Conversations with the Inspiring Coey Redd

Today we’d like to introduce you to Coey Redd.

So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up right outside the Bay Area in a small town called Vacaville. As cliche as it sounds, I started singing as soon as I could talk. Being an only child, I ALWAYS wanted to be the center of attention in the room so I was singing everywhere! In the car, before bed, every day after school with my carry around boom box, I even stood on tables in full restaurants just to belt it out! Haha, my parents were extremely musical and listened to everything! One day it was 80’s Madonna, the next it was Tupac and Boys II Men. I loved it all but I was always extremely fascinated with the creative process. I’d read lyrics books and study words being used and how they sounded so good together.

Back then, I was under the impression that if it was that artists song they created the whole thing alone (haha, little did I know) it dawned on me. “If I wanna be as great as Britney or missy Elliot one day, my songs have to be just as amazing” so at 10 years old, I started writing. I wrote about everything! To the boy I liked in class to the tuna sandwich I had for lunch. After a local show, I was approached by the friend of a music manager in the Bay Area who had represented a few Disney acts at the time one of which was on tour with Aaron Carter! I was so excited, after a few months of working together, a Disney Japan offer came in and at 13 years old, my parents had to decide if I was going to be a child star in Japan, which meant moving there and leaving public school.

My parents ultimately decided NOT to proceed which led my manager at the time to drop me. I was heartbroken, I felt like I was missing my shot. I was young and sold on the dream so for a moment I was upset with my parents but Looking back now I’m SO thankful for their decision! It’s fun to think “what could have been” but I wouldn’t have traded anything for the life and experiences I’ve had. After I continued to write and perform locally, I was writing at least 5 pop songs a week, I was working with a songwriting coach every week in Los Angeles via Skype and attending voice lessons every week in San Francisco. I was reaching out to producers and studio owners trying to see where I could get my music seen and heard. I had no money nor budget so I was offering writing services in exchange for studio time.

All the cookie-cutter pop producers in the Bay Area wanted nothing to do with me, but the hip hop community was always open arms! To them, it wasn’t about the price tag, it was about the creativity. I felt as though I found my home in the community and it allowed me to tune into the hip hop influences I had listened to all my life. That because I was a white female didn’t mean I wasn’t allowed/able to relate to the storytelling and lyrical genius hip hop gave me. I was living it. I was in West Oakland almost every week bouncing around the studio to studio big or small just wanting to create. I was by myself hanging around what some would consider “dangerous” areas completely as ease because it didn’t matter! It didn’t matter, my gender or color, we were creating, we all believed in each other and we all had the vision to make something incredible and it didn’t matter what part of the Bay we came from. Those couple of years really shaped me into the artist I am today.

After failed management contracts and publishing deals, an experience to perform in Indianapolis at the Superbowl in 2012 as an opening act for pre-party events I decided at 20, I wanted to conquer Los Angeles. A place I dreamed of living since I was six. So, I did it. I attended The music institute in Hollywood where I met my mentor and now publisher, Suzan Koc. I’ve been focusing on my songwriting for placements with major artists while continuing to grow my craft. I feel as though breaking into the industry as a writer first is a path most designed for success to at some point be able to be the artist I’ve always known I would be.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Rejection comes with the territory of the industry but I feel like everyone hits their own personal road blocks as well. When diving into my writing at a young age, I noticed everyone had a really hard time reading my lyric sheets. It would make perfect sense to me but nobody else. Shortly after I was diagnosed with Dyslexia. I was devastated. I felt my whole life’s dream was now in question. I had never faced more self doubt. “How could this happen to me?” “How didn’t I know” “How will anyone take me seriously as a writer with dyslexia? I promised myself I would never let it hinder or get the best of what I knew I was destined to do in my life. I had faith. I had faith in myself. I had faith in higher power that whatever brought me to this was setting me up for a Cinderella outcome. Like I’ve said before, everyone’s path is different but when chasing a dream, that fear of rejection is inevitable. And unfortunately, it’s gonna happen more times than not but keep Faith. Keep faith in yourself and whatever your purpose is. You know better than anyone. My advice above all else would be to stay persistent. Someone once told me ”There is no such thing as luck, things happen when preparation meets opportunity” and I believe that in my heart and soul. You create your own opportunity regardless of the setback or fear. The ball is always in your court, it’s just up to you what you choose to do with it.

What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
I pride myself as a creative. Not only am I singer or a writer or a performer, but I wanna be someone who empowers people through music. Especially women. I recently put together a small Ep while in the midst of writing for placements. I was listening to all these influential female artists and almost dissecting their lyrics and I found myself scratching my head. Every single song I heard was about how a man, a woman or a situation made them feel… but I never heard how they made them feel? That all of their emotions and worth was dependent on someone else, or something else. And I said nah. Haha!

So that night, I wrote hydrated in 15 minutes and wrote 7 other songs to follow. I want to create music that empowers people. I want every song you hear that I either write sing or rap to empower you, to remind you that YOU are in control. Of your feelings, of your relationships, of your body of everything. We live in a world of social stigma and social media where we constantly Seek some kind of validation from others. And I wanna be the artist to remind you that you don’t need it. It’s time we have an artist that does that!

What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
It’s crazy cause I recently read an article that said last year’s billboard charts consisted of like 28% women or something completely asinine. I feel like we as women need to come together. Uplift each other, support each other, and rid the stigma we need to outshine each other or constantly compete with each other to be successful. The second we realize we can all win together, the second those barriers and stigmas are gonna disappear especially in the entertainment industry.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @coeyredd
• Twitter: @coeyredd
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/track/27jKEDl9p10P73k9PUZkzj?si=3P-3VXhDRpWeCygHpk1_HA

Image Credit:
Ben Shmikler

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