After grinding for 10 years, working with different indie labels and flirti… Read Full Bio ↴After grinding for 10 years, working with different indie labels and flirting with fame, Cognito has found the perfect label to call home: Strange Music, one of the most successful independent music labels in the world. “They work hard like I work hard,” assures COGNITO. “They put everything into their artists.”
The dogged determination to prevail at any cost that both Strange and COGNITO share couldn't be a better match. The Fairfield, Calif.-raised father of two has poured his heart into albums, toured relentlessly, and stayed in the studio late numerous Friday nights when he could've been chilling at home with his family – all for the love of the game.
Growing up in the North Bay, COGNITO fast became intrigued with the burgeoning local hip-hop scene led by E-40 and B-Legit. The two hip-hop heavyweights exposed the young emcee to the hip-hop community, tapping his services at the Sick Wid It offices and schooling him in the art of promotion. He is the first to admit he was not the best student. But writing stories was his strong point in school. He started writing rhymes at 16, taking his cue from the people he was around. Yet it was hard to take rapping seriously as a career. A white rapper just wasn't considered normal yet. It wasn't until three years later, when Eminem's The Slim Shady LP released, that COGNITO's path became clearer.
“I don't think being a white rapper has held me back,” relays COGNITO about the always-controversial topic of the White Rapper. “It got me seen more. It got me out there. I stand out because I am white. But let my music speak for itself.”
As for the Eminem comparisons, COGNITO is flattered but suggests otherwise.
“When Eminem dropped minds were blown. I look at the Eminem comparison as an honor. He's the best rapper in game. But never once has a guy I work with said I sound like Eminem.”
At age 21 COGNITO earned himself a new title; father. In order to care for his family, he put hip-hop on the back burner for the next year, popping into the studio every so often to record tracks with producing partner D Buck. Mike Mosley, who had worked with E-40, TQ, C-Bo, Richie Rich and Tupac, heard COGNITO's music, and in 2002, offered him a deal with his Steady Mobbin' label.
“When Mike wants to offer you a record deal,” COGNITO states, “you take your career serious.”
COGNITO never dropped an album, but he did make a handful of important connections in the industry, one being QD3 producer Femi, one of the two producers he still consistently works with today. He continued doing shows and brushed up on the record industry rules.
2006 was a big year for COGNITO. He hooked up with Master P and his newly formed Gutta Music to release Recognition. It was an honor to be affiliated with P, a hip-hopreneur COGNITO had admired since hearing his West Coast Bad Boyz compilation in 1997. COGNITO would score his biggest hit to date, “Shift Kits,” from the Shift Kits and Hood Chicks DVD.
COGNITO stayed busy touring with fellow Bay Area rapper Andre Nickatina. When Nickatina took some time off, COGNITO hit the road solo. As fate would have it, COGNITO and Strange shared the same booker. Together on a string of show dates, COGNITO witnessed Strange's impressive stage show and extreme professionalism. COGNITO even shared a joke with Tech: He had previously recorded over Femi's “Slacker” beat, a song that appears on Tech's Absolute Power (2002).
The groundwork for the COGNITO-Strange merger was set in motion. Three years later when hip-hop activist Violet Brown, a longtime supporter of Strange, approached COGNITO about shopping a deal to the indie powerhouse, he was with it.
One conversation with Strange Music co-owner and CEO Travis O'Guin and another with Dave Weiner, Vice President of Strange Music West, plus one visit to Kansas City, the label's home, and COGNITO knew he was home. “I know it sounds cliché, but you can do anything you want,” tells COGNITO. “My motivation has been people saying I couldn't do this. I'm hardheaded. At the end of the day, you have to go get it and no one is going to give it to you. But I look at my progression. Seeing what I'm accomplishing on my own and knowing that if I go get it, it could happen. There hasn't been a goal I shot for that I haven't achieved when it comes to my music.”
Building on his own persistence, COGNITO is quick to admit his success has been buoyed by his supportive team: Violet Brown, Femi, Mike Mosley, Darien Smith, his studio engineer for the past seven years. The 29 year old has had an amazing team behind him, which has catapulted him to where he is today. Currently, COGNITO is working on his Strange debut, Automatic, scheduled for a February/March 2010 release.
“Stylewise, I'm a storyteller,” COGNITO points out. “Whether it's a club track or a serious, depressed track, I'm going to tell you a story and get my message across to you. I like when people can relate to a song. That's what I love more than anything.”
“I don't follow trends,” he adds. “I pride myself in making my music real. I don't like to front, but I also like to have fun. Take me serious, but don't take me too serious. Listen to me with an open mind. I want to be an inspiration like my musical influences were to me.”
As COGNITO prepares for the next stage of his career, he is more than ready for the full-time grind.
“From 21 until now I have given this everything. I don't stop until I achieve my goal. With Strange backing me, I feel that I can accomplish all my goals. I got a shot like this and I'm going to run with it and make it happen.”
The dogged determination to prevail at any cost that both Strange and COGNITO share couldn't be a better match. The Fairfield, Calif.-raised father of two has poured his heart into albums, toured relentlessly, and stayed in the studio late numerous Friday nights when he could've been chilling at home with his family – all for the love of the game.
