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WKNC DJ Whippopatomus had an interview with Cam Cokas who is a local artist based out of Raleigh. We discussed their recent album "Sketches" as well as the journey they took to get to where they are today.
Off the Record features interviews with local and national musicians as aired on WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2.
00:02
DJ Whippopatomus
What is good, Everybody? I am DJ Whippopatomus and you are listening to WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1 Raleigh. We are a student run nonprofit radio station based at a North Carolina state university. Here with me today is Cam Cokas, who recently dropped their album Sketches. What's good with you, man? How you doing?
00:24
Cam Cokas
Sup, dude? Chillin'.
00:27
DJ Whippopatomus
Why don't you go ahead and introduce yourself to the people out there? Where are you from? What you do?
00:32
Cam Cokas
I'm from Raleigh, North Carolina, and I make music. I produce, I write, and I sing and I perform.
00:40
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, yeah. Love it. So how long have you been making music?
00:47
Cam Cokas
I've been making music for. Let me get a little bit closer. Making music for around, I would say, like 10 years. That's good. But I started playing piano and writing stuff when I was like, 8.
01:04
DJ Whippopatomus
You do it all for real.
01:06
Cam Cokas
And then when I was like 15 or 16, I started really writing actual songs with lyrics and singing. So I was a shower singer until I really put myself out there.
01:17
DJ Whippopatomus
Word.
01:19
Cam Cokas
That is the best advice that I can give other people is to just go to open mics. Just do it. And when you go to record, you'll have a better experience because you've been performing.
01:29
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, yeah. Okay. Dang. That's game right there. For real. Appreciate that. So how would you describe your word? Sorry? How would you describe your music? What words would you use?
01:43
Cam Cokas
Words.
01:44
DJ Whippopatomus
Words are hard for me, at least.
01:47
Cam Cokas
Okay, let me think. Well, to pinpoint it, I would say production wise, a lot of hip hop influences. I would say early 2000s, like J Dilla, some boom bap, but basically just like early 2000s production where they weren't concerned about just like, you know, making another copy and paste song. They're like, okay, how inventive can we be? And I think that we're still in that era, but I think in terms of mainstream stuff, that was when it was like the pinnacle of hip hop production. Like with like, Ludacris.
02:38
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, yeah.
02:39
Cam Cokas
And like Kanye.
02:41
DJ Whippopatomus
Right.
02:41
Cam Cokas
You know, like really earlier, like, 2000 stuff and that combined with like, Joni Mitchell and Prince and other songwriters that I really just, you know, look up to because there's really prolific.
02:58
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
02:59
Cam Cokas
And they mean what they say, and they're. They're trying to be at the top of their game. So I think, like, I want to combine the best of both worlds in that aspect. Okay. And yeah, just like, looking up to the. The legends who did it well, as well as, like, the new school.
03:16
DJ Whippopatomus
Right.
03:17
Cam Cokas
People. So it's like the new flavor, a whole lot of balance, old substance.
03:20
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I can appreciate that. That's dope. So are you the type of person that finds the beat and then writes a song, or do you write your song first and then find a beat to go with it?
03:35
Cam Cokas
That's a good question. Sometimes. Sometimes I make the beats and then I write the song, and then sometimes I write the song and then I make the beat over it.
03:44
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
03:45
Cam Cokas
And it's kind of this thing that I have, like, run into where the production becomes part of the songwriting. And I think, like, I read an artist. I think, like, Bon Iver said that, and I was like, oh, that's really interesting. And then, like, it started, like, happening with me.
04:01
DJ Whippopatomus
Right.
04:01
Cam Cokas
And like, how. Yeah. Cause, like, I'll freestyle verses or, like, stuff, and I'll just make it up. And I'm like, this is great. Make it up on the spot. And it's a different process, but it still yields the same results. So I think it's just really nice to have different ways of making it. And I try to aim to make it all from scratch, but I do sample sometimes to take some loops, and then I do incorporate melodies of other things.
04:30
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
04:30
Cam Cokas
You know, like classical music.
04:32
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, yeah.
04:33
Cam Cokas
Because it's not copyrighted, so to be fair, you know, it's fair game because you can be like, okay, let me take this melody and recycle it, because, you know.
04:44
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah. I mean, that's coming up with art too.
04:46
Cam Cokas
Exactly. So you come up with a good melody, you string a bunch of things together that you kind of are familiar with, and you make a new thing. And that's what's so cool about melody, is that you can make new ones interesting. Just like chord progressions. You can make new chord progressions. They're like, very slightly different, but they're still new in a way that how you use it with. With the melody and with the beat as well. So the beat makes a huge difference too.
05:12
DJ Whippopatomus
There's a whole lot that goes into that. Yeah, I love it.
05:15
Cam Cokas
It's a science. It's like you put everything in a blender and you just get a shake or something.
05:20
DJ Whippopatomus
What's it like producing beats? Because from the producers I've talked to, it can be a grueling process.
