Cozz, the 31-year-old rapper from South Central Los Angeles and a signee to J. Cole’s Dreamville label, is coming into a brand new period—one rooted in readability, accountability and progress. In a current dialog with EBONY at Dreamville Fest, the rapper opened up about his evolving inventive course of, discovering freedom from previous constraints, and the private reckoning that pushed him towards sobriety.
Now practically a yr sober from alcohol, Cozz says the shift has unlocked a brand new stage of intention in his music and efficiency. “That is probably the most clear I’ve been vocally, even with my breath management,” he defined, including that his freestyles are flowing once more, and his stage presence feels renewed.
The turning level got here after the lack of an in depth pal and a sequence of fallouts tied to his consuming. He described a second of deep reflection, a dialog with himself and God, that centered round one query: “What do it’s essential to do to dwell as much as your full potential?” The reply led him to reclaim his focus and start the troublesome—however liberating—journey towards therapeutic.
Nonetheless, the method hasn’t come with out its doubts. “I used to be scared to let it go as a result of I all the time did music with alcohol by my facet. It was my treatment, I used to be nervous,” he admitted. However by means of the discomfort got here conviction. “I took it like another problem. I talked to myself and acquired over the hump. Now I’m 100% higher than I ever was.”
A part of that journey additionally meant confronting the burden of childhood trauma, one thing Cozz says was important to reaching his 11-month milestone. Whereas sobriety has price him sure relationships, it’s additionally deepened those that matter most. “I’m much more thoughtful.” he mirrored. “My actual ones caught with me.”
With new music on the best way, Cozz guarantees a sound that balances bounce with fact—an evolution formed by ache, self-discipline and finally, function.
