| Coco Solid | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Jessica Hansell |
| Born | December 23, 1979 |
| Origin | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Genres | Electroclash, Electronica, Hip hop |
| Occupations | Musician, Writer |
| Instruments | Vocals, keyboard |
| Years active | 2003 -Present |
| Labels | [Independent] |
| Associated acts | Erik Ultimate, Robin Hannibal, Parallel Dance Ensemble |
| Website | Coco Solid Website |
Coco Solid (born Jessica Hansell 23 December 1979 in Auckland, New Zealand) is an emcee and writer. Her musical style is a mixture of hip hop, disco and electronica.[1] Solid worked with Erik Ultimate (Benjamin Buchanan) over her first five albums. She now works with multiple collaborators across the globe.[2]
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Solid was named in the top 10 albums of 2005, 2006 and 2007 in the Sunday Star Times, The Listener or on Radio New Zealand National.[3] New York rapper Princess Superstar has covered the hook of Denim & Leather in her song, Monday Morning.[4]
Solid's single "Crimefighters" received the BNet New Zealand college radio "Best Hip Hop Track" award in 2007. It has also reached #1 on BNet charts.[5] Solid & Erik Ultimate rapped with Kiwi group Flight of the Conchords at SXSW 2006. This was posted on YouTube and has received over 500,000 views.[6]
Coco Solid and Eric Ultimate have supported Girl Talk, Avenue D, The 5.6.7.8's and King Brothers in NZ. Overseas Coco Solid has rapped alongside Sway, TTC, O’mmas Keith from Sa-Ra, Spankrock and The Rogers Sisters.
Coco Solid received the APRA Professional Development Award for song-writing in March 2009.[7]
Solid is recorded with Denmark hip-hop producer Robin Hannibal (from Owusu & Hannibal) after meeting him at the 2008 Red Bull Music Academy. Two songs they created at the academy were released on 12" on Yam Who's London label, Izm Records, under their joint name Parallel Dance Ensemble. The first track "Turtle Pizza Cadillacs" (#1 on Radio Active charts for two weeks in May 2009) comes with a stop-motion video by Aleks Sakowski (who has now made three videos for Coco Solid).[8][9]
The duo are released a 12" and digital EP on 25 March 2011 on German label Permanent Vacation. The first single "Shopping Cart" was #1 on Radio Active for four weeks and tweeted by Gilles Peterson.
Solid completed a ten date tour to Mexico, New York, Berlin, Cologne, Lisbon, Porto and Tokyo in March and April 2009. The tour was supported by the New Zealand Music Commission’s Outward Sound grant scheme.[10]