ROC Solid with Memphis Bleek

Episode: Peter Gunz | ROC Solid w/ Memphis Bleek
Date: December 30, 2025
Podcast: ROC Solid (The Black Effect/iHeartPodcasts)

Overview

In this episode of ROC Solid, host Memphis Bleek sits down with Bronx hip-hop legend Peter Gunz for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about growing up in New York, the realities of the music industry, his family legacy, life lessons, and his ventures in television and media. The discussion blends personal stories, hip-hop history, and advice, all in an unfiltered, authentic Roc-a-Fella tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Peter Gunz’s Upbringing and Musical Roots

• Early Life in the Bronx
  • Peter paints a vivid picture of growing up surrounded by music, hardship, and resilience, crediting his family and neighborhood for his musical foundation (05:41).
  • “My moms and pops was into different types of music. 50s, doo wop, jazz... always around the house. So I’m a musician first, a lot of people don’t know.” – Peter Gunz (05:50)
• The Other Side of the 1980s
  • He candidly describes the impact of addiction and poverty on his family, balancing honest reflection with humor.
  • “My 80s was the other side of that. There’s another side to that story people never talk about.” – Peter Gunz (06:13)
• Influence of Bronx Hip-Hop Pioneers
  • Grew up idolizing Grandmaster Caz and the Cold Crush Brothers, even naming his son Kaz out of admiration.
  • “I idolized Grandmaster Caz. I even named my son Kaz after him.” – Peter Gunz (07:12)

2. Journey to Hip-Hop Success

• Early Groups and Linking with Lord Tariq
  • Discusses his crew "Gun Runners," the chemistry with Lord Tariq, and the origins of their collaboration (10:08).
  • “We was like Wu-Tang before Wu-Tang…the same plan. All was seven of us.” – Peter Gunz (10:13)
• Breakout Hit: “Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)”
  • The unexpected, organic success story behind the classic New York anthem (13:28).
  • “I thought the record was a local Bronx...if just the Bronx, you know, in the clubs, that’s all I saw...Who would think a record like that [would blow]? Me, not at all.” – Peter Gunz (13:40)
  • “LL Cool J was like, my...If you do that, I’m not gonna speak to you again. He wanted the authenticity of it.” – Peter Gunz (15:46)

3. Dealing with Fame, Money, and the Industry

• Navigating New Money and Distractions
  • Peter and Bleek share stories about the derailments that come with sudden wealth.
  • “Every artist, I think that happened…I made it, I don’t gotta work no more.” – Memphis Bleek (13:00)
• Working with Shaquille O’Neal
  • Peter recounts collaborating with Shaq and the wild story of Shaq helping him out of legal trouble (16:10–19:23).
  • “Shaq is one of those people would never be…He’s still lit. He’s still super.” – Peter Gunz (19:28)
  • Notable: Peter almost missed the opportunity due to probation, but Shaq intervened with authorities (18:42).

4. Transition to Television and Media

• Love & Hip Hop Reality TV Experience
  • Peter opens up about joining VH1’s Love & Hip Hop and the personal/cultural fallout, including how he brought authenticity rather than manufactured drama (30:30–37:07).
  • “I just didn’t think about everybody else…my friends, family...my daughter got into fights at school, ‘cause people was like, your father’s…” – Peter Gunz (33:31)
  • “90% of what you’ve seen on Peter Gunz on that show is Peter Gunz.” – Peter Gunz (34:42)
• The Creep Squad Legacy and Critique
  • Humorous yet insightful discussion on reality TV’s editing and narrative manipulation, and Peter’s regret of not “faking” his story for the cameras.
  • “A lot of niggas go in there with fake stories. I regret not doing that because, you know, I gave one the real.” – Peter Gunz (36:39)
• Becoming the Host of Cheaters
  • Addresses the irony of him (a known "creep") hosting “Cheaters” and the response from the public and network brass (40:46–45:41).
  • “Who better to go after you than me? I know all the tricks.” – Peter Gunz (41:14)
  • On resistance to his hosting internationally: “I lost three countries, two continents because I hired a black host…” – Peter Gunz (45:12)

5. Fatherhood, Family, and Legacy

• Raising Cory Gunz
  • Peter reflects on raising his son, noted lyricist Cory Gunz, as a single father with the help of his own mother (57:32).
  • “Cory would be in the studio everything. And Cory was studying the best, man. I only listened to lyricists.” – Peter Gunz (57:52)
  • On not wanting his son in the rap game: “This business could be fucked up. You don’t want your kid to go through highs and lows in this business.” (58:23)
  • Notable moment: Peter describes passing up “dumbing down” Cory’s skill for industry expectations and appreciates Guru’s support (68:57–70:49).
• Strong Co-Parenting & Family Structure
  • Bleek compliments Peter's "two good mothers" and the challenge of fathering a large family (56:41).
  • “I got ten kids. I had kids before those kids. Cory is…” – Peter Gunz (56:42)