05:27
Cam Cokas
So producing beats, the initial process is pretty easy, I would say. It doesn't take, you know, it shouldn't take more than an hour. Should take 30 minutes or less to, like, really get the bare bones ideas. And for the most part, I've come Up with them in like 15 minutes. Not to like, say, but it's just like, you just go for it. And then the post production, the mixing master, that's where it gets more time intensive and you're like, okay, I need to, like, focus. So that's one thing that is frustrating for sure as a producer, but it's like, you can just do it and the more you do it, the better you get. And then like, the less time it takes you to be done with it. I think it's like the finished product is what you aim for.
06:18
Cam Cokas
You're like, okay, here is a finished song and you feel really great about that.
06:22
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
06:22
Cam Cokas
But the other process is, like, getting there. So.
06:24
DJ Whippopatomus
Facts. Facts. Yeah, yeah. It's all a process, honestly. You have any plans for any music videos?
06:33
Cam Cokas
I do, yeah. Do. I'm trying to plan a new project and it's going to be conceptual and be concept album.
06:44
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah. Okay.
06:45
Cam Cokas
And I'm trying to, like, base it around a cover. So I'm gonna do a cover shoot and then kind of base the videos and the other singles around that and just, I guess, you know, really capture the aesthetic well and like, just better brand myself to, like, to shoot out to the world.
07:04
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh, yeah. So you got a plan? How long have you been working on this project?
07:12
Cam Cokas
Probably about a month. I had the first song that I just put out. Feel that way. Yeah. I kind of didn't do too much promotion and marketing, but now I'm like, picking up new tricks and stuff. So with the next singles, I'm just gonna really go balls to the wall.
07:34
DJ Whippopatomus
Hell, yeah.
07:35
Cam Cokas
I don't know if I can say that. No, you can just like 4 forest foot on the gas and just get more exposure. Because I think that's one thing that, you know, I've needed to. To work on is social media and, like, online presence and being known. Because I think right now it's all about people getting to know you.
07:59
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
08:00
Cam Cokas
And it's more about the artist than the art, which is, like, surprising. But facts. That's.
08:06
DJ Whippopatomus
I feel that honestly, like, sometimes I'll listen to an album and, you know, I won't exactly vibe with it, but then, like, if I look into, like, who the artist actually is and if I, like, really vibe with who they are, then, like, I listen to the album again. Like, oh, okay. Like, it just clicks better.
08:20
Cam Cokas
Yeah.
08:20
DJ Whippopatomus
For some reason.
08:21
Cam Cokas
Yeah. Because then you, like, you're into like, you're like, okay, now I'm in their head and like, you're like perceiving it rather than like. Like, as. Like, a objectively is as good. It's like, it's more subjective than. It's more like, who is the artist? And I think that goes with, like, paintings and, like, famous songs as well. It's like, you know, like, Michael Jackson. Like, you're like. You listen to a Michael Jackson song, you're like, this is really great. But in context, it's like, he's also a great performer. He's been doing it since he was a little kid. Like, it's like all this context makes him legendary. And I paid about that. Yeah. It's like listening to Kanye as well. You're like, this is Kanye. You know what he's capable of.
09:04
DJ Whippopatomus
Exactly. Exactly. That's dope. And you kind of have a sense of personal connection to it once you have an idea of who the artist is. And then the community aspect kind of comes into play, too, especially if they're local, because I'm on a whole lot of local music, as most of y’all know. And, yes, the community is a huge aspect of it, too. I think we're going to take a quick break to play y’all Feel That Way, Cam Cokas's most recently dropped single. Hey, y'all, enjoy. We'll be right back.
9:50
Music
[Cam Cokas – Feel That Way]
13:09
DJ Whippopatomus
What's good, everyone? It's your boy, DJ Whippopatomus, and I'm.
13:12
Cam Cokas
Still here with Cam Cokas.
13:15
DJ Whippopatomus
Yes, sir. All right, so, yeah, I want to get into your performances a little bit. I've Seen you perform a few times now. I think the first time I seen you perform actually was at yours and Zach's birthday party last year. Yeah, that was lit. That was my first time kind of being exposed to the local music community, honestly. And first time being exposed to y', all, and it was a really dope experience. Y’all were super nice too. Like, I just met y’all. Y’all let me in your house. Zach let me wear some of his shorts to get into the club, and they still didn't let me in. Y’all let me on your party bus. It was lit, but, yeah, I seen you before. Oh, yeah. Somewhere in the Carolinas too. That was pretty lit.
13:57
Cam Cokas
Yeah.
13:58
DJ Whippopatomus
And yeah, so. So do you have any type of rituals you. You do before a show? Anything to prepare yourself?
14:07
Cam Cokas
Usually, you know, look in the mirror and kind of be like, yeah, okay. You know, pat myself on the back. Be like, yeah. Or like, you know, drink some tea, drink some water.
14:19
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
14:20
Cam Cokas
Talk to a friend.
14:21
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, yeah.
