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A Conversation With Lil Cory

Writer's picture: Jennifer PatinoJennifer Patino





Cory Daniel Long, also known professionally as Lil Cory, was first discovered in 2019. In 2023 he released his first single “Empty the Bag” featuring Gucci Mane off of his debut full length album Wayy 2 Hott. Lil Cory is also an actor and a father. We are thankful that Cory took time out of his busy schedule to chat with us for a bit.


(This interview has been slightly edited for clarity.)




The Jam Files:  Tell us some about your background and where you grew up. How’d you get to be known as “Lil Cory”?



Lil Cory:  I am from the Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama which is a state recognized tribe in Alabama. My ancestors were listed on Cherokee census rolls as living East of the Mississippi River after the Trail of Tears. They moved to Cherokee, Alabama after the first Gold Rush in Dahlonega, GA. "Dahlonega" is a Cherokee word for “gold”. Georgia laws just prior to the Trail of Tears prohibited us from practicing as a tribe so I guess some of the families moved to Alabama afterward.


I grew up in Salem, Alabama, which is in Lee County, on my Great Grandmother’s property near Goat Rock Dam. Her name was Mary George Hollis, but we called her Maw Maw Long cuz that was her married name. She was the daughter of Mattie Rogers, who was the daughter of George Rogers. Maw Maw Long kept the family together. She was sure to gather us all up late September every year for a reunion. I didn't really grow up traditionally though because we lived so far away from the tribe. 


I guess we are what they call "Urban Indians". "Lil Cory", was just a nickname people called me because I was always freestylin' at Waccoochee Junior High. I was so young my cousin started callin' me "Lil Cory". I think it's cuz he was a huge fan of Lil Wayne's music at the time.


My dad died when I was 10. His name was Winfred Bynum. He was an NFL player who played for the NY Giants back in the day. He was born in Wewoka, Oklahoma. When I was 14 we moved to Phenix City which is where the Mvskoke were. It was a town called Kvwetv (Coweeta). After he died we were living right across the Chattahoochee River in Muscogee (Mvskoke) County, GA.



The Jam Files:  How and when did you first get your start on the rap and hip-hop scene? What initially drew you to music?



Lil Cory: I got started when the bills piled up and I lost my home. I lost my car, pictures of my dad, all the things he left me. I just up and went to California to pursue my dreams cuz I had nothin’ left but still couldn't give up.


I met some people out in LA that helped me get on Star Trek: Picard, Shameless, things like that. I got to meet all kinds of people!


I met Patrick Stewart, Jonathon Frakes, Manu Intiraymi, Russell Brand, Ethan Cutkosky, YFN Lucci and just all kinds of cool and interesting people. I also met some well connected people along the way.







The Jam Files:  Where do you feel your rhymes come from? You've made tracks with a lot of popular hip-hop artists on the scene. What was that experience like? Were any of them inspirations to you prior to working with them?



Lil Cory: Every single one of ‘em! I wanted to put together a mixtape that fully embodied living in the region I grew up in. As I got back in touch with my tribe and got back on the right path, meaning the traditional ways, the music and lyrics began to reflect that influence.


I am now getting into indigenous activism and have been to countless protests and gatherings both on the East and West Coast such as the Standing Rock protests in Los Angeles. Now, I am reaching out to Sten Joddi and other indigenous rappers to work on music. I'd like to work with Sten Joddi because I have a lot of respect for the Mvskoke and Sten Joddi don't play! He's all about loyalty and respect. I got to work with artists such as Lil Wayne, Boosie Badazz, Gucci Mane, Juicy J, Project Pat, Sean Kingston, Rittz and many others!



The Jam Files:  How did the Wayy 2 Hott album come to be?



Lil Cory: We was living in Phenix City at the time and I was just really bored. We was just sittin' there all day and I was starting to drink again and stuff. Well, I decided "back to the music or nothin’".


This time it finally worked! One of the producers I met in Los Angeles called me about a feature with some major recording artists and I flew back to LA to meet with the producers. They are a group called Legion of Peril.



The Jam Files:  How has becoming so well known changed life for you?



Lil Cory: It's pretty cool, bro, I ain’t gonna lie! I really enjoy it. I'm a people person and I’ve probably talked to millions of people as I traveled. Once I was on a random subway thousands of miles from home and some girl was like, "Excuse me, are you Lil Cory?”  I was more in shock than she was. But I was quick to be like, "Why yes I am". (laughs) She just wanted an autograph and I was cool. I honestly feel vain sometimes about being idolized because I don't think the ancestors like it. It strikes up mixed feelings for sure.







The Jam Files:  You mentioned submitting to the Native American Music Awards. When do you expect to hear back about that? Good luck to you by the way. That would be so amazing! 



Lil Cory: Wado! I expect to hear back soon. They have been in my Instagram DMs about my next submission. I will appreciate and welcome simply to be nominated because, to my knowledge, nobody from my tribe has ever gotten nominated for any Native American Music Award. Winning is not important. It's the impact it will make on the indigenous of Alabama still fighting for their rights.



The Jam Files:  What do you like to do during your downtime? Any other hobbies that you're into other than music? 



Lil Cory: I've been studying my Native language, trying to teach it to my son Howlan. His name comes from his Indian name Waya-Nigawe which they sayin' means “Howling Wolf.” He sure lives up to it too cuz he is very loud! Basically just bein’ home with the family and back on the Rez! I've been sober and living "normal" for a while.


This place don't seem so depressing anymore. We are about to welcome another baby into the world! I hope it's a girl so we can name her Woodlynn, alluding to the fact we are Woodland Indians. I've been basically just taking care of the family recently.



The Jam Files:  Any encouraging words to young Native artists that you'd like to share? 



Lil Cory: Never give up hope. I know it gets hard and y'all feel alone, but don't give up hope. Look for things to occupy your time and your mind, but don't waste them. Your ancestors died so you can live! Listen to your elders and mind them!



Be sure and follow Lil Cory on Instagram!




Jennifer Patino lives in Traverse City and loves music! Visit her blog at thistlethoughts.com


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