The Evolution of BBMUnlimited: A Journey Through the Life of Corey Drumz

To truly appreciate the story of Banks Brand Music Unlimited (BBMUnlimited), one must delve into the life of its founder, Corey L. Banks, professionally known as Corey Drumz (formerly CeStyle). His journey, marked by trials and triumphs, has shaped not only his music but also the ethos of BBMUnlimited itself. From his beginnings in Hollis, Queens, to the establishment of several influential collectives, including Total Pack, Korp Dynasty, and Iron Kladd Entertainment (I.K.E.), Corey’s narrative is a testament to resilience and creativity in the ever-evolving landscape of hip-hop.

The Birth of Total Pack

Total Pack originated as a local crew of friends in Hollis, founded by Corey and his childhood friend Bill Skillz. Their bond, forged through shared experiences and a deep connection to their neighborhood, set the stage for Corey to become the crew's celebrated MC. At just 15 years old, Corey first tasted recognition when he performed at a park jam in Jamaica Park, earning acclaim as the top MC in Hollis. This title was solidified a year later when he battled and defeated Romeo the Lover, Irv Gotti's original MC, at a popular yearly house party at “Jackie’s House.”  From that point on, Corey, under the then name, CeStyle, emerged as the voice of his community, narrating the struggles and triumphs of life in Hollis.

Total Pack grew through various transformations, becoming a beacon of creativity and inspiration for aspiring artists in the region. Corey’s distinctive voice, lyrical prowess, and storytelling abilities garnered significant attention, positioning him as "the next big thing" in hip-hop.

A Major Breakthrough and Challenges

In 1989, Corey embraced the name of his crew as the name of his rap group, now formed with his then partner Kamal B Wize, who moved to Hollis from Nashville, TN during the summer of 1989. Their frequent live performances and college radio appearances on legendary shows like Stretch & Bobbito on Columbia University’s WKCR and for a short time on Hot97, Wildman Steve’s radio show on Adelphi University's WBAU, as well as the station at NYU and other popular college radio shows throughout the NY tri-state area and even as far as Philadelphia and Boston, solidified their status in the hip-hop scene. Total Pack became a staple of East Coast hip-hop, earning mentions in esteemed publications like Source Magazine, Vibe, RapPages, the now defunct, Blaze Magazine and others.

In a historic moment for aspiring artists, Total Pack signed a major recording deal with Columbia Records in 1993, becoming the first rap group to do so without a demo. However, the deal abruptly ended in 1994, leaving the group without a chance to release any music under the contract. The collapse of their partnership led to a pivotal moment in Corey’s career. In 1995, after the birth of his first child, Corey Jr. (now professionally known as R&B singer/songwriter Jxly Banks), Corey signed a solo deal with Wild Pitch Records, continuing to perform under the name Total Pack. Unfortunately, misfortunes plagued this endeavor as the label lost its distribution, leaving Corey’s career in limbo.

Despite these setbacks, Corey released two tracks, “Battle Hymn” and “What’s the Deal,” on the label’s 1996 promotional “Wild Pitch Blends” mixtape, which showcased his lyrical dominance and addressed his experiences with the music industry.

The Formation of Korp Dynasty

After parting ways with Kamal, Corey conceived Korp Dynasty in 1997, featuring fellow Total Pack Crew member, Eguan, and another Hollis MC named Legacy A-fective (also known as Buttaraspy). The group released several tracks under the name Korp ft. CeStyle, including Corey’s solo hits “The Champion” and “Never Ending Story,” as well as the crew featured single, “We Comin’” on Stretch Armstrong’s Lesson 1 and Lesson 2 compilation albums on Dolo Records. However, Korp Dynasty’s momentum was short-lived, and by 1998, Corey began focusing on solo projects. He released two 12-inch vinyl singles, “Excelsior” and “Thumpathon,” on Plasma Records.

That same year, Corey produced and featured on the underground group Non Phixion, debut single, “Legacy,” also featuring MC Serch, which further showcased his production skills and lyrical superiority.

A New Chapter in Houston

In 1999, Corey was blessed with the birth of his second child, Jermil (now professionally known as melodic rapper/songwriter Jayy Gawd) setting forth another turning point in his life. In 2000, after relocating his family from his hometown of Hollis Queens to Houston TX and the birth of his third child, daughter, JaDaya Koray, it was time to put a new plan into action. It was in Houston that Iron Kladd Entertainment was born, evolving from a simple idea to a full-fledged production company. It was 2002, when Corey changed his name from CeStyle to Corey Drumz, formed Iron Kladd Entertainment and signed a deal with D'Arc Angel Records, distributed by Lightyear Warner Bros., focusing on his first official solo project, Amnesia: Cuz Y’all Ni$@z 4Got. Unfortunately, unforseen after the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the label faced financial strain, leading to yet another distribution loss.

Refusing to be defeated, Corey took matters into his own hands, inspired by the independent artists in Houston, who unlike artists in NY, were selling their music directly to fans without any major labels being involved. At that point, he decided to sell bootlegged versions of Amnesia, racking up impressive sales independently and convincing the owner of D'Arc Angel to assist in manufacturing his music but still allowing him to sell them on his own, independently, taking him from being an artist signed to a label, to being the artist that runs the label.This set off a new chain of events that would culminate in the further evolution of Iron Kladd Entertainment into its next inception.

The Rise of I.K.E.

In 2005, after returning to New York and settling in Brentwood, Long Island, Corey expanded Iron Kladd Entertainment into a local recording house, IKE's House. He formed the collective I.K.E. in 2006 with Lee Boogz, who is Bill Skillz's younger cousin. Their distinctively memorable slogan, “Go ask Tina if IKE got hits,” and infectiously recognizable vocal tag, “It’s IKE B@%tch,” helped them gain traction in the underground scene. The group released several mixtapes, with projects like The Chronicles of I.K.E., Hurricane I.K.E., New I.K.E. City and others as well as the independent street LP, “Let Drumz Make You Famous.”

Despite disbanding in 2010, a new version of I.K.E. known as Corey Drumz, the original IKEBoy & the IKEBoys, emerged in 2014, featuring Corey, Lee Boogz, and Corey’s nephew, Snipe Rizzo, who is also an original member of the group, Total Pack. Although they did not release music together, they performed live, with the IKEBoys opening for Corey.

The Birth of BBMUnlimited

In January 2015, Corey relocated to Los Angeles, where he re-evaluated I.K.E. and in 2016, transformed it into what is now celebrated as BBMUnlimited. Under this new banner, Corey, partnered with his son Jermil (Jayy Gawd), who is now an adult and positioned to take the BBMUnlimited reigns when it's time, accompanied by a growing roster of diverse global artists, are transforming the landscape of independent music through innovative strategies and implementation of burgeoning blockchain technology. BBMUnlimited prioritizes artist development and community, treating all its artists as valuable assets within the music ecosystem.

Corey Drumz's nearly 40 years of experience in the music industry, including the trials and tribulations faced through various iterations of his career, have laid the groundwork for BBMUnlimited. The legacies of Total Pack, Korp Dynasty and I.K.E. continue to play an integral role in Corey’s ongoing mission to empower artists, providing them with the tools and resources needed to succeed in an ever-changing industry.

In Conclusion

The story of Corey Drumz and BBMUnlimited is one of resilience, creativity, and evolution. From the early days of Total Pack to the establishment of a global brand that champions independent artists, Corey’s journey reflects the heart and soul of hip-hop culture. As he continues to pave the way for the next generation of artists, the legacy of his work will undoubtedly inspire countless others to follow in his footsteps.


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