14:23
Cam Cokas
Dap someone up. Like, for real.
14:24
DJ Whippopatomus
That's energy.
14:25
Cam Cokas
Yeah. So get the energy and then just go on there and kind of like. Yeah. Self motivate. And then you get up there and then you just, like, you know, kill it because you want to, like, do the best job that you can. And I think that, yeah, if you don't feel like you're on your A game, it's gonna, like, come back to get you. So that's the thing. Yeah.
14:43
DJ Whippopatomus
The confidence is the key, for real.
14:45
Cam Cokas
To being the best performer.
14:49
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah. Honestly, being your best person at the end.
14:51
Cam Cokas
Yes.
14:52
DJ Whippopatomus
You just gotta be comfortable with who you are. You got any upcoming shows?
15:00
Cam Cokas
Not that I know of. Right now I'm just. Yeah. Working on this project and, like, trying to. To grow and build more and then probably do shows this summer. It's gonna be nice and warm and I think.
15:15
DJ Whippopatomus
Can't wait.
15:16
Cam Cokas
I know. Yeah. I think it's gonna be just, like, so great. So I wanna make some. Some summer vibes. Some, like, nice.
15:24
DJ Whippopatomus
I'm ready for it.
15:25
Cam Cokas
Music.
15:25
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, yeah. We need that right now. So I wanna go a bit into your music journey and more of your personal journey. Just help the listeners get to know you better as a person. First of all, what was it like growing up and going to high school in Raleigh? Ooh.
15:44
Cam Cokas
Raleigh is pretty interesting. So there's a good mix of people. I would say that I was friends with a lot of people who came from different cultural backgrounds.
15:59
DJ Whippopatomus
Love that.
15:59
Cam Cokas
You know, they just had a variety of different ideas and personalities. And it was really good to. To go to public school too.
16:12
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
16:13
Cam Cokas
Because then you get a sense of like, you know, the real world and you can better connect with people. And I think it was good for being social. Even though I'm not, I'm still not the most social person.
16:26
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
16:27
Cam Cokas
So I think it's. It was, you know, it was pretty nice. Like dope.
16:35
DJ Whippopatomus
Hell yeah. So where'd you go to college at?
16:39
Cam Cokas
Went to college at University of North Carolina at Asheville.
16:43
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
16:44
Cam Cokas
And I just graduated in December.
16:47
DJ Whippopatomus
Hell yeah. Congrats, man. That's right. I did see that picture.
16:50
Cam Cokas
Oh yeah, that's dope. And yeah, it was definitely a very interesting experience. There's a lot of cool people over there.
17:02
DJ Whippopatomus
It's Asheville's lit.
17:05
Cam Cokas
Yeah. It's just completely different. There's a lot of indie artists.
17:09
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
17:10
Cam Cokas
Nice alternative scene and really nice nature. So I think, like, it was a really interesting experience for college. I was originally gonna go to Berkeley.
17:25
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh, word.
17:25
Cam Cokas
But I like didn't get a scholarship, so I was like, okay, this is.
17:29
DJ Whippopatomus
Take that in state tuition.
17:30
Cam Cokas
Way too expensive. It's private.
17:32
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah. So it's like, I forget about that too.
17:35
Cam Cokas
It's way too much. So, yeah, I was like, in state tuition, we go to this public university and I think it actually really is beautiful too. Yes, it benefited me because again, like, I wasn't around all these like rich kids and like people who haven't made, but they haven't like put in work and effort. So I think like, it really helped me get my grind on and like, you know, really self motivate because I'm just realizing I'm at the beginning of my, you know, a career trajectory.
18:10
DJ Whippopatomus
Right.
18:11
Cam Cokas
And now I have the skills, knowledge and like.
18:13
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah. What did you study?
18:15
Cam Cokas
Music production.
18:16
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh, hell yeah.
18:17
Cam Cokas
Audio engineering. And that's what I was talking about. This mic. Yes, an re20 mic. And it's good for podcasts, good for voiceovers.
18:26
DJ Whippopatomus
Word.
18:26
Cam Cokas
This is the exact use for it.
18:28
DJ Whippopatomus
So we're doing it the right way.
18:29
Cam Cokas
Yes.
18:30
DJ Whippopatomus
Jamie will be glad to hear. Shout out Jamie for ordering these mics.
18:35
Cam Cokas
Nice mics. But yeah, the program was.
18:39
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah. What was that program like? What were the students like to students?
18:43
Cam Cokas
I still have a lot of friends over there. Yeah. And they're a lot of creatives. Yes, they're all graduating this semester.
18:50
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh yeah. So you graduated a little early.
18:52
Cam Cokas
Yes, I like finagle my way. I switched around a class. I was able to graduate earlier because I was like, I want to do four years. And then it was like four in one semester. I was like, oh. So I was like, okay, how can I figure it out? But the program is very small, and that's kind of what drew me to it. We have Adobe Atmos Studio to mix, and that was really interesting. I mean, I do prefer mixing in stereo, to be honest. I think there's not gonna go away. Dolby Atmos is kind of like a movie theater experience.
