Traffic Magazine For Men Spring 2014 | Page 58

Ell cosme Ell Cosme! Bringing His Cabo Verdean Flavor To America By Anthony Davis At 24, Ell Cosme is young, full of energy and ready for global stardom. Hailing from the beautiful islands of Cape Verde, Ell Cosme is a DJ, songwriter and performer who has just released his first single, Koza Sab,” which exploded on Cabo Verdean radio in a matter of days of its release. The song, about a potential love that is so alluring it is incredibly delicious (koza sab), is now making some motion here in the States. “Koza Sab,” produced by Lil Mario Studio and written by Ell Cosme featuring a rap break by childhood friend artist Matchu. This type of collaboration fits right into his philosophy of creating music. “Everything is an inspiration,” says Ell Cosme. “It just has to be the right time, the right moment, the right second. Music comes to me all the time. So when I want to write a song, I put down the beat, and with the rest of the song I know exactly what to do. I just listen to the beat, and the beat guides me.” And the beat has been the guiding force in his life. Music has always been his constant companion. Everywhere he went there was music, “When growing up, we had a radio in our home and I would listen to the music all the time,” says Ell Cosme. “I would sing along and also with my friends. I had one friend that I would always sing together with. Music always meant something to me. And when I grew up, music grew up with me. I decided to make my own songs and here I am.” Although “Koza Sab” can be described as RNZouck—a combination of American R&B and a West African musical form, he says that his version of Zouck music is an “evolution” of sorts, a mixture of the many kinds of music that moves his soul--Hip Hop, R&B and House music. One would think that being on the tiny islands such as Cabo Verde would limit one to being exposed to the global cornucopia of music, but it’s quite the opposite. “Cabo Verde is a group of 10 Islands and we have access to the whole world of music. We’re connected to the world, so we’ve hear music from all over. So I was exposed to all kinds of music, Chinese, African, American, all kinds.” As for the future, he is focusing on the next single “Amore In The Club (Love In The Club),” which he promises will be just as infectious as “Koza Sab.” He’s also enjoying the success of his first music vide