Good, my girl Tanner, Booya Boi a.k.a. Big Sexy, Trap, Kevin and Matt, and anyone else who's supported me. Sorry this interviews not long enough for me to name em all. But you will all get yours when the checks come ya dig! And last but certainly not least my baby girl Fallon....Its gonna all come together baby. Big Gib, Divine Musik, Stay Up!