19:25
DJ Whippopatomus
Right, right.
19:25
Cam Cokas
And it's on Apple Music.
19:28
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh, like exclusively.
19:32
Cam Cokas
Not exclusively, but it's like, mainly like the one that Apple Music was like Spatial Audio, like, and then like all these other companies, except for Spotify is not doing it. Only Spotify isn't doing it. But it's honestly not, you know, too different. And. Yeah, and I kind of controversially prefer stereo because it just hits harder and it's really direct. And I think Spatial Audio works better if you're watching a movie or you're watching something visual or you're at a party and there's a bunch of speakers. That's when it would work better.
20:09
DJ Whippopatomus
I see.
20:10
Cam Cokas
But I'm not too sure if it works well with headphones or effects. A mono speaker, like one speaker with stereo or something. It was really cool. And Moog synthesizers are there. So he taught there. Bob Moog, the.
20:28
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah. I'm not familiar. Who is that?
20:30
Cam Cokas
So Bob Moog invented the. Pretty much household synthesizer. Like, all the dials and buttons and stuff, and it's like brown and wood.
20:42
DJ Whippopatomus
And you say he invented it?
20:44
Cam Cokas
Yeah, he invented it. Or he, like, took a design and then evolved it and then made a. Made a commercial synthesizer.
20:52
DJ Whippopatomus
And so he had a lot of knowledge.
20:55
Cam Cokas
Yes, yes, he did. And he was just super cool. So I was like, that was the biggest reason why I wanted to go to that school. And I went to, like, a college fair, and I saw that. I was like, whoa. Like, Bob Moog, Like, Moog synthesizers. Oh, cool. Like, because I was looking at a bunch of schools. I was looking at where you were.
21:14
DJ Whippopatomus
Looking at all those details, too.
21:16
Cam Cokas
Yes. All the music schools and departments. That's why I was like, okay, I'm gonna go here because it's close to home, it's in state tuition, and it's like, you know, I'm not gonna be in debt, like, a quarter million dollars, which would be terrible for real.
21:32
DJ Whippopatomus
Especially as an artist. It's already hard enough.
21:35
Cam Cokas
I'm just gonna let the record label do that.
21:41
DJ Whippopatomus
So we said you're from Raleigh. Do you have roots anywhere else?
21:46
Cam Cokas
Not really. I mean, I have, like, Family all over the country, but it's definitely just North Carolina.
21:56
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay. For sure.
21:57
Cam Cokas
Is like, the main thing.
21:58
DJ Whippopatomus
That's dope. So I did want to talk about you and Zach a little bit.
22:02
Cam Cokas
Just.
22:02
DJ Whippopatomus
Cause y’all have such a unique story, just being twins and both being musically inclined. Like, what was it like growing up together?
22:10
Cam Cokas
Well, twins are really competitive. I don't know if you knew that.
22:13
DJ Whippopatomus
No, I don't, actually.
22:15
Cam Cokas
And we just competed in so many different ways. Like, we would. Oh, God. Like, in sports and, like, jokes. Like, literally just, like, very small things. And then somewhere along the line, like, as we grew up, like, we started making music.
22:37
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah. Around what age?
22:40
Cam Cokas
I would say, like, 16. We really, like, started making music together.
22:46
DJ Whippopatomus
Y’all went to school together, too?
22:47
Cam Cokas
Yes.
22:48
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
22:48
Cam Cokas
We didn't have a lot of classes together, but went to school together.
22:51
DJ Whippopatomus
See each other in the hallway sometimes.
22:52
Cam Cokas
Yeah. Like, during lunch, maybe. You're, like, in the hallways. Yeah. So we definitely had different friend groups. Yeah. Until, like, until later. Then we, like, kind of merged. Okay. And then our friends became friends, so it's like we had, like, a super friend group.
23:09
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah. That's lit. And did y', all, like. Was it bump heads? That's not the right way to say it. Did y', all, like, argue a lot as kids, Siblings?
23:20
Cam Cokas
Yes, we did. We still argue, but not as much.
23:22
DJ Whippopatomus
Right.
23:23
Cam Cokas
Okay. So I think collaborating just made. There'd be less competition with, like, both of us, and more of a competition of, like, how can we work together to, you know, better.
23:36
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
23:37
Cam Cokas
Than the competition. I feel that together as we're making stuff. And we did, like, a session yesterday.
23:42
DJ Whippopatomus
The competition of. My competition is my friend.
23:44
Cam Cokas
Exactly. Yeah. So.
23:46
DJ Whippopatomus
But also, like, that competition y’all had between each other kind of, like, probably helped y’all push yourselves more.
23:52
Cam Cokas
Yes, it did. Yeah.
23:53
DJ Whippopatomus
Competition naturally does sometimes.
