ROC Solid w/ Memphis Bleek: Cory Gunz (November 18, 2025)

Main Theme:
Hip-hop legends Memphis Bleek and Cory Gunz break down untold Roc-A-Fella stories, industry moves, lyrical influences, the Young Money run, and the responsibility of keeping New York’s essence alive in rap. It's a raw, familial conversation about coming up in hip-hop, success, evolving, and what’s next—for both artists and the culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Giving Flowers & Mutual Influence

Timestamps: 04:28–07:34

• Cory Gunz opens by giving props to Memphis Bleek’s new album and legacy:
  • "The outro, you talking that.. the intro, you talking that. 'You Should Know By Now' is probably my favorite song of the year, my brother."
    — Cory Gunz (04:36)
• Bleek shares how fans wanted closure with his music as he matured:
  • "You put out all dope albums. But...you left us hanging. You never gave us no closure." (04:56)
• Gunz discusses early influences, studying Memphis Bleek’s music and ciphers, and how Bleek shaped the street sound:
  • "All your beats, you got the air that pick the beats the streets and people want to rap to." (06:43)
• Both reflect on full-circle moments, especially with their fathers’ support, highlighting familial and generational ties in hip-hop.

2. Coming Up at Baseline, the Roc-A-Fella Experience

Timestamps: 07:35–13:44

• Cory recounts being signed young (17) and the heavy presence at Baseline studios:
  • Surrounded by heavyweights—Jay-Z, Young Guru, Saigon, True Life, J. Cole, Wale, Jeezy.
• Gunz details lessons from Jay and Bleek, especially about financial literacy:
  • "You get your money, get your property, get that crib ... make sure that shit is better than when you went there...you sell it for more." (10:43)
• The studio atmosphere: a place of silence and learning for Cory, absorbing game and history—inclusive of legendary moments like Jay recording "Go Crazy" (14:12).

3. Lyrical Style: Being Ahead of the Game

Timestamps: 15:02–17:39

• Bleek and Cory dive deep into rhyme style—feeling misunderstood at times, being called too "sophisticated":
  • "It’s certain ways you got to do certain things...I don’t think people are stupid though."
    — Cory Gunz (16:00–17:15)
• The conversation compares Jay-Z’s "money talk" being misunderstood to Cory’s lyrical density.
• Bleek praises Cory’s verse on "A Milli", and they break down wordplay:
  • "Word to my mama, I’m out of my llama bean. You don't know what the Dramamine..." (18:56)
  • Cory shares the backstory—Dramamine was for car sickness as a child, showing how real-life influences bars (19:12–20:29).

4. Young Money, The Industry, and Career Expectations

Timestamps: 27:59–31:51

• Bleek clarifies: Cory’s legacy predates and transcends his Young Money association.
• Cory shares the real story of how Wayne personally reached out—pulling up to his block, showing genuine interest but respecting his Roc ties:
  • "He was like, 'I ain’t stepping on the big homie toes...whatever you need from me, we got you.'" (31:05)
• They discuss catching industry "waves," and how the commercial explosion of Nicki Minaj and Drake made it hard for other Young Money artists to get the same push—a parallel to Bleek’s own Roc-A-Fella experience (33:01–35:11).

5. Defining Success & the Next Chapter

Timestamps: 35:11–38:27

• Mutual respect and recognition from the "goats" means more to Cory than numbers:
  • "Everybody that I listened to growing up and that inspired and influenced me told me I was dope." (35:40)
• Cory’s new goal: “I want to be the reason somebody’s great. I want to inspire.” (37:10)

6. New York’s Impact & Legacy

Timestamps: 38:27–44:14

• Extended homage to NY spitters, the pressure of coming from the BX/Brooklyn:
  • Bleek: "It’s only one other artist...that got the illest flows other than you...Big Daddy Kane is number one..." (38:27)
  • "When you come from New York, your skin is a different level of tough." — Cory Gunz (42:55)

7. Club Culture, City Stories & Touring Tales

Timestamps: 44:14–49:41

• Club memories: from the Tunnel to Skate Key and Speed; reminiscing about “Mine Right” blowing up and what makes a hit in NYC.
  • "That was the moment when I knew I’m here." — Memphis Bleek (47:16)
• Cory shares he missed out on some classic club scenes due to age but absorbed NY lore through his pops and hip-hop.

