about ya cousin

Ya Cousin Ish is a rapper and music producer born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. His creative output also spans an integrated practice he calls Visioncraft, and a storytelling + advocacy platform for women’s basketball called Game Griot.

Ish is also the founder, creative lead, and community manager of The Husky Den, a community-driven business and resource for creative development in his hometown of Brooklyn, NY and soon to be online.

What are the sound’s ingredients? Imagine a brainchild of witty, slick-tongued, and lyrically dexterous Brooklyn rappers such as Jay-Z, Notorious B.I.G, and Mos Def.

Mix that with the soulful and funk-filled textures of Southern hip hop, such as Outkast, Lil Wayne, chopped n’ screwed and New Orleans bounce styles.

Then add the eccentric sonics from the offspring of A Tribe Called Quest’s and Native Tongues Movement, like The Neptunes and Da Bassment Cru, and you get Brooklyn Gumbo.

This soundscape allows Ish to reflect on the nostalgic and visceral realities of a Brooklyn then-and-now on tracks like “Christopher Wallace Way”, and celebrate how the deep south feeds the imagination on “Catfish Heaven”.

The scope of it all is illustrated on record and on stage. Having rocked legendary New York City venues such as the Apollo Theater, The Bitter End, and Knitting Factory, to the Saban Theatre in Los Angeles, California and performances at Michigan State and Emory University, Ish embodies a golden rule in being a rapper—move the crowd.

With the motive to take care of himself and his people through music and creativity, Ish is driving towards the vision of a more creatively empowered and connected world.

Whether at a show, in your headphones, on a screen or out in the streets, you’re welcomed to come kick it with your cousin. When you see him, don’t forget to shout “chuuuwe!”