23:56
Cam Cokas
And our parents, they. They have pretty high standards. Oh, yeah. That kind of led us to just do more. And I'm really glad that they, you know, did that. I think, like, it's important to have high standards for yourself. Yeah, I feel that. Not to say that, you know, there should be a lot of pressure, but it's. I think it's good to have pressure that you kind of need to succeed.
24:29
DJ Whippopatomus
Apply the pressure.
24:31
Cam Cokas
Applying pressure. Like J. Cole.
24:36
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
24:36
Cam Cokas
For real. Because you gotta apply it. And growing up, they helped push us creatively. And went to different summer camps. Like, went to art camp. We went to a museum.
24:50
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
24:50
Cam Cokas
Yeah, that helped. We went to music camp one time. It Was like around a bunch of people who weren't great at music. But it was fun because we did a band and it was like, whatever, that's dope. And I think now looking back, I'm like, that was really dope because I've. I played with a band for the last couple months.
25:14
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh, that's dope.
25:15
Cam Cokas
Played a bunch of shows and now I'm solo. But like, that was good experience to be a frontman because I've never done that.
25:22
DJ Whippopatomus
Right.
25:23
Cam Cokas
And it was like, this is what like the OGs did. This is what like the people back in the day were doing was like they had a band and all that. So it was good experience because I'm used to just being a singer, songwriter, slash, like, you know, singer, producer.
25:37
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah. And singer, songwriter, performer.
25:42
Cam Cokas
Exactly. So performing with other people and like having that group effort, collaboration just really helps you open up more and be able to connect with different people and. And also yourself.
25:55
DJ Whippopatomus
So that's dope. And you kind of like, you have like a feeling that they have your back almost.
26:03
Cam Cokas
In a way. Yeah. They have your back. I would say performance wise and musically.
26:08
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
26:08
Cam Cokas
Like performance artistically, they should have your back because that. It needs to be like a trust process of like, I got you. And sometimes, like, people will occasionally let you down.
26:19
DJ Whippopatomus
But yeah, I feel that it's good.
26:22
Cam Cokas
To just have that trust because if you don't have the trust, then you're not gonna make anything worthwhile or it's not gonna come through. And you just have to put. It's kind of like a leap of faith. Like, okay, I trust you. Let's do this. You perform. Okay. We did it. It's kind of like, hold your breath. We did it.
26:38
DJ Whippopatomus
Hope everything stays together.
26:39
Cam Cokas
Because people, like, the people that I look up to, they. They put in like so many hours, like that 10,000 hour rule.
26:47
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
26:47
Cam Cokas
So I'm just currently just trying to do that.
26:49
DJ Whippopatomus
Facts. Okay. I wanted to say real quick, shout out to your mom and dad. We had. Yeah, we talked a lot. They're fun. Like when I went to Yalls birthday party, like, we didn't know anyone, so we just like naturally started talking to. They're super cool. I love how they support y’all too.
27:05
Cam Cokas
Yeah, they're very supportive, crucial. And right now I'm just doing freelance stuff and I'm just traveling too much to get, I guess, a stable job at the moment. So I'm gonna wait until the summer to do that. But I guess my hope is to just push through.
27:28
DJ Whippopatomus
Of course. Yeah.
27:28
Cam Cokas
As A writer and producer, and I guess make it somewhat so that I don't have to do that.
27:35
DJ Whippopatomus
Exactly.
27:35
Cam Cokas
But I would definitely be, you know, fine with getting a job. And I'm looking at some jobs in New York, and I might move up to Brooklyn maybe. What's up?
27:44
DJ Whippopatomus
What type of jobs you looking at? The employers listening.
27:48
Cam Cokas
Oh, yeah. I'm looking for studio jobs, engineering jobs, part time, full time. And I think just being able to be in that environment and use the skills that I learned in school and that I've built. Even before I was going into school, I was doing that as well. So, like, that's. Yeah, that's what I want to do. So I'm about to go on this. This, like, retreat to, like. It's like, a bunch of artists, and then. And then I'm gonna bring, like, my setup and then produce because, like, I just bought a bunch of plugins, so I got the whole arsenal mixing mastery.
28:27
DJ Whippopatomus
Around all these artists too. Yeah, it's gonna be crazy.
28:30
Cam Cokas
I'm trying to be like, Pharrell.
28:31
DJ Whippopatomus
Like, yes, that's my guy. He's from my city. Virginia Beach. Shout out, Pharrell.
28:35
Cam Cokas
Shout out, Pharrell.
28:36
DJ Whippopatomus
Thick, Come to wknc for real, please. Yes. Yeah. So how would you describe the music scene and the triangle in the community?
28:50
Cam Cokas
Ooh, interesting. I've been doing, like, open mics and stuff since I was, like, 14 or 15.
28:54
DJ Whippopatomus
Right, yeah. So you've been exposed to it a lot.
