Deep Cotton

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Deep Cotton is an American funk duo based in Atlanta, whose members are Chuck Lightning and Nate "Rocket" Wonder. [1] Part of the Wondaland Arts Society, [2] [3] they are also sometimes called the "Punk Prophets". [4]

Contents

Music career

Lightning and Wonder met in 2002 at Morehouse College in Atlanta. [5] The pair were roommates, and began collaborating when Lightning overheard Wonder playing music and started shouting to his music. Wonder said this became a competition to see who could "out-crazy" the other person, and their musical collaboration is basically a chance to do "whatever the hell we want." [6]

They produce music, including that of Janelle Monáe, another co-founder of the Wondaland collective. [3] They began to gain notoriety of their own after their song "We're Far Enough from Heaven Now We Can Freak Out" was featured in a Sonos commercial featuring Monáe. [7] [8] The single was released in October 2012. [9]

Personal life

Wonder is the older brother of Roman GianArthur, another member of the Wondaland Arts Collective. [10]

Discography

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References

  1. "We Bumped Our Heads Against the Clouds", The Believer , July/August 2010.
  2. "AUDIO FILES: Listen to Deep Cotton, The Essex Green : Audio File with Vanessa Franko". Blog.pe.com. 2012-10-14. Archived from the original on 2012-12-05. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  3. 1 2 Ann Powers, "Janelle Monae in Wondaland: The Atlanta-based musician lets her creative spirits flow through song, dance and her Wondaland Arts Society collective, which welcomes all artists into the groove." Los Angeles Times , June 20, 2010.
  4. Gillian 'Gus' Andrews (2010-07-21). "Janelle Monae turns rhythm and blues into science fiction". Io9.com. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  5. Chuck Lightning, ""AT The Drive IN & The Birth of Deep Cotton: (Rock Ain’t Jus Bout White Guys Vol 1", April 17, 2012.
  6. Brown, Harley (August 13, 2015). "Deep Cotton Does 'Whatever the Hell We Want to Do' at Wondaland Records". Spin. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  7. "Janelle Monae Sonos Commercial + Deep Cotton Song (Full)". That ISH!!!!. 2012-10-27. Archived from the original on 2012-11-30. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  8. "Janelle Monáe's Sonos House Party | Sonos". Blog.sonos.com. 2012-10-01. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  9. "iTunes - Music - We're Far Enough from Heaven Now We Can Freak Out - Single by Deep Cotton". Itunes.apple.com. 2012-10-10. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  10. Bean, Adan (May 21, 2015). "The Forth Five: Roman GianArthur". Forth District. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  11. "57821 (feat. Deep Cotton): Janelle Monáe: Official Music". Amazon. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  12. Breihan, Tom (September 18, 2015). "Deep Cotton — "Let's Get Caught" (Feat. Jidenna) Video". Stereogum. Retrieved September 30, 2015.