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The Cool Kids are an American hip hop duo composed of rappers Sir Michael Rocks and
Chuck Inglish Evan Ingersoll (born October 7, 1984), 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 ...
. The Cool Kids' music had been released primarily to the independent Chocolate Industries via their own label C.A.K.E. Recordings. 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 An alchemist is a person who practices alchemy. Alchemist or Alchemyst may also refer to: Books and stories * ''The Alchemist'' (novel), the translated title of a 1988 allegorical novel by Paulo Coelho * ''The Alchemist'' (play), a play by Be ...
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Mac Miller Malcolm James McCormick (January 19, 1992 – September 7, 2018), known professionally as Mac Miller, was an American rapper and record producer. Miller began his career in Pittsburgh's hip hop scene in 2007, at the age of fifteen. In 2010, h ...
, Boldy James,
The Neptunes The Neptunes are an American songwriting and production duo composed of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, formed in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in 1992. Williams often provides additional vocals on records and appears in the duo's music video ...
,
Curren$y Shante Scott Franklin (born April 4, 1981), better known by his stage name Currensy (often stylized as Curren$y), is an American rapper. In 2011, he founded the label Jet Life Recordings. Music career 2002–2008: No Limit and Young Money ...
, Dom Kennedy,
Larry June Larry Eugene Hendricks III (born April 8, 1991) is an American rapper from San Francisco, California. He is known for his EPs ''Larry'' and ''Orange Season'' and has toured with musicians such as Cousin Stizz, Berner, Curren$y, and Post Malone ...
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Pac Div Pacific Division, better known as Pac Div is an American rap quartet from Southern California. Formed by brothers Like and Mibbs, Pac Div started rapping together in high school. Originally an eleven-member crew, they shrank to three in 2005 ...
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Travis Barker Travis Landon Barker (born November 14, 1975) is an American musician who serves as the drummer for the rock band Blink-182. He has also performed as a frequent collaborator with hip hop artists, is a member of the rap rock group Tran ...
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Lil Wayne Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. (born September 27, 1982), known professionally as Lil Wayne, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive. His career began in 1995, at the age of 12, when he was signed by rapper Birdman, joining ...
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King Chip Charles Jawanzaa Worth (born October 20, 1986), known by his stage names King Chip and Chip tha Ripper, is an American rapper from Cleveland, Ohio. He is notable for amassing several self-released mixtapes, as well as for his work with longtime a ...
, Asher Roth,
Ab-Soul Herbert Anthony Stevens IV (born February 23, 1987), better known by his stage name Ab-Soul, is an American rapper, singer and songwriter. Raised in Carson, California, he signed to indie record label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) in 2007, where ...
, and
Chance The Rapper Chancelor Johnathan Bennett (born April 16, 1993), known professionally as Chance the Rapper, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, and record producer. Born and raised in Chicago, Bennett released his debut mixtape ''10 Day'' in 2012. He ...
. The Cool Kids are also members of the hip hop collectives
All City Chess Club Wasalu Muhammad Jaco (born February 16, 1982), better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco ( ), is an American rapper, singer, record producer, and entrepreneur. He rose to fame in 2006 following the success of his debut album, '' Lupe Fiasco's ...
and P.O.C. founded in 2010–2011.


