Exclusive Interview with ERIC COHEN

Lecrae, Toby Mac, We Are Messengers, and Andy Mineo are some of the musicians that Eric, a hip hop artist from Missouri, draws inspiration from. To deliver a message of hope, peace, and power to people of all faiths and walks of life, he draws on his life experiences and spiritual inspiration. Check out his song ‘False Realities’ and the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?

ERIC COHEN: I am from Kansas City, Mo. I started making music around 3 years ago. I was in the midst of a very deep depression and on the verge of taking my own life, when God gifted me with this music and a purpose.

2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?

ERIC COHEN: I am Holy Spirit taught. Although I grew up with music very near and dear to my heart, I could never perform music until a few years ago.

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘ERIC COHEN’?

ERIC COHEN: The people in music I admire the most are Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Mac Miller, J Cole, Eminem, NF, The Doors, Stevie Ray Vaughn and TobyMac to name a few. I debated about taking up an artist name, but when I prayed, I was directed to keep my original name. Eric means ruler and Cohen means priest in Hebrew, so I am a ruler and a priest. I can’t make a name up that would represent Him better

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

ERIC COHEN: My message is one from personal experience with lostness and hopelessness. My music is made to inspire people who don’t think there can be anything better than where they may be stuck. I want to encourage people with love and life, to let them know they aren’t alone. I would describe my sound with a heavy 90s influence. This is the era I grew up in.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as HIPHOP?

ERIC COHEN:

I suppose I have been learning all my life. As I said, music has always been very near to my heart. I grew up steeped in 90’s hip hop, blues and classic rock. As I move forward with music, I am still figuring out how I can utilize these influences toward the music I make.

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?

ERIC COHEN:

My Music is of a heavy spiritual influence. My primary goal with the music I make is to point people towards the light and love Yeshua the Messiah.

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

ERIC COHEN:

I have had the opportunity to truly effect people with the words God has put on my heart. This to me is the ultimate fulfillment. I would like to in the future, do a collaboration with TobyMac though ha-ha.

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

ERIC COHEN:

I usually start with a beat. I have one- or two-line rhymes in books that I write down when they come to me. I then expand from these ideas and make it into a song. My method is to write the verses first and then work on a hook. This is usually something I do independently unless collaborating with another artist

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

ERIC COHEN: I have faced the grips of addiction, mental disorders, my own selfishness, and many other things in my life. The beautiful part is that these things I’ve suffered through are now the things that I get to write about to help others who may be suffering.

10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

ERIC COHEN: Last year, I received an award from the Tower Radio Show out of Houston, Tx for best Gospel artist. I also had the opportunity to meet with someone whom my music has effected directly and listen to how my music has helped them cope with the circumstance of their own life.

11. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?

ERIC COHEN: If someone disagrees with my message or what I’m doing, that’s ok. My music isn’t for everyone. On my part, all I can do is respond to negativity out of a place of love.

12. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?

ERIC COHEN: I like to do live online shows the most. I then have the opportunity to participate with an audience, but don’t have to be on a stage.

13. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?

ERIC COHEN: I think, just like many things, we interpret things in our own way. The only thing i really want people to see or get from my music is Jesus.