The Cool Kids

Last updated

The Cool Kids
The Cool Kids.jpg
The Cool Kids performing in Chicago
Background information
Genres
Years active
  • 2007–2012
  • 2016–present
Labels
Spinoff of
Members
Website coolxkids.com

The Cool Kids are an American hip hop duo composed of rappers Sir Michael Rocks and Chuck Inglish. [2] The Cool Kids' music had been released primarily to the independent Chocolate Industries via their own label C.A.K.E. Recordings. [3] Reed and Ingersoll have made appearances in numerous forms of media, as well as in collaborations with other artists such as Freddie Gibbs, The Alchemist, Mac Miller, Boldy James, The Neptunes, Curren$y, Dom Kennedy, Larry June, Pac Div, Travis Barker, Lil Wayne, King Chip, Asher Roth, Ab-Soul, and Chance The Rapper. The Cool Kids are also members of the hip hop collectives All City Chess Club and P.O.C. founded in 2010–2011.

Contents

History

Reed attended Walter Payton College Prep in Chicago, Illinois while Ingersoll had attended Notre Dame High School in Harper Woods, Michigan where he played football and basketball. Reed and Ingersoll first exchanged conversations in 2005 when Reed found a beat on MySpace that Ingersoll had produced. [4] The two met to discuss terms of the beat's sale, and eventually ended up recording for two hours. [5] They were inspired by golden age hip hop and artists like LL Cool J and Eric B. & Rakim. [6] Ingersoll began promoting the new duo's material, and it was eventually booked by Josh Young of Flosstradamus for a DJ performance. [5] At this performance (in a venue called Town Hall Pub), the duo met the DJ Diplo who offered to release a mixtape of their unreleased tracks titled Totally Flossed Out on his label Mad Decent, though it was eventually released on C.A.K.E. Recordings. [7] They also received an offer from the DJ A-Trak to sign to his Fool's Gold Records label, [7] which they did, but only for one single. [8] Of their time with Fool's Gold Records, the Cool Kids felt they were not getting enough attention: "When your boss is on tour with Kanye West, it’s easy to have timelines missed," said Chuck in an interview. [9]

All of their material had been released solely on the band's MySpace page [6] their recording contract came after performances at the CMJ Music Festival and Pitchfork Media Music Festival, on July 15, 2007. [4] [10] Eventually, The Cool Kids signed to Chocolate Industries, another independent label. [8] The group has revealed on its MySpace page that The Cool Kids' debut album, When Fish Ride Bicycles, will be released in 2008, though it did not come out until 2011. [11] Ingersoll has been the producer for tracks released thus far, [12] but both work in rapping and production. [13] The duo uses music software program Reason from Propellerhead Software to produce their music. [14]

They have been on tour, opening for M.I.A. [15] and they also joined the bill of the 2008 Rock the Bells hip hop festival on select dates. [16] The group toured across Australia in February 2008 and also appeared at the Laneway Festival. The group also appeared at SUNY Purchase's Culture Shock event in April 2009. [17] One of the duo's singles, "Black Mags", was featured in a late 2007 Rhapsody TV commercial, along with Sara Bareilles. [18] In the same year, the group collaborated with Lil Wayne and DJ Benzi through the Internet on a track entitled "Gettin' It", which will reportedly appear on the DJ's future album Get Right. [19]

The Cool Kids have been featured in the video games NBA Live 08 and MLB 2K8 with the song "88", [20] in Need for Speed Nitro , with The Bloody Beetroots in the song Awesome, [21] and in the episode "The First Cut Is the Deepest" from HBO 's TV series Entourage with the song "Mikey Rocks". [22] They were listed in Rolling Stone 's Ten Artists to Watch in 2008. [23] According to Rolling Stone, "since "Black Mags" debuted, the Cool Kids have gone from an underground sensation in their native Chicago to the hottest ticket at New York's CMJ festival." [24]

The duo has been endorsed by Mountain Dew for their single, "Delivery Man", to which commercials and the music video have aired on MTV2. The group's song "Bassment Party" was featured in the September 21, 2008, episode of the HBO hit comedy Entourage . They also recorded an original track, "2K Pennies," for the soundtrack of NBA 2K9 . The Cool Kids have said in an interview that their success has been gradual. [25] They will also be headlining the "NBA 2K Bounce Tour" along with Q-Tip. [26] The Cool Kids also performed at the 2009 Voodoo Experience in New Orleans, Louisiana. Producer Don Cannon said in an interview with XXL, that he will be working with The Cool Kids for their new album. The group's second official mixtape, Gone Fishing was released on May 5, 2009. Their debut album, When Fish Ride Bicycles, was released July 12, 2011. [11] [27]