History

Reed attended Walter Payton College Prep in
Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = List of sovereign states, Count ...
,
Illinois Illinois ( ) is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolitan areas include, Peoria and Rock ...
while Ingersoll had attended Notre Dame High School in
Harper Woods, Michigan Harper Woods is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city had a population of 15,492 at the 2020 census. Harper Woods is a northeastern suburb of Metro Detroit and shares its southern and western border with the city of Det ...
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. The two met to discuss terms of the beat's sale, and eventually ended up recording for two hours. They were inspired by
golden age hip hop Golden age hip hop is a name given to mainstream hip hop music created from the mid-1980s to early-mid 1990s, particularly by artists and musicians originating from the New York metropolitan area. An outgrowth of the new school hip hop movement ...
and artists like
LL Cool J James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968), known professionally as LL Cool J (short for Ladies Love Cool James), is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He is one of the earliest rappers to achieve commercial success, along ...
and Eric B. & Rakim. Ingersoll began promoting the new duo's material, and it was eventually booked by Josh Young of Flosstradamus for a DJ performance. At this performance (in a venue called Town Hall Pub), the duo met the DJ
Diplo Thomas Wesley Pentz (born November 10, 1978), known professionally as Diplo, is an American DJ and music producer. He is the co-creator and lead member of the electronic dancehall music project Major Lazer, a member of the supergroup LSD wit ...
who offered to release a
mixtape A mixtape (alternatively mix-tape, mix tape or mixed tape) is a compilation of music, typically from multiple sources, recorded onto a medium. With origins in the 1980s, the term normally describes a homemade compilation of music onto a cassette ...
of their unreleased tracks titled ''Totally Flossed Out'' on his label Mad Decent, though it was eventually released on C.A.K.E. Recordings. They also received an offer from the DJ
A-Trak Alain Macklovitch (born March 30, 1982), known by his stage name A-Trak, is a Canadian DJ, record producer, and record executive. He came to prominence in the late 2000s as an international club DJ and remix artist, known for incorporating highly ...
to sign to his
Fool's Gold Records Fool's Gold Records is an independent record label based in Brooklyn, New York, United States. The label is known for its annual series of Day Off concerts across the US and Canada. History Fool’s Gold Records was founded in 2005 by DJs A- ...
label, which they did, but only for one single. Of their time with
Fool's Gold Records Fool's Gold Records is an independent record label based in Brooklyn, New York, United States. The label is known for its annual series of Day Off concerts across the US and Canada. History Fool’s Gold Records was founded in 2005 by DJs A- ...
, 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. All of their material had been released solely on the band's MySpace page—their recording contract came after performances at the CMJ Music Festival and
Pitchfork Media ''Pitchfork'' (formerly ''Pitchfork Media'') is an American online music publication (currently owned by Condé Nast) that was launched in 1995 by writer Ryan Schreiber as an independent music blog. Schreiber started Pitchfork while working ...
Music Festival, on July 15, 2007. Eventually, The Cool Kids signed to Chocolate Industries, another independent label. 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. Ingersoll has been the producer for tracks released thus far, but both work in rapping and production. The duo uses music software program
Reason Reason is the capacity of consciously applying logic by drawing conclusions from new or existing information, with the aim of seeking the truth. It is closely associated with such characteristically human activities as philosophy, science, lang ...
from Propellerhead Software to produce their music. They have been on tour, opening for M.I.A. and they also joined the bill of the 2008
Rock the Bells Rock the Bells was an annual hip-hop festival that originally took place in Southern California only, but has since toured throughout the world. The concert featured a line-up of high-profile alternative hip-hop artists, often headlined by a mor ...
hip hop festival on select dates. 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. One of the duo's singles, " Black Mags", was featured in a late 2007 Rhapsody TV commercial, along with
Sara Bareilles Sara Beth Bareilles (, ; born December 7, 1979) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She has sold over three million albums and over 15 million singles in the United States. She has earned various awards and nominations including nin ...
. In the same year, the group collaborated with
Lil Wayne Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. (born September 27, 1982), known professionally as Lil Wayne, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive. His career began in 1995, at the age of 12, when he was signed by rapper Birdman, joining ...
and DJ Benzi through the Internet on a track entitled "Gettin' It", which will reportedly appear on the DJ's future album ''Get Right''. The Cool Kids have been featured in the video games ''
NBA Live 08 ''NBA Live 08'' is the 2007 installment of the NBA Live (video game series), ''NBA Live'' series by EA Sports. It was released for the PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, Microsoft Windows, Windows and PlayStation Portable. This is the ...
'' and '' MLB 2K8'' with the song "88", in '' Need for Speed Nitro'', with
The Bloody Beetroots The Bloody Beetroots is an Italian electronic music project of musician and producer Bob Rifo (also Sir Bob Cornelius Rifo and SBCR, born Simone Cogo). Established in late 2006, the Bloody Beetroots were initially a duo consisting of Bob Rifo an ...
in the song ''Awesome'', and in the episode "The First Cut Is the Deepest" from HBO's TV series '' Entourage'' with the song "Mikey Rocks". They were listed in ''
Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first known for its ...
'''s Ten Artists to Watch in 2008. 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." 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 National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America. The league is composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada) and is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United S ...
''. The Cool Kids have said in an interview that their success has been gradual. They will also be headlining the "NBA 2K Bounce Tour" along with Q-Tip. 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. Their song "A Little Bit Cooler" was used in a "Most Valuable Puppets" commercial from Nike with
LeBron James LeBron Raymone James Sr. (; born December 30, 1984) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed "King James", he is widely considered one of the greatest p ...
and
Kobe Bryant Kobe Bean Bryant ( ; August 23, 1978 – January 26, 2020) was an American professional basketball player. A shooting guard, he spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Widely r ...
entitled "Mrs. Lewis". A new mixtape called '' Tacklebox'' came out on May 31, 2010. Chuck Inglish worked with
Chip tha Ripper Charles Jawanzaa Worth (born October 20, 1986), known by his stage names King Chip and Chip tha Ripper, is an American rapper from Cleveland, Ohio. He is notable for amassing several self-released mixtapes, as well as for his work with longtime a ...
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 Charles Jawanzaa Worth (born October 20, 1986), known by his stage names King Chip and Chip tha Ripper, is an American rapper from Cleveland, Ohio. He is notable for amassing several self-released mixtapes, as well as for his work with longtime a ...
to form the "
super group ''Super Group'' is an album by the Japanese rock trio Shonen Knife. It was released in Japan on 7 November 2008, in the USA on 20 May 2009, and in the UK and Europe in 2010. The original Japanese CD issue was released as a mini-LP cartoon packa ...
" P.O.C. (Pulled Over by the Cops). Sir Michael Rocks has released a solo project titled The Rocks Report.
When Fish Ride Bicycles ''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 2nd & final release under a major label. The album features the colla ...
was released on July 12, 2011. Featuring production by
The Neptunes The Neptunes are an American songwriting and production duo composed of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, formed in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in 1992. Williams often provides additional vocals on records and appears in the duo's music video ...
and also featuring
Bun B Bernard James Freeman (born March 19, 1973), known professionally as Bun B, is an American rapper. He is best known as one half of the southern rap duo UGK (UnderGround Kingz), a group he formed in 1987 alongside Pimp C. Aside from his work wit ...
, Chip Tha Ripper,
Ghostface Killah Dennis Coles (born May 9, 1970), better known by his stage name Ghostface Killah, is an American rapper and a member of the hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan. After the group achieved breakthrough success in the aftermath of '' Enter the Wu-Tang (36 ...
, 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$y Shante Scott Franklin (born April 4, 1981), better known by his stage name Currensy (often stylized as Curren$y), is an American rapper. In 2011, he founded the label Jet Life Recordings. Music career 2002–2008: No Limit and Young Money ...
. Chuck Inglish produced the EP "Candy Jams" for
10ille 1 (one, unit, unity) is a number representing a single or the only entity. 1 is also a numerical digit and represents a single unit of counting or measurement. For example, a line segment of ''unit length'' is a line segment of length 1. I ...
in February 2012 and is also set to work on a mixtape with Curren$y. 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." However, fellow member Chuck Inglish announced the duo were getting back together on July 13, 2016 The Cool Kids have since announced several concerts for the first half of 2017.


