Talk about a comeback. Peter Gunz gained national attention alongside Lord Tariq in the late ‘90s with “Déjà Vu (Uptown Baby),”—an ode to his hometown, the Bronx, New York. While he’s collaborated with artists like Big Pun, Fat Joe, Mariah Carey and KRS-One, he hasn’t been a household name in over a decade. Nowadays, the platinum-selling artist is busy juggling a wife (and a wifey), dishing drama on VH1’s “Love & Hip New York,” and managing the careers of Amina (the wife, not wifey), Jibreel and his son, Cory Gunz.
While he’s discovered newfound relevance within the realm of Hip Hop, he’s not necessarily trying to find his way back to the top of the charts in 2013. And he’s fine with that.
“I know I can stand toe to toe with some of hottest dudes out, but not I’m not out here for that,” the elder Gunz said, during a stop at Cipha Sounds’ “Take It Personal” Improv showcase. “I would make music if there was nothing involved. It’s a hobby. I write rhymes, I make music, and I’m a musician. I play guitar, keys. I was a musician before Hip Hop.”
HipHopDX caught up with the Grammy-nominated and trained musician to discuss the state of New York Hip Hop, Cory’s career and what’s next for him. Uptown Baby!
Peter Gunz Reveals Intentionally Lowering Cory Gunz’s Visibility
HipHopDX: So what’s going on with Cory?
Peter Gunz: Cory’s signed to Young Money, but he got caught with a firearm in the Bronx. He was facing a three to nine [year sentence], but the judge came down to a two-and-a half [years]. It was Cory’s first offense. He’s never been in trouble, so I was trying to get them to move that off the table. But you know, when you’re a rapper, black and… They’re just hard on guns in the city. So, Young Money put up a lot of money, we fought and I kept Cory quiet. He didn’t put out a lot of music. We smoldered him. When you making noise and you’re popping, that’s when they make an example of you. So we either had to keep him hot and he got his ass in jail or cool him off and try to get him hot again. But now that he’s got probation, he’s out in Miami trying to work on records and get himself up again.
HipHopDX: How did he feel about you on “Love & Hip Hop?”
Peter Gunz: He wasn’t really happy, and he didn’t know about all my shenanigans. Cory’s a junior so it affects him. What I do affects him. I’ve seen him arguing with people on Twitter, Instagram, the blogs and stuff. I was like, “Man, let ‘em talk.”
HipHopDX: Where do you see him going?
Peter Gunz: Cory’s just a lyricist, and he won’t bend. If he went in the studio and did a “1,2,3, ABC / I’m down with Young Money,” who fucking knows? He’d probably be a star by now. But he won’t bend from being a lyricist. We have to hope that people go back to wanting to hear from spitters, and not need to hear a hot, finger snap record. Cory’s sticking to his guns—no pun intended—and trying to be a lyricist. He deserves it. He’s been doing this for a long time. He’s in my top five favorite lyricists and not just because he’s my son. He can stand next to the best of them. I’m going to die trying to make sure he gets his shot.
Peter Gunz Tells New York Rappers, “Stop Crying.”
HipHopDX: What do you feel about state of New York Rap?
Peter Gunz: New York rappers got to stop crying. My mom use to say, “That rapping and stuff you all doing now is not do-wop,” but now we sound like them. Ah, the stuff they’re doing is not good. Go recreate, reinvent. Don’t try and bring the ‘90s back. Try to find a new sound. Try something new.
HipHopDX: What about you?
Peter Gunz: I have a few things to say. I have a few things left in the tank that I’m going to release. The difference between me and the average rapper is that if you like it, you like it and if you don’t, you don’t. I know I can stand toe-to-toe with some of hottest dudes out, but not I’m not out here for that. I would make music if there was nothing involved. It’s a hobby. I write rhymes, I make music, and I’m a musician. I play guitar, keys. I was a musician before Hip Hop.
RELATED: Cory Gunz “Datz WTF I’m Talkin Bout” Cover Art, Tracklist, Download & Mixtape Stream [News]
he is right you have those meanstreaam faggots from new york who sound dirty south and the underground is trying to sounds like the 90’s. Recreate you lazy money hungry bastards!
