With his patented “drill-R&B” sound, rapper Jay Gwuapo is one of the most exciting young rappers in New York City. • When he was 15, Gwuapo met future Brooklyn drill star Pop Smoke. The two played basketball together at the YMCA, and Gwuapo encouraged Smoke to get in the studio. • Gwuapo racked up millions of streams with his very first song, 2018’s “Downbad.” • He signed to Polo Grounds/RCA in 2019 and released his debut mixtape, From Nothin Pt. 1, that same year.