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.”

“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.

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.

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.”

“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.

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.”

“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.

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.”

“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.

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.

“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.

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.”

“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.

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.

“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.

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.”

“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.”

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.

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.”

“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.

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.”

“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.

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. 

Be sure to follow her journey here. 

For Skitz Pittz, hip hop is more than music — it’s the love of his life. Like the Erykah Badu classic he references, the genre has shaped, held, and healed him. Read more about the freethinker who seeks a truth he’s willing to share with the world.

Skitz describes his music as “real rap.”

Skitz describes his music as “real rap.”

“Real rap is food for your soul,” Skitz tells Black Sound Wave. “It’s for the people who have been broken and healed from it — or still healing. For the people that believe in themselves and God, the higher power.”

“Real rap is food for your soul,” Skitz tells Black Sound Wave. “It’s for the people who have been broken and healed from it — or still healing. For the people that believe in themselves and God, the higher power.”

This August, we celebrate both Black Business Month and hip hop’s 52nd birthday, and Skitz Pittz stands out as an artist carving a path that’s both spiritual and sustainable. His career began with his early days in the Valdosta-based group Akab Ent. It has now evolved into the soul-centered solo artist he is today — and it has become a testimony to trusting the process.

This August, we celebrate both Black Business Month and hip hop’s 52nd birthday, and Skitz Pittz stands out as an artist carving a path that’s both spiritual and sustainable. His career began with his early days in the Valdosta-based group Akab Ent. It has now evolved into the soul-centered solo artist he is today — and it has become a testimony to trusting the process.

“Originally, it was five of us dropping bars and performing throughout the city. I went by Skitzo back then, and my message wasn’t as purpose-driven,” he shares. “Now, Skitzo no longer exists. It’s evolved into food for the soul.”

“Originally, it was five of us dropping bars and performing throughout the city. I went by Skitzo back then, and my message wasn’t as purpose-driven,” he shares. “Now, Skitzo no longer exists. It’s evolved into food for the soul.”

Skitz moves through the world with conviction and authenticity. He carries a gift he calls his “superpower” — the ability to channel energy from the collective.

Skitz moves through the world with conviction and authenticity. He carries a gift he calls his “superpower” — the ability to channel energy from the collective.

“It’s like I can feel what the entire world is going through,” he explains. “Like I am connected to the soul of the Earth, and I try to express truthfully and honestly.”

“It’s like I can feel what the entire world is going through,” he explains. “Like I am connected to the soul of the Earth, and I try to express truthfully and honestly.”

That truth-telling — both in music and in life — has shaped his personal brand and community.

That truth-telling — both in music and in life — has shaped his personal brand and community.

“I’ve had a lot of people want me to be someone else,” he admits, “but that was always impossible to me. So I stay true and speak from the heart in all atmospheres.”

“I’ve had a lot of people want me to be someone else,” he admits, “but that was always impossible to me. So I stay true and speak from the heart in all atmospheres.”

Skitz is also navigating the business of music with intention. While his moving company covers his day-to-day, he’s putting in the work to build a music career that’s financially sustainable as well.

Skitz is also navigating the business of music with intention. While his moving company covers his day-to-day, he’s putting in the work to build a music career that’s financially sustainable as well.

“We do make money with the music,” he says, “but I am working on making it sustainable for me to live from it.”

“We do make money with the music,” he says, “but I am working on making it sustainable for me to live from it.”

In an industry saturated with “plastic music,” as he puts it, Skitz is on a mission to be better. He craves more honesty, more intention, and more impact.

In an industry saturated with “plastic music,” as he puts it, Skitz is on a mission to be better. He craves more honesty, more intention, and more impact.

“I aim to release music that stays with you.” And that — more than streams or fame — is what keeps him grounded in purpose and aligned with the spirit of hip hop: the truth, the community, and the culture.

“I aim to release music that stays with you.” And that — more than streams or fame — is what keeps him grounded in purpose and aligned with the spirit of hip hop: the truth, the community, and the culture.

The way he continues to help others is by showing them what is truly possible when you believe in yourself — and “go all in.”

The way he continues to help others is by showing them what is truly possible when you believe in yourself — and “go all in.”

Be sure to follow Skitz Pittz journey here. 

Be sure to follow Skitz Pittz journey here.