Google Cory Gunz & you’ll see exactly what his ol’ man is talkin’ bout!
Who are these rappers he can supposedly stand toe to toe with? lol
Yo Miley need to get on dat up town remix ASAP she be reppin dat 2013 gangsta sheeeeit. East side all day niggaz
Great Look That Cory Won’t Have To Bid.
That Kid Got Talent.
Peter Gunz Wildin Wit His Love Life.
But He Knows It Makes For Good TV So…
mmm hmmmm …
Fuck use is a gun if its zipped up in a bag on ur back prolly the dumbest gun charge I heard of in hip hop was cory’s one
Who the fuck IS this niggas?
That was a sh*tty interview. He didn’t really divulge anything worth knowing. Is he saying that he has a wife and a girl on the side?
“We smoldered him. When you making noise and youre popping, thats when they make an example of you. So we either had to keep him hot and he got his ass in jail or cool him off and try to get him hot again.”
yeah right nigguh he wasnt even hot when he got caught with the gun
look at those two white boys…
his son looks white? very strange
His father is light skin, and chances are, so is his mother.
til I saw the draft ov $5580, I did not believe …that…my neighbour was actualie bringing in money part time at there labtop.. there brothers friend has done this 4 only twenty three months and by now took care of the debts on their cottage and got a great new Peugeot 205 GTi. Learn More… http://www.Fb39.com
Beyonce article on a HipHop website? Can we get some Keisha Cole and Mary J too or are they not HipHop like Beyonce is?
Peter was much more better rapper than his son. Too bad he’s just a one hit wonder. Btw this interview is a nothing.
one more hit than you then, huh?
Look at all the Salty minorities hating on their own because he’s in front of a camera and your in front of your computer. SMH!
who
are
these
unknown
niggas?
l.
m.
f.
a.
o.
cory gun’s forehead looks crazy. nigga need to just go bald
These two look like Malvo and Muhammad.
For you dudes who don’t these dudes were not one hit wonders. They were involved with a major gang boss in the Bronx N.Y. and got dropped from columbia records by the FEDS and been blacklisted ever since. Its hard for hardcore street dudes to get record deals out of New York ever since early 90’s.
YES they are one hit wonders. They had 1 album in 1998 MAKE IT RAIN!!!!!!!!!!!! Hardcore street dudes can get a record deal! Never heard of Ruthles Records or Deathrow Records, they were founded with criminal money. so fuck off!
Corey looks like a retarded umpalumpa
Who are peter Gunz and Lord Tariq? One hit wonder! And his gay son signed a deal with wack ass YMCMB
Some of you niggas the same reason hip hop is dead. Y’all don’t even know who Peter Gunz is? Fuckin lames. Buncha chief keef Stans. Peter Gunz an Lord Tariq had one of the dopest songs in the 90’s and a platinum record. Cory is one of the best spittas out there. Most of you fags be on that elementary rap shit. Y’all the niggas that make rap trash these days. Rappers ain’t even gotta go 100% anymore cause you homos eat up the wackest shit. SMFH!!!
tht record was hot for its time but a “dope” record?? I jus went back an looked at the video its really not a hot, live, jumping song but ok tho..
Compared to what rappers are capable of today, naw it can’t be considered dope. But it was a dope track back in the day.
Corey sound like lil wayne
this dude is a str8 CLOWN, he’s corny as fuk. some 1 commented “he had 1 of the hottest songs of the 90’s” REALLY???? that shit was trash and he never got paid.
dude is a BUM who needs 2 grow the fuk up.
Well, actually, he *did* have one of the hottest songs of the 90s, that’s not just talk. Deja Vu was in the top ten of the Billboard charts back in 1998. I don’t know why people still care about this one-hit wonder, or why this dude is acting like an overgrown teenager… but he *did* have a hit.
His son got some big teeth…got daaamn!
Cory need to drop a new single!
http://www.youngmoneyhq.com/artists/cory-gunz/
No just no