Cole Williams

The Empress Of Storytelling

2023 Unsigned Only Songwriting Competition Semi-Finalist

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“We can’t build a revolution or a movement, without figuring out how to pick us up from the bottom"
- Curtis Muhammad

Cole Williams photographed by Michael Alford

Bio

“...the heart of Bob Marley, the soul of Sam Cooke, and the grit of Etta James."
-Huffington Post

Described by the Huffington Post as having “the heart of Bob Marley, soul of Sam Cooke and grit of Etta James”, Cole Williams is a multidisciplinary entertainer hailed as "The Empress Of Storytelling." Inspired by the legendary Gil Scott-Heron, Cole channels her artistry into creating songs of love and humanity that shed light on the everyday experiences and hopes of The Unhoused.As a singer/songwriter, composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, Cole's sound possesses a captivating blend of humanity and passion and is a 2023 Unsigned Only Songwriting Competition semi-finalist. As a Jamainca-American deeply rooted in her cultural heritage, her talents extend beyond music; as a WWOZ radio host and Founder/ld. Organizer with The Greater New Orleans Citizens Relief Team, she has become a pivotal figure in the powerful movement of direct action.

2023 Unsigned Only Songwriting Competition Semi-Finalist

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.Born in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, Cole has been enchanting audiences worldwide with her powerful voice and thought-provoking stories. Her music transcends genres, effortlessly weaving together elements of R&B, gospel, and the blues. Based in the vibrant city of New Orleans, Cole continues to push boundaries and break new ground in the world of entertainment and social justice.

2023 Unsigned Only Songwriting Competition Semifinalist

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Cole Williams Unsigned Only Semi-Finalist

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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$$, Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam, The Cole Williams Band, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Somi, Pimps Of Joytime, Aloe Blacc, and Nickodemus to name a few. William's vocal performances have been featured on CoverGirl, and JCPenney: and tv shows as prominent as Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Good Morning America, and The Jools Holland Show, and has appeared on NCIS New Orleans. Publications include Rolling Stone Magazine, and Huffington Post, and was nominated for Best Female Vocalist by Offbeat Magazine in 2017. Williams’ live performance highlights include The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Joshua Tree Music Festival, World Cafe Live, BAM Cafe Live, and Blue Note NYC.Cole hosts “House The Houseless: Music And Action”, a monthly social justice podcast with her label, Ropeadope Records, and produced the 2015 WWOZ documentary: “Close Up: Tank And The Bangas” .With her unwavering commitment to social justice, she amplifies the voices of the houseless and brings awareness to their struggles through her music.

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Press

“Feels like a classic of traditional 70s soul" -
T.R. Johnson, WWOZ

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Unsigned Only 2023 SEMI-FINALISTS

Soul 'n' the City On Spotify

#1 on Tinnitist Weekend Mixtape - Read More

Offbeat Magazine - Cole Williams: 2023 Unsigned Only Music Compe

Nearly 300 Songs That Will Take Over Your Life (Side 7), By Darryl Sterdan

The 2023 Unsigned Only Music Competition recently unveiled its list of semi-finalists, and among the standout talents is Cole Williams, the Jamaican-American multidisciplinary soul singer based in New Orlean

Jazz Thing Magazine - Read More

Videopremiere - Cole Williams
A Better Woman

Jansen's Jamz - Read More

"...this is a heartwarming tune of love and hope. And with her velveteen vocals stroking the melody, this soulful groove is a pure delight for your ears.'

Global Soul - Read More

"...one of the finest Retro Soul releases in 2022 already much in demand and receiving lots of play.'

