Exclusive | Cookbook Talks His Latest Album 'PortLAngeles'

“Legacy is a big one for me at this point in my life. First a legacy for my kids to see, then the legacy I left behind in the culture. To be one stitch in this great hip hop tapestry means a lot to me.”

— Cookbook

By: Adonis Armstrong

Los Angeles rapper, CookBook, is a rapper and producer who has been in the game for over a decade that goes back to his time with LA Symphony. From playing instruments at family functions to touring for years, Cookbook has but in major work in the underground hip hop scene. Today we will talk about the album PortLAngeles, which is a dope listen for fans of underground hip hip. Cookbook delivers tight rhymes and smooth flows over beats that seamlessly blend boom bap with a blend of modern production. The album’s title pays homage to the Portland and Los Angeles that blends very well throughout the album.

Cookbook - If Ya Say (remix)

We talked with Cookbook in an exclusive interview, check it out below!

How long have you been making music and how did you get started?

Cookbook: I been doing music my whole life literally. My family played instruments and sang at every single party, bar-b-que and get together. We never had a DJ, or any music playing… it was always my family making the music for the party! So I grew up singing Motown, oldies, and blues. At the same time, I growing up, hip hop was my music. I played the piano, sang & listened to rap simultaneously. When it came time for me to make my own music, rap was the natural avenue since it was the music of my youth. 

Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?

Cookbook:  Well, going along with question 1, I’ll say my dad was my first and #1 influence musically. My whole foundation was learned from and inspired by him. Then, I’ll say my hip hop influences from very young were all of native tongues; De La Soul and Tribe Called Quest especially. Pete Rock & CL Smooth, and Gang Staar. Later on it’s Nas, Dilla and many more…

What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?

Cookbook: Living: Nas, Black Thought, CyHi the Prince.
Deceased: DILLA!

What inspired you to create your LP PortLAngeles?

Cookbook: Surebert, a producer from Portland sent me a batch of beats and said let’s make a song. I heard how dope the beats were and said let’s do a whole project! I wrote and recorded 2 songs immediately and sent them back to him and we were off and running! Since he’s from Portland and I’m from Los Angeles, we just blended the two names and PortLAngeles was born!

What is your favorite track on desert and why?

Cookbook: I love them all, but if I had to pick one, it’s “Blood Type”. It has my favorite flow/pattern on there at the beginning of verse 2, but more importantly the concept was dope and I got to really say some deep shit on it.

Cookbook - Blood Type

What motivates you and how do you define success?

Cookbook: I’m motivated by a lot of things. Personal achievements is high on the list. When a song/beat that I make sounds exactly like what it sounded like in my head, I get great satisfaction. I also thrive off the crowd… I love for people to react to my music positively. When they fuck wit me, it motivates me! Success has many definitions. Mine have changed over the years. Legacy is a big one for me at this point in my life. First a legacy for my kids to see, then the legacy I left behind in the culture. To be one stitch in this great hip hop tapestry means a lot to me.
Oh, and I like making money too!

How do you describe your music to people and what separates you from other artists in your genre?

Cookbook:  To people that aren’t big on rap I used to say I rap but sing a lot, so I’m kinda like Nas meets the Black Eye Peas. It’s not true, but it was an easy way to answer them when they asked. To those who know, I think it’s like how my man King describes it… True School progressive. I love lyrics and getting my bars off, but I also come from singing and playing music, so there’s always a melodic aspect to what I do too. There’s the old school esthetic to what I do, but it’s always modern sounding, attempting to push the genre forward as much as I can.

Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?

Cookbook: Yes and no. You can read a how to make it in the game book & do everything exactly right and still not make it. You can have all the natural talent in the world & not work hard enough and not make it. I’ve seen people who bump into success seemingly effortlessly and seen others work harder than anyone else and make it that way too. I think it’s a combination of doing all the steps to success, having talent and working hard that gets most of us there. If there is a formula that I believe in, it’s perseverance. One thing I know, you WILL win on some level if you don’t give up!

CookBook & Surebert- Magic (We Can Do)- Official Video

Who is your greatest inspiration?

Cookbook: My father for sure. Felipe Santiago Soto RIP

In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?

Cookbook: NAS. For one, he made my all-time favorite rap album: Illmatic. He’s still around after a 30+ year career and he’s releasing some of his best work in his late 40’s! Not only that, he’s a great investor too and is soooo paid he can do whatever he wants in music with zero pressure. He chillin! THAT’S success!

Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?

Cookbook: I’ve always been a very positive, upbeat person and that emotion lives in my music. Even when goin in on tougher subjects, I’m programmed to bring it back around to positivity! It’s hard for me to stay mad… virtually impossible! I probably can’t stay mad long enough to write an angry song!!!

What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?

Cookbook: I sacrificed college, a “regular” career, relationships, gave up another dream in the art world. Lost a few girlfriends, lived broke AF, and put off doing a lot of things normal people do that aren’t pursuing music. I stayed on tour for YEARS missing family events galore… that’s just naming a few things!

What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?

Cookbook: I love making the music. Every aspect of it. I love making beats, writing raps, writing songs, recording. I’m discouraged by the marketing/business side of the music. It’s the part that creatives have the most trouble with.

