Today we’d like to introduce you to Venisi Faletau.
Venisi, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My name is Venisi “Cocomo” Faletau. I am a 12-year Combat military veteran, Served both in the Marine Corps and The United States Naval Reserves. I did 2 tours to Iraq, 1 tour to Afghanistan. I started out doing music as a kid in school, growing up listening to Tupac, Biggie, Outkast, Dmx, Twista, UGK, Mr. Pookie & Mr. Lucci, Mystikal, 8ball & MJG were some of the artists that inspired me. I started out freestyling at house parties and freestyling at local places back in the days to include Club DMX. When I joined the military every where I was stationed I would join freestyle battles around the nation, San Diego, California up to Los Angeles, Richmond, VA, Florida, New York.
When I got back home I would listen to the radio stations and hear the artists that were freestyling on-air life, so I decided that I was going to sign up and in 2009 I won the 97.9 the beat Freestyle Friday Championship undefeated on the radio in my own city with Supa K and Keynote of 97.9 the beat. From there I got deployed to Ghazni, Afghanistan with the United States Navy, We got the polish special forces, a few other local bases, and performed for the troops there at the base, Army, Navy, Air Force and overseas contractors where we made it on the military government website with the link posted below. We performed for them on the 4th of July.
https://www.dvidshub.net/image/297185/4th-july-celebration
After I returned home now in 2012 I decided to pursue the music career and started performing at every open mic within 2 hours in every direction you could drive to get my name out. I would get my name out until I didn’t have to introduce myself anymore. From there in 2014 I decided to brand myself and put myself on every digital billboard across North Texas. From there it led me to perform at the 89.3 annual KNON Latin Energy Fest, The 97.9 Dub show, I even signed the Mr. Pookie Dallas Legends Label “Stoney Crook Recordz” where I ended up on tour with many multiple artists to include Mr. Pookie, Lil Flip and sharing the same stage with the Legends of Texas. I also starred in the 8-time award-winning Independent Film, “The Wolf Catcher” Directed by Juan Salas. Which is available on iTunes, Vudu and just recently picked up on Amazon Prime. I just finished writing my book which becomes available Sunday, November 17th, 2019 on Amazon. The book is called the “The Best Boyfriend Ever” and my album Cocomo “The Versace Series” available on all platforms March 15th, 2020. Currently, I’m also writing my own movie which is in pre-production called “Street Valor” I am also currently in Flight School to become a commercial pilot, and in 2024 I plan on running for Mayor for the city of Euless.
Has it been a smooth road?
Been a smooth ride, Absolutely not, I think some of the main things were starting from scratch, from the bottom up. It took me 200 shows in four years before I got my first paid show. The struggles of performing at shows with a low turnout, where some people would get discouraged, I considered it practice, I would always tell people if you aren’t ready or ok with performing in front of one person than you don’t deserve the chance to perform in front of 5,000 people.
Financial challenges, having to live your ordinary life, bills, family, etc and getting funds for studio time, investing in merchandise, or getting onto bigger events where you have to pay to get on. Plus everyone has an opinion and realizing that not everyone wants to see you win is a struggle in itself.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I decided to invest in myself, reach out and branch out, I did the math, you pay X Amount and a couple of thousand people will see you on YouTube or different social media outlets. Or invest Y Amount and a couple of hundred-thousand people will see you in a timeframe in your own city which will automatically brand you. I am most proud of the fact that with everything that I’m doing, my daughter gets to have the role model that I didn’t have growing up.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Absolutely, DFW is a top five market across the nation. You just have to market it correctly, brand it to cater to the masses.
Contact Info:
- Address: Venisi “Cocomo” Faletau
- Phone: 817-448-4192
- Email: CocomoMuzik@gmail.com
- Instagram: Cocomo68
- Facebook: CocomoMuzik
- Twitter: Cocomo68
Image Credit:
James May, Greg Padilla, Nadia Schwartz
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