Q&A With Los Angeles, CA Based Underground Hip Hop Artist Cool Calm Chrys

We are honored to meet you via online Cool Calm Chrys!! Much respect on your absolutely epic LA flavor underground Hip Hop EP “So Far, So Far Out”! One of our main contributors BOOM ranked it 8/10!!! This EP really fits well with our website!! Please tell us a bit about yourself? How long have you been an artist? How did you get your Emcee name?

Well, I’ve been formally making music for about 2 years now. But, I’ve been making rhymes and having concerts in my head since I can remember. Thanks to the cajoling of a few close friends, I materialized those thoughts into reality. The name Cool Calm Chrys comes from an old profile bio quote that I used back when I was only 16. I would tell people who I was “cool, calm, & well-connected”. So when it came time to figure out a rap moniker, it just seemed fitting. Not to mention, it just rolls of the tongue lol.

Please let us know when was your first time making music? Do you remember where/when?

The first time I ever made music was when I was 15. I was living in the bay area for a few years and this was during the hyphy movement. During that time, there was a huge influx of independent rappers. Dudes that used fruity loops and shit like that to make CD mixtapes at the school to make a few extra bucks. I had a friend who was making a mixtape and asked me to hop on a verse. It wasn’t the best, but it started the domino effect that got me to this point. Shout out Billy G.R.A.M. for that.

Los Angeles!! The city of angels as they say!! As we both now, they are millions of rappers in our city! How have you been able to separate yourself from the pack of sheep! If extremely difficult in today’s climate to really make an impact when there are so many frauds in the game today!

My thought process is that authenticity always rises to the top. That’s in every facet of creativity. We live in an era where being a “creative” has never been cooler. So you’ve got kids who see this shit as a meal ticket and not an art form. I look at it in a different light. I want to focus on being better at the art form and let the people decide if I’m worthy of making a career out of it. I also make it a point to not be worried with the “I hope this pops” mindset. This city spits our a new rapper everyday. But, if you’re in this game for monetary gain, you’re in it for the wrong reasons, and you won’t last.

Please breakdown the creative process of the new EP “So Far, So Far Out”. Wicked cover art btw! The artwork is always important! Love the fact that dope artwork always sets the tone and allow fans to be more adaptable to music…

The creative process for me is always very chill and easy. When we get into album mode, my manager gives me milestone goals to hit. For this, we decided that we would produce, write, and record 2 songs a week for 2 months. So every week, whether hail, sleet, rain, or snow, I made my way into the studio to lay something down. This process not only helped us get so many songs, but always helped me find the sound for the EP. I always had this EP in my mind conceptually, so my energy was focused in that, I knew where the ship was sailing. And yeah man, the art is done by my boy Gio who is a dope artist. I told him the concept of the album and what I wanted to present and he created this amazing visual representation of that.

How often do you perform LIVE!? have you ever been on tour? Any LA shows coming up?

I’ve had a few live shows in LA, but I’m working on filling out the calendar for the remainder of the year. Whats up UGHH, lets put on a show lol. Follow me on all social media outlets to stay up to date on the next show! Can’t wait to vibe with everybody out there in the digital world.

Please tell us abut your mission statement regarding your music and movement. What do you want fans to walk away with after listening toy our projects? Also, please describe your sound in the simplest way possible?

My mission statement is simply to show that there is a voice for the everyday consumer. I don’t do drugs, I don’t buy fancy cars, I don’t date video vixens, and I don’t take trips to St. Tropez. I’m an everyday guy that takes his life experiences and packages them for consumption. The one thing I’d want a person to walk away with, is the sense that they aren’t the only person who struggles with the daily grind of life. We are all just trying to stay afloat in the deep end of the pool.

My best friend described my music in the best way ever. It’s Conversational Rap. It’s your big bruv who is telling you about his fears, triumphs, losses, and happiness to help you determine what to do and not to do. It just so happens to rhyme lol.

Anything special for Summer 2018!!??

Well, we released some special merch for the release of the EP which is available online. Go cop that! Also, My goal this year is to continuously create and release content. So, I’m already in the studio working on my second EP titled “The Deep End Theory” which should release in the next few months. I’m also working with my experimental hip hop group 93 Bulls on a 2nd EP which should be a little more fluid and different which I’m stoked about. Long story short, this year is all about the slow build, heavy grind. So, leave all your hands and feet in the ride at all times, shit is about to get trippy.

Now this is our most popular question, what is your definition of “Underground Hip Hop”?

Underground Hip Hop to me is the embodiment of what is the foundation of this art we all participate in. It’s the bed rock that others build on top of. Everybody started off in the “underground” and built upwards and not vice versa. Underground has always had a somewhat “negative” connotation, when in actuality, some of the most influential lyricists, artists, producers, and singers call it home. To answer your question more concisely, Underground Hip Hop is the definition of this realm we are all so lucky to be a part of.

Where can fans find your music? Drop all links!!

All of the music is available on all music outlets such as Spotify, Apple Music, Google Music, & Youtube. That includes soundcloud, where you can find my one-off tracks to hold you over until the next studio release. Also, follow me on IG to stay up to date with everything thats happening in my world and get a small inside peak at my daily grinds and processes.

Any Shout Outs??

CCC: When I wasn’t old enough I wasn’t bold enough. “Chrys you gon’ be somebody one day”, I probably wasn’t told enough. So I kept this shit to myself, wondering if I was cold enough. I wanna say cheers to everybody that made it, and everybody that hated. Everybody that passed on it, and everybody that played it. This shit is a blessing and is what keeps this rap shit connected. Gone.

Thanks for all of the love guys. I appreciate everything that you’ve done and look forward to working and building with you as my music career grows. I’ll send over some new music as I get it out. The second EP will be dropping in October with the 1st single dropping next month!