You’ve all heard the name Tyga. By now it’s practically a household moniker and with the moves he’s making in the game it’s truly hard not to notice. Well everybody should turn their heads and take notice of the man standing next to him. He goes by the name of GaTa. He’s Tyga’s best friend, G.E.D label mate, and a dope lyricist.

While he is benefiting from Tyga’s progress and various co-signs from some of hip-hop’s elite, he is his own man with his own talent. A lyricist with a message GaTa delivers thoughtful and heartfelt music. If you want to hear about people getting shot you might want to skip over but if you want real hip-hop GaTa is your man.

Sixshot.com caught up with GaTa to discuss being signed to Tyga, growing up in South Central L.A., and working with Lil Wayne.

Sup Gata, what's good?

Everything is good man, thanks.

First things first man, explain Gata to me, what does it mean?

GaTa is a nickname that I got from my Uncles who grew up in the south. They used to be called the Gator Boys and my peeps started calling me lil' gator boy so I just switched up the spelling and changed it to GaTa. Make sure you capitalize my G b ecause I'm a G and make sure you capitalize my T because I'm the truth. But yeah that’s how I got that name.

What was life like growing up for you and how did you get into music?

Life for me growing up was pretty decent. I'm from South Central L.A, the real hood not the rap hood so I had my ups and downs growing up just like anybody else. I played a few sports growing up here and there. But I started to get into music in junior high school, I was in the 7th grade if I can recall. I used to jot down rhymes a lot while I was in class. So by the time I got to high school I was ready to display my skills because it was a lot of MC's at school. So I used to jump in and out the ciphers at nutrition, lunch and when ever somebody thru a beat on. That’s how I got into music and rapping.

How did you meet Tyga?

I met Tyga through a mutual friend that we had. That was 3 1/2 years ago.

What is your relationship like with Tyga?

Tyga is like a brother to me. That’s the best way to describe that relationship.

How did you guys start GED and what is your role in the company?

G.E.D Inc. is our label for those who don’t know, G.E.D stands for Gett'N Every Dolla, Grind'n Every Day and Gett'n Educated Daily. We came up with that just because that is our lifestyle. Simple as that. That’s what we are about and always will be about till the end. I'm an artist on my label and one of the founders.

Your music isn't typical shoot 'em up hip-hop. How would you describe it?

My music isn’t shoot ‘em up music because that’s not me and never will be. I make reality music based off what I been through, what I do and what I want to do in life or just simply how I feel about something. Music is supposed to be creative to me, so that’s what I try to do with each song. At the end of the day when it’s all said and done, I just want my music to touch your soul and to be real.

What is the chemistry like in the studio with you and Tyga?

The chemistry and energy we have in the lab is amazing. We’re animals, beasts, and musical savages what ever you want to call it. We get it in when we in the studio. We are two very creative people who have a lot to offer. So put us together and we deliver each and every time.

You're a lyrical dude. Is it important to you to bring a message in your music?

Thanks for that compliment but yeah most def I always try to bring a message or if not a message some type of understanding. That’s important to me, really important. A lot of times these days you get cats who can rap they ass off, but its like what are they trying to say at the end of the day. That’s why I bring that real concept music, so people can understand.

You're an indie artist. If you were given the chance would you go major?

Of course I would go major, that’s one of the best tools for major exposure. But me going major is in the works please believe it. Honestly though to keep it real, being indie isn’t bad at all. If you got the right type of deal, then you are able to do what you got to do to be successful.

Has Tyga getting signed to Lil Wayne and everything helped your situation?

Indeed it has, I mean I'm on four songs with Wayne. So I ain't complaining about that, especially when he charging cats 80-100 stacks for a verse these days. Tyga getting signed to Young Money is just a really good look for our camp overall. Wayne is one of the best to me personally, that’s my honest opinion. Being around him just turns up my work ethic a lot; I learned a lot being around him. So for him to reach out to me in the studio and be like yo GaTa I want you to get on these songs, that’s a blessing to me. Also it shows me that I ain’t never get slept on.
 
People are going to look at you and label you immediately as a certain kind of rapper, does that bother you?

No it doesn’t, I expect that. I want them to look at me, that’s the beauty of it. Form an opinion about me, that makes me happy deep down inside. As long as I know my music is being heard that’s all that matters to me.

What do you want to accomplish in hip-hop?

I would like to accomplish success and more success. Nah but I just want to make good music, that’s all nothing more nothing less. I'm not here to change hip-hop or anything. I’m just here to be a part of it and enjoy it.

How important has the internet been to you getting out there?

Very, very, very, very important. I wouldn’t even be doing this interview if it weren’t for the internet. The internet is running the world right now and the music industry. It’s a very powerful tool for exposure. Here's something to think about, if the internet got destroyed tomorrow, God forbid that happen, but what would the world be like? Crazy right?

What projects do you have coming out that we can check for?

I got tons of new music coming out. New mixtapes coming soon. New Tour dates all that, the whole nine. Just be on the look out for me in general, I am a project.

Anything you'd like to say to the fans at Sixshot.com?

Yea I love ya'll, thanks for holding me down and reading this interview. Continue to support GaTa and G.E.D Inc. Much love to Sixshot. Don’t forget to go get that Tyga album, No Introduction in stores now and while you purchase that grab that Carter 3. Peace and Love