Having already made his mark as one of the more progressive names doing the rounds right now, US rapper Collin Gibson is back on the grind once again to deliver his breezy new single 'Black Ice'.
Lifted from his much-loved studio album 'The Golden Era', which is available to stream now, 'Black Ice' continues that smooth and alluring nature he is known for. With his killer flow riding across a warm and emotive production from start to finish, he continues to shine as one of the more impactful names on the rise right now.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
As far as instruments I’ve actually played, it was definitely the drums. I don’t even remember when I started loving them—it just kind of happened. Anytime I saw a drum set—whether it was at church, an after-school program, wherever—I had to jump on. There’s something about the rhythm, the physicality of it, that always pulled me in. Funny enough, I used to be in this wild Weezer/Hip Hop mashup cover band, and we’d rotate during the set. I’d slide over to the drums and play while our drummer sang lead. It was chaotic, random… but man, it was fun. One of those random chapters that actually shaped how I hear rhythm and timing in my music today.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I’ve always loved hip hop. That was the heartbeat of my childhood. My mom was heavy into it—Ice Cube, NWA, Nas, all of it. She drove this little hatchback Mazda with 12-inch subs in the back. She’d drop me off at school bumping Mack 10 or The Chronic, and heads would turn every time. People used to be like, “Yo, who’s that?” thinking she was my sister or something. I’d have to be like, “Chill… that’s my mom.” She was cool like that though—she didn’t care what anyone thought. That energy, that boldness, definitely made its way into my style.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The first two albums that were mine—like, gifted to me, not something I borrowed or taped off the radio—were Da Brat’s “Funkdafied” and Shaq’s first album. Got both of them for Christmas. That Shaq album might not have been a classic to everyone else, but to me, it was dope because here was this NBA superstar out here rapping. It was fun, man. And “Funkdafied”? That record stayed on repeat. It was gritty, confident—it felt like something special. That was my introduction to what it felt like to own music.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
There are a bunch of songs I’ve heard and thought, “Damn, I wish I’d come up with that.” But if I had to pick one off the top, Nas’ “Rewind”. The way he told that whole story backwards—I mean, come on. That was one of the most creative executions of storytelling I’ve ever heard in hip hop. It wasn’t just a gimmick either—it was sharp, intentional, and brilliantly done. It really showed the level of artistry Nas was operating on.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Oh yeah—I mumble and hum my way into a song. For real. I’ll loop a beat and start making sounds—just nonsense syllables or hums—until a cadence starts to feel right. Once I lock in on that flow, then I start layering words into it. It probably looks and sounds wild if you walk in while I’m in the middle of it, but that’s how I connect with the beat emotionally before I try to force any lyrics on it. It’s about feeling what the track wants to say—and then translating that into something real.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Man, I’m always diving back into the old-school stuff. That’s home base for me. But lately, Kendrick has been in rotation heavy. He’s got that rawness, that honesty, that depth—like the stuff that hip hop heads live for. His music hits that sweet spot where it’s lyrical, emotional, and still knocks. He’s one of the few modern artists that gives me that same feeling I had when I was a kid falling in love with this culture.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Kendrick Lamar. Easy. I saw him live once and that show was electric. The energy, the crowd, the artistry—it was next-level. To be able to touch that same stage and set the tone before he comes on? That’d be a dream come true. And I know I’d rise to the occasion.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
When someone hits you up out of nowhere—someone you’ve never met—and tells you that your song meant something to them? That’s the real reward. That’s when you know the music is doing its job. Finding those people—your tribe—that actually feel what you’re putting out… that’s everything. It’s not about numbers, it’s about connection.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Honestly? Finding those people. That’s the grind. The game is so saturated now—there’s more music than ever, but it’s harder than ever to break through. Algorithms, trends, attention spans—it’s a lot. You’ve got to fight to be seen, and sometimes it feels like you’re shouting into the void. But when you finally reach someone who gets it? It makes all that noise worth it.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Stay consistent. It sounds simple, but for creatives like me—who are always chasing new ideas—it’s the hardest thing. I’ll come up with something that’s working, and instead of milking it and building on it, I’m already onto the next wave. I have to constantly remind myself: slow down, focus, and grow what you’ve already planted. Consistency is how you build momentum, and momentum is how you create legacy.
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Collin Gibson's new single 'Black Ice' is available to stream now. Check out the new video for it in the player below.