With the winter weather hitting Miami everyone is in cupcake mode. Local legend Coolpeeple dropped his latest music video today for his track “Shawty Knows.” Documenting his search for a “soul sister” the video was filmed against a backdrop of a jaw-dropping beach sunset and vibrates major bass. It’s a fun story of love perfect for bouncing with your favorite boo, or prep music for a date with the one you hope soon will be.
I sat down with the 29-year-old, Miami born music artist, for a Behind The Music interview.
How did you get started?
Cool Peeple (CP): I’ve been making music since I was in elementary school. It has always been my escape from reality. When I was in middle school I was part of a rap Group called “Ham and Cheese” 🤣🤣🤣 while most kids my age were playing sports or Nintendo I was writing rhymes.
“Y’all some Coolpeople”
Where did your name come from?
CP: The name Coolpeeple came along when I was in High school at Miami Central. There were three of us me and two of my homies. We played basketball and all three of us loved hip hop and music in general. All “peeple” who knew us would always say “Y’all some Coolpeople.” We just removed to letter ”O” for “oppression” and added an extra “E” to the word for “Equality That way it spelled “COOL PEEPLE” with three E’s for the third eye.
I like that. What is your favorite song?
CP: I listen to a lot of oldie goldie’s from R&B and Soul music from the 60’s to the early 2000’s. If I could be stuck in one year musically it probably would be 1995! The golden era of Hip hop. Most of the Hip hop I listen to is from the 90’s. Many have said I have an old soul. I guess I get that for the Ol heads and the homeless folks that would be at the corner where we chilled or hustled.
I also feel like I listen to old music because music is my passion but to a lot of artists, music is a competition. One minute you can be idolizing a rapper and the next minute y’all can beefing wit each other 🤦🏽♂️ Some say your idols become your rivals but not for me because my musical idols have passed.
My favorite songs are Tupac “Changes” or Isley Brothers “Caravan Of Love”. My sound is Hip-hop Soul, mixed with Jazz. It’s conscious, motivational, and educational.
That makes sense. You’ve been at it for a while, and you’re well known in the community here. What is your most memorable career moment?
CP: Seeing The influence I have on the youth like my nieces and my nephews my “God kids” and the kids from my community means a lot. In my public housing projects the “Poke n Beans” plenty of kids share many similarities with me. The hair the gold teeth, the upbringing. The guidance or lack thereof…
The most memorable moments are seeing the looks on their faces when they see me and the power they receive when we converse that reassures them that they can be anything they want to be in life.
If you could tour with anyone who would it be?
CP: Funny thing is I don’t really listen to many other rappers. I’m more of the old Skool Isley Brothers Marvin Gaye type, with that said if I could tour with any other artist right now it would probably be Currensy, Nippey Hustle, or Young Dolph. Their music is dope AF, plus they are the prime example of what grind hustle independence is. There’s a lot I can still learn about this business.
“People see me and don’t expect my music to be soulful jazzy and hip-hop.”
Don’t we all! Things change all the time as well. For you, what is the funnest part about being an artist?
The look on people’s faces when they actually hear my music or see me perform! Looks really can be deceiving and it’s no accident. I love the way I look. I love the image I have too. It’s intentional so the younger generation that looks like me can see that you can be successful while being black. While having dreads. While having gold teeth, and being from the projects. Most peeple see me and don’t expect my music to be soulful jazzy and hip-hop, and their reaction never ceases to amaze me.
🙏🏽 Thank you for the work that you do. What advice would you give to up and coming artists?
CP: Stay true to yourself and stay solid.
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