Davionte Ganter, known professionally as GaTa, (born June 30, 1987)[1][2] is an American rapper and actor best known for his role as a fictionalized version of himself, named Davionate Ganter / GaTa, in the FXX TV series Dave, as well as for being the hype man for rapper Lil Dicky throughout his career as well as on the show.
GaTa | |
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GaTa in 2021 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Davionte Ganter |
Born | South Los Angeles, California | June 30, 1987
Occupation(s) |
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Years active | 2006–present |
Labels | G.E.D Inc. |
Website | twitter |
Early life and education
editGaTa 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.[3] Inspired by the rapper Da Brat, he began rapping while a student at Audubon Middle School.[4]
Career
editMusic
editAs a hype man, GaTa traveled the world performing with rappers including Lil Wayne and Gym Class Heroes. Tyga, and his childhood friend Schoolboy Q, forming the music label G.E.D., which GaTa says stands for "grinding every day, getting every dollar, getting educated daily."[4] Around 2013, GaTa began working with David Burd, known professionally as Lil Dicky, who would become his close friend and with whom he would later star on the comedy-drama Dave.[5][3] After gaining popularity as an actor, he continued to build his own burgeoning solo rap career, releasing the single "Check Up" in July 2021.[6]
Television and film
editGaTa began his acting career in the FXX TV series Dave, in which he plays an authentic but "heightened" version of himself named Davionate "GaTa" Ganter.[7] Having never acted beyond music videos or taken any acting classes, he had to audition to play the role of himself on the show.[5][8] His performance has been well received, leading some critics to say he deserved an Emmy nomination.[9][10]
In 2022, GaTa appeared in the stoner film Good Mourning with Machine Gun Kelly and Mod Sun. GaTa also appeared on season 1, episode 10 of Apple TV’s Loot as himself.[citation needed]
In 2023, GaTa played Pete in the romantic comedy film Anyone but You.[citation needed]
Personal life
editGaTa has bipolar disorder,[10] a condition that was also given to his character on Dave.[3]
In October 2023, GaTa was arrested and charged with felony domestic violence before being released on bond.[11]
Filmography
editMusic videos
editYear[12] | Title | Artist |
---|---|---|
2008 | "Shawty is a Fan" | Tyga feat. GaTa |
2018 | "Sponsor Me" | Clue feat. GaTa |
2020 | "Stuck with U" | Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber |
2021 | "Havin' It" | GaTa |
Television
editYear[13] | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | Tournament of Laughs | Himself | 1 episode |
2020–present | Dave | Davionate Ganter / GaTa | Main cast |
2021 | Fast Foodies | Himself | 1 episode |
2022 | Loot | GaTa (Dave) | 1 episode |
Film
editYear | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
2022 | Good Mourning | Leo |
On the Come Up | M-Dot | |
2023 | Self Reliance | Charlie |
Anyone but You | Pete | |
Young. Wild. Free. | All | |
House Party | GaTa (Dave) | |
TBA | Sweet Dreams | Jake |
Not An Artist |
References
edit- ^ @GaTaGED (June 30, 2020). "Thanks for all the birthday wishes everyone. I love y'all dearly" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Miller, Julius (June 6, 2023). "Davionte 'GaTa' Ganter: My Favorite Things". LA Mag. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
The 35-year-old rapper on the hit FXX TV series 'Dave,' hails from South L.A.…
- ^ 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.
- ^ A., Aron (July 10, 2021). ""Dave" Star Gata Shares New Single "Check Up"". Hot New HipHop. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
- ^ Preston, Devon (February 28, 2020). "Meet Lil Dicky's On and Off Screen Hype Man". Inked Mag.
- ^ Rubin, Sam (July 7, 2021). "GaTa talks about starring in 'Dave' and sharing his bipolar diagnosis on the show". KTLA. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
- ^ Kang, Inkoo; Feinberg, Daniel (July 9, 2020). "Critics' Conversation: Overlooked Series and Performances That Deserve Emmy Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. 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.
- ^ Nash, Anthony (October 14, 2023). "GaTa Arrested for Domestic Violence, Dave Star's Lawyer Releases Statement". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
- ^ "Gata | Actor, Producer, Additional Crew". IMDb. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ "Gata | Actor, Producer, Additional Crew". IMDb. Retrieved January 3, 2024.