Cory Gunz

Cory Gunz Calls Gun Arrest 'A Big Mistake'

30 Jan 2012 12:06:56 EST

'When the smoke finally clears, people will understand what was going on,' Young Money MC tells Daily News.
By Rob Markman

Cory Gunz is out on bail, but the Young Money rapper is not out of the woods just yet.

On Saturday afternoon, Gunz was arrested in the Bronx, New York, after cops searched his backpack and found an unregistered Taurus .9mm pistol. He was charged with criminal possession of a loaded firearm and, if convicted, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of three and a half years in jail.

"This was a big mistake on my part," Gunz told the New York Daily News early Monday morning after his dad, Peter Gunz, posted the $30,000 bail. "I didn't have any intentions of harming anyone or committing a criminal activity. So many young people look up to me and I need to fight through this.

"It's been really hard, really stressful," Cory continued. "When the smoke finally clears, people will understand what was going on."

The News is reporting that Gunz (born Peter Cory Pankey Jr.), who starred in his own MTV reality show, "Son of a Gun," was nabbed around 2:30 p.m. ET in the Soundview section of the Bronx.

"It was definitely an illegal search," Cory's father told MTV News on Sunday afternoon. "To go to a precinct and see your son, your junior, in handcuffs, it's heartbreaking. Anytime you see your child in jail, in the cell, in handcuffs, it's very hard. He's walked down some of the same paths that I walked down, but you never want to see your kids go through what you went through."

Twitter has been buzzing with the news, and Cory's manager Nick Cannon used the social platform to show his support. "Great dude, just a little bad luck. @CoryGunz is holding strong and will be out shortly. Family is here if and when anything is needed," he wrote.

When he was finally released, Cory also took to Twitter.

"Home," he wrote early Monday morning. "I apologize to all of my Supporters, Friends and Family. Things Happen, No excuses. My only regret is letting ya'll down... Peace."

What do you think of how Cory Gunz is handling his arrest? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

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Cory Gunz

Young Money's Cory Gunz Arrested With A Loaded Gun

29 Jan 2012 13:34:50 EST

His dad, rapper Peter Gunz, confirms report to MTV News: 'To go to a precinct and see your son in handcuffs, it's heartbreaking.'
By Nadeska Alexis

Veteran Bronx MC Peter Gunz confirmed to MTV News early Sunday (January 29) that his son, rapper Cory Gunz, was arrested for gun possession in the Bronx, New York, on Saturday afternoon.

"The details are still sketchy, but I can confirm that he was arrested with a firearm yesterday in the Bronx," Gunz told MTV News. "They caught him around 2 p.m. in the afternoon with a loaded gun in his knapsack.

"It was definitely an illegal search," Peter added.

Gunz was unable to disclose full details on the incident just yet, but he explained the events leading up to his son's arrest. "I spoke to the arresting officer, and so far, what I'm hearing from him is that they got a phone call at the station saying they should 'look out,' " Gunz said. "According to [the officer], they didn't know he was Cory Gunz. They just saw a bunch of kids following him around.

"What I will say is that the officer that arrested Cory actually happened to be a cool dude," Gunz continued. "After arresting Cory, sitting down with him and talking, he felt bad about the situation."

The 24-year-old rapper was brought to the 43rd Precinct in the Bronx on Saturday, but officials there say he has since been transported to Central Booking, on E. 161st Street in the Bronx.

While this is Cory Gunz's first brush with the law, his father is still worried about the potential fallout from a firearm charge.

"At the end of the day, there's a reason for everything, but at the same time, in New York, it's mandatory jail time," he said. "To go to a precinct and see your son, your junior, in handcuffs, it's heartbreaking. Anytime you see your child in jail, in the cell, in handcuffs, it's very hard. He's walked down some of the same paths that I walked down, but you never want to see your kids go through what you went through.

"This is Cory's first offense, but sometimes they like to make an example out of rappers and people with any kind of celebrity to them."

In April 2011, Cory Gunz and his father starred in the six-part MTV docu-series "Son of a Gun," which charted the young rapper's rise to fame. The younger Gunz is signed to Lil Wayne's Young Money label.