6. Securing Growth Beyond Hip-Hop

• Entering Media for Practical Reasons
  • Refers to financial motivation for expanding into television—“I went to the ATM one day and that told me to get the fuck out of here.” – Peter Gunz (25:39)
• Advice for Evolving with the Game
  • Discusses shifting from striving for hits to focusing on longevity and authenticity.
  • “I’m a firm believer whether it’s one or 1,000, I’m still do my thing…that one can tell 1,000, 100…” – Memphis Bleek (25:04)

7. Critiquing Modern Rap and Hip-Hop Culture

• On the Current State of the Game
  • Both Bleek and Peter voice mixed feelings about current trends—appreciating artists with talent, critiquing glorification of violence and social media culture.
  • “I can’t…The skirts and, you know, talent none…when somebody’s saying I’m smoking on a 15-year-old…can’t fuck with that.” – Peter Gunz (64:36 & 65:39)
  • “A lot of artists today go viral for content over craft.” – Memphis Bleek (68:43)
• Generational Transmission in Hip-Hop
  • On the industry’s changing standards: “People got to smarten up for you…Don’t dumb down for people.” – Memphis Bleek (70:21)

8. Personal Growth, Motivation, and Philosophy

• Dealing with Past Mistakes Publicly
  • Peter is frank about dealing with his flaws, especially as a father, and the challenge of public scrutiny (49:16).
  • “You just got to keep it pushing, man. I’m not…And we joke a lot, but I’m not proud when little kids run up on me in the street, go, ‘I’m creep squad too.’ That’s not a good example…” – Peter Gunz (49:41)
• Living Authentically
  • On being transparent and “never fronting”: “When it’s bad, it’s bad. I’m not scared to say it.” – Peter Gunz (37:08)

9. Looking Forward: Projects & New Directions

• New Music under “Billy White” Persona
  • Upcoming project, The Diary of Billy White, described as live, left-field, and very personal (60:01; 83:08).
  • “The difference with what I’m doing now is what I want to do…it’s all up…doing it for me.” – Peter Gunz (83:26)
• TV Projects: “Gravesend” with Shaq & Saigon
  • Involved in TV series set in Brooklyn, featuring hip-hop legends (83:36).
  • “Graves in Diary of Billy White, the rock Star…lot of content coming out.” – Peter Gunz (85:08)
• Enduring Love for Hip-Hop & Musicianship
  • Stays grounded as a musician: “At this age, man, I play guitar, I write rhymes.” – Peter Gunz (51:17)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Bronx authenticity:
  “The Bronx wasn’t in the best place when we put that record out…just a reminder that if it wasn’t for the Bronx, you know…” – Peter Gunz (23:12)

• On moving into reality TV:
  “Yo, chill. He said, I went to the ATM and that said, you know better you doing here.” – Memphis Bleek (25:48)

• On hip hop’s roots in struggle:
  “Poverty produced some of the most talented people in the world. Because you knew I didn’t want to live like this. This ain’t the way. So I have to figure something out.” – Memphis Bleek (09:41)

• On fatherhood and legacy:
  “He was who he said he was. He was honest. He was real. Never tried to front like he was something he wasn’t…But I’m a man mostly. I’m not to be played with.” – Peter Gunz (77:14)

• On supporting the next generation:
  “Even if I don’t listen to the music, I still give them that stream…We’re gonna support.” – Memphis Bleek (77:49)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Topic / Segment | |---------------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | 05:41 | Peter Gunz on childhood and music in the Bronx | | 10:08 | Formation of the Gun Runners; meeting Lord Tariq | | 13:28 | “Deja Vu” origins and impact | | 16:10–19:23 | Collaborating with Shaquille O’Neal; the legal saga | | 25:39 | Why Peter entered the media/TV world | | 30:30–37:07 | Love & Hip Hop – authenticity in reality TV | | 40:46–45:41 | Hosting Cheetahs; public reaction and behind-the-scenes insight | | 57:32 | Parenting Cory Gunz & fatherhood philosophy | | 60:01 | New music as “Billy White” | | 64:36 | Reflections on modern hip hop | | 70:21 | Advice for Cory; changing industry standards | | 77:14 | What Peter wants to be remembered for | | 83:08 | Upcoming projects (“Gravesend”, Diary of Billy White, more) |

Tone & Language

Both Memphis Bleek and Peter Gunz are unfiltered, conversational, and often humorous—sharing real-life lessons, unchecked opinions, and the occasional rowdy story. Their rapport is brotherly, respectful, and rooted in New York hip-hop culture. The episode balances light-hearted moments with sobering reflections, delivered in their authentic urban vernacular.

For Listeners

This episode is a must-listen for hip-hop heads, fans of Peter Gunz and Memphis Bleek, and anyone intrigued by the behind-the-scenes life of MCs who’ve weathered both poverty and fame. Their stories are rich with history, hard-won wisdom, and plenty of NYC flavor.

Stay ROC Solid.