GDP Reveals Why He Walked Away From Rap Without Saying Goodbye

GDP walked away from rap without announcing a retirement. Now the New Jersey rapper has explained how running a label left him struggling to make music on his own.

In a new Bandcamp Daily interview, he described stepping away around 2017 as studio sessions in Brooklyn began to feel forced.

“After sending 20 emails half the day, you’re not inspired to write music,” he said.

He had been handling business for his Smoker’s Cough label. The question became simple: “Why am I doing this? I could just stop.”

The distance gave him room to work without a manager pushing him. It also took him toward documentary work for the global health nonprofit Emergency Project.

During the break, photography became part of how he made a living in New York City. Working as George Douglas Peterson, he made zines, photo books and music videos, with medical mission documentation among his projects.

He also continued playing drums in Ankle Monitor and making electrogrind as Orange Crystal. The hiatus from solo rap records still left room for other music.

Last year’s Endocrine with Fatboi Sharif had already opened a route back. Their collaboration began with GDP making beats for Sharif and grew into a friendship, live shows and a seven-song album.

Released July 11, 2025, through Fused Arrow Records, it featured both rappers’ writing and performances, with GDP producing as Orange Crystal. Sharif also appears on “Undone” on the new solo record.

GDP also spoke about Tame One’s mentorship, which began after they met when he was 18. That connection helped bring him into Young Zee’s studio circle.

Tame One died in 2022 at 52. The Artifacts MC made the group’s 1994 debut, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, with El Da Sensei and DJ Kaos.

GDP’s new solo album, Cross Off Matthew, came together in a walk-in closet studio.

Released October 23 through Run For Cover Records, the 12-song project was self-produced. Its songs deal with strained relationships, vices and the pressure that can come with making creative work.

The album closes with “Doom Loop,” which examines why he made music after relationships fell apart.

“I wanted to make something that felt nuanced, something that I could feel proud of,” GDP said in the label’s account of the record.