GaTa
GaTa | |
|---|---|
 GaTa | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Davionte Ganter |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, actor |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Website | https://twitter.com/GaTaGED |
Davionte Ganter, known professionally as GaTa, is an American rapper and actor known for his music career and his role in the FXX TV series Dave.
Early life and education
GaTa grew up in South Los Angeles, where he was adopted out of foster care by an aunt whom he considers his mother. He never knew his biological mother or father.[1] Inspired by the rapper Da Brat, he began rapping while a student at Audubon Middle School.[2]
Career
Music
As a hype man, GaTa traveled the world performing with rappers including Tyga, Gym Class Heroes, and Lil Wayne. Tyga, GaTa, and his childhood friend Schoolboy Q formed the music label G.E.D., which GaTa says stands for "grinding every day, getting every dollar, getting educated daily."[2] Around 2013, GaTa began working with David Burd, known professionally as Lil Dicky, who would become his best friend and with whom he would later star on the sitcom Dave.[3][1] After gaining popularity as an actor, he continued to build his own burgeoning solo rap career, most recently dropping the single "Check Up" in July 2021.[4]
Television
GaTa began his acting career in the FXX TV series Dave, in which he plays an authentic but "heightened" version of himself.[5] Having never acted beyond music videos or taken any acting classes, he had to audition to play the role of himself on the show.[3][6] His performance has been well received, leading some critics to say he deserved an Emmy nomination.[7][8]
Personal life
GaTa has bipolar disorder, a condition that was also given to his character on Dave. He takes medication for the disorder.[8] He was initially reluctant to talk about bipolar disorder on the show, but his family and David Burd convinced him that doing so could help others.[1]
References
- ^ a b c Wong, Stevie (June 25, 2020). "'Dave's Breakout Star GaTa On Racism In America: "It Really Does Hurt Me As A Black Man, To See Our Life Not Valued The Way It Should Be"". Deadline. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
- ^ a b Wood, Mikael (April 15, 2020). "How a white rapper's sidekick became a breakout sitcom star — and TV's unlikeliest role model". LA Times. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
- ^ a b Jones, Jiggy (June 21, 2021). "HOW 'DAVE' STAR GATA LANDED THE ROLE AS HIMSELF ON LIL DICKY'S HIT FX SERIES". The Source. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
- ^ ""Dave" Star Gata Shares New Single "Check Up"". Hot New HipHop. July 10, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
- ^ Preston, Devon. "MEET LIL DICKY'S ON AND OFF SCREEN HYPE MAN". Inked Mag.
- ^ "GaTa talks about starring in 'Dave' and sharing his bipolar diagnosis on the show". KTLA. July 7, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
- ^ "Critics' Conversation: Overlooked Series and Performances That Deserve Emmy Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. July 9, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
- ^ a b Menta, Anna (April 21, 2020). "'Dave' Has One of the Best Representations of Bipolar Disorder on TV". Decider. Retrieved August 6, 2021.