Cole Williams
Recording Artist - Lyricist Humanitarian
“We can’t build a revolution or a movement, without figuring out how to pick us up from the bottom"
- Curtis Muhammad
As heard on BBC6, WWOZ and Global Soul Radio
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Bio
“...the heart of Bob Marley, the soul of Sam Cooke, and the grit of Etta James."
-Huffington Post
Described as having “the heart of Bob Marley, soul of Sam Cooke and grit of Etta James” (Huffington Post), Cole Williams is a Brooklyn-born, recording artist, songwriter, record producer, multi-instrumentalist, WWOZ show host, and Humanitarian based in New Orleans. Williams has rooted her message in the tradition of Gil Scott-Heron, creating songs powerful songs of love and humanity that reflect the everyday experiences and hopes of The Unhoused.From her musical beginnings in Brooklyn to a myriad of creativity, Williams is a diverse Jamaican-American artist with passions that are only exceeded by her unparalleled ambition to uplift humanity. Miss Williams uses her gifts, skills, talents, and resources, to continue to help build our Freedom Movement and make it stronger, by representing music and a lifestyle that is humane and equitable.
2023 BAC Panelist: Brooklyn Arts Fund/Local Arts Support Film Panel
After a childhood rooted in classical piano, playing recitals at Carnegie Hall, to singing in her church choir; Williams attended Brooklyn Technical High School (known for its Nobel Laureate alumni, as well as Mos Def and Talib Kweli) and majored in psychology before studying classical voice at New Jersey City University. This rich background coupled with a childhood love affair with her parents’ record collection top soul hits provided her with the foundation to continuously expand her global message of equality for all people. With classic soul and gospel as her vocal canvas, Cole’s ability truly shines as she opts for breaking genre conventions creating a unique and original vocal landscape—one that melds the tapestry of funk, world, R&B, reggae, and soul.
Producer of WWOZ Documentary - "Up Close: Tank And The Bangas"
Over the course of her career, Cole has provided vocals and percussion for Joey Bada$$ (“Curry Chicken”), Chiddy Bang (“Ray Charles), Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam, Walter "Wolfman" Washington, Aloe Blacc, Nickodemus, The Cole Williams Band, Little Jackie, Diane Birch, Somi, Kaissa, Dana Fuchs, Pimps Of Joytime, original lead singer and songwriter with People’s Champs.Commercial and TV recordings for CoverGirl, JCPenney, Suave, Khloe and Kourtney Take Miami, and Shameless. William's vocal performances have been featured on television shows as prominent as Conan, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Good Morning America, The Wendy Williams Show, The Jools Holland Show, The Craig Ferguson Show, WWL4 Morning Show, Live With Kelly & Michael, 90210, and The Today Show, and featured in publications as Rolling Stone Magazine, Huffington Post, Glide Magazine, Wax Poetics, NME, AfroPunk, Offbeat Magazine, and New Orleans Magazine.Williams has appeared on NCIS New Orleans and has been nominated for Best Female Vocalist by Offbeat Magazine. In 2016, Williams produced the WWOZ documentary, "Up Close: Tank And The Bangas".Williams's live performance highlights with The Cole Williams Band include The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Joshua Tree Music Festival, French Quarter Festival, Blue Note NYC, BAM Cafe Live, Rockwood Music Hall, The Mint, Martyr’s, Tipitina's World Cafe Live, Prime Example, House Of Blues, and Cervantes.
Press
“Feels like a classic of traditional 70s soul" -
T.R. Johnson, WWOZ
Punk empress of African Rock Cole Williams premieres new single "Free"'
Nickodemus Offers a Thrilling Tribute to Nina Simone on "Obeah Woman"
Kiko Navarro and Cole Williams also contribute to this dynamic rework
Cole Williams Releases 10th Anniversary Retrospective (Album Stream)
Coachella Valley Weekly - Cole Williams at Joshua Tree Music Festival
Musician Cole Williams Helps Launch Homeless Advocacy Initiative
"A Better Woman" Top 40 Of 2022 On Global Soul Radio
"Let’s Hear it for the… is a place where we get to showcase some of the great new songs coming to us from a few incredibly talented solo artists/songwriters/musicians from all around the world."
"...Niclas Wretelid has teamed up with New Orleans singer, activist, and humanitarian, Cole Williams, to compose 2 original songs that both reflect classic soul and funk while representing modern aesthetics."
The Cole Williams Band demand your attention with ‘Give Power To The People
Afropunk member Cole Williams’s track “Occupy Yourself” wins the honor of being one of the few songs with Occupy in the title that doesn’t come off as hopelessly shoehorned.
