He got a major-label deal on Tommy Mottola’s Casablanca Records and a May release date for his debut, The Commencement. Corey Gunz is out to make his mark...
The son of Peter Gunz, half of the duo who recorded one of New York’s biggest anthems, “Déjà Vu (Uptown Baby)” is also a rapper. Not just an on the block battling rapper. Gunz got a major-label deal on Tommy Mottola’s Casablanca Records and a May release date for his debut, The Commencement. All that and he’s only 17.
HipHopDX sat down with Peter Gunz’s son to talk about having his pops go pop, his meeting with Mottola and how he got signed after dropping one mixtape.
You must have been little when your dad dropped “Déjà Vu (Uptown Baby).” How was that for you?
It was weird. It was kind of awkward but it was fun because I wanted to rap also. Just growing up having him out it helped me in a way because now a lot of people that I’m in the business getting introduced to have relationships with my father. So business is a lot easier.
Do people in the industry treat you differently because of who your dad is?
They definitely do. Cause my father had an anthem. That was New York’s anthem for a long time. It was known all over. A lot of people that know my father, know of the song and know me. It’s cool. Me coming up with him having that big song and having that impact on the Bronx, it was fun.
Do you feel pressure following in his footsteps?
I do because it’s going to be hard to top that. That record is huge. That was an anthem. I feel that nobody can top that record, especially in hip-hop. That was one of the best records ever.
Is your dad one of your lyrical influences? And who are some others?
Yeah, my dad, Jay-Z, Eminem, Nas, Ludacris, my dad’s partner, my uncle Lord Tariq.
Did your dad and uncle ever give you tips or were they hands off?
Hands off. They tell me certain things like if we’re in the studio and he doesn’t like the way I said something, he’ll tell me you should say it like this. He gives his opinion but he’s also a good listener.
Does your dad also help you out on the business end?
Yeah, he shows me a lot. Music-wise, he’s hands off. Business-wise he takes care of me. Nobody better than your father. Because he’s not going to do me wrong. I got a strong family behind me.
I know my dad told me not to choose the career that he chose. Did your dad ever advise you against being a rapper?
Yes, he does. That’s why he’s behind me trying to make sure I go the right way about everything.
When did you decide to pursue a career as a rapper?
I love performing. And I love the studio. When I was younger I always wanted to rap and I started when I was about 11-12. I didn’t really start writing my own stuff and being serious about it, wanting to become a rap artist until I was 14.
Have you always loved to write?
I write a lot. Most of my music is things that I see or things that I’ve been through. So I write a lot of poetry. That’s how I really started. I wrote short stories and poetry in school and a lot of my teachers would say my essays and reports I did really well. I’m a writer. I write every night.
Does the rest of your family, besides pops support you? Are there any other entertainers in the family?
My brother and sisters are supportive. My little brother wants to rap now. My little sister wants to dance my other one wants to sing. They all love entertainment. My family is behind me 100%. Anything I need they tell me I could go to them.
How did you get your deal with Tommy Mottola’s Casablanca Records?
Mixtapes, the streets. We flooded the streets with mixtapes and I was featured on different ones. There was a DVD called Smack DVD that was really popular. I put out my own mixtape called The Apprentice. That got a heavy buzz. That’s what landed us the deal.
Were you nervous at all meeting Mottola?
I was excited. I wasn’t nervous. I was excited about doing the deal with them because they were the first label that understood me. Nobody else understood that the things I rap about would be believable to an older audience. They understood where I was coming from.
How did you pick the producers that you worked with on your debut, The Commencement?
Some people we would run into and they would have tracks already. These are people that I requested, that looked out because a lot of producers, especially ones with names don’t like to work with new artists. Producers don’t want to work with you unless you have a name for yourself. I got Nottz, Hi-Tek, Denaun Porter, Ryan Lesley -- who’s signed to my label, Casablanca Rockwilder, Trackmasters, Rodney Jerkins did the single “Shake,” and we’re looking at Scott Storch.
What collaborations do you have on there?
Aside from my crew The Militia, Peter Gunz, Lord Tariq, maybe Game on a chorus and we’re looking at Jadakiss. That’s it so far.
Do you have plans to do other things besides rap?
I love movies. It would most likely be acting. I’m definitely looking to start my label.
Do you tour?
I just came back from a promo tour. It’s fun. You get to hang out and get to know each other better. It’s a real cool experience to get to know all your friends and go on the road with people you want to take with you. And just to get to go around and see the sights. Leave the block for once. Be open-minded.
Do you miss school when you tour?
I’m home-schooled. I have a year left.
Who is on your wish list of rappers you want to work with?
It’s not really a problem who I want to work with. I’ll work with anybody.
Do you ever worry that you’re missing out on being a kid – that you’re growing up too fast?
