When you're looking at new and revolutionary UK talent its hard to not factor in Sheffield's flow-master Coco. Having been constantly featured across Radio 1xtra on all of his releases, almost effortlessly, he's been pulling out 'track of the week' regularly like it's his specialty. Coco has blown onto the scene and established himself with a firm footing as one of the freshest flows this side of the country, with a summer filled with festivals and Ibiza appearances its safe to say he's going to be here for the long run. Working with huge artists on the regular it seems like Coco's phone book is just growing and growing, after hearing heat on remixes with Trigga, Jammz, Terminator, Nadia Rose, and AJ Tracey as well as his larger than life single with Jamaica's No.1 Protoje - the questions stand; What's next? Is this fire hazard ever stopping? And where the bun is this 'My G' remix at? I know I've been waiting. I got in contact with the man a few times recently to ask some of these burning questions and clear the dust.
Coco & Toddla's style so far hasn't been conforming to any genre, this especially clear through his new track 'Waters Run Deep' with Shola Ama & Deep Green; where he's taken a melodic bass tone as a change. When I got told this new release was coming I expected another 'My G' bass heavy banger; what we're seeing is a tune you won't be pullin' inna' rave, but instead reaching for the Rizzla and a bottle of vino, calling up a honey and leaning back; top tip, play this tune if you're driving about late at night in a car with a good sound system - thank me later.
I asked Coco back in summer what route he was taking with his music before he dropped 'Ova Here' with Protoje, it seemed to me at that time he was trying to move more towards a Grime or Bass vibe, with 'My G' sounding like Sheffield's bassline past coming back in a new way; When I brought this up he proved me completely wrong.
‘Me and Toddla aren’t playing that game, (Genre) a lot of people do that but we just try and find a sound that we like and go with it’
'I’m just trying to show people where I’m from and represent as an MC from Sheffield, I wouldn’t say I’m trying to reinstate the Sheffield sound but I am trying to put my city on the map and show people where it’s really at.’
‘Even when bassline was popping in Sheffield I wasn’t one to jump on the wagon I wasn’t really a fan of bassline to be honest, but saying that a couple people have said that ‘My G’ has got that element (Bassline influences) and Toddla didn’t mean for that to happen.’
'I feel like that tune has got my roots there, it’s got the Sheffield roots there.'
‘I’ve spoken to Toddla in the early stages but if there’s a remix 100% its gonna be massive, get me?’
Back in summer ahead of Manchester Carnival I asked Coco about influences and who he might want to work with in the future;
'I’ve always respected the Manchester sound, from when I’ve been into it the Levelz man, Trigga – Trigga from back in the day, he’s been there for a long time, and Toddla especially is influenced by all types of music especially like Jungle, Reggae, Jamaican - anything – he loves music init, if it’s hard it’s hard– if he gives me a beat that I can jump on and I can ride then we’ll do it you know what I mean? Whether its infused with jungle, grime, yeah man.'
(About carnival 2016) 'Woi, if man was there last year! My first ever time at Manchester carnival 2015, I expected it to be a quick ting me jump on mic on Toddla’s set- bruv the reaction was mental I met a lot of sick mc's there for the first time, Chimpo them guys ya get me? But should be mental this year I’m gonna drop a little bit of my stuff with Protoje and go in prepared for it, set to shutdown Manchester Carnival 2016 – this summer is gonna be big.'
Low and behold, he did shut it down; and after a summer of hectic antics playing Annie Mac's all day rave in Birmingham, Carnival's across the UK as well as Ibiza & a BBC Proms event over an orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall, Coco is now set for a live show at the 02, which was set for September but has been moved back, and takes no attitude to slowing down anytime soon.
'If the promoters are on it, i'm there.'
The Video for his new single 'Waters Run Deep' will be dropping on the 11th November; as to after that he let me in on some juicy info also to look on to for after December; and considering his current phone book we can expect some pure heat.
'Rah, man's been producing for time, I wanted to get out with the mc’ing across the UK first but towards the end of this year, start of next year we'll be seeing some Coco riddims'
Find Coco on @thecocouk on everything