Cole Williams Band at French Quarter Festival
Liberating Housing Podcast
Democracy Now - Top U.S. & World Headlines — May 20, 2020
Black Grooves - Cole Williams – Believe
Alternative Blues, Soul, Reggae, Funk, Ska, Soul… That’s what Cole Williams has on the menu for ya.
Meet the new WWOZ New Orleans Music Show Hosts: Cole Williams
Bring Your Own Presents: 'Becoming The Queen'
An Interview With the Punk Empress of African Rock, COLE WILLIAMS!'
Interview with New Orleans based “Punk Empress” Cole Williams'
Cole Williams Nominated For Best Female Vocalist: Best Of The Beat Awards
This Punk-Rock Empress Shows Off Her Bluesy Roots In Summertime Single ["Free"]
COLE WILLIAMS BAND COVERS SAM COOKE
Cole Williams Is Taking Over NOLA! 5 Ways To See Her This Month
Interview: Cole Williams On Empowering Youth Through Storytelling
Brooklyn-based artist Cole Williams released the video for her intense track ‘Shit Don’t Get Happened’.
Oh heartache…
Podcast
Everyone's Voice Matters
Gallery
“Funky...nice melody holding down the message..." - Golden Rules
Discography
“Just heard on Craig Charles...on BBC Radido6. what a great song!"
Albums
2021: Give Power To The People
2019: Believe
2017: Testimony
2016: Sin City
2012: Out Of The Basement, Out Of The Box
2011: Out Of The Basement, Part 1
2007: The Basement Sessions EPSingles
2023: The Golden Road
2022: A Better Woman/Organize (vinyl)
2022: How We Care For Humanity
2022: White On Black Crime
2022: Dear, Love
2021: Sign Of The Times
2021: Give Power To The People
2019: Believe
2018: A Change Is Gonna Come
2017: Free
2015: Peaches ‘N Herb
2013: Shit Don’t Get Happened
2012: Why
2012: The Box
2011: Little MeAppears On
2021: Obeah Woman - Nickodemus
2019: The iNeffable - Mo B. Dick
2016: I’m In My Own Lane - Mr. Complex
2016: Baby C’mon - Corey Henry
2016: Lapeitah- Corey Henry
2016: Like Wow - Salme Dahlstrom
2015: Curry Chicken - Joey Bada$$
2015: 30th Anniversary Compilation: Rock ‘N Roll Reparations - Black Rock Coalition
2015: Jukestone Paradise - Pimps Of Joytime
2015: American Dreamers - People's Champs
2014: Booty Text - Pimps Of Joytime
2013: I Love Your Ooh - Salme Dahlstrom
2012: Breakfast - Chiddy Bang
2012: C’mon Y’all - Salme Dahlstrom
2011: Let's Do it Again (Over and Over) - Great Weekend
2009: Bible Belt - Diane Birch
2004: Red Soil In My Eyes - Somi
Shows
“...a perfect platform for Cole's sweet and hypnotizing voice."
-The Vinyl Drop
booking: info@thatsmyworldwide.com
Give Power To The People
In 2020 I founded The Greater New Orleans Citizens Relief Team because of my strong belief in treating all people with dignity and respect.Under the guidance of my mentor, the late Curtis Muhammad, we demonstrated and demanded shelter for the unhoused. Along with other New Orleans-based activists, we were successful; however, our goal has always been creating a space where unhoused people can have access to long-term housing.
In the summer of 2020 organizers and unhoused partners reclaimed a city-owned blighted property in Central City, New Orleans, and began making renovations with donations and volunteer support while teaching our unhoused partners marketable skills.In December 2023, NORA, a nonprofit assigned to manage and auction blighted property and land attempted to destroy our program. They demolished the stairs we built and boarded up the door to restrict our access.
Today we continue to work with the unhoused by offering food support. To date, we have distributed over 8,000 bags of groceries to the unhoused and at-risk community in Central City, New Orleans.
"If the City of New Orleans is against gentrification, why are they hoarding and withholding land instead of using it to house The Unhoused? If the City of New Orleans is for The Culture why don’t they support The Greater New Orleans Citizens Relief Team's action and solution to the housing crisis; to continue renovating blighted homes with the unhoused persons that will live in them?"
Music Shop
"An unusual surprise. What a tune! - Franklin Sinclair, Global Soul Radio"
"The Golden Road"
NOW PLAYING on WWOZ
Video
“It's like a sunny day in a song!"
House Of Cole
Humanity Limited Edition Collection
How We Care For Humanity Tee (women)
How We Care For Humanity Tee (men)
Seven Collection
Unisex Sweatshirt
Tote Bag
Humanity 33 Collection
Men's Tee
Unisex Sweatshirt
Contact
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