Everybody's Everything

Everybody’s Everything from 2019 is a heart-wrenching and provocative documentary. It offers an intimate, all-encompassing exploration into the life and untimely passing of Gustav Ahr, known to most of the world as the influential rapper, singer songwriter, Lil Peep.

Directed and produced by acclaimed filmmakers Sebastian Jones and Ramez Silyan, the narrative follows the life of Gustav, from his beginnings as an ambitious boy on Long Island, New York, to his rise from a SoundCloud sensation to a prominent, genre-mixing superstar in the music industry.

The film itself is as much a character study as it is a documentary, inviting the audience to dive into Gustav's nuanced and layered personality. Driven by the mystique of his unflinching self-expression, 'Everybody's Everything' brings ghostly life to a fallen star, offering the world an intimate glimpse into his trials, triumphs, and the essential humanity underneath his larger-than-life persona.

Lil Peep’s unique ability to blend different styles - from hip hop to punk to rock, amplifies the compelling narrative of 'Everybody’s Everything'. His unconventional approach to music produced a distinctly melancholic, yet catchy sound that resonated with millions of young people worldwide. The documentary accurately represents Gustav's massively influential imprint on the music world while also digging deeper into the societal pressures and demands that might have driven him to his tragic end.

The movie features interviews with industry professionals like Rob Cavallo, known for his work with Green Day and other notable music acts. Other interviews include Ghostemane, an American artist inspired by metal, rap, and hardcore punk, and Horse Head, another influential figure in the underground rap scene. The insight provided by these subjects adds a layer of professional and rigorous analysis to the presentation, embroidering insightful context onto the life and work of Lil Peep.

'Everybody’s Everything' is punctuated by the title’s significance, a phrase borrowed from a heartfelt note from his grandfather which uses the very words to describe Gustav. Throughout the narrative, these words form a motif, shedding light on Gustav’s immense capacity for love and empathy, and overpowering desire to shoulder everyone's pain, ultimately reinforcing his role in society as a torchbearer for the disenfranchised.

As poignant it is analytical, the documentary is interspersed with candid interviews with family members, close friends, and colleagues that reveal illuminating aspects of Gustav's personality. It weaves a sympathetic narrative around Gustav's vulnerabilities and struggles with addiction, mental health, and the fundamental human necessity for connection.

Simultaneously, the narrative never shrinks away from the suffocating toxicity of fame, the weight of expectation, or the loneliness that often accompanies rapid success. Instead, the film openly discusses these aspects, scrutinizing the darker side of life in the spotlight and the mental toll it exacts on the mental health of artists.

'Everybody's Everything' is an unflinching homage to a promising talent cut short, portraying Gustav's life and art in its rawest form. Past the music videos, the tattoos, and the rockstar exterior, the audience is shown a sensitive, vulnerable young person, navigating the pressures of accelerated fame in his unique but troubled way.

The documentary’s aesthetics are worthy of mention, often mirroring the gritty, somber, yet beautiful nature of Lil Peep's music. With impactful storytelling and cinematography encompassing everything from breathtaking concert footage, intimate behind-the-scenes moments, early home videos, to touching animated sequences, 'Everybody’s Everything' captures the melancholy, hope, and fierce energy inherent in Lil Peep’s world.

The film invites its audience to get to know Gustav, not only as an artist but as a Son, a Grandson, and a friend – a young man whose brilliance and empathy had, and continues to have, a profound influence on music and youth culture.

In its essence, 'Everybody’s Everything' pushes the conversation about mental health, drug abuse, and the pressures of fame to the forefront, even as it pays tribute to the artist that was Lil Peep. It serves as a bitter reality check about the cost of fame and success, and the unintended and often devastating byproduct of an unforgiving industry.

A compelling ride from start to finish, 'Everybody's Everything' is a must-watch for fans, music lovers, and anyone interested in understanding how fame can make and unmake artists. By delicately balancing the celebration of Gustav’s life with a sobering inspection of his death, the film serves as a potent reminder of the loss the music industry and the world have endured. The film is an essay on youthful hope, passion, vulnerability, and ultimately, the tragic fragility of life itself.