| Kooley High | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Origin | Raleigh, North Carolina |
| Genres | Hip Hop, Rap, Soul |
| Years active | 2006 - Present |
| Labels | M.E.C.C.A. Records |
| Associated acts | HaLo, Median |
| Website | http://kooleyhigh.com |
| Members | |
| Tab-One, Rapsody, Charlie Smarts, Foolery, The Sinopsis, DJ Ill Digitz | |
Kooley High is composed of six former N.C. State University students, who met on campus by way of hip hop. They started out as a student-run hip hop organization, known as H2O. The North Carolina group is made up of three MCs, Charlie Smarts, Tab-One, and Rapsody, two producers, Foolery and The Sinopsis, and a DJ, Ill Digitz. In 2008, they were introduced in the documentary "One Day" filmed, edited and directed by Napoleon Wright II founder of BecauseUs. Tab-One and Charlie Smarts are also in the hip hop band Inflowential. Rapsody is signed to 9th Wonder's JAMLA Records / It's a Wonderful World.
Contents |
Kooley High was featured on Rolling Stone's Breaking Blog, saying:
- The Band: Kooley High
- The Buzz: Stunning North Carolina hip-hop group makes grand, thumping tracks from sliced-up soul and shards of R&B. It's like every song should be released on 45.
- Listen If: You don't care how cold it is outside — to you, it's always summertime. And 1993.
- Key Track: "Too Late," the kind of sizzling all-crew scorcher that would have done Arrested Development proud.[1]
Kooley High's track Everywhere Is Summer was featured on The Washington Post's Singles File, saying:
The North Carolina-based hip-hop nostalgists turn a remixed version of Common's "Everywhere" into a soulful, summery reminder of the mid-'90s, when jazz-influenced hip-hop outfits like A Tribe Called Quest roamed the Earth.[2]
Nicole Dawley of URB magazine reviewed Kooley High's The Summer Sessions E.P. writing:
With samples of Samuel L. Jackson in all his Pulp Fiction glory and production courtesy of 9th Wonder, Kooley High’s jazz flavored EP, The Summer Sessions: Gold Tooth Edition is the epitome of cool. Together, Kooley High—Charlie Smarts, Rapsody, Tab-One (MCs), Sinopsis, Foolery and DJ Ill Digitz (producers/DJs) bring their soulful sound and refreshing carelessness on this summer inspired album. This album holds nothing innovative or revolutionary, but these kiddos are simply having a great time, and you can hear it track after track. They bring the best out of one another all while securing dope beats and slick anecdotes. The first half of Summer Sessions is fun and amusing. “Too Late,” “Kool With It” and the lovey dovey track, “There You Go” shows that the North Cack emcees don't care about being too demanding or trite. However, they do get nitty-gritty in the album’s hottest track; the 9th Wonder blessed, “Water” which showcases Kooley High’s super duper ill flow. “We Be That” is where Rapsody aka RapDiddy, though surrounded by major testosterone, holds it down. If the EP is this “K-O-O-L” we definitely can’t wait to hear a full length real soon. You can never go wrong with soulful boom-banging hip hop that makes you feel good.[3]
Lady J of Rotting Television reviewed Charlie Smart's F'Alex writing:
Whoa Whoa Whoa!!! serious hotness from this dude. Charlie Smarts, from the group Kooley High and Inflowential, has just released his first solo project called F’Alex. This mixtape is chop full of great tracks and great skits that lets you into the life of Charlie Smarts. Since it’s been released yesterday, ive heard the album about 5 times. Don’t, i mean Don’t sleep on theses emcees! A lil info about young Charlie Smarts, he’s signed with Mecca records with his group Inflow, and has worked with 9th Wonder along with some of his Bandmates from Kooley High. Check out my new fav song on the mixtape “Ms. America” and “Bonanza”. Dope Tracks: My Baby, Ms. America, Bonanza, Lovin’ Me, Nobody"[4]