Features

For those that don't know, who is Coss? Where you from and where you going?

Coss is Troy Johnson, my persona is not an exaggeration or glamorized version of my real self, my persona is me... The name 'Coss' represents evolution and the constant change that is life... I'm from Leimert Park, South Los Angeles, CA... I'm going to the unknown, who knows what the future will bring, but I hope it's success. I hope to be making major moves in the next year...

It's been said that your experiences are a mixture of street life and trying to live consciously, how has this impacted on the way you approach music and your song writing?

For sure, my life experiences have been quite mixed, from catholic schools to hanging out with the local gang members... My experiences bring balance to my music, because I can speak from the perspective of someone who has experienced, but also from the perspective of someone who has witnessed first hand the negative aspects of street life and why the only true way to go is the righteous way. I feel I can offer the best and worst of both worlds, the upper class and the ghetto...

The rapper, as artist, is meant to live a life beyond the means of a regular person you seem to be focussed on debunking this myth, why? 

[Laughs] Most definitely, because a rapper is the epitomy of a normal person. The whole concept is supposedly "keeping it real" but we contradict that ideology by depiciting ourselves as larger than life. I find it hilarious how rappers have to be two things at once when all we really should be is an artist. I'm not a Gangster and an Artist, I'm an artist. Rappers deal with insecurity, debt, grief, disappointment, failure, etc just like the rest of the human race. [Laughs]

How was the response to your Ep Khakis & Taylors? What was the learning process with the first release?

The response was non-existent. I learned that it does not matter how dope the product is if you do not establish a relationship with the consumer. I am not our there visually the way I should be and I take full responsibilty for that. It was recieved well over seas, but in the states the release was totally slept on. I also learned that although wax was a dope sentiment in relevance to keeping it true to the history of the artform, it was not the most accessible medium for heads in terms of being able to cop the music and play it. Basically alot of heads do not have record players [Laughs] so next time I think a digital release would be the better move.  

Who are you working with on the new album? How has the process been? 

I've really developed my own team of producers for this Lp. I'm working closely with J83 out of Holland who handled most of the production. Exile contributed a couple of joints, and of course my partner in crime FONETIK SIMBOL handled all the mixing and also contributed a few joints, including all three songs on the 12inch release. I'm also working with a ill head out of the UK, BeatnickDee not to be confused with the other beatnicks out there, [Laughs] The process has been a grind, not as easy as I thought it would be, that's for sure. Developing a cohesive sound and a consistent theme content wise was the hardest part for me. I want my first release to be focused, not all over the place. I'm finally wrapping it up, but the project was meant to be done in a month and ended up taking two years so that should give you an idea of how difficult the process has been. [Laughs]

What can we expect with new album? what's it called and what's the signifigance of the title?

New Album is entitled Before I Awoke... The title represents a young man's journey to self discovery, in a nut shell, [Laughs] Before I Awoke means before I was fully aware, totally focused... As far as what to expect, well, not the usual, that's for sure. I dont give a fuck what these other rappers are on, I do me without hesistation or restriction. The sound is very bassy, very large, with west coast stamped all over it, [Laughs] The Lp has alot of soul at the same time, its like g-funk meets the blueprint, I'm excited... I think this Lp defines what "new west" really means...

Can we expect another mixtape between now and the album? What are your thoughts on the mixtape as a form of promotion? Do you think some artists over release material?

Expect two mixtapes before the release. The first with Jaguar skills out of the Uk, the second I'm not sure yet. I'm also releasing an Ep with a producer named Simon entitled Simon Sez for free download on the blogs... I think the mixtape game is dope when its done properly. An artist like Joe Budden is the prime example of mixtapes done properly. I don't think some artists release too much music, just too much trash ass music. [Laughs] If you're going to drop a new mixtape every second, cool, just make sure those muthafuckas go hard. I do think less is more when it comes to music, I value an artist that values their craft, when you're giving away 20 songs every two weeks I don't get the vibe that you value your craft, but that's just me.

Moving beyond the next album what have you got your sights set on in 2010?

In 2010 I really want to work with DJ Exile on a full length release, similiar to Fashawn and Blu's projects... right now the sky is the limit for 2010, I'm focused on the TRES release right now, after that we shall see.

You've worked on and off with another prominent LA artist, Blu, can you give us some insight into your relationship with Blu, how'd you guys connect?

Blu is one of my closest friends. Met him back in 03 right after I graduated High School (about a year out actually)... I consider Blu one of my biggest influences lyrically, he's helped me alot as far as perfecting my craft is concerned. One thing I learned form Blu is to do me, as opposed to trying to immulate Blu or any other emcee.

Which came first Coss or CashusKing? Are these two names meant to represent two different sides to Troy Johnson?

[Laughs] Coss came first, then Blu came with the idea of CashusKing because at the time I was going through that "I want to change my alias" phase that alot of emcees go through. Actually Coss and CashusKing represent exactly the same thing, as opposed to different aspects of myself. I always write it as "CossisCashusKing" which further ellaborates on the concept of my alias being who I am and not some artist exaggeration of who I am....

What is it that you hope people take away from your music?

I hope people take away a sense of being understood, meaning I hope people feel as if they relate to what Im saying even if their life experiences are different... What I got from my favorite artists, such as Blu, 2pac, Regina Spektor, The Engineers, Exile, etc is a sense of relating to a person I don't even know. I think these days artists try too hard to look down on the audience as opposed to standing on an even plain with the fan.

Any final words or thoughts?

Support good music, regardless of the genre. When say I support I mean buy the fucking Music! [Laughs] Peace, love, evolution. Thanks for taking the time to interview me. 

Expect Before I Awoke to be released later in 2010 via TRES records and in the meantime keep your eye out for Coss on his mixtape grind. You can stay up on Coss via his myspace and his twitter.