Years performing throughout Kansas City clubs and underground scenes allowed Midwest rapper Joey Cool to refine his approach before attracting wider notice. Remaining fiercely independent, he issued his own mixtapes while cultivating a confident, free-flowing delivery across subsequent years. Persistent effort eventually forged ties with Tech N9ne and the Strange Music imprint. Several artists on the label worked with Joey prior to the offer of a recording contract, which resulted in the summer 2018 arrival of his self-titled full-length.
Born and raised in Kansas City, Joey Cool spent years establishing himself locally through independent releases and self-booked performances while shaping his sound. From the early 2000s onward he engaged hip-hop with greater focus, drawing on both classic sources and regional figures to shape a swaggering, hyperconfident style. Over time his delivery evolved into a syncopated, multisyllabic “chopper” technique inspired by practitioners such as Tech N9ne. He operated both alone and alongside the group 3 the Hard Way, producing multiple volumes of material and linking with fellow rappers throughout the period. Notable early projects included the self-released 2014 mixtape Magnum Opus along with guest spots on recordings by Mac Lethal and JL B. Hood. Sustained output eventually reached larger figures; in 2015 Ces Cru featured Cool on a track from their Recession Proof EP, issued via Tech N9ne’s Strange Music. Additional Strange Music roster members embraced his approach, prompting further joint work with Tech N9ne and others. The association deepened until a contract was extended. Maintaining momentum, Cool dropped the Swank Sauce mixtape in 2017 to satisfy listeners ahead of his official debut. That debut arrived as the self-titled 2018 album, released in May and containing appearances by Adrian Truth, Tech N9ne, Ubiquitous, Info Gates, and additional guests.
