We had the pleasure of speaking with Texas Hip Hop artist Johnny Cocoa to discuss his journey in music as he released one of his latest singles “Free Bird.” Produced by Tago, the track imagines a liberated world where folks fully embrace free-spirited nature to go after what’s theirs for the taking. Through his smooth lyricism and captivating flow, Johnny emphasizes the power in breaking free from the confinements of our mind and a hustle hard mentality. The single serves as a follow up to the Beaumont artist’s recently released spiritual single, “On God” which has accumulated over 1.9M views to date. As we discussed his career, Johnny gave us an inside look on how his music has transformed him, where he draws inspiration and how he hopes to influence as he progresses in his career.
Q: Describe the transition in your music from when you first began to now.
Johnny: The most prevalent change was through my spiritual journey. I took my spiritual journey to new heights and that played a major role in my transition. On “Thuggin’ By My Lonely” I was coming from a place of pain and up until now I am more wise and clear of mind.
Q: Who are some artists that have inspired the work you have created and will create moving forward?
Johnny: RUSS, Smino, James Brown, Ray Charles, Kendrick Lamar, J Cole, Drake, SZA, Schoolboy Q, the list goes on.
Q: What impact do you hope to have on the culture of music?
Johnny: I definitely hope to have persuasive power to create more unity and love within the culture. Personally, as a black man, I hope to inspire love within the black community.
Q: What is one thing you wish someone had told you prior to pursuing a career in this industry?
Johnny: I wish somebody would have told me about politics and how important relationships are because I am naturally introverted. Breaking out of my shell was tricky in the beginning but it was fun and it was part of the journey. I took it head on like I do everything. I would tell them just to be present in the journey because every step is very important, every relationship is invaluable. Everything about the journey is imperative. It’s very important to stay present because without the present there is no future.
The southern artist has caught the attention and public support of music and pop culture icons such as Drake and Kanye West who have recognized his adept cross-genre fusion of hip-hop, R&B and tones of reggae. Beyond the recognition, Johnny is driven by his passion to tell stories through his music and positively influence those around him through his artistry.
Johnny’s continuous stream of singles and projects over the years culminated in his debut project To The World in 2021. Throughout the project, he showcases his versatility as an artist, delivering bars and fan favorites “Thuggin’ By My Lonely” and “Man in the Mirror.” The project also features the popular song, “Letters from Itachi” – inspired by one of the recording artist’s favorite anime shows, Naruto. Be sure to follow the works of Johnny Cocoa as his latest album “I AM WHO I AM” is out now on all streaming platforms!
