The beginning of the Honorable C.N.O.T.E.’s journey to music industry recognition is an unlikely one. Growing up in Benton Harbor, MI, there were very little options for a career path. You either buckled down in school for hopes of an academic scholarship; you perfected your cross-over or long pass or hustled on the streets. Being raised first by a single mother then father and later by his grandparents, the latter was inconceivable. It wasn’t until his grandmother took ill that C.N.O.T.E began contemplating alternatives for income, in order to help his family. Against his better judgment, C.N.O.T.E came into manhood by hustling on the streets.
When C.N.O.T.E wasn’t working, he began using music as an outlet and another way out. Originally, C.N.O.T.E thought he was destined to be a rapper. He found that he had a niche for writing rhymes as well as a distinct way of delivering them. “We were getting beats from someone else but we felt like we weren't getting the best ones so I figured I could make beats myself, “ recalls C.N.O.T.E. After receiving a beat machine, the DR5, from a sibling, C.N.O.T.E realized his true calling, as a producer.
Now with a beat machine, C.N.O.T.E began to experiment, thus, discovering a new passion. It wouldn’t be until a chance meeting with an up and coming music executive who moonlighted as a rapper, Kenny Kold, of the group, C-Side, that his life would begin to change. The encounter lead to Kold receiving a CD with tracks. A few months later, Kold called C.N.O.T.E with news that one of his tracks had been selected by Gucci Mane. Determined to maximize this opportunity and new found relationship, C.N.O.T.E took all of his money, bought a one-way bus ticket and departed Michigan for a new beginning in Atlanta. Shortly after, C.N.O.T.E. garnered 2 placements on Flo Rida’s album and prize-placement on the album of Interscope’s platinum-selling girl group, The Pussy Cat Dolls. This was the break that C.N.O.T.E had been waiting for. “The A (Atlanta) has effected my music in a lot of ways. In Atlanta, I run into people that grind hard and that made me grind harder,†admits C.N.O.T.E.
This move would prove to be the best decision C.N.O.T.E had made. Within months, C.N.O.T.E snagged additional placements on projects for Juelz Santana, Flo-Rida, Trey Songz, Girlicious, 2 Pistols, C-Side and Gucci Mane. From Hip Hop to chart-topping Pop albums, C.N.O.T.E.’s talent had begun to create a buzz in the music industry.
Now C.N.O.T.E’s discography reads like a who’s who for established record labels, including Def Jam, Atlantic, Interscope, Geffen, Universal Republic and Capitol Records. These key placements clearly defined C.N.O.T.E as a versatile producer, spanning all genres.
“I want my music to make you feel something, create a mood. I want to make timeless music. Right now everyone is doing the same thing, everything sounds the same. I want to make different sounds. I like to experiment with edgy sounds and noises. I don't want all my music to be safe, I like taking risks, “ resolves C.N.O.T.E.
