Sage The Gemini Has Club Hits But Hates The Club

Sage The Gemini has been on the scene less than a year and he's already scored several RIAA-certified hits, with his first single, "Red Nose," reaching gold status and his followup, the infectious "Gas Pedal" featuring HBK Gang cohort Iamsu!, going platinum. With a considerable amount of buzz, the California native has managed to entertain the masses and obtain some of the perks of a veteran MC, gracing the esteemed stages at both Jimmy Kimmel and Arsenio Hall, with a Letterman performance scheduled for tonight (March 25).

Today, Sage The Gemini is releasing his major label debut album, Remember Me, out on Republic Records. To mark the occasion, the Bay Area rapper chopped it up with XXL about his diamond aspirations for the project and what fans can expect for the LP. He also speaks on his will to avoid negativity in his music, describing that contrary to popular belief, he's not your typical rapper. Rest assured, he plans to make this debut memorable. —Miranda J.

XXL: How does it feel to be a new artist and have such massive hits?
Sage The Gemini: It’s alright, it’s cool. It only hit me sometimes. I just be like, "Oh, shit, why me?"

What should people look out for on the album?
More creativity, a lot of different stuff. Just overall talent. Actual rapping.

Do you ever get sick of hearing your songs?
Nah, 'cause it’s always an exciting setting. But yeah, I do I get sick of it.

Your songs are so catchy but the concepts are always different.
That’s how it’s supposed to be, 'cause if I come out with something catchy that [they] expect for me to say then it’s not gonna be as exciting. It’s like a game. You gotta, like, really think about it. It just makes the song fun, like, "What does he mean?"

Is there anybody that you look up to?
Iamsu!

Is that strange for you guys? The friendly competition, with Su's own album due out next month?
Nah, we are all one person. So we’re not in competition with [each other].

It seems like y'all are the turn up type.
Nah, I don’t smoke, drink, go to the club. But we just have fun, period. Always making jokes about anything. We just make fun out of anything. Always positive, it’s nothing negative.

It's interesting that you don’t smoke, drink, or go to the club. I was watching an interview with you talking about marriage. Do you think you have an old soul?
Nah, I don’t think so, I’m just what a kid is supposed to be. I’m what kids were in the '70s. Well, that kind of answers the question, yeah, I do have an old soul. I’m what a kid is supposed to think like. I have that mind state.

Were you just raised like that? Or have you been through so much craziness that you're just at a point where you’re over everything?
All the above. I was raised like that and I seen a lot of crazy stuff. It’s just who I am; that’s my decision.

It seems like hip-hop is the opposite of how you describe yourself. How do you cope?
It’s not hard, 'cause I’m not around it. I’m around the real shit. Not that acting, pop bottles type shit. Unless you book me for a party; I’ll go, but ain’t no bottles in my section. If there is, my partners might have them. I literally go out and do kid stuff. I go to the mall just to go, watch movies, make beats. Go outside and play. I go to the go-kart places. I do [not] ride rides though, I’m afraid of heights. I was on this roller coaster [one time], it was like this kid’s ride. I was tripping.

What do you plan to accomplish with the album?
The message is, you can still make good music without talking about all the negative you went through. Don’t look at the past, don’t look in the rearview mirror. Just take it off and think about your future. It’s okay to tell people your struggle, but don’t make every song about that. That don’t make you lyrical when you talk about shooting somebody or always on the street selling drugs. That’s not what life is all about. You can still be powerful talking about all the good stuff. I’m hoping it will go diamond.

Previously: Sage The Gemini Is 21 Years Old And Ready To Get Married
Iamsu! Embraces “Healthy Competition” With Sage The Gemini