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Lil Wayne Swears Off One-Hit Wonders In Young Money

10 Jun 2011 16:27:59 EDT

At the taping of his 'Unplugged,' the YM boss explains his strategies for Lil Twist, Cory Gunz and Shanell.
By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Through the years, Lil Wayne developed as an artist. The onetime neophyte of Cash Money records has grown from a slick-talking corn-rowed kid to the multi-platinum face of the label. Now, 12 years after releasing his 1999 solo debut, Wayne heads his own Young Money label, and as he explained to Sway after taping his "MTV2 Presents: Lil Wayne Unplugged," he's serious about the careful artistic development of all of his signees.

"I'm not gonna shove him in your face right now and make him a one-hit wonder," Wayne said of his "6 Foot, 7 Foot" collaborator Cory GunzCory Gunz. "He's nowhere near ready. He's gonna do this the way artists should do it, the way Drake did it.

"I'm not gonna make a one-hit wonder," Wayne repeated emphatically. "That's not what I do."

Lil Twist, who is currently finding increasing success with his latest single, "Love Affair," will not be a flash in the pan either, according to Weezy. "Twist is ready. Twist is a well-developed artist, and it's about to be Twist's turn."

The 18-year-old Dallas rapper joined the Young Money fold as a minor, but rather than have him go for the usually successful, cutesy route, Wayne chose to wait. "That's why I didn't shove Twist in nobody's face. I could've been like, 'This is our young artist'; the young, cute little artist of the label with all the adults," he said. "I could've did that, but no, we're gonna do this right. I didn't want to put him out and have him as a kid star, and sometimes you don't know what to do after that. So now he's 18, he's a teenager, and I don't even have to look at the kid-star thing."

Young Money plans to release Twist's debut album Don't Get It Twisted later this year.

Wayne expresses a similar amount of confidence in his alternative R&B female artist Shanell.

"Shanell is past ready. Actually she came into the game ready," Wayne said beaming with pride. "That was no developing; that's a superstar, that's a very talented woman. It's just that you have to properly handle her situation the right way, 'cause you don't want nobody to miss the point, and the point is, that is a very talented woman, and that's what I want everybody to see."

Don't miss "MTV2 Presents: Lil Wayne Unplugged," premiering Sunday, June 12, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on MTV2, MTV and MTV.com.

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Lil Wayne's Energy Is 'Always Up,' Cory Gunz Says

09 Mar 2011 12:38:08 EST

'Regardless if you're writing a verse for somebody else's album, write it like it's for yours,' MC tells MTV News of what he's learned from Weezy.
By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Long before Charlie Sheen proclaimed he only had one gear ("Go!"), Lil Wayne proved to be a high-octane performer. From his legendary mixtape run that saw the Cash Money rapper release a yacht-load of free material to his song-stealing cameo on DJ Khaled's posse cut "We Takin' Over," Weezy is powered like an Energizer.

It's a lesson that isn't lost on his latest protégé, Bronx rapper Cory Gunz, who guests on Lil Wayne's current banger, the rattling "6 Foot 7 Foot."

"All of his performances, whether it's a video or a live performance, his energy is always the same: It's always up," Gunz told MTV News. "If there's anything that I learned from him, it's definitely to put your heart in it. Regardless if you're writing a verse for somebody else's album, write it like it's for yours."

The upstart MC delivered for his part, with a searing verse on "6 Foot 7 Foot," which, if not song-stealing, is definitely close.

"We went straight to the studio, and Tunes [told me], 'I have something for you to hear,' and it went from there," the son of veteran New York rapper Peter Gunz told MTV News late last year. "[Wayne said], 'We gon' have to attack this.' As soon as I heard it, it was, like, instant. Some beats you hear [or] certain songs you hear in a party ... and they hit you in a certain kind of way, and that's kinda what the beat did. So we sat, and the record is now getting an amazing response. People been messing with the record, so it's dope. I'm happy to be here."

What do you think of Cory's verse on "6 Foot 7 Foot"? Let us know in the comments!

