What is your name and what city do you rep?
TCOOPMIA! The name stands for T. Coop Missing In Action—I’m always on the move, always on a mission, and have Dade County roots. T. Coop is a nickname I’ve had since middle school, and all my earlier works were released under that name. But with so many “TCOOPs” out there, I rebranded to TCOOPMIA to make it easier for fans to find my art. As for the city I rep, I’m a true Florida boy, representing Miami and Tampa. 81305! Tampa’s area code is 813, and Miami’s is 305. My family’s roots are in these cities, but I have connections all over Florida and throughout the South—Georgia, the Carolinas, Alabama, Louisiana, and more.
Tell us about your latest releases, what inspired you to create them?
My latest project, What’s Next?, is deeply inspired by my life. Like all my music, it’s a collection of songs that capture moments in time and convey my thoughts, feelings, and humanity through sound. The title is a dual message—it’s meant to make people wonder, “What’s next from this artist?” while also declaring that I’m what’s next. I want listeners to not only ask the question about me but also reflect on what’s next in their own lives. It’s a vibe that challenges listeners to think about their own “what’s next” while vibing to mine.
What is unique about you and your music?
Everything about me is one of one. My music is an extension of that—a once-in-a-lifetime vibe that only I can bring. Words can’t fully capture uniqueness. It’s something you feel, something you experience. My music is a journey, and I’m inviting you to come along.
What shaped your music?
My music is shaped by my life and all the experiences I’ve had. Coming from a musical family, it’s literally in my blood. My father is a musician, producer, engineer, and songwriter, and my aunt, Katyze (or Cece), has also had a huge impact on my songwriting and production. Beyond them, every music teacher I had from elementary to high school contributed in some way. All the songs I’ve loved, the movies I’ve watched, the art I’ve seen—it all plays a role, even in ways I might not be aware of.
When did you realize you were going to make music professionally?
I’ve been making beats since high school, so I knew pretty early that music and entertainment were my passions. I’d say around 14 or 15 years old. I even brought my drum machine to school, and some teachers let me work on music in class as long as I finished my assignments. By the time I was in college, I’d been part of many songwriting and production sessions with my family. When my dad gave me the green light to contribute to professional sessions, I knew I was ready to take the leap.
What type of music do you listen to?
I listen to everything—absolutely everything. You’ve got to open your ears to learn what works and what doesn’t. Mixing genres pushes music forward and creates the next big sound. What’s Next? There’s the cultural staples like Gospel, Blues, Rock ‘n Roll, R&B, Soul, Funk, and Jazz—that’s the foundation. Being from South Florida, I’m also influenced by Latin and Caribbean genres like Calypso, Reggae, Dancehall, Soca, Salsa, Merengue, and Bachata. And as a child of Hip Hop, sound blending is second nature. I’m always looking for combinations that seem so different they actually fit together. From Pop to Drum ‘n Bass, House, Jungle, Classical, Doo Wop, BeBop, K-Pop, Lofi… I could talk about music forever!
What inspires you to write music?
Life is my inspiration. Other artists, no matter the medium, inspire me too. Happiness, depression, good times, bad times, even the worst times—they all fuel my creativity. My family, friends, and relationships play a role as well. Being able to turn life into music is a gift I’ll never take for granted.
What do you do when you’re not making music?
I’m a big fan of nature. I love being at the beach—I’m talking sunrise to sunset. Hiking, working out, running, watching movies, going to theater performances, comedy shows, spoken word events, or art galleries—those are my escapes. I also enjoy writing, reading, spending time with loved ones, and just sitting in silence to reflect and be grateful.
Life’s about balance
Happiness to you is…
Happiness is creating. It’s all those things I mentioned before, combined with a thriving music and entertainment career. It’s staying present, learning, and practicing gratitude.
What do you wish you were told when you first started making music that you think would help artists just starting out?
Learn every aspect of music and songwriting that you can. You don’t have to master everything, but you should aim to become an expert in at least one or two areas. And don’t forget to have fun! Practice relentlessly, but always remember why you started—because it’s fun.
Where do we find your music or music projects?
We’re in the process of updating my website, www.tcoopmia.com. That’s where you’ll find links to my social media, YouTube channel, merch and email list. Stay tuned!
Tell us about your upcoming projects…
Right now, the focus is on What’s Next?. I’m getting it out to the people and watching the reactions. Visuals are on the way, and we’re planning another Eclectic Vibes Live showcase. For now, I just want everyone to enjoy and share What’s Next?, my latest EP.
Any last words for the readers?
I love you, and I mean it. Go check out What’s Next?! Thank you for your support.
The post Exclusive Interview: Rising Artist TCOOPMIA appeared first on 24Hip-Hop.