28:57
Cam Cokas
Yes. So I was. I really did the singer, songwriter, circuit, guitar players and piano players. And then me and my brother did, like, rap, open mics, hip hop, open mics. And so we. We put ourselves out there, and I mean, off the bat, it was like. It was really fun. Yeah, it was cool because it was like were just kind of, like, trying it out, and then we got support, and it was like weren't even that far into it. So it was like, whoa. Like. So I think the combo of those things helped me navigate being a musician as well as a producer in hip hop because there's. There's somewhat of a disconnect sometimes with different genres. And that's.
29:47
Cam Cokas
That's what I'm trying to, like, you know, break down barriers with that, because a lot of other people that I know have been doing that as well. I think, like, the more friends you have in different genres and making different music, the more you'll be able to just navigate your life better. And I think it's just, like, you have being social and.
30:10
DJ Whippopatomus
Connecting with other community Connecting with other cultures.
30:12
Cam Cokas
Other cultures as well. That's one thing that, like, that's the beauty of it.
30:15
DJ Whippopatomus
Just seeing it all intermix.
30:17
Cam Cokas
Yeah.
30:21
DJ Whippopatomus
So I want to ask you a few questions just to help the listeners get to know you better. First off, how would you describe your sense of fashion?
30:28
Cam Cokas
Oh, my God. Sense of fashion is pretty important.
30:33
DJ Whippopatomus
I feel it.
30:33
Cam Cokas
How you put yourself out there is an expression of yourself. And I think sometimes it can be like, oh, I'm not feeling myself today, so I'm gonna wear sweatpants. Even though sweatpants can be fashionable. I'm gonna wear this bummy outfit.
30:56
DJ Whippopatomus
You love sweatpants. Yeah.
30:57
Cam Cokas
Which is like, sometimes I'm like, okay, I'm gonna be a bum, in a sense, fashion sense. And then other days, I'm like, okay, I want to, like, show up and, like, wear, you know, clothing that is going to just make me look better, you know, make you look like you mean what you say.
31:17
DJ Whippopatomus
And it's an expression, too.
31:19
Cam Cokas
It's an expression. You're like, okay, you know, I'm feeling a little this way.
31:24
DJ Whippopatomus
Exactly like this.
31:25
Cam Cokas
This is.
31:25
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, yeah, the jean jacket. I wish we had a camera in here. But he's got this clean Jean jacket with the. The corduroy collar, the ribs.
31:33
Cam Cokas
The ribs.
31:34
DJ Whippopatomus
I'm trying to visualize it for y'.
31:36
Cam Cokas
All, and there's, like, a huge, like, tear up on the back. And this is kind of, like, in terms of expression, like, representing, like, you know, scars and, like, trauma that you have in your life and that you, like. I'm gonna openly, like, you know, wear it. I'm trying to, like, be metaphorical, please.
31:57
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, but, like, paint a picture.
31:59
Cam Cokas
Like, you know, this is, like, who I am, and I think people want to cover themselves up in, you know, like, in trends and stuff, and it's like, nah, man. Just like, where, like, even in the trend, you can find something that's like, okay, this is representative of me. I like calm colors. I like turtlenecks. Whatever. Like, you know, what expresses you. Yeah, bring the turtleneck back. They are nice. I'm telling you, we look good in turtlenecks. Like, this is. To all the men. You look good in turtlenecks. Oh, also women. Yeah, everyone looks good in turtlenecks.
32:39
DJ Whippopatomus
For real. Dogs, cats.
32:41
Cam Cokas
Dogs and cats and pets alike.
32:45
DJ Whippopatomus
Exactly. Where did you get that jacket?
32:48
Cam Cokas
I got this from what consignment store, Like a resale store.
32:56
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh, dope. I love that.
32:57
Cam Cokas
And this brand is G Star, and I really like their jeans. And.
33:01
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
33:02
Cam Cokas
I've been pharrell is actually a co owner.
33:04
DJ Whippopatomus
No way. That's crazy.
33:07
Cam Cokas
And they just like really have great sustainable, eco friendly practices in their making of the clothing.
33:13
DJ Whippopatomus
Wow, that's dope. And it's really important.
33:15
Cam Cokas
If you get it like, you know, not at the department store, whatever, it's gonna be a lot cheaper and it's gonna last you a long time because of how they make it. So it's just one of those clothing brands. I'm like, yes. Cuz they just. This is gonna last a really long time. It's not H and M. H and M has some swag, but the way that they make it is like fall apart. Yeah.
33:41
DJ Whippopatomus
21 does have sometimes has some fire things in the men's section. The le men's section is always really small, but. But they're apt to fall apart. So watch out.
33:49
Cam Cokas
Yes. So you better. Yeah. Wear it while it lasts.
33:53
DJ Whippopatomus
It's cheap though. It's cheap at forever 21, so that is the plus. But it's fast fashion at the end of the day.
33:59
Cam Cokas
Or you can go get a used clothing that is like thrift all the way. Thrift it. And like I got this for like 10 bucks and like I'm sure knew it would have been, you know, way more than that.
34:10
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah. Honestly. Yeah. I love thrifting, drifting and it's great for the environment too.
