Cool Calm Chrys
Los Angeles’s creative landscape has witnessed the rapid rise of countless local talents that have propelled their careers toward the astronomical heights of stratospheres beyond measure. From the cinematic soundstages to the studio tuned, toned & home honed opuses; the Southern California empire of expansive & international industries has provided the providential beginnings for some of today & tomorrow’s most clever & influential stars. Emerging from the new school is Cool Calm Chrys, who broke out in the scene with 93 Bulls, a confident super-group also comprised of Los Angeles Police Department pop wunderkind Ryan Pollie & Brendan Lynch Salamon where big concept arrangements are met with spaced-out narratives. Announcing news of a new solo single series called Quickstrikes, the latest iteration from one of LA’s most idiosyncratic & elevated emcees Cool Calm Chrys measures mellow bars & melodies made like masterpiece theater for the ear.
Feeding the lyrical flow through a panoramic scope, Cool Calm Chrys presents us with the world premiere of Quickstrike 001 via the sweet & cosmic single “See You Space Cowboy”. With a laid-back beat wrapped around a piano hook, the Los Angeles emcee enters the arena in full form with that trademark extra-ease of gab that portrays the life of a casual rapper going full-time. Chrys lampoons the LA & Hollywood worlds from golden rim rolling fancy flair to silver screen circumstances involving bounty hunters & desperadoes exchanging barbs like spaced-out rough riders dueling in the storms of the twenty-first century. Shrugging off the dijon chumps, Chrys displays something beyond mic pedantic as the artist makes a mini-movie that has all the makings of a modern manga or spaghetti western film feature. Sampling cinema sound bites in-between the piano keys that are littered throughout the production, Chrys kicks it in a Los Angeles that feels like something between a dusty gulch saloon & the O.K. Corral where cowboy confrontations are intertwined between the artist’s humble brags & shrugs. “See You Space Cowboy” pits the rap game struggle against a wild west backdrop of movie magic where outlaws & outsiders set out on a quest to strike paydirt gold. While remaining real to an ethos of virtue & valor, Chrys tells it like it is through Stanley Kubrick shout-outs and reiterations that the sunset riding path of success is not as glamorous as it may seem.
Talking about the new Quickstrike single series, 93 Bulls & more; read our latest exclusive interview session with Cool Calm Chrys:
From 93 Bulls to solo work; tell us about developing your own collected & chill delivery in the realm of mic mastery.
This year has been a roller coaster ride which has been beyond a blessing. 93 Bulls was the eye opener for me with the craft of music. I had always rapped in close circles but never pursued a career in it. After the explosion that was 93 Bulls, I felt it was time for me to take a step back and work on something that was a little more controlled and reined in a bit. So I recently started writing and working on my own solo EP which I’m stoked to drop. So far we are about 6 songs in!
Interested in hearing about working with $wedo Beats with that laid back piano beat & bounty hunter motifs & cinema style samples that comprise “See You Space Cowboy”.
Funny enough, I came across this beat while listening to the Fat Cat Beats playlist on YouYube and immediately started freestyling to it and it just kind of fit. $wedo Beats is a pretty talented producer and something about the melody that just resonated you know. The monologue samples are all pulled from one of the most iconic animes of my generation which is Cowboy Bebop. I’ve literally modeled some of my work ethic and ethos after Spike Spiegel who is easily the coolest and calmest character in the show. Those who know, will just get it. And, if you don’t, do yourself a favor and watch it!
What sorts of focuses have guided your approach to solo work?
I really wanted to work on something a little more traditional as far as hip hop goes. 93 Bulls is crazy and experimental and fun. Ryan, Brendan, and I really wanted to push the limits as to what Hip Hop could be and where it could go with our group project. I think that’s what makes it so appealing. Moving toward my solo work, I want to showcase my ability to weave stories as well as the usage of one of the most powerful tools in hip hop, which is the metaphor. I’ve alway gravitated to east coast style hip hop and production and I think that this is my interpretation of that through the sun-soaked lens that is Los Angeles.
Tell us more about the creation of these fun Quickstrikes singles you have been working on.
Funny enough, the way that this concept came about was more so out of necessity. I’m really big on creating content and pushing it out. With EP’s and albums, what people don’t know, is you record 20-30 songs and then sit back and listen to all that you have and pick and choose what to place on the actual record. This creative process takes time and I wanted to do something to give to people for free while I’m traversing that process. That’s where the “Quickstrikes” idea came from. I’m an avid shoe collector and Nike has always released “quickstrikes” which are limited shoes to celebrate certain occasions. So I wanted to translate that same concept into music. These songs will only be released via Soundcloud and will be free to download and listen to. Think of them as an appetizer before the main course. I’m going to put out several before the EP. So this is just the first!
What else can you tell us about the upcoming EP?
I’ve been extremely lucky during my music tenure to meet and work with some amazing people. I’ve been working on this EP with the infamous Jon Siebels from Eve 6 and he’s really been helping me work on something thats much more cinematic and focused. There will definitely be some features from some people that you’ve heard and some newbies. LAPD will definitely be crooning on a song or two. My friend Eight Badges from LA will be on a track, as well as a few other special guests that I’m hoping make the cut. What I’m looking to do with this EP is not only make a statement, but to also bridge the gap between West Coast sensibilities and East Coast vibes. If you’re a fan of genuine hip hop, then this EP is perfect for you.
Artists of stage, screen & lit that have inspired the world of Cool Calm Chrys as of late?
The question that’s always the hardest to answer [laughs]. Inspiration for me comes from so many avenues. If I had to choose a musician that I’ve definitely had my eye on, it would be Jaden Smith. His SYRE album is thematically beautiful and for a kid of his age and social stature to make something of that nature, its awe inspiring. I’d also have to say Andre Power and Esta over at Soulection. I’ve been blessed to talk and vibe with them about things, and their work ethic is crazy to me. They are proof positive that the dream is always a day away.
Other folks you would wanna collaborate with in the near future?
Dream collaborations would have to be MF DOOM, Madlib, Jay Prince, Corbin, Vince Staples, Mura Masa, Esta, Jaden Smith, Sango, Brent Faiyaz, & Shy Girls. A pretty eclectic mix. But if you asked me this same question a month from now, I’m sure it’d be different haha.
Further notes from the LA scenes?
So far, so far out… *wink*
2018 goals, dreams & hopes?
Do more. Talk less. Eat good. Drink good. Smoke better. Simple.
P.S. 93 Bulls EP drops in the beginning of 2018 as well so you’ll see a whole lot of this dark skin tone on your screen.
Listen to more from Cool Calm Chrys via Soundcloud as well as 93 Bulls via Soundcloud, with more Quickstrike singles dropping soon.
