As 2016 wound down, word on the streets was that prolific Portland rapper Cool Nutz had a new record in the can. Vortex got a sneak listen to some of the politically charged cuts destined for Pig Ears & Chitlins as we explored our country's new political climate in our first issue of 2017.
While Pig Ears & Chitlins is being readied for a summer release, King Cool Nutz does have something to whet our appetites this spring: a "new EP entitled Terrance, which is my government name," he tells us. The project features the likes of Mistah Fab, Nipsey Hussle, Illmaculate, Maniac Lok and Bosko and we've got the video for the first song from it, the Nasty Chopz-produced title track.
Seeking "new and inspirational production," Cool Nutz reached out to some producers online and "Nasty Chopz sent over a couple tracks that really gave me a good feeling," he explains. "I have been feeling as though making music had taken a backseat to the music business and I wanted to put a stronger focus on making music and getting back to my creative mode. This track and video for 'Terrance' is a description of where I am in life and my current mindset—more maturity, more creative, being a father, being one of the region's longtime hip-hop contributors, and so much more. I felt like the only place to shoot the video was on top of Mt. Hood, as the scenery and feel of Mt. Hood captures the soulful feeling of the track and lyrics."
Cool Nutz' personal new EP, 'Terrance,' is set to drop June 15As for the new EP Terrance, it's "something that is a little more personal and embracing my government name and where I am in life right now," he says. "Lately, I've really been focusing on my craft and getting back to the basics of just having fun and making music."
Cool Nutz is planning on a June 15 release, "which is my son's birthday." With his "creative juices really flowing right now," he's ready for a release—both musically and personally. "Sometimes I'm guilty of holding myself back creatively and musically and I felt that naming this EP Terrance is perfect timing for people to understand who I am and the journey behind the music and being Cool Nutz."
