Veronica Cooper Talks How Slick Rick Inspired Her Single ‘Thug Story,’ Being Compared To Lizzo, And Her Wanting To Work With Eve

Photo Credit: Walter Brady

In this new interview, rising artist, Veronica Cooper talks about how Slick Rick inspired her single, “Thug Story,” being compared to Lizzo, and her wanting to work with Eve.

The Las Vegas born rapper has made a name for herself as the first female rapper to chart on the billboards from her city coming in at number 2 on the HeatSeekers chart and peaking at number 21 on the Rap Album Sales charts. She recently inked a deal as the host of her own Facebook Watch show called “I See You TV“; where she interviews music artists of different genres on the rise.

Check out the full interview below!

1. How long have you been doing what you’re doing and how did you get started in the first place?

“I have been writing music since I was 15, but actually being in front of the camera and on the mic its been a few years now. Music wasn’t my first passion, I honestly never thought I would ever be able to say “Hey, I am a music artist and this is my job.” My older brother (J.Earl) is a rapper and he would have me sit with him at home listening to beats and writing together but it wasn’t till years later when I actually got the chance to record my first song did I actually consider this as a career path.”

2. Who were the first influences on your music and style?

“When I first started rapping I was heavily influenced by Eminem, and I think it showed because I wrote some pretty dark songs. As I started growing up Missy Elliott and P!nk became my biggest influences. I love a good mix of rap/pop/dance.

I make music in various genres. My mood will determine if I am going to rap or sing on a track; what genre it will mostly fall under, etc.”

3. How involved are you in the recording, producing, mastering, marketing, and other processes needed to make and sell your music, and do you outsource any part of these processes?

“For the most part, I have a massive role in the creation and distribution of my music. I do still from time to time hear beats and go off in the studio on them, but I would rather be with Codey Got Beatz creating beats from scratch. Some of the best songs I have came from us doing that together.

I recently started working with Jay Gifted in LA as well, who is another great producer who I also trust with my process. I write all my own music and I have had several opportunities to write music for various artists as well. I have my own unique ways of marketing; for my first mixtape, I put my project on USBs disguised as an actual cassette tape. It’s actually what helped me get discovered by my manager Elijah Polk and be seen by some major A&Rs. For anything real heavy I will outsource like PR and larger promotions.”

4. Which ingredient do you think is most essential in making your sound and style the way it is?

“Being authentic is first. People see through the fake stuff, and when you try to be something your not over time, it will show. Being openminded is second. I could just stick to one genre but I am missing an opportunity to create something relatable to people of different walks of life. I grew up in an open-minded environment at home. My mom always said if I’m interested in something, try it out even if others are not into it.”

5. You have a new single called “Thug Story”. Can you tell us more about the track and process you went thru to create the song?

“For starters, the beat is produced by Codey Got Beatz. He has produced most of my new music ’cause he just that damn good! The moment I heard this beat I knew I wanted to work with it, but I just couldn’t figure out what direction to go with. So a few weeks go by and the beat is just sitting on the shelf. At this time I am listening to a lot of old school music like Warren G, Ice Cube, and Snoop Dogg. All of a sudden Slick Rick “Children’s Story” comes on and boom just like that It came to me. Slick rick dropped that song in ’89 and it went on to be a top 5 hit on both the Hot R&B singles and Hot Rap tracks chart.

It got me to thinking about how long its been since someone made a storytelling type song. It took me 2 sessions to write and record the song because I wasn’t sure about how I wanted it to end. My little brother is always telling me he wants to be on one of my songs so I knew off jump I wanted his voice on this track. He went into the studio and said his lines and I just went back in after him and added mine. He was so nervous, but I think he did an amazing job! Codey added some of his magic and before you know it, “Thug Story,” was created.”

6. The Music Video is out on Vevo and it’s looking good. What was the process like creating the visual?

“So fast forward some months, I had a listening party in my city (Las Vegas) where fans, supporters, and friends had a chance to listen to a lot of my unreleased music and give their opinions on them anonymously. “Thug story,” received a 98% approval rating so my team and I knew that we had to shoot a music video to the song cause clearly everyone was loving the track. I mean old school and new school alike were at the event. We ended up hiring MisterReeseFilmz to direct the video. One of my managers (Mikki Gray) suggested we film the video in Cleveland, Ohio and I decided to cast my cousin Desimen cause I knew he would kill the role. MisterReese, his team, and I flew out to Cleveland and shot the music video over the course of 4 days. Two of my younger brothers appear in the video and I had the pleasure of having DJRaven from Ohio’s 216 The Beat Radio Station play a role as well. We had a great time filming it! I am happy to be able to present this song and vision to the world now!”

7. You went off on IG recently about Lizzo. What happened?

“Honestly, I never know if people are comparing me to Lizzo cause of our music or cause of our body types. I bet a million dollars it’s because we are big girls though. I know if we ever collaborated I am sure we would make some fire. I just hate how in this industry women have to be compared to another woman. Why can’t we be ourselves? There isn’t a lot of us within the hip-hop world, to begin with.

I spent years dealing with the image factor of what a female rapper supposed to look like. So before there wasn’t anyone to compare me to. Now because Lizzo is a Grammy award winner and she is a big girl this means that every female who is on the bigger side of the scale making music is now going to be compared to her and it’s not fair to them or even her. I mean I know I’m not alone ’cause I have so many other female friends in music who have leaner body types and all they hear is that they’re trying to be like Nicki or Cardi and these girls don’t sound anything like them. People choose to not even give them a chance cause they assumed something that is far from the truth.”

8. If you could choose to work with some of today’s established artists or producers, to move your game to the top, with whom would you like to collaborate?

“I would love to work with Doja Cat, Post Malone, Dua Lipa, Junglepussy, Bbymutha, Flatbush Zombies and J.Cole just to name some people right now. I would also want to get a few hits with Missy Elliot, Pink, E-40, Big Sean, System of the Down, and Eve!

Don’t ever forget Eve on my list always and forever. Talk about a collab that would make me cry. That would be the one! Eve dropped a song called “Love Is Blind” and I been a fan ever since I can remember. That song makes me cry every time I hear it ’cause its such an emotional and powerful song. I really believe a lot of people have forgotten the impact of that song. Can’t nobody tell me that, Let There Be Eve, is not one of the best albums. Her style and cadence are untouched and still are to this day. So Eve I need you to come out of retirement and make a hit with me one time for the one time.”

9. In closing, tell us something about any projects and ideas you have in store or are already working on as well as where people can find your music.

“Currently, I am working on staying safe during this Covid-19 pandemic. I am spending time with family, working on my home studio, finishing off some features, and promoting “Thug Story” as well my other singles “Queens” and “About Last Night, You Were Great.”