With household names such as Cardi B, J Lo, French Montana, Swizz Beats and the legendary Notorious B.I.G; it’s safe to say the Bronx, New York is responsible for some of the most influential musical artists. Sharing the same birthplace as Hip-Hop may have greatly shaped the many musical talents that continuously emerge from the “boogie down” Bronx; which is the case of up and coming rapper GuddaBabby who credits the nitty gritty borough for fueling his craft.
Taking influences from Notorious B.I.G, Lil Wayne, Young Thug, Drake and more; GuddaBaby released his first studio record “Mhtl” on December 22,2020. Since, the Bronx native locked into the studio to record his latest project, “Life is Beautiful.” The Knocktural was able to conduct an interview via email with GuddaBabby, to get some insight to the story behind the artist.
Q: What’s the story behind your stage name?
A: GuddaBabyy steams from the slang, “Gutter Child.” Growing up I spent a lot of time in the streets, or in slum areas. Growing up in a low economic station I kind of adapted to the lifestyle that came with it. However, as I got older, I started to lean towards the more positive things in life. I could never forget where I Came from . I’ll forever be a GuddaBabyy.
Q: When did you start making music?
A: I started making music around 2015 during high school, however, I never took it as seriously as I do now until around late 2019. Once my first studio recorded track “Mhtl” hit all platforms, I just kind of took off from there .
Q: Tell me about your latest project? How did it come about? What’s the main message behind it?
A: “Life is beautiful,” my first studio project released on March 20, 2023. It was inspired by the events that took place within the three months of me actually focusing on my craft.I took about three months to actually focus, plan and execute the mission no matter what was going on in my life. Three months of dedication opened doors for me I never thought I’d walk into. This project was everything I felt, went through and did within that time span and I just wanted to share it with everyone.
Q: Drill is so popular right now, how do you keep your sound and image unique?
A: With the drill scene taking over mass majority of the industry, I do my best to stay versatile and have unique schemes, punchlines, metaphors, and sounds. As far as my image goes, I like to keep it calm, clean and not too extra.
Q: How do you hope your music will contribute to the NYC music scene?
A: I wouldn’t consider myself a Drill artist, however, I hope my music can contribute to the NYC drill scene to inspire, uplift, motivate and relate to my supporters. I pursue music to let everyone know: no matter who you are, you can do whatever you want. You just have apply the pressure and don’t ever quit! 
Supporters can stream Gudda Babby on Apple Music and YouTube! He will also be releasing a single titled, “Don’t Know,” on his birthday July 6.
Casita Maria’s Fiesta! was held for the first time since the pandemic in New York City’s Plaza Hotel on October 11. The event honored Latino groundbreakers such as Puerto Rican Postwar and Contemporary artist Tony Bechara, chairman of the NBCUniversal New Group, Cesar Conde; and immigration rights leader Gaby Pacheco.
As the son of immigrants, Cesar Conde took to the stage with gratitude for both Casita Maria and his parents. “They always taught us, the one thing in life that no one could ever take away from you is your education,” Conde recalled. “The work that Casita Maria is doing in educating and empowering our youth and opening up all those opportunities in life for them, that is the work that is priceless,” he marveled. Tony Bechara expressed the same sentiment noting, “I want to thank Casita Maria because many, many years ago, waves of compatriots of mine from Puerto Rico were arriving here in New York looking for a better life. New York being the beacon of hope. There was no one to help them. Casita Maria filled that void. They were the first to do it.”