Their song "A Little Bit Cooler" was used in a "Most Valuable Puppets" commercial from Nike with LeBron James and Kobe Bryant entitled "Mrs. Lewis". [28] A new mixtape called Tacklebox came out on May 31, 2010. Chuck Inglish worked with Chip tha Ripper and produced his debut album Gift Raps in its entirety. The group claims they haven't put out an album because of having issues with their former label Chocolate Industries for the past three years, but according to the group these issues are now settled and they are working on putting out When Fish Ride Bicycles. In 2010, Chuck Inglish and Mikey Rocks teamed up with Gary, Indiana's Freddie Gibbs and Cleveland's Chip tha Ripper to form the "super group" P.O.C. (Pulled Over by the Cops). [29] Sir Michael Rocks has released a solo project titled The Rocks Report. When Fish Ride Bicycles was released on July 12, 2011. Featuring production by The Neptunes and also featuring Bun B, Chip Tha Ripper, Ghostface Killah, among other artists. The group plans a follow-up album titled "Shark Week".

On October 23, 2011, Mikey Rocks signed with Jet Life Recordings, a Warner Bros. imprint owned by fellow rap artist Curren$y. Chuck Inglish produced the EP "Candy Jams" for 10ille in February 2012 and is also set to work on a mixtape with Curren$y. [30]

On April 25, 2015, member Mikey Rocks took to Twitter to address the consistent questions about a possible reunion, saying they were "never coming back." [31] However, fellow member Chuck Inglish announced the duo were getting back together on July 13, 2016 [32] The Cool Kids have since announced several concerts for the first half of 2017. [33]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
US US R&B US
Rap
When Fish Ride Bicycles
  • Released: July 12, 2011
  • Label: Green Label Sound, C.A.K.E. Recordings
  • Formats: CD, digital download
76169
Special Edition Grand Master Deluxe
  • Released: September 15, 2017
  • Label: Green Label Sound
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Volumes
  • Release: May 25, 2020
  • Label: Propelr Music, C.A.K.E. Recordings
  • Formats: digital download
Before Shit Got Weird (Chapter 1)
Baby Oil Staircase (Chapter 2) / Chillout (Chapter 3)
  • Release: March 21, 2022
  • Label: C.A.K.E. Recordings, Empire
  • Formats: digital download

Extended plays

List of extended plays, with selected chart positions and certifications
TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
US US R&B US
Rap
The Bake Sale [34]
  • Released: June 10, 2008
  • Label: XL, Chocolate Industries, C.A.K.E.
  • Formats: CD, digital download

Mixtapes

List of mixtapes, with year released
TitleAlbum details
Totally Flossed Out
  • Released: 2007
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: digital download
Cool Ass Ninjas
  • Released: April 24, 2008
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: digital download
That's Stupid
  • Released: July 1, 2008
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: digital download
Gone Fishing
  • Released: May 5, 2009
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: digital download
Merry Christmas
  • Released: December 25, 2009
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: digital download
Tacklebox
  • Released: May 31, 2010
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: digital download

Singles

Videography

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LL Cool J</span> American rapper (born 1968)

James Todd Smith, known professionally as LL Cool J, is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He is one of the earliest rappers to achieve commercial success, alongside fellow new school hip hop acts Beastie Boys and Run-DMC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric B. & Rakim</span> American hip hop duo

Eric B. & Rakim are an American hip hop duo formed on Long Island, New York, in 1986, composed of DJ Eric B. and rapper Rakim. AllMusic wrote that "during rap's so-called golden age in the late '80s, Eric B. & Rakim were almost universally recognized as the premier DJ/MC team in all of hip-hop." Tom Terrell of NPR called them "the most influential DJ/MC combo in contemporary pop music period." The editors of About.com ranked them as No. 5 on their list of the 10 Greatest Hip-Hop Duos of All-Time, and Rolling Stone ranked them No. 5 on its list of the 20 Greatest Duos of All Time. The duo have been nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 and 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aesop Rock</span> American rapper (born 1976)

Ian Matthias Bavitz, better known by his stage name Aesop Rock, is an American rapper and producer from Long Island, New York. He was at the forefront of the new wave of underground and alternative hip hop acts that emerged during the late 1990s and early 2000s. He was signed to El-P's Definitive Jux label until it went on hiatus in 2010. In a 2010 retrospective, betterPropaganda ranked him at number 19 at the Top 100 Artists of the Decade.