Discography


Studio albums


Extended plays


Mixtapes


Singles

* " Black Mags" (2007), C.A.K.E., Chocolate Ind. * "Delivery Man" (2008), Green Label Sound * "Pennies" (2008) * "Bundle Up" (2011), Green Label Sound * "Swimsuits" (featuring Mayer Hawthorne) (2011), Green Label Sound * "G.E.D. (Gettin' Every Dolla)" (Sir Michael Rocks Ft. Tris J) (2012) * "Im Doggin" (2012) * "Mikey Rocks" (2014) * "Running Man" (2016) feat. Maxo Kream * "Connect 4" (2016) * "TV Dinner" (2017) * "Checkout" (2017) * "9:15pm" (2017) feat. Jeremih * "Dice Game" (2018)


Videography

* ''Black Mags'' (2007) * ''Delivery Man'' (2008) * ''Pennies'' (2008) * ''Knocked Down'' (2009) * ''Tires'' (2009) * ''Free Throws'' (2009) * ''Do It Big'' (2010) * ''Gold Links'' (2010) * ''Big Talk'' (2010) * ''Bundle Up'' (2011) * ''Summer Jam'' (2011) * ''Rush Hour Traffic'' (2012) * ''TV Dinner'' (2017)


See also

*
Chicago hip hop Chicago, Illinois is a major center for music in the midwestern United States where distinctive forms of blues (greatly responsible for the future creation of rock and roll), and house music, a genre of electronic dance music, were developed. Th ...


References


External links


The Cool Kids
on Myspace
Sir Michael Rocks Official Site

HipHopCanada.com interview
(February 26, 2008)
The Cool Kids interview

Article from the Chicago Reader

Vibe article

FMLY Interviews The Cool Kids

Sir Michael Rocks Interview with Jesse Menendez on Vocalo
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cool Kids, The American hip hop groups Alternative hip hop groups African-American musical groups American hip hop record producers American musical duos Midwest hip hop groups Musical groups established in 2007 Musical groups from Chicago Rappers from Detroit XL Recordings artists Hip hop duos Record producers from Illinois