This is what I want. This is the best thing that ever happened to me. A lot of kids are dreaming of being in the position I’m in. It’s a dream come true.
The son of Peter Gunz, half of the duo who recorded one of New York’s biggest anthems, “Déjà Vu (Uptown Baby)” is also a rapper. Not just an on the block battling rapper. Gunz got a major-label deal on Tommy Mottola’s Casablanca Records and a May release date for his debut, The Commencement. All that and he’s only 17.
HipHopDX sat down with Peter Gunz’s son to talk about having his pops go pop, his meeting with Mottola and how he got signed after dropping one mixtape.
You must have been little when your dad dropped “Déjà Vu (Uptown Baby).” How was that for you?
It was weird. It was kind of awkward but it was fun because I wanted to rap also. Just growing up having him out it helped me in a way because now a lot of people that I’m in the business getting introduced to have relationships with my father. So business is a lot easier.
Do people in the industry treat you differently because of who your dad is?
They definitely do. Cause my father had an anthem. That was New York’s anthem for a long time. It was known all over. A lot of people that know my father, know of the song and know me. It’s cool. Me coming up with him having that big song and having that impact on the Bronx, it was fun.
Do you feel pressure following in his footsteps?
I do because it’s going to be hard to top that. That record is huge. That was an anthem. I feel that nobody can top that record, especially in hip-hop. That was one of the best records ever.
Is your dad one of your lyrical influences? And who are some others?
Yeah, my dad, Jay-Z, Eminem, Nas, Ludacris, my dad’s partner, my uncle Lord Tariq.
Did your dad and uncle ever give you tips or were they hands off?
Hands off. They tell me certain things like if we’re in the studio and he doesn’t like the way I said something, he’ll tell me you should say it like this. He gives his opinion but he’s also a good listener.
Does your dad also help you out on the business end?
Yeah, he shows me a lot. Music-wise, he’s hands off. Business-wise he takes care of me. Nobody better than your father. Because he’s not going to do me wrong. I got a strong family behind me.
I know my dad told me not to choose the career that he chose. Did your dad ever advise you against being a rapper?
Yes, he does. That’s why he’s behind me trying to make sure I go the right way about everything.
When did you decide to pursue a career as a rapper?
I love performing. And I love the studio. When I was younger I always wanted to rap and I started when I was about 11-12. I didn’t really start writing my own stuff and being serious about it, wanting to become a rap artist until I was 14.
Have you always loved to write?
I write a lot. Most of my music is things that I see or things that I’ve been through. So I write a lot of poetry. That’s how I really started. I wrote short stories and poetry in school and a lot of my teachers would say my essays and reports I did really well. I’m a writer. I write every night.
Does the rest of your family, besides pops support you? Are there any other entertainers in the family?
My brother and sisters are supportive. My little brother wants to rap now. My little sister wants to dance my other one wants to sing. They all love entertainment. My family is behind me 100%. Anything I need they tell me I could go to them.
How did you get your deal with Tommy Mottola’s Casablanca Records?
Mixtapes, the streets. We flooded the streets with mixtapes and I was featured on different ones. There was a DVD called Smack DVD that was really popular. I put out my own mixtape called The Apprentice. That got a heavy buzz. That’s what landed us the deal.
Were you nervous at all meeting Mottola?
I was excited. I wasn’t nervous. I was excited about doing the deal with them because they were the first label that understood me. Nobody else understood that the things I rap about would be believable to an older audience. They understood where I was coming from.
How did you pick the producers that you worked with on your debut, The Commencement?
Some people we would run into and they would have tracks already. These are people that I requested, that looked out because a lot of producers, especially ones with names don’t like to work with new artists. Producers don’t want to work with you unless you have a name for yourself. I got Nottz, Hi-Tek, Denaun Porter, Ryan Lesley -- who’s signed to my label, Casablanca Rockwilder, Trackmasters, Rodney Jerkins did the single “Shake,” and we’re looking at Scott Storch.
What collaborations do you have on there?
Aside from my crew The Militia, Peter Gunz, Lord Tariq, maybe Game on a chorus and we’re looking at Jadakiss. That’s it so far.
Do you have plans to do other things besides rap?
I love movies. It would most likely be acting. I’m definitely looking to start my label.
Do you tour?
I just came back from a promo tour. It’s fun. You get to hang out and get to know each other better. It’s a real cool experience to get to know all your friends and go on the road with people you want to take with you. And just to get to go around and see the sights. Leave the block for once. Be open-minded.
Do you miss school when you tour?
I’m home-schooled. I have a year left.
Who is on your wish list of rappers you want to work with?
It’s not really a problem who I want to work with. I’ll work with anybody.
Do you ever worry that you’re missing out on being a kid – that you’re growing up too fast?
This is what I want. This is the best thing that ever happened to me. A lot of kids are dreaming of being in the position I’m in. It’s a dream come true.