Jon Wells is an American record producer, record executive, and rapper. He is a member of the Likwit Crew.

<i>Gone Fishing</i> (album) 2009 mixtape by The Cool Kids

Gone Fishing is the 2009 hip hop mixtape by Midwest rap duo The Cool Kids, and their second official mixtape after 2007's That's Stupid!. The album was executive produced by Jonathan "J.P." Keller and Chuck Inglish, while the album was mixed by Don Cannon. The mixtape was released on May 5, 2009, as an appetizer for their forthcoming album When Fish Ride Bicycles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chuck Inglish</span> American rapper

Evan Ingersoll, better known by his stage name Chuck Inglish, is an American rapper, producer and songwriter most known for being part of the hip hop duo The Cool Kids with Sir Michael Rocks. His debut album Convertibles was released on April 8, 2014.

<i>Give the Drummer Some</i> 2011 studio album by Travis Barker

Give the Drummer Some is the debut solo studio album by American drummer Travis Barker. Barker had earlier announced that the album would be slated for a September 14, 2010 release, but was later pushed back, with the album being released on March 15, 2011. The album, released under Interscope Records, was produced by the drummer himself, alongside The Neptunes, RZA, Kool Kojak, Chuck Inglish, Transplants, Kid Cudi, edIT, Corey Taylor and Steve Aoki. The album debuted at number nine on the US Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 28,000 copies in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King Chip</span> American rapper from Ohio

Charles Jawanzaa Worth, known by his stage names King Chip, is an American rapper from Cleveland, Ohio. He is best known for his guest appearance on fellow Cleveland rapper Kid Cudi's 2013 single "Just What I Am," which received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Along with his association with Cudi, Worth has amassed numerous mixtapes tailored for the Cleveland area.

<i>When Fish Ride Bicycles</i> 2011 studio album by The Cool Kids

When Fish Ride Bicycles is the debut studio album by American hip hop duo The Cool Kids. Released on July 12, 2011 under Green Label Sound Records, this would also be their second and final release under a major label. The album features the collaborations production, from Chuck Inglish, The Neptunes, and Travis Barker, along with appearances from Bun B, Ghostface Killah, Travis Barker, and Asher Roth. This is the first studio recording of the group after the mixtape Tacklebox, in the beginning of 2010. The song Swimsuits is used on a Mountain Dew Commercial.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sir Michael Rocks</span> American rapper (born 1987)

Antoine Amari Reed is an American rapper better known by his stage name Sir Michael Rocks. He started his music career in 2005 as a member of the hip hop duo The Cool Kids, and later joined the groups All City Chess Club, the "super group" P.O.C., and The Toothpick Clique. The Cool Kids released their debut album When Fish Ride Bicycles in 2011, which features production by The Neptunes and artists such as Ghostface Killah. The album peaked at No. 76 on the Billboard 200, and No. 9 on Top Rap Albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boldy James</span> American rapper from Michigan

James Clay Jones III, better known by his stage name Boldy James, is an American rapper from Detroit, Michigan. A member of the Griselda collective, his debut album, My 1st Chemistry Set, was released on October 15, 2013.

<i>Convertibles</i> (album) 2014 studio album by Chuck Inglish

Convertibles is the debut studio album by American producer/rapper Chuck Inglish. The album was released on April 8, 2014, through Inglish's own Sounds Like Fun Records via Dave Sitek's Federal Prism Records. Co-produced by Inglish and Incubus' Mike Einziger, the 13-track project features collaborations with Chance the Rapper, Action Bronson, BJ the Chicago Kid, Ab-Soul, and Mac Miller amongst others, along with fellow Cool Kids member Sir Michael Rocks and Canadian electro funk duo Chromeo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rich the Kid</span> American rapper (born 1992)

Dimitri Leslie Roger, known professionally as Rich the Kid, is an American rapper from College Park, Georgia. After a number of independent mixtapes, he signed with Interscope Records in 2017 to release his debut studio album, The World Is Yours (2018). The album, supported by the singles "New Freezer" and "Plug Walk", peaked at number two on the Billboard 200. His second and third studio albums, The World Is Yours 2 (2019) and Boss Man (2020) peaked at numbers four and 24 on the chart, respectively. He has also released the collaborative mixtapes Nobody Safe (2020) with YoungBoy Never Broke Again, and Trust Fund Babies (2021) with Lil Wayne. Furthermore, he founded the record label Rich Forever Music in 2016, and has signed rappers Famous Dex and Jay Critch.