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Lil Wayne's '6 Foot 7 Foot' Video Premiere Postponed

09 Feb 2011 19:22:47 EST

Finishing touches are still being put on the clip, which was set to debut Thursday on MTV.
By Jayson Rodriguez

Lil Wayne was set to premiere the video for "6 Foot 7 Foot" on MTV this Thursday at 8 p.m. ET during the special presentation "MTV First: Lil Wayne," but the highly anticipated debut has been postponed as the finishing touches are being put on the video. To tide you over until the premiere, however, here's a little more from Wayne about how the track came together.

The song is the lead single from Weezy's forthcoming album, Tha Carter IV, the Cash Money Records superstar's first project since his release from prison in November. The rollicking track was produced by Bangladesh, who helmed Wayne's "A Milli" and features the newest Young Money addition Cory Gunz.

The upstart rapper is the progeny of veteran New York rapper Peter Gunz ("Deja Vu") and an alumnus of XXL's noted Freshmen 10 cover in 2009. According to Wayne, he placed Gunz on "6 Foot 7 Foot" to introduce his recent signee since he knew how much attention would be given to his first track. He characterized the strategy as a similar path he took with Drake and Nicki Minaj.

"You know, I put Nicki on the right songs, I put Drake on the right songs; I picked the right song," Wayne told MTV News. "It makes people pay attention ... because I know that people were waiting to see what I'll say on my first record, my first Lil Wayne record [since getting out of prison]. 'Cause, of course, I've done a bunch of features, and I'm quite sure whoever I did a feature for [before], as soon as I came home they put it out 'cause it got Wayne on here. 'He just came home, let's put it out.' So, I knew people were going to look at my first record like, 'I want to know what he's talking about on his first record.' And, I gave you the jewel at the end. It's like I'm forcing it on you, you got to hear this. It made everybody who didn't know Cory Gunz [say], 'Who is that?' "

Gunz, for his part, said when he got the call to join the track, Weezy gave him one simple edict: Attack.

"We went straight to the studio and Tunes [told me], 'I have something for you to hear,' and it went from there," Cory told MTV News in December. "[Wayne said], 'We gon' have to attack this.' As soon as I heard it, it was like instant. Some beats you hear [or] certain songs you hear in a party ... and they hit you in a certain kind of way, and that's kinda what the beat did. So we sat and the record is now getting an amazing response. People been messing with the record, so it's dope. I'm happy to be here."

No timetable has been set for the release of the "6 Foot 7 Foot" video, but we will bring you that info as soon as it is available.

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Cory Gunz Documentary 'Son Of A Gun' To Premiere On MTV

31 Jan 2011 13:07:50 EST

Exec producer Nick Cannon teaming up with Young Money MC to chart his rise in six-part show debuting on April 28.
By Jayson Rodriguez

Nick Cannon and Cory Gunz announced on Monday (January 31) that they'll premiere their new docu-series, "Son of a Gun," this April on MTV.

The long-in-the-works production will follow the latest Lil Wayne protégé's rise to fame with cameras tracking the young Bronx rapper's career; Gunz is managed by his father, veteran Bronx MC Peter Gunz. "Son of a Gun," a six-part series, debuts on Thursday, April 28, at 11 p.m. ET/PT.

"Cory's story is inspiring, one that boldly paints the many trials and tribulations he's had to endure in pursuit of his dreams," executive producer Cannon said in a statement. "I'm grateful for the access that Cory and Peter allowed us to have in order to create a series that we feel will really resonate with MTV viewers."

Before the younger Gunz inked a deal with Weezy's Young Money, the upstart rapper was signed to iconic music industry veteran Tommy Mottola's Casablanca Records. When that union proved to be fruitless, Gunz joined Def Jam Records at Jay-Z's urging.

Back in 2009, Gunz partnered with Cannon and told Mixtape Daily that he and the Nickelodeon exec had plans in place to showcase the young mixtape circuit star's skills.

"Me and Nick got a couple things under wraps," Gunz explained. "We're trying to make a couple big things happen. We're trying to do things real elegant for '09, '10 and beyond. We [got] a couple projects in the works. Nick has been real instrumental behind the scenes on the project. And he's opened a couple of doors for me. Nick is my big brother now, for real. He's opening doors for me, giving me opportunities in and out of the studio. It's about to be ugly."

