In an industry teeming with trends, Cookie is a refreshing force of authenticity and creativity. The New York native has taken the world by surprise with her dope crazy lyrics, genre-blending artistry, and undeniable stage presence. From her roots in church music to her recent viral success, Cookie’s journey is a testament to her dedication and self-discovery. In this exclusive interview with So FN Dope Magazine, Cookie opens up about her inspirations, challenges, and the message she hopes to leave with her listeners. Prepare to dive into the mind of an artist who’s as real as it gets.
SFND MAG: What’s good Cookie! We appreciate you taking the time to do this interview with us. How are things going?
COOKIE: Hey, I am excited. I don’t know if things are going and going yeah no problem. I’m just really excited for everything happening right now. I think I’m excited for life in general.
SFND MAG: Now you’ve been making music for a while now however, due to some viral moments recently, you've blown up in a relatively short amount of time—what do you think has resonated most with your audience?
COOKIE: What I think is resonating most with my audience are the lyrics and the message that it gets across. I think we’ve definitely achieved that effect where we want to dance to it just as much as we want to think about it and that’s really important to me.
SFND MAG: Your content has been reposted by some really high profile artists in the industry such as Lizzo, and Sexyy Red. How does it feel knowing that your music/content made impressions on some of today’s most prominent artists?
COOKIE: I feel really awesome about it, extremely appreciative too. I think it gives me hope knowing that a seriously good song, is still a tried and true method to get your music to fall on the right ears and make a great impression. I’m even more excited for the fact that the music that has made an impression on these really amazing artists is the music that represents me and my personality most authentically.
SFND MAG: Tell us a little about where you are from and how your upbringing has influenced your music and the stories you tell in them?
COOKIE: Well, I’m from New York and I grew up in the church, particularly my grandparents church. They are my pastors. My mother, gave me a start into my music world because she was my first teacher. I learned to sing by watching and listening to her, and I learn to play the organ around the time I was seven because she wanted me to learn the keys. Once I was finally old enough to join my elementary school’s band ensemble in the fourth grade, I underwent training to also become a percussionist. How that influences me? Well I find it to be very fun to find new cadences and flows to tackle because I care about my voice and the way it complements each song’s instrumentation. It also helps that I love to contribute to the production process actively through instrumentation and ideas to my own songs and projects.
SFND MAG: The music industry is known for being competitive. How do you navigate staying true to yourself while competing in such a crowded space?
COOKIE: I think being my ultimate self is the key to set myself apart and to sustain myself in this industry since it is competitive and as a rapper, I enjoy healthy competition. It’s a part of the culture. I’m in this thing for two main reasons: to become my best self and to create the music of my dreams. As long as those are high up on my priority list, I think it keeps me clearheaded.
SFND MAG: Although you are a really dope rapper, You also have an incredible singing voice. When did you first realize that seriously pursuing a path in music was for you, and what was the turning point in your career?
COOKIE : Thank you! I think I experienced two different turning points in my career. The first one being that I initially wanted to be a band conductor, After that dream sort of died out in eighth grade, I realized I had a bigger thirst to create music rather than conduct it, and that sent me on a journey to eventually take on audio/radio production in high school, then furthering that education in college. Second. turning point being that I was making and dropping music already with no real understanding of the industry or how to be a part of it. I was just learning and catching up while figuring out how to put myself out there. Then one day a favorite artist of mine, Lido, was actually one of the first to review my music on an Instagram live. The night he reviewed my song “Rainy” was my first introduction to networking and receiving constructive music feedback. It was at the start of the lockdown but it actually encouraged me and put a battery in my back to keep reaching out to others and keep trying and educating myself on the industry and how to move in it.
SFND MAG: As a rising artist in this particular era of the industry, have you faced any unique challenges, and how do you overcome them?
COOKIE: I feel the most unique challenge I’ve faced was actually doing the internal work necessary before doing the real work as a musician and artist. It sort of trips me up… the idea of people, artists, musicians just doing whatever, trying to keep themselves afloat especially amidst this economy. And with things that I’ve experienced, musically and personally, I knew I needed to stop and take a breather, take an inventory on myself and pay attention to my body, my health and my mind rather than trying to beat it into submission just to prove I’m… I guess convenient or beneficial enough to others and their timelines. We all have our own. I prefer to get mine straightened out and move accordingly rather than worry about everyone else’s before mine.
SFND MAG: Many fans are drawn to the authenticity in your music. How do you stay grounded with the pressures of fame and social media?
COOKIE: I don’t. Just kidding, I mean I am still adjusting. Just the other day a couple of kids approached me and my producer Chuck (Sutton) asking for my TikTok because they saw we were filming a video. Funny thing is I noticed in their search bar, they were already looking for my name prior to greeting me. I’ve even taken walks and I’ve had cars stopped in front of me, honk and do my little dancey dance from the first video to show they recognized me. I personally enjoy it, because of the point of the song was to connect with folks and to open up conversations and share experiences between one another. It’s definitely hilarious, but I don’t go out much to begin with. This is the first time I’m doing everything I love and putting it first, so I’m more excited to do this over anything else.
SFND MAG: If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
COOKIE: Oof that’s a question who I would collab with presently? Either Doechii or Baby Keem. Also Sabrina Carpenter, and Amaarae that’s my girl I love her music down. An artist from the past, though. I would have jumped for the opportunity to work with Prince or Tina Turner. Icon shit.
SFND MAG: What message do you hope young women take away from your music and your journey?
COOKIE: Mental health is a real thing. We’re allowed to take care of it! Real, concentrated care though; if it doesn’t align with you, it’s not for you. And that’s okay! Being yourself is the greatest thing you could do for you. Be yourself unapologetically. This project that I’ve been creating over the past year was one of my only effective ways to process, communicate through, and understand everything that was happening. Happening to me, around me, for me, against me… well whatever it would be. Most people commend my strength for all that I’m able to endure, without recognizing I am a human that is having as much of a human experience as everybody else. I have a right to that experience. I’m not a superhero. I give myself permission to practice grace and move one day at a time. If there’s one thing I could do to encourage young women, anyone really, it’s that love isn’t a mistake. Your love isn’t a mistake. God doesn’t make mistakes, so just take it easy on yourself.
SFND MAG: The industry is always evolving. Where do you see yourself within the future landscape of tomorrow’s music scene?
COOKIE: As forward as it may sound, I’m pretty confident in the fact that the music I’m making, is shaping up to be the kind that will outlast and push past trends. I’ve honestly never felt so free. I personally think BABYGIRL was the perfect litmus test for that theory. And that was honestly me when I was joking around and having fun being creative with my friends Chuck Sutton and Cali Cartier creating the beat over the FaceTime.
SFND MAG: Are there any other artists that you would describe as being So FN Dope. Tell us why?
COOKIE: Oh my favorite part! Chuck Sutton is the F’n future. Literally. William Crooks, Moore Kismet, TYGKO, Alexis Lombre, Yung Men, Jacks Muñiz and Bianca Muñiz and Cleo Reed!! ALL brilliant souls and minds. Brilliant, crazy and just phenomenal. Holy shit.
SFND MAG: Thank you again Cookie for interviewing with us. Looking forward to seeing and hearing more of you in the future.
COOKIE: Thank you guys for having me! Hope to kick it with y’all again real soon.
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