Growing up in the North Bay, COGNITO fast became intrigued with the burgeoning local hip-hop scene led by E-40 and B-Legit. The two hip-hop heavyweights exposed the young emcee to the hip-hop community, tapping his services at the Sick Wid It offices and schooling him in the art of promotion. He is the first to admit he was not the best student. But writing stories was his strong point in school. He started writing rhymes at 16, taking his cue from the people he was around. Yet it was hard to take rapping seriously as a career. A white rapper just wasn't considered normal yet. It wasn't until three years later, when Eminem's The Slim Shady LP released, that COGNITO's path became clearer.
“I don't think being a white rapper has held me back,” relays COGNITO about the always-controversial topic of the White Rapper. “It got me seen more. It got me out there. I stand out because I am white. But let my music speak for itself.”
As for the Eminem comparisons, COGNITO is flattered but suggests otherwise.
“When Eminem dropped minds were blown. I look at the Eminem comparison as an honor. He's the best rapper in game. But never once has a guy I work with said I sound like Eminem.”
At age 21 COGNITO earned himself a new title; father. In order to care for his family, he put hip-hop on the back burner for the next year, popping into the studio every so often to record tracks with producing partner D Buck. Mike Mosley, who had worked with E-40, TQ, C-Bo, Richie Rich and Tupac, heard COGNITO's music, and in 2002, offered him a deal with his Steady Mobbin' label.
“When Mike wants to offer you a record deal,” COGNITO states, “you take your career serious.”
COGNITO never dropped an album, but he did make a handful of important connections in the industry, one being QD3 producer Femi, one of the two producers he still consistently works with today. He continued doing shows and brushed up on the record industry rules.
2006 was a big year for COGNITO. He hooked up with Master P and his newly formed Gutta Music to release Recognition. It was an honor to be affiliated with P, a hip-hopreneur COGNITO had admired since hearing his West Coast Bad Boyz compilation in 1997. COGNITO would score his biggest hit to date, “Shift Kits,” from the Shift Kits and Hood Chicks DVD.
COGNITO stayed busy touring with fellow Bay Area rapper Andre Nickatina. When Nickatina took some time off, COGNITO hit the road solo. As fate would have it, COGNITO and Strange shared the same booker. Together on a string of show dates, COGNITO witnessed Strange's impressive stage show and extreme professionalism. COGNITO even shared a joke with Tech: He had previously recorded over Femi's “Slacker” beat, a song that appears on Tech's Absolute Power (2002).
The groundwork for the COGNITO-Strange merger was set in motion. Three years later when hip-hop activist Violet Brown, a longtime supporter of Strange, approached COGNITO about shopping a deal to the indie powerhouse, he was with it.
One conversation with Strange Music co-owner and CEO Travis O'Guin and another with Dave Weiner, Vice President of Strange Music West, plus one visit to Kansas City, the label's home, and COGNITO knew he was home. “I know it sounds cliché, but you can do anything you want,” tells COGNITO. “My motivation has been people saying I couldn't do this. I'm hardheaded. At the end of the day, you have to go get it and no one is going to give it to you. But I look at my progression. Seeing what I'm accomplishing on my own and knowing that if I go get it, it could happen. There hasn't been a goal I shot for that I haven't achieved when it comes to my music.”
Building on his own persistence, COGNITO is quick to admit his success has been buoyed by his supportive team: Violet Brown, Femi, Mike Mosley, Darien Smith, his studio engineer for the past seven years. The 29 year old has had an amazing team behind him, which has catapulted him to where he is today. Currently, COGNITO is working on his Strange debut, Automatic, scheduled for a February/March 2010 release.
“Stylewise, I'm a storyteller,” COGNITO points out. “Whether it's a club track or a serious, depressed track, I'm going to tell you a story and get my message across to you. I like when people can relate to a song. That's what I love more than anything.”
“I don't follow trends,” he adds. “I pride myself in making my music real. I don't like to front, but I also like to have fun. Take me serious, but don't take me too serious. Listen to me with an open mind. I want to be an inspiration like my musical influences were to me.”
As COGNITO prepares for the next stage of his career, he is more than ready for the full-time grind.
“From 21 until now I have given this everything. I don't stop until I achieve my goal. With Strange backing me, I feel that I can accomplish all my goals. I got a shot like this and I'm going to run with it and make it happen.”
