Opportunity is something an artist has to seek out for themselves. No one is knocking on your door to offer you anything. Hard work and the willingness to make moves is required. Our new friend Koz.Me is a good example of someone will in to do what it takes.
We caught up with the smooth hip hop and R&B songwriter to get a deeper look into his plans. Enjoy the interview here:
First off, tell us about the name Koz.Me?
“Before I used to perform under the name Ell Cosme. Cosme is my family name and Ell was just a creative touch. When I came to New York, I would tell people my name was Cosme and everybody would call me Koz. I liked it. It’s smooth. And I put the ‘me’ behind it.”
How would you describe your sound?
“I would describe my sound as unique, original. I like to do fusions. I like the complexities of music. I like fusing different genres and making them one with a different rhythm. I want to make a difference.”
Which artists have had the biggest influence on you?
“That’s a tough question because I’ve listened to so many artists over the years. At each stage of my life, I was influenced by different artists. As teen, I listened to a lot of gangster rap, then moved on to artists like Chris Brown, then Young Thug, then on to Drake and Lil Wayne.”
What drives you to create this unique music?
“I want to make the difference musically — to make something that no one has ever done before. I want people to listen to my songs and know it’s me just from the sound. I want to have my own lane.”
How has the move from Cape Verde to New York affected your growth?
“Massively. I came from the small islands of Cape Verde to this whole new world of New York City. I got in touch with a lot of artists, with the hip-hop culture, which Cape Verde has but it doesn’t even compare. I got a chance to finish my audio engineering studies. The things I have accomplished here in New York, I would only dream of in Cape Verde.”
What can you tell us about your latest music video “Far From Average”?
“In the video I wanted to show a little bit of who I am. At its core, it is a simple video but at the same time it has a strong personality, which is what I wanted to betray. We did it in Manhattan, in the center of New York City. It has a vintage vibe to it, a classic vibe to it. The whole atmosphere of the video is amazing. Every time I watch it, it just gets me. Everyone involved did a great job. I want to shout out to my videographer, Notcommon.”
Share some advice for other artists relocating to pursue their dreams.
“Everything is possible, especially in a country like America. You just have to give it your all. Forget about all the distractions and focus on your goal. And remember, success is not a sudden thing– it takes time. The more you do, the closer you are. Today is the time to do it, not the next day. Right now! Also, keep an open mind and learn from the new environment and implement it into what you are already.”
Give us a look at the future for Koz.Me.
“I want to be one of the biggest international names when it comes to music. I want to tour worldwide and I want to make people happy with my music and at the same time get crazy rich doing it.”