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.”
I Wanna Be Free
Cognito Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'I Wanna Be Free' by these artists:
10. cvpellv We've been through the girls, through the girls and boys Hav…
3.6MILK Verse1: i stay fresh as i wanna be. but i anit a…
A.C. Reed Angela was dressed up With her eyes all full of…
A.R. Rahman I build my love like a castle in the sand And…
ana I wanna be myself oh really I wanna be myself Should be…
Angela Kelly I wanna be free forever I wanna be free forever and…
Badshah Yeah! yeah Uh! I am feeling super dono Hath Upar Nahi Fikar…
Bitch&Chips Hey lady, let me tell you Why I can't live my…
Bobby Hart I wanna be free, Like the bluebirds flying by me, Like the…
Bud Shank I wanna be free, Like the bluebirds flying by me, Like the…
Circus Look into the shadow of my past I've earned my living…
Cognito (ft. Brisco. P.O.) Well I look out the window and what do I…
D.C. 2000 Angela was dressed up With her eyes all full of…
Da Buzz I wanna be free I wanna be free Here we are, hanging…
Daniel O'Donnell Well I look out the window and what do I…
Darrell Scott Sally took a ride with my kid brother Made her sister…
Dhany Like the sun lift in the sky Gotta get what i…
Ed Ames I wanna be free, Like the bluebirds flying by me, Like the…
Eden's Crush I know he said we'd be together In my mind and…
Femi Kuti I wanna be free from alll this yege politics I wanna…
Four King Cousins I wanna be free, Like the bluebirds flying by me, Like the…
Gavin DeGraw I don't need to be anything other than a prison…
Heather Nothing's promised in this life So I'm thankful that we're h…
Hellraiser Sitting in jail so many years Chains on my hands don't…
Jean-Michel Caradec Each time I hold somebody new My arms grow cold thinking…
Jessica Reedy I used to be so broken, lost, empty. A heart with…
Jimmie Rodgers I wanna be free, Like the bluebirds flying by me, Like the…
L.O.L. Well I look out the window and what do I…
Loretta Lynn Well, I look out the window and what do I…
Manicure I wanna be free just you and me I am the…
Marc Anthony All my life I've followed signs On many a road Tried to fin…
Mccarl Scott I wanna be free, Like the bluebirds flying by me, Like the…
Minty (Angela Kelly) I wanna be free forever I wanna be free forever and…
Monkees (The) I wanna be free Like the bluebirds flying by me Like the…
Mumm Like the sun glows in the sky I Gotta get what…
Mumm vs. Dhany Like the sun lift in the sky Gotta get what i…
O'Donnell Daniel Well I look out the window and what do I…
Panic! at the Disco Is there a heart inside the night I can feel…
Panic! At the Disco - Vices and Virtues is there a heart inside the night i can feel its…
Patti LaBelle Verse: I've been here too long feeling sorry for myself…
PEOPLE 1 ねえ彼女 その銃を手放すなよ 多忙でも退屈じゃ仕方ないしさ フェンスの向こうまた誰かのイマジネーションが 床を汚している…
Scarlet Ever felt your hands and feet are bound? Frozen from your…
Scott McCarl I wanna be free, Like the bluebirds flying by me, Like the…
Sol Williams I wasted so many years Trapped in this hole Oh Complacent, s…
Soul-On And now I'm here So in love, so in love The sky…
Stray Bromham Well have you noticed that wherever you are The…
Suzi Quatro I want to be your lover, baby I want to be…
The Four King Cousins I wanna be free, Like the bluebirds flying by me, Like the…
The Lettermen I wanna be free, Like the bluebirds flying by me, Like the…
The Monkees I wanna be free Like the bluebirds flying by me Like the…
The Players One day child, I won't have to listen to your…
The V.I.P.'s ねえ彼女 その銃を手放すなよ 多忙でも退屈じゃ仕方ないしさ フェンスの向こうまた誰かのイマジネーションが 床を汚している…
The Wolf and Gypsy Band all the time spent, just to argue, was it worth…
Three Eyes There’s nothing right, but nothings wrong There’s nothing he…
Tommy Boyce I wanna be free, Like the bluebirds flying by me, Like the…
Toyah I'm bored Don't want to go to school Don't want to be…
Uriah Heep I want to be free As I wake up everyday With no…
V.I.P.s ねえ彼女 その銃を手放すなよ 多忙でも退屈じゃ仕方ないしさ フェンスの向こうまた誰かのイマジネーションが 床を汚している…
Various Artists I Don't Wanna Be a Soldier Mama [John Lennon/The Plastic Ono…
Zero Never again I'll give you control over me I'll be free…
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…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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