October 4, 2026 — YTC The Label

Real money is on the table for New York City artists — and scammers are already twisting the story. Here's everything you need to know, straight.

What happened

On October 2, 2026, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that New York City is doubling its grants for individual artists and small nonprofits — from $5,000 up to $10,000. It's the first increase in nearly 20 years, run through the city's Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA).

Who it's for

Working artists across all disciplines — musicians, filmmakers, dancers, writers, painters, and more — plus artist collectives and small nonprofits in all five boroughs. This is not just for one genre. If you make art in NYC, this is for you.

How to actually apply

You do not apply through Instagram, DMs, or any social media account. Applications go through official "regrant" partners in each borough:

• Bronx: Bronx Council on the Arts — deadline October 30, 2026
• Brooklyn: Brooklyn Arts Council — deadline October 11, 2026
• Manhattan: Lower Manhattan Cultural Council — deadline November 12, 2026
• Queens: New York Foundation for the Arts — deadline November 17, 2026
• Staten Island: Staten Island Arts — applications open November 2026

Full eligibility rules and guidelines: nyc.gov/artistgrants

Grantees also get free art supplies through Materials for the Arts starting this month.

Watch out for scammers

Any post, DM, or account promising you a "$10,000 rap grant" if you message them, pay a fee, or hand over personal info is a scam riding on real news. No legitimate government grant is ever awarded through Instagram DMs. When in doubt, go straight to nyc.gov/artistgrants.

Why YTC is posting this

YTC The Label exists to put our people in position — not just with music, but with real information that protects them and real opportunities that pay them. If you're an NYC artist, look into this grant. Ten thousand dollars is studio time, equipment, rent while you create. Don't leave it on the table, and don't let nobody play you out of it.

— YTC The Label, for the people.

YTC The Label got a facelift.

New artist photos, new artwork on Top Guala & EM Guala's pages — the movement's looking brand new.

The Product Mover video is out now on Apple Music and Tidal — still waiting on Vevo.

Now do your part: share it, like it, subscribe, drop a comment. Every share pushes the label further.

They might be hip hop at heart, but Top Guala & EM Guala just proved they can run with anybody. The Gualas jumped on a dembow track alongside ARP, also known as La Cabra de Los Heights (The Goat of the Heights), and El Rey del Dembow himself, El Cherry Scom. NYC meets the Heights meets the dembow kings. YTC The Label is everywhere. Stay tuned.

The YTC The Label artist profile is officially claimed and live on TIDAL. Every stream counts the same — so wherever you listen, make sure you're following YTC The Label, Top Guala, and EM Guala.

Follow the movement on every platform. Your choice counts — make it your top choice.

"Live Big 2.0" is officially out — on VEVO, YouTube, and every streaming platform. Top Guala and EM Guala with a message: live big, dream bigger.

Watch the video, stream the track, and share it. More visuals and clips on the way.

YTC The Label has a new voice — and it's en español. Movimiento Music is the Spanish-language movement of the label, rapping straight from New York City and bringing the movimiento to the world.

Movimiento joins the YTC family alongside Top Guala and EM Guala. Same mission, new language: giving young talent the platform, the tools, and the knowledge to move civilized and win.

Check the Movimiento Music page for the "Somos Diferente" official video. GualaLife or nothing.

GXNG GXNG GXNG is moving. In a single day, the track was picked up by nine Spotify playlists — including "(t)rap," "Married 2 The Game," "Trap 4 No Reason," "Hip-Hop Workout," and “Mid-West Spotlight.”

Playlist adds mean new ears, and new ears mean the Gualas keep growing. If you haven't run it up yet, now's the time — stream GXNG GXNG GXNG and add it to your own playlists.

Stream: https://open.spotify.com/track/2DBWx8RNNfrtJ2hyiqc5fJ

Top Guala and EM Guala go back to back on "Back Outside," the new street anthem from YTC The Label. The official music video is live now — watch it, run the streams up, and share it with everybody who needs to hear it.

"Back Outside" is out on all platforms: Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Tidal, and Amazon Music. Tap in and hit follow on the YTC The Label artist page so you never miss a drop.

This is how we move. GualaLife or nothing.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0tInpWnQfE