Meet Cobaine Ivory: Music composer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cobaine Ivory and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cobaine, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
Music is a gateway to something bigger, but also is in line with my mission. I’m allowed to do what I love for a living because certain conditions were met in my life to give me the space to do so. Imagine a world where everyone gets to pursue what they truly love without financial and psychological hinderances. This is the legacy that I’d like to leave behind. The ideal end game would be that all of our basic needs are met, every child learns psychology, money management, goal-setting and are educated as critical thinkers.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am most proud about being nominated for Grammy this year. I produced 5 songs on Luke James’ “To Feel Love/d” album which is nominated for Best R&B album. This success comes in tandem with personal struggles, which is the spice of life. If we all knew how it all happens for us, life would be boring. I smile at the randomless of life and am generally curious of what is to come. I attempt to view creation and life as Tibetan monks who build sand mandalas. Build something beautiful, let it be destroyed, start again.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Times have changes significantly, but I’m a big fan of wandering. I think it’s fun as a local to also discover your city along with your guest. I would find an area which I haven’t been (with a bunch of restaurants) and walk and talk with the homie. We’ll then get a bit to eat and close with lounging on the beach with great music watching the sun set. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Wow, I’ve been influenced by so much, but I wouldn’t be open to my current influences in my life had it not been for my mother. She nurtured my character, my general perspective and the idea of true freedom. The first gem my mother shared with me was “Don’t blame White people for your problems”, which was prevalent in my neighborhood as a child. Many Black men blamed things outside of themselves for their circumstances, which left them a victim with a lack of perceived control over their life. When my mom taught me this gem, my young mind wrestled with it for a while, but came to the conclusion that I have to look to myself to solve my own problems. In most self help books, there is a chapter on taking responsibility for your own actions. In psychology, it’s called internal locus of control. My mom was ahead of her time, and she was only 25.

Website: http://cobaineivory.com/social.htm

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cobaineivory/

Image Credits
Nicole Januarie, Kim Preston, Sterling Hampton