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.

The Cool Kids
The Cool Kids performing in Chicago
The Cool Kids performing in Chicago
Background information
OriginChicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres
Years active
  • 2007–2012
  • 2016–present
Labels
Spinoff of
Members
Websitecoolxkids.com

History edit

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 edit

Studio albums edit

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak 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
76 16 9
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 edit

List of extended plays, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak 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 edit

List of mixtapes, with year released
Title Album 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 edit

  • "Black Mags" (2007), C.A.K.E., Chocolate Ind.[35]
  • "Delivery Man" (2008), Green Label Sound[36]
  • "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)[37]
  • "Running Man" (2016) feat. Maxo Kream[38]
  • "Connect 4" (2016)[39]
  • "TV Dinner" (2017)[40]
  • "Checkout" (2017)[41]
  • "9:15pm" (2017) feat. Jeremih[42]
  • "Dice Game" (2018)

Videography edit

  • 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)
  • Checkout (2017)
  • TV Dinner (2017)
  • Dipped (2019)
  • Scam Likely (2022)

See also edit

References edit

  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. ^ a b Brown, Marisa. "Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved March 8, 2008.
  5. ^ a b Dugan, Stacey (January 2, 2008). "The Cool Kids: Colorforms". URB (151). Archived from the original on January 16, 2008. Retrieved March 8, 2008.
  6. ^ a b Raymer, Miles (July 6, 2007). "Where the Cool Kids Are". Chicago Reader. Retrieved March 8, 2008.
  7. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "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.

External links edit