GASHI: Exclusive Photos

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September 27, 2019 11:27AM EDT

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GASHI Visits HollywoodLife

GASHI Visits HollywoodLife — Singer GASHI stopped by HollywoodLife to discuss his debut self-titled album, GASHI, released on September 20, 2019. Born in Libya to ethnic Albanian parents, GASHI spent much of his young life as a refugee, moving from country to country, before settling in Brooklyn, NY, where he was introduced to music at a very young age. The rapper dropped out of college, where he was on a football scholarship, to pursue his music career. However, GASHI found himself homeless in New York as he tried to navigate the industry. Inspired by his friends from childhood, like ASAP Rocky, who “made it,” the rapper made the move out to LA and worked odd jobs until going viral and getting signed to Roc Nation and RCA.

One of his most popular singles off GASHI, “My Year, featuring G-Eazy, has become a fan-favorite, getting into the Billboard Top 40. DJ Snake is also featured on Gashi’s new album.

Click through the gallery for exclusive pics of GASHI!

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On Being Homeless When Creating His Album

On Being Homeless When Creating His Album — “hen I first started working on his album I was homeless, and not doing too well. I found a way to get to LA. Somebody flew me out, and then I was couch surfing, and trying to find ways to get off the streets. Then I ended up going viral, ended up getting my deal, and then I continued to work on the album.”

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On Jay Z Throwing Out His CD During A Book Signing

On Jay Z Throwing Out His CD During A Book Signing — “He was doing a book signing, and I put my CD in his book got when he opened it to sign it, in hopes that he’d take it, and then sign me… He signed the book, and threw my mix tape in the garbage there.”

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On Nipsey Hussle Inspiring HIm To Pursue His Music Career

On Nipsey Hussle Inspiring HIm To Pursue His Music Career — “What made me drop out was Nipsey telling me that I was dope enough to do it. The energy that he had on me, and the inspiration he gave me, and the words that he said to me — he made me really feel like I could do it, too. Having the conversation with him in the studio, that that week I decided to not go back to school.”

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On How His African Background Inspires His Music

On How His African Background Inspires His Music — “I was born in born in Africa, and I think majority of my influences are there — the whole continent, because I traveled all over. I think my influences are Brooklyn, Albania, and Africa. All three of those make me make the sound I make when I make music, and when I’m being creative. I think that is what you hear when you hear my album.”

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On What Kept Him Motivated When He Was Homeless

On What Kept Him Motivated When He Was Homeless — “What motivated me and kept me going was my family. What kept my dreams alive was seeing friends that I’ve had conversations with before they became successful. Seeing their billboards, and seeing them in magazines. I feel like that lit a fire in my stomach to keep going.”

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On His Favorite Songs On His Debut Album ‘Gashi’

On His Favorite Songs On His Debut Album ‘Gashi’ — “My songs, I look at them as my children, because I make them, I name them, and I send them off to the world. It’s very difficult when you have to pick one, because when you ask your mom, or you dad, who their favorite child is, they always say all of them.”

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