Header: Next Wave: King Cooley 

A storyteller through and through, the Southside Atlanta native moves through music, visual art, and community-building with a clarity that’s as rare as it is refreshing.

“I make music that blends storytelling with soul and Southside bars,” she tells Black Sound Wave. “The folks I attract are creative, passionate, and driven… hustlers with empathy.”

As we move through the month of August, we continue to celebrate the voices of hip hop today during the 52nd anniversary of the genre. We also spotlight Black Business Month, where entrepreneurs are making money moves in an ever-evolving economy. Cooley embodies the essence of both by turning her art into a profitable platform.

Cooley’s artistry is rooted in self-definition and ownership, driven not only by her neo-soul/hip-hop fusion sound but also by her behind-the-scenes work as a creative agency owner, educator, and advocate.

“I own a creative agency called ELEV8ED,” she says. “Outside of marketing services, we host an 8-week Music Marketing Cohort for independent artists. Translating my ad industry knowledge into a language musicians understand has been a really great, unexpected avenue.”

Raised in a home where creativity and practicality often clashed, Cooley still found a way to carve out space for her art while navigating personal upheaval. From being kicked out of her parents’ house, unemployment, and supporting her partner through a federal prison sentence, the story is deeply layered and influences the sound of King Cooley. Out of that fire came music like “Climate Change,” a track that unexpectedly launched her onto Spotify’s radar.

“I was fine with getting 1,000 plays on SoundCloud,” she remembers. “Next thing I knew, Spotify Editorial and A&Rs were emailing me.”

Cooley’s reverence for hip hop runs deep.

“If the Blues narrates Black emotion, and R&B narrates Black love, then hip hop is a narration of Black excellence,” she proclaims. “It’s resistance — past and present.”

Her list of influences ranges from Jay-Z, Nipsey Hussle, Lauryn Hill, Mos Def, to André 3000. It reads like a syllabus.

“Jay and Nipsey laid out my blueprint. Lauryn taught me how to get a point across directly. André is my art teacher,” Cooley adds.

That balance between business and spirit makes her a standout in a saturated landscape.

“Releasing more intentionally has been the most innovative thing I’ve done,” she shares. “I’m not chasing any dangling carrots. I just follow my instincts.”

And those instincts have led to some pretty big moments for Cooley: Netflix placements on Forever, syncs on BET’s Sistas and Love Is Blind, and performances from Coca-Cola HQ to WarnerMedia — all affirming what Cooley always knew: the art speaks for itself when the story is honest.

“To headline a sold-out show in Brooklyn… to get emails from folks in Osaka and Rio de Janeiro… I just feel super blessed,” she adds.

The giving spirit also runs through Cooley’s work like a bassline. From mentoring students to co-curating city-sponsored artist panels, her service is her strategy.

“Anything supporting the youth gets a ‘yes’ from me,” she says. “I think creating spaces like that is where I serve best.”

And even as the industry shifts, Cooley remains anchored in authenticity. “My lane is in experiential design,” she says. “People know when they come to a Cooley show or a King Cooley release, they’re getting more than something to stream.”

Right now, she’s wrapping a new project called KILN, born from a year of loss, introspection, and renewal.

“I haven’t shared anything as personal as this before,” she admits. “But I can tell my apprehension is a good sign.”

For King Cooley, the fire within hasn’t just forged the music — it’s shaped the movement.

“You don’t need permission to lead,” she says. “You don’t need permission to shine. Keep blinding them folks.”

That’s exactly what King Cooley continues to do with her creative journey. She leads with a bright light and a turbulent wave that doesn’t ask for permission to take up space.

Be sure to follow her journey here.