Are you looking forward to Cory's MTV docu-series? Tell us in the comments!

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Cory Gunz Says Lil Wayne Told Him 'To Attack' '6'7" '

16 Dec 2010 14:49:40 EST

'Some beats you hear ... and they hit you in a certain kind of way,' the Young Money upstart tells MTV News.
By Hillary Crosley, with reporting by Sway Calloway

On Tuesday, Lil Wayne released his first post-prison song, "6'7"," a cut that features Bronx MC Cory Gunz.

The son of rapper Peter Gunz, of "Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)" fame, spoke to MTV News about the strength of producer Bangladesh's infectious "6'7" " beat.

"We went straight to the studio and Tunes [told me,] 'I have something for you to hear,' and it went from there," Cory recalled. "[Wayne said], 'We gon' have to attack this.' As soon as I heard it, it was like instant. Some beats you hear [or] certain songs you hear in a party ... and they hit you in a certain kind of way and that's kinda what the beat did. So we sat and the record is now getting an amazing response. People been messing with the record, so it's dope. I'm happy to be here."

As a Young Money artist, Gunz also said the label heads allow him creative freedom.

"Honestly, [Wayne] just told me to be me on the record," Gunz said. "He didn't tell me any specific way to write or anything to do, and that's what I really appreciate. Mack Maine and Slim, they don't never try to, like, make me do anything that would compromise how I feel about it," he added about the YM president and Cash Money boss. "They always tell me to be '100' with it and that's what me and Wayne did — we bodied the record.

As for whether fans will be able to catch all of Wayne and Cory's metaphors at first listen, the MC said fans should take their time.

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Cory Gunz Explains Delay In Signing With Lil Wayne's Young Money Label

12 May 2010 07:37:33 EDT

'I got nothing but respect for him. Free Wayne,' Gunz says of his new boss, in Mixtape Daily.
By Shaheem Reid

The O.D.: A Mixtape Daily Exclusive

Well, it took a few years, but Cory Gunz has finally signed to Lil Wayne's Young Money Entertainment. We all thought years ago — in the wake of Gunz dropping lyrics for Weezy's Tha Carter III blockbuster "A Millie" (Gunz's bars never made the album as originally planned, but it did land on mixtapes) — that Cory was going to be down with the team. ... But there was the matter of the Bronx native's recording deal with Def Jam and then President Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter.

"[There were] miscommunication issues," Cory said recently in New York about why he's just now getting down with YM and CM. "Me and other ventures, a bunch of other paperwork. [Years ago] Wayne took time out of his schedule. He was promoting Tha Carter II and he took time out of his schedule to come from 'TRL' and '106 [and Park]' and come to Sony studio; Shot out to Just Blaze. He took that and remixed it. Wayne did that for free back then. It was a situation that was supposed to go down before, but I was in paperwork with Hov at the time. One thing led to another. I was freed up and he reached out by the powers that be and now I'm here [on his label]. History is about to be made. He just kept it 100. I got nothing but respect for him. Free Wayne."

"Shout out to Wayne," he added. "Shout out to the whole Young Money family. Shout out to Mack Maine. Everybody. It's definitely official. Young Money/ Cash Money. Shout out to Wayne for giving me a shot. He kept it real. All I'mma say, that this is it. This is what it is. Everybody just better get ready."

Cory has been recording a bunch of material for an album that he had planned to title God Forgives, I Don't. That LP is now going to be an EP and will be preceded by a gaggle of mixtapes. Cory's Young Money debut LP still has no title, but Weezy will steer the ship once he gets home from prison later this year.

"Definitely. Wayne is gonna executive-produce the album," he explained. "I trust his insight. He's going to be overseeing everything. I'm gonna keep doing the things I been doing. I think that's what's gotten me noticed. I'mma just keep my grind moving. Whatever ventures I can do, I'm bringing my family through. My whole team is gonna eat. I'm just telling everybody to get ready."

