2015 is G-Eazy’s year. The Bay Area emcee has put the city on his back and plans to take himself and his music “from the bay to the universe.” G’s currently on tour in support of what he calls his debut studio album, These Things Happen, that was released back in July 2014, but the 25-years young spitter is focused on the year ahead.

In our exclusive interview with the future star, G revealed that he’s currently working on a new album that he plans to drop this year, but hasn’t narrowed down a title nor a date. He also touched on the highly honored 2015 XXL Freshman cover expected to be released within the next few months, and while acknowledging those types of accolades matter to the “I Mean It” rapper, G says, “I know I’m doing alright when I walk out on stage every night and my tour’s sold out, or when I get to meet my fans every night.”

Take a trip to the Bay on the following pages and brace yourself for the G-Eazy takeover.