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
© 2023. Powered by That'sMy Worldwide LLC. All rights reserved.
Bio
“...the heart of Bob Marley, the soul of Sam Cooke, and the grit of Etta James."
-Huffington Post
Cole Williams is a Brooklyn-born recording artist, songwriter, record producer, /multi-instrumentalist/bandleader with The Cole Williams Band, WWOZ New Orleans show host, and Organizer with The Unhoused. Williams has rooted her message in the tradition of Gil Scott-Heron, creating songs that reflect the everyday experiences and hopes of the unhoused and “the least of ours” all around the world.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, Little Jackie, Diane Birch, Somi, Kaissa, Dana Fuchs, Pimps Of Joytime, original lead singer/songwriter with People’s Champs, and commercial/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
"...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."
"A Better Woman" Top 40 Of 2022 On Global Soul Radio
Nickodemus Offers a Thrilling Tribute to Nina Simone on "Obeah Woman"
Kiko Navarro and Cole Williams also contribute to this dynamic rework
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
Punk empress of African Rock Cole Williams premieres new single "Free"'
Musician Cole Williams Helps Launch Homeless Advocacy Initiative
Democracy Now - Top U.S. & World Headlines — May 20, 2020
Coachella Valley Weekly - Cole Williams at Joshua Tree Music Festival
Black Grooves - Cole Williams – Believe
Alternative Blues, Soul, Reggae, Funk, Ska, Soul… That’s what Cole Williams has on the menu for ya.
Cole Williams Releases 10th Anniversary Retrospective (Album Stream)
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…
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
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 MeCredits
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
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"
"How We Care For Humanity"
The Global Anthem For Humanity
NOW PLAYING on BBC6
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
Join Our Mailing List
Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates.
Management: Justin Thomas
Agency: That'sMy Worldwide Entertainment
Email: justin@thatsmyworldwide.com
Office: (312) 860-8470
Publicist: Pati DeVries
Agency: DeVious Planet
Email: pati@deViousplanet.com
Operations: Gladys King
Agency: That'sMy Worldwide Entertainment
Email: thatsmyww@gmail.com
Music Licensing: Anthony Ortega
Email: licensing@thatsmyworldwide.com
Agency: Worldwide Records
General Inquiries
Email: info@thatsmyworldwide.com
Thank You
We respect your privacy.