“Big and Pac left…now Jay’s leaving is the reason I’m next” – Cory Gunz.
The way blocks are buzzing about him similar to the early buzz on 50 Cent’s second stab at the rap game. Call it a slow grind…The Drama King DJ Kay Slay in a recent interview projected that Cory Gunz would be the next boy wonder to pop. All jokes aside, don’t get caught street sleepin’.
It’s surprising that the young Cory from the Bronx got the guns to shoot, but when people realize his lineage, it ain’t hard to tell. The entrance is clear for the seed of Peter Gunz, a strong veteran reputable in the rap arena. However, don’t expect Cory to coat-tail off his pop’s credit. Recently signed to Casablanca/Universal, when this kid drops, lyrical battle bullets are gonna fly. Young as far numbers, Cory Gunz aims to b the new definition of a minor walking confidently on rap’s rough terrain.
Allhiphop.com: Cory Gunz, before we can even get into the interview you gotta tell me about your history, just so people understand who Cory Gunz really is.
Cory Gunz: I don’t know where to start.
Allhiphop.com: Let’s tackle the rap arena.
Cory Gunz: Okay, I got in through my father (Peter Gunz)…listening to him. He did music and I was around it from when I was real young. I used to go to the studio when he had his group, and I would just listen to him all the time. He just kind of rubbed off. I’ve been rapping since I was 14.
Allhiphop.com: You’ve been rapping since you were 14. How old are you now?
Cory Gunz: Sixteen!
Allhiphop.com: So wait a second, the style that you are bringing now, you’ve only been doing it for two years?
Cory Gunz: Yeah.
Allhiphop.com: You’ve got to be kidding me. Wait a second, so two years and you’ve already somewhat defined yourself. What do you consider your style to be like? Is it street edgy, or is it more geared toward that female pop rap?
Cory Gunz: Everything! I try to do everything. I can’t define my style. I listen to different music so if I listen to a Hov record, or an Eminem record, or anybody else, I would try to write in a style that nobody could really judge me on, based on me sounding like anybody else, so that’s it. I don’t really have a style basically.
Allhiphop.com: So do you feel that some of your father’s lyrical traits were passed down to you? Did your father sit in the studio and say “Cory do this,” “this is where you should go, this is what you should sound like?” Or did you kind of go back to the lab and say, “alright based on what Hov said, based on some structure from Eminem, this is what I’m putting together?”
Cory Gunz: Sort of like that. But my father was working with a group at one time and I was trying to write rhymes for him, but he wouldn’t listen to me. He wouldn’t pay attention to me. So after a while I just kind of got aggravated and kept to myself, and I started writing, free styling on my block, and everybody kept telling him how nice I was. He finally heard me for the first time and started working with me.
Allhiphop.com: He took you serious. Now I know you’re trying to get into the game heavy. How much have you smashed the mix-tape game? Or are you starting to just get in now?
Cory Gunz: Sort of just like that. I’m just starting to get a buzz right now. Put out my own mix-tape really (The Apprentice I and II). But I’ve been on like two or three really. I did a lot of free-styling, so I’m ready to just start handing them out to different mix-tape DJ’s.
Allhiphop.com: Do you think the rap world is ready for you? Do you think that you have enough, I mean two years and you sound like that…But in your heart, do you feel that you have enough experience, or the lyrical pitch to go against some of the best of them?
Cory Gunz: There’s a lot to learn, but I’m ready for whatever comes my way. Whatever happens…happens!
Allhiphop.com: Whatever happens…happens! So that’s a good outlook. Now how difficult do you find getting into the arena, as far as getting your name out there to really bubble? Basically to the point where people really take you serious, like alright this isn’t just Peter Gunz son. He’s nice so we are not going to really base his character off his father.
Cory Gunz: That’s why my father doesn’t really stay involved with what I do, so people don’t start pointing fingers thinking he writes for me, or he has anything to do with me. But there are a lot of people trying to be in the position I’m in, as far as getting heard, getting their name out there. But it’s gonna be hard. I’m ready to put in whatever work is needed.