8. Global Hip-Hop & Travel

Timestamps: 58:31–66:11

• Cory is surprised at his following in Australia and Bleek affirms international love for real hip-hop.
• Travel stories and bucket list cities—Italy, Africa, and the importance of seeing the world beyond the stage.
• Bleek: "Success is happiness...as happy as you can be with the decisions and choices in life, where you at, that’s successful." (51:22)

9. Future Moves, Business, and Giving Back

Timestamps: 49:41–54:10, 73:32–81:33

• Cory’s plans: more music, branching into film & food (wants to do something with pizza), and focusing on health and fitness.
• He intends to game up the next generation, pushing artists under his wing, and keeping his core team together ("the militia").
• Bleek and Cory reflect on business, real estate, and seizing opportunities in the culture beyond music—a masterclass in longevity.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Influence:
  "All your beats, for some reason you got the air that pick the beats the streets and people want to rap to."
  — Cory Gunz [06:43]

• On Real Advice:
  "You get your money, get your property, get that crib...make sure that shit is better...after you make it better, you sell it for more."
  — Memphis Bleek (as recalled by Gunz) [10:43]

• On Being Ahead:
  "Sometimes I did get a little discouraged when I hear somebody telling me, like, you got to chill, slow down...but I don’t think people are stupid though."
  — Cory Gunz [16:57]

• On Respect from Legends:
  "Everybody that I listen to, that inspired me and influenced me in ways, I was able to...hear them or see them...say, 'you know, that nigga is different. He nice.'"
  — Cory Gunz [36:38]

• On Club Pressure:
  "You ain’t never heard a play with Corey. Not no gun. They play with guns, but they don’t play with these guns."
  — Memphis Bleek [41:19]

• On NY Scene:
  "When you come from New York, your skin is a different level of tough ... If you able to make it, your skin is a different level of tough."
  — Cory Gunz [42:55]

• On Defining Success:
  "Success is happiness. If you could go to sleep with a smile on your face and know you did everything you wanted to do...that’s success."
  — Memphis Bleek [51:22]

• On Inspiration and Legacy:
  "My main thing I always want to do: I want to be the reason that somebody is great. I want to inspire."
  — Cory Gunz [37:10]

What’s New & What’s Next

Cory Gunz:

• Releasing “Lucy Pack 4” [52:02]
• Working on new music, with bro Wayne (Lil Wayne) and his team (“the militia”—Reese, Dash, Lansky, Whispers).
• Pursuing business ventures: film, food (pizza), and health/fitness.
• "I want to tap into films...food...working out...health and fitness...pizza and some movies—my two biggest things." [49:41]

Memphis Bleek:

• Pushing his album, reflecting on legacy, and considering a collaborative project (possibly with Cool & Dre).

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Giving Flowers & Influence: 04:28–07:34
• Baseline/Roc-A-Fella Stories: 07:35–13:44
• Advice & Jay-Z Memories: 10:43–14:56
• Rhyme Sophistication & A Milli: 15:02–22:45
• Young Money & Industry: 27:59–35:24
• Defining Success & Goals: 35:11–38:27, 37:10
• New York Hip-Hop / Legacy: 38:27–44:14
• Club Stories & Touring: 44:14–49:41
• Future Moves / Business: 49:41–54:10
• Travel, Life Lessons: 58:31–66:11
• Mentorship & Legacy: 73:32–81:33

Final Vibe

The episode is a masterclass in hip-hop heritage—intimate, playful, and real. Bleek and Gunz trade gems, celebrate New York’s unique pressure-cooker influence, honor their families, and pave the way for those coming up. It’s all about passing down knowledge, upholding authenticity, and staying "ROC Solid"—no matter how the industry or life shifts.

"You my brother for life. It’s militia forever...You always a roc boy."
— Memphis Bleek (85:43)

Listen if you care about hip-hop legacy, real talk, and the threads that bind the game together.