Interview by: Martin Bauman Remember
Gemstones? Back in 2007-08, the Chicago artist (real name: Demarco Castle) was getting ready to take over the music world with his heavily-anticipated
Troubles of the World album, after appearing extensively on Lupe Fiasco's
Food & Liquor and
The Cool albums and catching the world's (and Kanye West's) attention with his single "We On". Just as his career was about to take off, a series of events took place that would forever alter his future: the incarceration of 1st and 15th Records' CEO, Charles "Chilly" Patton, the subsequent disbanding of the FnF crew, and the death of his close friend St. Nic all changed the course of Gemstones' path. Many of you likely haven't heard anything from him since. As Gemstones would tell you, he's only just begun. After releasing
On The Road To Glory: My Story in 2010, Gemstones is getting ready to release his album
Blind Elephant, preceded by a mixtape titled
Elephant In The Room. The Come Up Show caught up with Gemstones to discuss his upcoming projects and what brought him to where he is today. We spoke for over an hour, and the result is a 4-part interview series in which Gemstones opens up on a wide variety of subjects, from working with Lupe, to the death of his close friend St. Nic, to his beginnings as a rapper.
Hit the skip to check out part 1 of our interview.