34:15
Cam Cokas
Yes. Except NFTs don't thrift NFTs.
34:22
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh my God.
34:23
Cam Cokas
For real?
34:24
DJ Whippopatomus
That's a dangerous game. So who are some of your favorite artists that you've been listening to recently? Mmm.
34:34
Cam Cokas
Okay. So yeah, I would say. And this is gonna sound so basic.
34:38
DJ Whippopatomus
Sure.
34:38
Cam Cokas
But very recently, the Weeknd's album he put out was phenomenal and musically just amazing. And how he put it together and he sampled very cleverly and it just was very clever. Yeah. Was a great listen. And it was awesome to see an artist like that be the number one artist on Spotify because he's really like. I didn't realize he was bringing that old school swag.
35:07
DJ Whippopatomus
Mm.
35:08
Cam Cokas
And I think same with like Silk, Sonic. They brought that old school swag back.
35:11
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
35:13
Cam Cokas
And I would say like my absolute favorite artist, if I could choose like three.
35:19
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, sure.
35:19
Cam Cokas
Right now would be Kanye.
35:22
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
35:22
Cam Cokas
And Michael Jackson.
35:26
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh, yeah.
35:27
Cam Cokas
And try to think, just a lot of people I listen to.
35:34
DJ Whippopatomus
I know, I feel you. It's a hard thing to do. I personally hate being asked that question myself.
35:41
Cam Cokas
Yeah. Well, there's this producer named Tourist. He makes electronic music.
35:49
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh yeah.
35:49
Cam Cokas
His stuff is really great. I've been a fan For a while. And I just recently started listening to more ambient electronic stuff because I'm really trying to. To take better influence for my production dope. So I'm like, okay, Kanye for production, obviously. Like, the confidence is there. Yeah. And then Michael's just straight. Like, style.
36:09
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
36:09
Cam Cokas
Like talent. And I'm like, okay. Yeah. It's like, he is the bar. So I'm like, okay. How can I.
36:18
DJ Whippopatomus
His music videos were crazy.
36:20
Cam Cokas
His music videos went crazy.
36:23
DJ Whippopatomus
I had a friend just going through a few, and yes. It's insane. I forget which one it was, but it was a 16 minute music video with Wesley Snipes.
36:31
Cam Cokas
Oh, is it bad?
36:32
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah. Oh, my God.
36:34
Cam Cokas
Oh, my God.
36:34
DJ Whippopatomus
It was like a sitcom, just about. I thought it was a show. We're watching what we're doing, and then he just jumps.
36:41
Cam Cokas
And then he's in that really dope outfit.
36:43
DJ Whippopatomus
You're like, you think you're bad?
36:45
Speaker 3
You think you're bad? I'll show you that.
36:48
Cam Cokas
Boom, boom, boom.
36:49
DJ Whippopatomus
And the outfits are insane.
36:51
Cam Cokas
Outfits are insane.
36:52
DJ Whippopatomus
It's like you're telling me. Teleporting to another time.
36:54
Cam Cokas
He invented the. What's it called? The group dance choreography. Like, I'm 100% sure. Cause thriller was like, no one had done that.
37:07
DJ Whippopatomus
Really? Wow.
37:08
Cam Cokas
Yeah. So, like, Step up, so youo Think youk Can Dance. Dance with Greatest Dance Crew, Whatever.
37:12
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
37:13
Cam Cokas
That is all Michael. I'm fairly certain, like, I'm not gonna make that claim, but, like, I'm gonna make that claim that, like, Michael was that great.
37:22
DJ Whippopatomus
Might get a few mentions later.
37:24
Cam Cokas
Yeah.
37:24
DJ Whippopatomus
About Adobe. Probably. So what are. What's. What's one of your favorite places to eat around here in Carolina? In general? Really? Local? No, like commercial chains or anything like.
37:39
Cam Cokas
Yeah. Okay. So for breakfast, you should go to Big ed's.
37:42
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
37:43
Cam Cokas
Big ed's gives you that nice Southern big breakfast.
37:49
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
37:50
Cam Cokas
I was gonna say another word, but they give you that good breakfast. I would say. If you want to go to dinner, there's a place called Taverna Agora. Which word is the local chain. And they have really great Greek food.
38:02
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
38:03
Cam Cokas
My dad's family's Greek dope.
38:04
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay. That's what's up.
38:06
Cam Cokas
Really good stuff. Yeah, they got. They got lamb. They got pasticio.
38:12
DJ Whippopatomus
I love lamb. What's Tosticio?
38:13
Cam Cokas
Pasticio is like a lasagna.
38:15
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh.
38:18
Cam Cokas
It'S just really good.
38:18
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
38:19
Cam Cokas
Same with, like, I don't know, they get a baklava. Other things that I'm trying to think of. Dalmata's grape leaves. Grape leaves. Right. So good. They got really good ones.
38:35
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh, yeah.
