Aaron Cooks never took lessons or learned from anybody how to count bars or create a hook. Instead, Cooks said it was all God-given. Once he started writing, he knew that he wanted to create music for the rest of his life. That’s just what he does under the stage name Aaron Cook$.

Though he listened to all genres of music growing up, Cooks particular remembers not being allowed to touch the radio whenever his grandfather’s favorite country music came on. It was this country influence that taught Cooks the art of storytelling, which is now apparent in his songs.

Cooks was brought into a studio by a friend, where he recorded his first verse. After spending more time in the studio, Cooks decided he wanted to make something out of his original music, and decided to start performing. Now, the Syracuse native is signed with hip-hop giant Busta Rhymes.

“From day one, we hit it off,” Cooks said. “He’s a great dude, a great inspiration, a great mentor. And he understood what I was trying to do with my music and my sound, and he just didn’t want to change anything. He just let me run with what I was doing already.”

Busta Rhymes caught wind of Cooks after Cooks’ manager sent a sample to the rap legend. He loved it and instantly reached out. Just recently, on March 18, Cooks shared the stage with Busta at Lava Night Club at Turning Stone Resort Casino.

“It was good to be home,” said Cooks. “Me and Busta Rhymes — it being sold out, and being from here and people who grew up with me in the audience, and him just really introducing me and telling the city how real it is.”

The performance concluded the 30-day nation-wide tour Cooks was on, which started in Virginia and went on to Florida, North Carolina and Texas performing in venues ranging from bars to arenas.

“I’m trying to touch everybody,” said Cooks. “I still want to go in the trenches and get my boots dirty, just like new artists in music do.”

Now Cooks is prepping for his first EP, which will be released in April. It will be available for streaming everywhere including Apple Music and Spotify. Included on the EP are big-name features such as French Montana, Bun B and The Game. While waiting for his new music to come out, fans of Cooks can listen to his hit song and visual video “Yellow/Day Up” that has been featured on BET.com and has over 20,000 views on YouTube. From this song, Cooks has cultivated the nickname Yellow God, and according to him, his new EP is going to have a lot more “Yellow God-ness.”

“I’m gonna walk on water on this project. I’m gonna be the best rapper alive when I’m finished. I promise you,” Cooks said.

Since being signed with Busta Rhymes, things have only gotten busier. Besides travelling more, Cooks sometimes endures 24-hour studio sessions. But the craziest part of it all for Cooks is being recognized. He still has not gotten used to being home in Syracuse or being recognized by a stranger in the store.

Cooks has written about the things he saw growing up. Now that he is going to different places, his music is changing because he’s seeing different things. He gains inspiration from different people and different conversations and hopes people gain inspiration from him. Especially the people from his hometown in Syracuse.

“Coming from Syracuse, it’s like different what I’m doing. No one has reached this level from what I’m doing with my music,” said Cooks. “The Yellow God is alive and I’m coming to save the city.”

Published on March 28, 2017 at 10:19 pm

Contact: lmeyers@syr.edu