Bow Down
Cognito Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Bow Down' by these artists:
2Pac Ha ha ha... fuck all y'all... fuck all y'all... I…
2Pac Ft. Ice Cube The world is mine nigga get back Don't fuck with my…
7eventh Time Down The pressure is building The levee is breaking The vulture…
8-Off King Joker (WHAT UP DOE) you a fool this my…
A.L.T. Uh huh, yeah Killa California's Most Wanted Most wanted You …
And And And You can fight, you can kill But you can't win the…
Ashendawn Ride o'er the ashes of a new dawn sky Rise inside…
Automatic 7 Remember when we had it all. We were young and…
Automatic Static Ive got your picture, got your fame ive got your…
Beyoncé I'm out that H-town, coming, coming down I'm coming down dri…
Beyonce [mp3crazy.ru] I'm at that H town, coming, coming down, I'm coming down Dri…
Blndside Two tone buss down Patek V.V.S. cuthentic yeah I don't got…
Blockheads Use Disney masks to hide the grins Of unseen rulers than…
Blutengel Can fight, you can kill But you can't win the…
Born of Osiris Fucking bow down You were the price of the killing…
Collen Maluleke He's worthy yes of worship Worship Him Oh worship Him Bow d…
Dana Key I'm not the kind of guy You think I am I've…
Deniro Farrar I ain't worried about shit (Nigga) I ain't worried about shi…
Denzel Curry & Deniro Farrar Let me give you a little Inside information about God It's m…
Divide Music Fabvl I've come to give you The very last words that will Ever…
Enca Bow down to the King and the Queen yo Kërkush sun…
Evan and Eris Don't bow down to distractions And don't bow down to fear,…
FBC IZA SABINO & BEST DUO Bow down Bow down, bow down Bow down, bow down Bow down, bow…
Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship Mass Choir Bow down and worship Him; worship Him, oh, worship Him. …
Gunna Vahm God could be any man who's ever held an upper…
HOGNI I won't bow down to no man Not even if I…
I Prevail Get on your knees and bow down Yeah, I come alive,…
Ice Cube The world is mine nigga get back Don't fuck with my…
IV DANTE It's all so hazy now Don't forget to be alone Just don't…
Jacks Of All Trades Mere Christianity In this insanity For vanity You'd get k…
Jades Goudreault Living lights glowing in the water 2:00 a.m., love the summe…
JR & PH7 "I'm the next big thing, crown me king" "I don't fuck…
KSI & Randolph Uh, bow down to me Self doubt has been drowning me I…
Leah Andreone Van Gogh lent me his ear Now the picture is clear I…
Loudblast Some liars are talking about peace Good pretext to plan a…
Mack 10 The world is mine nigga get back Don't fuck with my…
Men Of Judah Bow down and worship Him Whorship Him Oh Worship Him Bow do…
Mizzi Where there's smoke there's fire And I'm about to run wild Y…
Mr. Gallagher Uh huh, yeah Killa California's Most Wanted Most wanted You …
Mr. Low-D Uh huh, yeah Killa California's Most Wanted Most wanted Y…
Mr. Shadow Uh huh, yeah Killa California's Most Wanted Most wanted You …
Mr.C Yeah yeah yeah yeah Yeah yeah yeah yeah Nasty C yeah you…
Mr.Shadow A.L.T. Uh huh, yeah Killa California's Most Wanted Most wanted Y…
N.W.A The world is mine nigga get back Don't fuck with my…
Noor Chorus: Bow down to The One He who holds my soul Lord of…
P. Paul Fenech The top of every mountain is the bottom of another The…
Panam Percy Paul I love to praise the lord in the African way Praising…
PKCZ(R) Snoop Dogg, PKZ Check this out Raise up, real jeez Tokyo to…
Randolph & Ksi Uh, bow down to me Self doubt has been drowning me I…
Rawsrvnt We bow down In reverence to Your name We bow down To hail…
Raz Simone Uh The only one I trust is me My girls do dirt,…
Sleepfighter Black crowns On your finger tips Don't make me The king of s…
Stonebwoy Yeah yeah yeah yeah Yeah yeah yeah yeah Nasty C yeah you…
Supergarage So bow down to the unofficial rules Not because you want…
T.D. Oakes The top of every mountain is the bottom of another The…
tara. Staring at the ground Tasting blood and soil in my teeth Can…
The Go-Betweens You opened my mail Apart at the seams Now you know I…
The Housemartins Mother, Father, I think that I would rather Stay at home…
The Lightyears Explode Guilty you′re but guilty as far as my mind is…
Timaya INTRO Yeah YoungD Can I have my ear phones loud please L…
Vertilizar Do you decide or are you walking blind we live in…
W.C Yeah yeah yeah yeah Yeah yeah yeah yeah Nasty C yeah you…
WC The world is mine nigga get back Don't fuck with my…
Westside Connection The world is mine, nigga, get back Don't fuck with my…
Xavier Rudd I sit here now 2010 government still stealing land Making la…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Cognito:
Big Bank [Hook: repeat 4X] We got big bank, big rank walkin through t…
Born 2 Be Fly Cause I was born 2 be fly (Tech N9ne): Strange music bab…
Depression I got issues only I can have That's why I…
I Can't Think About It Day time I control my feelings, night times like a…
I'm Goin' Crazy Now that i sing with strange music the industry about to…
My Lil Girl I make her hold all my percs in her purse,…
Outcast When I think about the past of my life, and…
Pain How do you deal with the demons that seem to…
Pill Poppin' Music INTRO In my opinion, it's the music these days. These rap…
Stranger (Tech N9ne) I remember when they used to point they fingers…
Stranger (Ft. Tech N9ne Big Scoob Kutt Coulhoun Stevie Stone (Tech N9ne) I remember when they used to point they fingers…
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