Lounge Music By CookBook & Surebert - OFFICIAL VIDEO

Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?

Cookbook: I’ll probably be somewhere in some small town on tour singing the blues and playin the piano feeling old AF but loving it!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER UP AND COMING ARTISTS OR PEOPLE LOOKING TO BREAK INTO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?

Cookbook: Put a lot into your craft. Know as much if every aspect of music making as possible. Learn how to write great hooks. They sell your song way more than your bars do. Find like-minded people who feel it’s their vision to help you make your vision happen. You need them! Someone who can help you in the studio, but more importantly in the business! A manager type who’ll rude wit you. Jay-Z needed his Dame Dash… and so do you.

Is there anything else you would like people to know about you or your music?

Cookbook: I just want them to FWM! Take a listen to Jason Soto Was Here. I released that in 2019. It says everything about me and I out every aspect of what I do into those songs. It’s the best representation of me and what I do. After you listen to that, listen to ALL my other music on repeat!!!

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Exclusive | Singer Jhamasa Talks Being an Advocate for Foster Youth and Music Influences

By: Omar Cook

This week's "Who's Hot?" Artist of the week is west coast R&B singer Jhamasa! Jhamasa Noel Lewis-Adams is originally from Orange, California but moved around as a youth, and spent most of her childhood in Los Angeles, California. She has a biological and adopted family, mentors, and friends who have become family. Jhamasa was a student of Black Eyed Pea's and Peace4Kids Peapod Music and Arts academy located at the Boys and Girls Club in Watts, CA. She graduated from Jackson State University in 2013, receiving her B.A. in Entrepreneurship with a minor in photography and mandarin. During college she also studied abroad and explored new art mediums.

She eventually moved back to California with a goal of financial and personal independence. She earned a certificate in fashion design at LA Trade Tech while building a career in the non-profit industry. During the past five years, Jhamasa has put focus into the community in health and nutrition, financial literacy, progressive education, and professional development post college.  

In 2014 she released a mixtape Retro Love Arcade with Corinthian Washington and in 2016, she put out an independent EP, titled 24K. On this project she talks about her experience in the foster care system. In April of 2018, Jhamasa hosted an independent art show focusing on sexual trauma foster youth face through art therapy. In addition, she released a single off of her debut project 11:11. In her free time she volunteers and advocates for educational and civil rights for foster youth.

This singer brings a soulful vibe to her music and is definitely someone you want to add to your playlist! Jhamasa has an authentic sound that makes you feel good about the future of R&B.

We talked with Jhamasa in an exclusive interview, check it out below!

Jhamasa - “ESF (Every Single Flaw) Official Music Video

QUESTION: How long have you been making music and how did you get started?

Jhamasa: I have been making music since 16. I was first inspired at 6.

QUESTION: Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?

Jhamasa: My biggest influences have been projects that are painfully authentic. To list a few: Lauryn Hill MTV Unplugged, Alicia Keys As I Am, Ambre Perkins Wanderlust, Gucci Mane Chicken Talk, Erykah Badu Baduizm, Bjork Human Behaviour, Sade Love Deluxe.

QUESTION: What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?

Jhamasa: I think the people I’m aligned to collaborate with aren’t known artists. I don’t even think I have met them yet or are aware of their physical presence.

QUESTION: What do you feel is your best song/project ever released and why?

Jhamasa: The one I’m working on currently. Nothing is better than the present.

QUESTION: What projects can we look forward to in the near future?

Jhamasa: Neon Soul produced by Aqeel The Nubian

Jhamasa - Beautiful Day (Official Music Video)

QUESTION: How do you generate new ideas for your music?

Jhamasa: I generate new ideas by continuously moving forward in my personal life. Creativity is directly associated with ability to leave your comfort zone.

QUESTION: What motivates you and how do you define success?

Jhamasa: Life motivates me. The idea that we get to try again every day is inspiring. I define success by what you have to do to reach a goal and how one chooses to do so.

QUESTION: How do you describe your music to people?

Jhamasa: Spiritual, and raw.

QUESTION: Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?

Jhamasa: You have to be yourself. That is the job.

QUESTION: Who is your greatest inspiration?

Jhamasa: My ancestors.

QUESTION: In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?

Jhamasa: Chance The Rapper, because he is socially conscious and a forward thinker through his personal life and career.

QUESTION: Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc., and why?

Jhamasa: Love, because it always wins and is the source for all that I do.

QUESTION: What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?

Jhamasa: I’ve made many financial sacrifices as well as personal sacrifices to live my truth.

QUESTION: What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?

Jhamasa: What excites me most about making music is collaborating and relating emotionally to others. The most discouraging part is perfecting the recording process and trusting that it will come out as intended.

QUESTION: Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?

Jhamasa: In 10 years I see myself more independently built, perhaps with my own record label and a consistent workload that relates to the creation of music. I also want to start producing my own sound.

QUESTION: What advice would you give to other up and coming artists or people looking to break into the music industry?

Jhamasa: Become self sufficient. Don’t be afraid to get burned. Creativity is not masculine, you can’t force it, its feminine, you have to endure, you have to let it flow.

QUESTION: Is there anything else you would like people to know about you or your music?

Jhamasa: I am an advocate for foster youth, and if God willing I make it, I hope to help others reach their potential in music as well.

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