G-Eazy - These Things Happen

The contrast is brutal between track one, These Things Happen, produced by blackbear, and track two, Far Alone, where E-40 lays down his vocals alongside Jay Anthony. This immediate shift encapsulates the ambition of this album: moving from a melancholic intimacy to mainstream projection. Released on April 29, 2014, under labels BPG, RCA, and RVG, this opus is G-Eazy's third studio album but most importantly his first on a major label. It directly follows Must Be Nice (2012), an independent project that laid the groundwork for a recognizable aesthetic. With 16 tracks totaling 56 minutes and 14 seconds, the album marks a structural break: the massive presence of guests transforms the record into a space of crossover rather than a monologue.

Kendrick and Big Sean in the ears: The sonic DNA of 2014

The artistic direction firmly anchors itself in the 2014 hip-hop landscape. Specialized criticism, notably via Pitchfork, describes the production as "moody and atmospheric." This atmosphere is no accident; it draws its roots from specific references identified by analysts. On Opportunity Cost and Downtown Love, the influence of Kendrick Lamar is felt through an introspective and rhythmically complex approach. In contrast, I Mean It borrows the melodic and direct vein associated with Big Sean. Finally, Tumblr Girls fits into a darker, more narrative lineage, reminiscent of Dom Kennedy's style. These three stylistic axes structure the album: they avoid uniformity by alternating between lyrical depth, catchy pop hooks, and atmospheric darkness.

E-40, A$AP Ferg, and blackbear: The eight alliances that opened the door

Eight of the sixteen tracks feature confirmed guest appearances, a density that serves as a major commercial lever. This strategy is not incidental; it partly explains the album's immediate success in the United States. The record debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart with first-week sales of 47,000 copies. The vocal distribution is calculated to reach different audience spheres: E-40 on Far Alone brings Californian rap authority, grounding the track in a West Coast tradition that contrasts with Jay Ant and G-Eazy's production. A$AP Ferg on Lotta That*, accompanied by Danny Seth, injects the raw energy and signature flow of the A$AP Rocky collective, expanding the audience toward New York underground circles. These collaborations are not mere figments; they respond to a logic of geographic and cultural expansion, linking California (E-40), New York (A$AP Ferg), and emerging digital aesthetics (blackbear).

From Double Platinum to These Things Happen Too: The Trajectory of a Star

The commercial results confirm the accuracy of this bet. Certified double platinum by the RIAA in November 2025 for over two million units sold or equivalent, the album demonstrated its ability to stand the test of time. While sales dropped quickly after the first week (falling from #3 to #26 on the Billboard 200), the longevity of the record was built upon this solid foundation. The architecture of the album reveals a precise narrative intention that goes beyond the simple accumulation of hits. Opening with These Things Happen and closing with Just Believe, these tracks frame the sixteen songs as a coherent emotional journey, structured around an interlude and a skit titled Factory Girl. This chronological organization guides the listener through varied states of mind, from introspection to outward projection. The production, handled by a collective including Jordan Evans, Matthew Burnett, and Dean Earls alongside blackbear and Jay Ant, offers a rich sonic palette that supports this narrative dynamic. In terms of discography, this album fits into a continuous trajectory where alliances renew themselves without ever repeating mechanically. While E-40 is present here on Far Alone, he will reappear later on tracks like Nothing to Me or Charles Brown, testifying to a lasting relationship between the two artists. Similarly, blackbear's presence on the opening track and Remember You shows a collaboration that spans the album without being limited to a single moment. This consistency in partner choices illustrates an artistic strategy where each guest is selected for their ability to specifically enrich the proposition of the track, thus creating a unique sonic mosaic within G-Eazy's discography. The album stands as the third studio reference by G-Eazy, following Must Be Nice (2012) before being followed by When It's Dark Out in 2015. This position in the discography highlights rapid progression toward the top of the charts, with the opus reaching #1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums alongside its third-place finish on the Billboard 200. The internal structure reveals a precise alternation between solo tracks and collaborations, featuring notable interventions by Remo the Hitmaker on I Mean It, John Michael Rouchell on Downtown Love, and Anthony Stewart on Shoot Me Down. Christoph Andersson completes this mosaic by appearing on Tumblr Girls, while production is handled by a collective including Dean Earls, Jordan Evans, and Matthew Burnett. This diversity of sonic and vocal partners allows the record to navigate between different influences without losing its overall narrative coherence. The logical sequel to this success arrived with These Things Happen Too, released in 2021. This follow-up confirms that the model initiated in 2014 was not an accident: it was a method. By moving from an independent project to a double platinum record, G-Eazy transformed his notoriety into durable capital, proving that the alliance between atmospheric production and strategic featurings could become a standard in American mainstream rap.

Technical Details

- Release: April 29, 2014 - Label: BPG, RCA, RVG - Tracks: 16 (56 min 14 s) - Opening / Closing: These Things Happen / Just Believe - Guests: E-40, Jay Anthony, Remo the Hitmaker, A$AP Ferg, Danny Seth, John Michael Rouchell, Devon Baldwin, Anthony Stewart, blackbear, Christoph Andersson - Previous Album: Must Be Nice (2012)