<i>Banco</i> (Sir Michael Rocks album) 2014 studio album by Sir Michael Rocks

Banco is the debut studio album by American rapper Sir Michael Rocks. The album was released on July 29, 2014, by 6 Cell Phones. The album features guest appearances from Twista, Casey Veggies, Iamsu!, Robb Banks, Pouya, Mac Miller, Trinidad James, Too Short, Buddy and Chuck Inglish.

This is the discography of American hip hop musician Sir Michael Rocks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chuck Inglish discography</span>

This is the discography of American hip hop musician Chuck Inglish.

Simmie Sims III, known professionally as Buddy, is an American rapper, singer, and dancer. Previously on the I Am Other label, he is now signed to Cool Lil Company and RCA Records. He is also a member of the hip-hop supergroup Zoink Gang, with JID, Smino and Guapdad 4000.

<i>Special Edition Grandmaster Deluxe</i> 2017 studio album by The Cool Kids

Special Edition Grand Master Deluxe is the second studio album by The Cool Kids. It was released on September 15, 2017, through Cake LLC/Propelr Music LLC. The album's launch marked the duo's return to the music scene after a six-year hiatus. The project features appearances from Hannibal Burress, Travis Barker, Boldy James, Larry June, A-Trak, Reese LaFlare, Smoke DZA, Jeremih, Jay Worthy & Warm Brew, Buddy, HXLT, Anthony Pavel, Ye Ali and more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quality Control Music</span> American record label from Atlanta, Georgia

Quality Control Music is an American hip hop record label founded by Kevin "Coach K" Lee (COO) and Pierre "P" Thomas (CEO) in March 2013. The label's releases are distributed through Motown and Virgin Music, subsidiaries of Capitol Music Group and Virgin Music Group respectively. Tamika Howard and Simone Mitchell are executives of the label, with Howard serving as its general manager.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kids See Ghosts</span> American hip hop duo

Kids See Ghosts was an American hip-hop supergroup composed of musicians Kanye West and Kid Cudi. Formed in 2018 during West’s Wyoming sessions, the duo released their eponymous debut album in June of that year, through their respective label imprints, GOOD Music and Wicked Awesome Records. The album was met with critical acclaim, debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The duo disbanded in 2022 due to personal disagreements, and although they reconciled the following year, there has been no information regarding the duo's status.

