In this day and age, there is a major rise in people chasing their musical dreams. With resources like Soundcloud being able to let anyone put their music on the internet for everyone in the world to hear. There is a large amount of artists blowing up from songs on social media and making a living off of it, but you do not see many doing what junior, C.J. Larry, is doing with his rap and media group GBL.
Q : From what age did you know you wanted to become a music artist?
A : “From a very young age I’ve always had a connection to music. Growing up I sang for my local church along with the National Chicago Children’s Choir. I would also memorize my favorite songs word by word and sing them all the time. I’ve just always felt I’ve always had some type of connection to music.”
Q: What was it like creating and forming your own group?
A: “For how big forming a group sounds it was relatively easy. I live by the saying ‘The real will knock the fake even if the fake throws a punch first’. If the people around you truly care about your cause they will go to any expense to make those dreams happen. That’s why I got the ones that believe in GBL as much as I do.”
Q: Which artists inspired you and your music the most?
A : “2Pac, Nipsey Hussle, and J.Cole I feel are some of the many artists I take inspiration from. I think of rappers like them and how they flipped growing up in a bad environment and turn it into a good thing.”
Q: What is the meaning behind GBL and why is it so important to you?
A: “The phrase GBL stands for ‘Grinding for a Better Life’ and to me it means to always hold yourself to a higher standard at all times. I started the group in my hometown of Chicago (West Garfield Park) and in that area, there’s a lot of things going on in the streets that me and my friends did not want to get mixed in so music became our outlet.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years life-wise and career-wise?
A: “In 5 to 10 years I wanna see me and all the people around me from the beginning happy and healthy. I see myself owning and creating my own social health reform while spreading GBL and being the helping hand in people’s life they need.”
