Real hip-hop is coming back into play as pioneer, MC Lyte brings

in a new artist. The legendary female emcee stopped by WNAA 90.1 FM

radio station Nov. 28 to promote newcomer J Gunn.

Real hip-hop is coming back into play as pioneer, MC Lyte brings in a new artist. The legendary female emcee stopped by WNAA 90.1 FM radio station Nov. 28 to promote newcomer J Gunn.

With North Carolina artists such as Anthony Hamilton, Fantasia and J Cole, Durham native J Gunn wants to present a different style of music. The North Carolina A&T alum expressed his music as soul music, 100 percent hip-hop and the essence of North Carolina.

Gunn began his rap career in talent shows at a young age and developed freestyle and battle rapping in his repertoire. “My story is different. I was blessed with a talent to put my story in rhyme,” he said. “To get the chance to do music on a national and global stage is amazing,” he added.

Winning over 200 freestyle championships such as the first “Dual of the Iron Mics” when he was 13-years-old, he wanted to pursue a record deal.

He signed his first independent record deal with Mike City of Hectic Records where his first name ‘Baby J’ originated. Upon a change in management Baby J became J Gunn, reflecting his maturity and progression as an artist working with Public Enemy. “It was an humbling experience and an honor that they would work with me,” said Gunn.

But producing a demo/album and shipping them off to labels left Gunn in a wait due to a deal that was never made.

Enrolling at A&T, Gunn continued his reign in hip hop events taking over campus battles and local shows becoming an anticipated artist in North Carolina and the hip hop underground. Coming back to A&T gave Gunn a sense of a ‘welcome home’ standpoint. “Dreams come true. To come back and being at home and being embraced by my peers is the greatest thing in the world,” said Gunn.

He teamed up with MC Lyte under DuBose Music Group where his music truly attracted her.

She expressed that his recordings sounded like they were already released singles and his demos were not just regular demos but that they sounded like records. “It was evident in his delivery in how he owned it and that really engaged me,” she said. She continued that with DuBose, the layout is to create a platform for J Gunn.

“He needs a large playing field to get busy on and that is where DuBose comes into play.” Gunn is very appreciative of MC Lyte and learning from her. “To get the chance to do music on a national and global stage is amazing. I think I come with a veteran’s experience with a new boy hunger,” he said.

So far, Gunn has been in production with his mixtape, “Faithful Struggle,” as the first release under DuBose.

Gunn wants this project to tell his story from the start of his career to now. Along with production, he has a single out entitled “Carolina Blue” that he feels will take place as North Carolina’s anthem. “The beat felt like hip hop and NC is a special and we need a record to represent that,” he added.

Gunn has high expectations for himself as he wants Grammys. “When I make my music, that is what I am thinking about. That is the biggest thing in music and it would mean the world to me to put one on the mantel,” he said.

Along with making music, J Gunn has developed a brand entitled “Red Eye Lifestyle” in partnership with Rashad Ladson that focuses on music, entertainment and digital media. “Our generation is one of dreamers, we talk about dreams a lot but what does it take to achieve those dreams. It is a constant devotion to achieving your dreams,” he said.

For all information about Joshua ‘J Gunn’ Gunn, you can go to his website, jgunnmusic.com, follow him on twitter @JGunnisBetter.

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• Erik Veal & Ashley Vaughn, Register Editors