References

  1. "Cool Kids | FOOL'S GOLD". Foolsgoldrecs.com. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
  2. Conner, Thomas (August 8, 2011). "Sunday @ Lollapalooza: Perry's stage, Cool Kids, Kid Cudi - Music: Via Chicago". Blogs.suntimes.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  3. "NME Reviews – The Cool Kids: The Bake Sale". NME . IPC Media. June 25, 2008. Retrieved June 25, 2008.
  4. 1 2 Brown, Marisa. "Biography". Allmusic . Retrieved March 8, 2008.
  5. 1 2 Dugan, Stacey (January 2, 2008). "The Cool Kids: Colorforms". URB (151). Archived from the original on January 16, 2008. Retrieved March 8, 2008.
  6. 1 2 Raymer, Miles (July 6, 2007). "Where the Cool Kids Are". Chicago Reader . Retrieved March 8, 2008.
  7. 1 2 Dugan, Stacey (July 18, 2007). "The Kids are all right". Time Out Chicago (124). Archived from the original on December 15, 2007. Retrieved March 8, 2008.
  8. 1 2 Maher, David (October 23, 2007). "The Cool Kids Sign to Chocolate Industries". Pitchfork Media . Archived from the original on March 7, 2008. Retrieved March 8, 2008.
  9. Muldoon, Tara. "The Cool Kids Look Good • Interviews •". Exclaim.ca. Archived from the original on July 30, 2012. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
  10. Pitchfork Staff (July 17, 2007). "Pitchfork Music Festival 2007: Sunday". Pitchfork Media . p. 3. Archived from the original on March 7, 2008. Retrieved March 8, 2008.
  11. 1 2 "Fire Starter: The Cool Kids". MTV News. March 24, 2008. Retrieved April 1, 2008.
  12. Frere-Jones, Sasha (October 19, 2007). "Cooler Talk". The New Yorker Online Only. Retrieved March 8, 2008.
  13. Blackwell, Gary L. (October 25, 2007). "The Cool Kids". Spin . Retrieved March 8, 2008.
  14. Herman, Max (February 29, 2008). "The Cool Kids interview". Illinois Entertainer. Retrieved April 5, 2008.
  15. Shepherd, Julianne (October 30, 2007). "YOU DON'T KNOW ME: The Cool Kids". Vibe . Archived from the original on January 4, 2008. Retrieved March 8, 2008.
  16. Peters, Mitchell (April 22, 2008). "A Tribe Called Quest, Nas Lead Rock The Bells Bill". Billboard . Retrieved April 28, 2008.
  17. "The Cool Kids Bringing '88 Back Australian Tour". Sneaker Freaker . February 17, 2008. Retrieved June 13, 2008.
  18. "Exclusive: Cool Kids Q&A". Rhapsody . February 5, 2008. Archived from the original on February 9, 2008. Retrieved March 8, 2008.
  19. "Audio: Lil Wayne f the Cool Kids, "Gettin It"". The Fader . June 13, 2007. Retrieved March 8, 2008.
  20. Dunham, Alexis (September 17, 2007). "EA Unveils NBA Live 08 Soundtrack". IGN . News Corporation. Archived from the original on October 15, 2007. Retrieved March 8, 2008.
  21. Sung, Lydiaand (August 19, 2009). "Need for Speed NITRO soundtrack detailed". Neoseeker. Retrieved February 21, 2010.
  22. "HBO: Entourage Music: Season 04: Episode 44". HBO . Retrieved March 8, 2008.
  23. Serpick, Evan (November 14, 2007). "Artist to Watch: The Cool Kids". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on November 16, 2007. Retrieved January 7, 2008.
  24. "News". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 16, 2007. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
  25. "Cool Kids, The - 1.11.08 - Interview". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
  26. Sines, Shawn (October 6, 2008). "NBA 2K9 Soundtrack Revealed". 1UP.com . Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
  27. "Album Review: The Cool Kids - When Fish Ride Bicycles | Prefix". Prefixmag.com. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
  28. Nike MVPuppets "Mrs Lewis" on YouTube
  29. "The Cool Kids, Chip The Ripper & Freddie Gibbs Form Hip-Hop Supergroup". Ballerstatus. February 19, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  30. "10ille & Chuck Inglish 'Candy Jams'". Gowherehiphop.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  31. "Sir Michael Rocks Says The Cool Kids Are "Never Coming Back"". BallerStatus.com. April 27, 2015.
  32. "Chuck Inglish Announces The Cool Kids Are Reuniting". Complex.com. July 13, 2016.
  33. "Live —". Archived from the original on February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  34. "iTunes - Music - The Bake Sale by The Cool Kids". Itunes.apple.com. May 20, 2008. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
  35. Soto, Zachary (October 23, 2007). "The Cool Kids sign with Chocolate Industries". Prefix Magazine. Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  36. Burgess, Omar (August 25, 2008). "Cool Kids Deliver Mountain Dew Sponsored Single". HipHopDX.com. Archived from the original on September 6, 2008. Retrieved September 7, 2008.
  37. Lilah, Rose (April 3, 2014). "Cool Kids get ready for Shark Week". HNHH. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  38. Schwartz, Danny (September 17, 2016). "Chuck Inglish insists the Cool Kids are back". HNHH. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  39. Ortiz, Edwin. "Premiere: Listen to The Cool Kids' New Song "Connect Four"". Complex Networks . Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  40. "The Cool Kids Reunite for 'TV Dinner' Video: Premiere". Billboard. March 24, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  41. "The Cool Kids Sir Michael Rocks & Chuck Inglish Strike Back With "Checkout"". Vibe. July 10, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  42. "The Cool Kids Detail New Album, Share New Song "9:15Pm" With Jeremih: Listen | Pitchfork". Pitchfork. September 1, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2017.