Kevin Cossom

Cossom grew up in Orlando, Florida. An only child to a single mother – an educator and founder of a performing arts academy. She encouraged him to perform his first solo at the age of three. While his exposure to secular music was limited, Cossom was able to hone his skills singing in his gospel church choir. At six, he joined his first group, a gospel act assembled by his mother and at 14, formed a short-lived singing group with friends. From 1999–2002, Cossom fronted the Orlando-based R&B group Nu Ground, along with Andrew Seeley. Three years later, he began to build a reputation as a songwriter and singer.

In 2004, after a meeting with 50 Cent at his Connecticut mansion, Cossom was asked to write and perform the hook for a song that G-Unit member Lloyd Banks was working on. This resulted in "Karma" – a hit single on Banks' debut album, The Hunger for More. Though Cossom was replaced by Avant on the video and radio versions of the single, through this encounter, he received his first songwriting credit.

After returning home, Cossom met Orlando-based hip-hop production duo, The Runners, through a mutual DJ friend. Within a year, they asked Cossom to assist with a song they were producing for Young Jeezy's album, The Inspiration: Thug Motivation 102. He went on to pen the hook for Jeezy's hit single "Go Getta" featuring R. Kelly which ultimately led to Cossom securing a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell. Through this deal, Cossom was introduced to record producer, Danja; Cossom was asked to write songs for a girl group produced by Danja. The two developed a chemistry that led to Cossom being the first artist signed to the producer's N.A.R.S. record label.^[6]

Since joining forces with Danja, Cossom has gone on to lent vocals to and wrote for several high-profile acts throughout the music industry.^[7] In November 2009, Cossom released Hook vs. Bridge, an extended play (EP) with production from Danja and the Runners (among others) and features the song "I Get Paper" featuring Canadian rapper Drake; other guest artists include Rick Ross and Pusha T.

In March 2011, Cossom released the mixtape By Any Means, for which he teamed up once again with Danja, the Runners and Rick Ross, along with features from J. Cole, Ace Hood. On October 7, RCA Music Group announced it was disbanding Jive Records along with Arista Records and J Records. With the shutdown, Cossom (and all other artists previously signed to these three labels) was to release their future material on the RCA Records brand, although he ultimately never did so.^[8][9]

In April 2012, Cossom released the EP, Hook vs. Bridge II where he collaborated with producer ThLttry. Without containing any featured artists, the EP has been downloaded on mixtape sharing site, DatPiff, over 233,625 times and was awarded "Gold celebrated mixtape".

Extended plays

• Hook vs. Bridge (2009)
• Hook vs. Bridge II (2012)
• Grey Area (2016)

Mixtapes

• By Any Means (2011)
• Tomorrow (2015)
• Hood Nation Boyz (WithAce Hood) (2020)
• Highlife Cossom (2020)
• Hook Vs Bridge III (TBA)

• Official website