If you were on the internet in 2011, it’s pretty much guaranteed that you saw the music video for “Gucci Gucci,” a viral rap song that was an early example of an independent artist getting worldwide attention after posting a song on YouTube. Now, 10 years later, the artist behind the viral sensation, Kreayshawn, is 31 years old and speaking about the experience of gaining so much attention so quickly at the young age of 21 years old.
In a rare interview with Stereogum, Kreayshawn opened up about the challenges of having a song go viral. She explains what made her sign with a major label, saying “My first inclination is to be like, ‘I wish I didn’t sign.’ I felt like I would’ve had more longevity if I didn’t sign. But in hindsight, I had $300 in my bank account and rent was due, and I had no money. I had no job … It was a blessing and a curse.”
Ultimately, Kreayshawn got pregnant as a way to get out of a hectic promotion schedule that wasn’t a fit for her personality and, today, she looks back on the experience as traumatizing and is still in $800,000 of debt from her label advance.
But don’t be too upset for her. Kreayshawn explains, “I’m still doing music. I play video games a lot. So a lot of my time is playing video games, streaming, OnlyFans stuff, working on projects, and it’s chill. I’m vibing. Everything’s good.”