Cory will have no problem getting acclimated into his new family. He has relationships with quite of few of his teammates already. "I haven't met Nicki [Minaj] yet," Gunz said. "Me and [Drake] met a while back when they was doing the I Am Music Tour in Arizona. I went over there with Shaquille, and Drake shouted me out [onstage]. It was something he didn't have to do. The fact he did that way before [I was on Young Money], I was humbled by that. As far as Jae Millz, me and Millz — had a relationship before all of this. I went on my first road tour with Millz. I talk to Chuckee and Twist a lot. Mack, of course, I talk to. Gudda is family, Short [Dawg]. Shout out to T-Streets too."

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines or follow the Mixtape Daily team on Twitter: @shaheemreid and @mongosladenyc.

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Lil Wayne Shouts Out Justin Bieber, Cory Gunz On Ustream

08 Mar 2010 13:33:00 EST

Weezy says Gunz is joining Young Money in one of several videos made before Monday's sentencing.
By Shaheem Reid

Lil Wayne should be touching down in New York City for his jail sentencing on Monday (March 8). In the morning, his videographer and photographer, DJ Scoob Doo, posted notice on Twitter that they were about to take off from Miami to the Big Apple. Scoob also put up photos of their private jet.

On Friday night, Wayne again appeared in front of the cameras, via Ustream, using Young Money member Lil Twist's account. Wayne, Scoob and Twist sat down for dinner at Weezy's Miami mansion and went live around 8:45 p.m.

"Jay-Z had a concert at Madison Square Garden," Wayne said to the viewers, recalling the show he attended the night after a courthouse fire delayed his sentencing. "Jay-Z and Young Jeezy. I had an opportunity to go out there on Young Jeezy's set and perform 'I'm Goin' In.' It was surprise to the crowd because they didn't know I was there. I was supposed to go in [to jail that day]. Nicki Minaj blessed the stage first on that 'Bedrock.' When I say blessed the stage, she blessed it. Looking immaculate. Then I came up there.

"I just ran out there and performed," he added. "After I performed, Drake came out there and performed his verse. They went extra bananas. Then Jeezy performed his verse. They went stupid. It was an amazing moment."

From there, Wayne went on to marvel at all the women responding to him on Ustream that said they wanted to have sex with him. The New Orleans superstar also gave a plethora of shout-outs to the viewers as well as to some of his famous friends.

"Shout out my n---a Justin Bieber," he said, continuing his public conversation with the teen sensation.

Wayne also revealed a new addition to his label of talented artists. "Shout out to my n---a Cory Gunz, about to be the newest member of the Young Money team."

A couple of years ago, Gunz answered the call from Wayne to lay a verse on "A Milli," though Gunz's rhymes never made it on the album. The two apparently ran into each other last week in Miami and talked about officially joining forces, but a formal deal has not yet been completed.

Gunz tweeted over the weekend, "LOL. Young Money!!!!!!"

Wayne, who has been tweeting frequently and posting other Ustreams over the weekend, is expected to be sentenced to a year in prison on gun-possession charges.

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Cory Gunz Talks Reality Show With Nick Cannon, Mixtape With DJ Drama

20 Jul 2009 06:51:00 EDT

Bronx MC tells Mixtape Daily his upcoming show is 'about bringing hip-hop back and taking it all the way to the top.'
By Shaheem Reid

Cory Gunz was born to be nice on the mic. Just like current WWE Champion Randy Orton (son of grappling legend Cowboy Bob Orton), Cory's lineage has nourished his love for hip-hop his entire life. Years ago, Peter Gunz brought a 15-year-old Cory up to the MTV offices. Cory was shy when it came to talking, but when asked to rap, he unleashed the beast.

Since then, Cory has been proving himself on every street DVD, mixtape and even in the boardroom, with execs like Jay-Z — and in the studio with MCs like Lil' Wayne and Tony Yayo. The only thing that's missing is that debut LP — Cory says it's coming soon, but in the meantime he has more checks to cash and more blocks to feed with his mixtapes.

This Week's Main Pick

Street King: Cory Gunz

Mix Masters: DJ Drama and Head Debiase

Holding It Down For: The Bronx

Mixtape: Heir to the Throne

Real Spit: Cory Gunz is obviously doing something extremely right. So many heavyweights have wanted to put their muscle behind him at one time or another. Jay-Z, L.A. Reid, Tommy Mottola — and we don't even need to mention Gunz's god-pop, Shaquille O'Neal.

