Unsigned Bands: C.L.A.P. Cognac

C.L.A.P. Cognac

Born in New York City and raised in the northeast region of the Bronx, C.L.A.P. Cognac resides in Co-op City in its secluded area known throughout the city as Section 5. He was raised in a West Indian household with his mother’s side of the family who were from the heart of Kingston, Jamaica. His father was from the Ivory Coast.

C.L.A.P.’s first influences in music came as he grew up with his two older cousins. Always having the radio on, he was exposed to a vast array of artists such as: B.D.P., LL Cool J, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Run DMC, Ultramagnetic, Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest and NWA. In addition to music, C.L.A.P.’s family also exposed him to hip hop culture in the form of graffiti and break dancing,

One would have never thought back then that he would become the slick-witted MC with the raspy voice who flips his words pertaining to his upbringing, college years and personal life.

After years of sitting by the radio with instrumentals and making local mixtapes, C.L.A.P. went away to Buffalo State College to further his education. There he gained added exposure by performing at local clubs and doing radio interviews while learning how to make and format songs.

It was also during his time at Buffalo State that he took on the stage name “C.L.A.P.” which is an acronym for Camouflage Ladj Attacking Problems. It was a perfect fit for an M.C. who has a witty way of expressing social issues.

After graduating in 2004 with a B.A. in Mass Communication, C.L.A.P. went back to the Bronx to pursue his dream. He was given an opportunity to get on BET’s #1 video show, 106 & Park’s Freestyle Fridays. After winning several times he was ultimately only beaten by himself with a loss for words when an entire show was based around his presence.

That didn’t stop the determined M.C. He continued to do freestyles on mixtapes, performing all over NYC, doing radio interviews and putting out CD samplers independently. He has also broadened his knowledge of the music business by obtaining jobs at G-Unit & Interscope Records.

The artists most influential to C.L.A.P.’s career are The Notorious B.I.G., Big L, Big Pun, and rappers from his local neighborhood located in Section 5 of Co-op City. C.L.A.P. is looked upon as the artist with a raspy voice that has real life content. With six mixtapes under his belt (Stay Hungry, Still Hungry, The Love Outweighs The Hate, Made in the Bronx, The Bronx is Burning and his latest, Kani Life-Blessing in Disguise) all hosted by Superstar Jay (available on dattpiff.com), C.L.A.P. is ready to take on the music industry and show the world his talent.

Visit C.L.A.P. Cognac at:

www.myspace.com/clapcognac

www.twitter.com/claption

www.youtube.com/claption

www.reverbnation.com/clapcognac

mogulsinthemaking.blogspot.com

Click here to Submit a Band