White Gzus wants to be your new favorite rap group, but can the duo do it in time?
On New Year’s Day, 28-year-old Gerik Raglin was arrested after a traffic stop in Perrysburg, Ohio. Police reportedly found 103 grams of heroin in his car, with a street value of the narcotics estimated to be more than $15,000. He was charged with possession of drugs and trafficking in heroin, and released on a $300,000 bond. Raglin faces trial in early March.
All of this would be enough to deal with, but Raglin has an added wrinkle. He’s half of what might be one of the best up-and-coming Chicago rap groups today. Raglin, who raps under the moniker Gzus Piece, is the “Gzus” part of White Gzus alongside 32-year-old Marek “Blanco Caine” Fortineaux. The two solo rappers teamed up officially early last year, and their debut mixtape “Stackin’ N Mackin’ Vol. 1” was positively received by local critics.
Songs like “Pimp On,” “Money Up” and the lead single, “Top,” showcased a style that was immediately familiar to fans of Chicago rap — a blend of laid-back soul samples and lower tempo songs that echo trademark Southern rap tropes — and most critics compared the tape to the output of mid-’90s Chicago rappers like Do or Die or Southern duos like Dirty, G-Side, 8Ball and MJG & UGK.
Still, the looming court date and serious charges facing Raglin might derail the duo before it has a chance to even get started.
“It’s not up to me at this point. It’s between God and the courts. There’s nothing I can do to change the outcome of what’s going to happen.” Raglin says via phone. “I’m just trying to focus on this music because it’s the most consistent positive in my life.” He declined to speak further on the investigation.
The guys met after teaming up on one-off tracks “Character” and “Opportunist” in 2013 and really hit it off. “We started making music together because it felt effortless. Next thing we know, we’ve got 40-something songs.” Raglin says.
Blanco adds, “After that first collab, we got such a good response that teaming up again felt like a no-brainer. Next thing we know, we’re both putting our solo projects on hold in order to make it really happen as a group. We knew we had to put all of our energy into this.”
The two have an obvious, apparent chemistry. Blanco serves as pragmatic hustler while Gzus Piece is the clever player. Both can rap with sincerity and humor and complement each other, leaving listeners feeling like they’re not listening to two rappers, but two friends talking stuff while riding around.
Both artists have extensive experience working in collaboration, having had featured verses on tracks from a variety of local acts. Both are members of Treated Crew, a global rap collective that includes names like former Kanye West DJ Million $ Mano, Mic Terror, Hollywood Holt, Chuck Inglish and Show You Suck. All that talent in one group working together shows both know how to be team players.
“Doing group projects is easy for me,” Blanco says. “We’re both active on a lot of projects and have worked with a lot of people on our solo stuff, so know that White Gzus projects include all of the people we associate with. This project is different, though.”
Raglin reiterates the focus. “While I love and always will love doing music with my Treated brothers, this is a little more personal. There’s less to discuss when there’s only two of us. We never really disagree on stuff, but even if we do, E’s there to weigh in.”
The “E” he speaks of is 29-year-old producer Mr. E (real name: Eric Lawson) In between running the highly successful compilation DVD series “Mr. E Videos” and other efforts, Lawson functions as the silent third member of White Gzus. He produces, records, masters, mixes and oversees contributions from outside producers. He’s been known to jump in on a song when needed.
“I reached out to Blanco last year actually,” Lawson said via phone. “Just sending him beats. He’d send me tracks and ask my opinion. It struck me funny that he kept partnering with Gzus Piece on tracks. Blanco asked me to sample PsychoDrama’s “Magic” for a beat. After that, we started bouncing around ideas. Next thing we know, it’s a whole project.”
With White Gzus’ previous success, positive critical response and “Stackin’ N Mackin’ Vol. 2” on the way, this would usually be the part where the story ends: Two guys making their way in the relentless churn of the music industry. However, Raglin’s forthcoming court date leaves the group at a crossroads, creating a sense of urgency and the question: How do you pursue your dream when there’s not even a promise you’ll still be around to see it come to life?
Blanco offers, “I’m a “hope for the best” person. I’ve been through my own stuff that I won’t get into. We’re just working because that’s what we do. If I gotta get the ‘Free Gzus Piece’ movement going, it’s nothing. I got him because I know he’s got me. Whatever the outcome, it’s still gonna be White Gzus.”
White Gzus performs 8 p.m. Wednesday at Reggie’s, 2109 S. State St. $10 (18+); 312-949-0120 or reggieslive.com
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