The new cat in Cory's corner is Hollywood renaissance man Nick Cannon. Cannon is overseeing Cory's debut LP, as well as producing a reality-TV show for the Bronx rhyme animal.

"It's about bringing hip-hop back and taking it all the way to the top," Cannon told us about the show.

"Me and Nick got a couple things under wraps," Gunz explained, standing in front of the new Yankee Stadium last week. "We're trying to make a couple big things happen. We're trying to do things real elegant for '09, '10 and beyond. We caught a couple projects in the works. Nick has been real instrumental behind the scenes on the project. And he's opened a couple of doors for me. Nick is my big brother now, for real. He's opening doors for me, giving me opportunities in and out of the studio. It's about to be ugly."

Cory, Cannon and even Gunz's dad Peter were all in the studio last week working, and while the official album cooks up, the 22-year-old legacy MC continues to thrive off his street and Internet popularity. Every Tuesday, he lets a new freestyle out on RapRadar.com, and he just released a new mixtape called Heir to the Throne.

Every year we see each other, every event, when he was DJing the BET Hip-Hop Awards, he said, 'That's it. From this point on, we gonna keep in contact. We gonna get this tape done.' It was a given. We exchanged numbers."

Still, Cory was surprised a few months later when Drama hit him up out of the blue and said, "Let's make it happen."

"I went to Atlanta, shot a couple of videos out there with their artist Lonnie B," Cory said. "[Originally] I found myself falling into the trap of sounding like everybody else [with a Southern flow]. I had to fall back and bring it back to the essence of where I'm from a little bit. People will appreciate that when they hear it. The beats is gonna be crazy, and the lyrics is more what I want y'all to listen to."

Gunz retooled and recorded some new tracks. Now he's ready. Look for more music from Gunz's clique members on his own Militia Music as well.

Joints To Check For

» "Let's Move It" freestyles. "My pops!" Cory says about how he got put up on Special Ed's 1990 hit "Come On, Let's Move It." Gunz rapped over the beat for his track. "I grew up on this. Hip-hop, I love it. I got roots in the game. So I grew up listening to all of the greats. Special Ed, Big Daddy Kane, Eric B. and Rakim. Anybody that had fire out. KRS-One. When I heard that [Special Ed] joint, my pop played it in the truck for me recently. It stuck out to me so crazy. I was like, 'Why didn't nobody touch this?' I know Missy [Elliott] did something to it at one point in one of her videos. She spliced it up. But that record is ridiculous. It sounds real militant to me. It's real hip-hop. Back to the essence. When that beat comes on, it's universal. Anywhere that joint comes on, it's pandemonium.

" 'Let's move it,' I was just having fun," he added. "Going where he went with it, I paid respect. It wouldn't be right if you didn't pay respects to the person whose record it was. I flipped a couple of his phrases, his quotes, his punch lines and incorporated it in a rhyme somewhat. I was having fun, showing people what I do."

» "Big Noise." "[We used] 'We Will Rock You.' I'm not even gonna lie. It wasn't supposed to be going to the tape, but we're gonna shoot a crazy street video for it," Cory said. "You remember the Queen record. ... It's a stadium anthem. When it comes on anywhere, [they go crazy]. I actually flipped a version for the [Cleveland Cavaliers]."

» "Cannon." "It was produced by S. Dot and A-Pro," Gunz said. "A lot of people gonna think [DJ Don] Cannon did it because it has that drop on there. When I heard that record, it reminded so much of, like, that insanity, when-it-comes-you-can't-deny-it kind of feel. It has that bounce to it. It's crazy.

"People don't be listening to me," Cory added. "A lot dudes don't sit and listen. They listen to the flow; they don't listen to what I say. They say, 'He be rapping too fast.' That's another thing I did on this mixtape: slowing my flow down. I wanna see what dudes' excuses are when they can hear me crystal-clear, word for word. I wanna see what they gonna say."

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.

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