38:36
Cam Cokas
And they just got grapefruit. So two places right there. And then my third place would be. It's a really good question.
38:47
DJ Whippopatomus
People love talking about food. It can get serious sometimes.
38:50
Cam Cokas
Yeah, it can get really serious. I would say El Rodeo downtown is fire.
38:59
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
38:59
Cam Cokas
Every time I've ate there, it's been fire.
39:01
DJ Whippopatomus
What type of restaurant is that?
39:03
Cam Cokas
It's Mexican.
39:04
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
39:04
Cam Cokas
It's amazing.
39:05
DJ Whippopatomus
Dope.
39:05
Cam Cokas
It's near, like, an art gallery. It's near Moore Square. Amazing food. So, yeah.
39:12
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
39:13
Cam Cokas
Fire.
39:16
DJ Whippopatomus
Are you a pet person? If so, what's your favorite type of pet?
39:20
Cam Cokas
I'm a pet person. I love pets. I always want cats.
39:25
DJ Whippopatomus
Yes.
39:25
Cam Cokas
But. But I think, like, because my mom has been allergic. She loves cats, too, but she's allergic, so.
39:31
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, that's tough.
39:31
Cam Cokas
We grew up with dogs, so I love dogs. I'm probably more of a dog person, but I do like cats, you know, Cats are dope.
39:40
DJ Whippopatomus
I lean more on the cat side. I have a dog and a cat. Oh, yeah, they're a blast. They be fighting. The cat's head will be in the dog's mouth. But, like, they're cool. They're brother, sister. Like, they play rough, but they know what they're doing. They know what's up. But I lean on the cat side just because cats, a little underrated. They're a little misunderstood. I can kind of relate to that. And, like, their personalities are just different from dogs, you know? Like, I just feel like their personalities are almost more intricate than dogs. Dogs, like, they. They'll give you everything. Like, right up front, they'll tell you exactly who they are right up front. Cats, it takes you a while to get to know exactly who they are.
40:21
Cam Cokas
Yeah.
40:22
DJ Whippopatomus
I feel like there was a cat.
40:24
Cam Cokas
In my Airbnb that traveled.
40:26
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh, that's dope.
40:26
Cam Cokas
And I was just reading a book, and it just came on the bed, had one eye, and. I don't know, it was just the cutest cat ever. Yeah. And the cat was just there. I was, like, reading a book. It was like the lo Fi cover. Like, when you listen to YouTube, it's like, I felt like a lo Fi, like, person. I was like, oh, yeah.
40:51
DJ Whippopatomus
Cats are almost, like, hypnotizing, too. Like, they'll suck you in. They'll lock you in wherever you're sitting.
40:56
Cam Cokas
Cheshire. Catch.
40:57
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
40:58
Cam Cokas
Looking at you.
41:01
DJ Whippopatomus
One last question I like to ask people.
41:02
Cam Cokas
Just.
41:03
DJ Whippopatomus
It provides, like, a curious insight into people sometimes. How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
41:10
Cam Cokas
Not as much as I'd like to get right, I would say somewhere around seven.
41:15
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
41:18
Cam Cokas
I don't want to say eight, but, like, I try to get eight. I feel that every night, but I think that it depends on your lifestyle and what you do, how much sleep you need. So I definitely try to get more sleep. I think it's so important. And yeah, shout out to sleep because, like, facts when you stay up, like I said last night, yeah, shout out to mental health and sleep because they go hand in hand.
41:42
DJ Whippopatomus
Can't have one without the other.
41:44
Cam Cokas
No.
41:47
DJ Whippopatomus
No. I feel that a lot of artists. There's a lot of different answers that artists have for that question. And everyone operates differently too. Everyone's body is different. And so it's just always interesting to hear how people function.
41:59
Cam Cokas
Yeah. But.
42:00
DJ Whippopatomus
All right, I'm gonna start closing things out. Is there anything else you'd like to let the listeners know?
42:06
Cam Cokas
Well, if you'd like to get to know me better, you can go to my socials and pages. Just look at my name. Cam Cokas.
42:15
DJ Whippopatomus
That's it. And, yeah, it's pretty easy to find them. Music is on all platforms.
42:22
Cam Cokas
It's everywhere. Yeah, I hope they make some new platforms so I can put it on there too.
42:27
DJ Whippopatomus
I feel you. We need some new platforms out here. All right, it's been a pleasure. Thank you for sharing your story with us. And to everyone that's listening, I appreciate each and every single one of you for tuning in. And you can check out the interview of done with other local artists at wknc.org/podcast and click on Off the Record. I am DJ Whippopatomus, and I.
42:51
Cam Cokas
Was here with Cam Cokas.
42:54
DJ Whippopatomus
That's the guy on WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1 Raleigh. I'm gonna send y’all off with a gem off of Cam Cokas’ most recent album, Sketches. The song is called Maybe. And don't forget we are stronger together so don't forget to show each other some love. Y’all be easy.
43:20
Music
[Cam Cokas – Maybe]