Huffington Post - Read More

Punk empress of African Rock Cole Williams premieres new single "Free"'

Rolling Stone Magazine - Read More

Nickodemus Offers a Thrilling Tribute to Nina Simone on "Obeah Woman"
Kiko Navarro and Cole Williams also contribute to this dynamic rework

Offbeat Magazine "Testimony" Review - Read More

Cole Williams Releases 10th Anniversary Retrospective (Album Stream)

Coachella Valley Weekly - Read More

**Coachella Valley Weekly - Cole Williams at Joshua Tree Music Festival **

WWNO - Read More

**This story was told on May 23rd, 2018 in the New Orleans Sculpture Garden, and later produced by Laine Kaplan-Levenson. The event was in partnership with the New Orleans Museum of Art, and the theme of the evening was “A Queen Within." Here, Cole Williams talks of coming from a private family, and learning how to find, and speak her truth. **

Offbeat Magazine - Read More

Musician Cole Williams Helps Launch Homeless Advocacy Initiative

Relix - Read More

Cole Williams (Pimps Of Joytime) and Nikhil P. Yerawadekar (Antibalis) recently joined each other in the studio

The Franklin Sinclair Show - Stream

**"A Better Woman" Top 40 Of 2022 On Global Soul Radio **

Acid Stag - Read More

"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."

The Drop Vinyl - Read More

"...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."

Right Chord Music UK - Read More

The Cole Williams Band demand your attention with ‘Give Power To The People

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Afro Punk- Read More

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.

The Gambit - Read More

Cole Williams Band at French Quarter Festival

Liberating Housing - Read More

Liberating Housing Podcast

Democracy Now - Read More

Democracy Now - Top U.S. & World Headlines — May 20, 2020

Black Grooves - Read More

Black Grooves - Cole Williams – Believe

Afro Punk "Little Me" Review - Read More

Alternative Blues, Soul, Reggae, Funk, Ska, Soul… That’s what Cole Williams has on the menu for ya.

WWOZ - Read More

**Meet the new WWOZ New Orleans Music Show Hosts: Cole Williams **

WGNO - Read More

Bring Your Own Presents: 'Becoming The Queen'

All Access - Read More

An Interview With the Punk Empress of African Rock, COLE WILLIAMS!'

Exposed Vocals - Read More

Interview with New Orleans based “Punk Empress” Cole Williams'

Offbeat Best Of The Beat Nominee - Read More

Cole Williams Nominated For Best Female Vocalist: Best Of The Beat Awards

Afro Punk- Read More

This Punk-Rock Empress Shows Off Her Bluesy Roots In Summertime Single ["Free"]

Grateful Web - Read More

COLE WILLIAMS BAND COVERS SAM COOKE

Live For Live Music - Read More

Cole Williams Is Taking Over NOLA! 5 Ways To See Her This Month

Offbeat Magazine - Read More

Interview: Cole Williams On Empowering Youth Through Storytelling

Afro Punk - Read More

Brooklyn-based artist Cole Williams released the video for her intense track ‘Shit Don’t Get Happened’.
Oh heartache…

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Podcast

Music And Action

September 13, 5pm ET on YouTube.com/@ropeadope99

How We Care For Humanity

Behind The Song

New episodes every Monday and Thursday on YouTube

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Gallery

“...And with her velveteen vocals stroking the melody, this soulful groove is a pure delight for your ears.." - Jansen's Jamz

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Discography

“Just heard on Craig Charles...on BBC Radido6. what a great song!"

All Music

Albums2021: Give Power To The People w/The Collective (TMWW Records)
2019: BeLlieVe (Louisiana Red Hot Records)
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: A Better Woman Stoop Mix (Four Corner Records) - TBD
2023: A Better Woman (Golden Rules)
2023: The Golden Road (Four Corner Records)
2022: A Better Woman/Organize Vinyl 45 (Soul Tune)
2022: How We Care For Humanity (TMWW Records)
2019: Believe (Louisiana Red Hot Records)
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
2022: White On Black Crime - Cole Williams Band
2022: Dear, Love - Cole Williams Band
2021: Give Power To The People - Cole Williams Band
2021: Obeah Woman - Nickodemus
2021: Sign Of The Times - Cole Williams Band feat. Corey Henry
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
2011: People's Champs - People's Champs
2009: Bible Belt - Diane Birch
2004: Red Soil In My Eyes - Somi

Sponsored Content

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Radio

Tune In To WWOZ, 90.7 FM On Tuesdays for my New Orleans Music Show.
11 AM CT/12 PM ET

Spotify Playlists

NEW At Noon Online

Soul Music Motivation

Behind The Song

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Shows

“...a perfect platform for Cole's sweet and hypnotizing voice."
-The Vinyl Drop

Cole Williams is Available for Private, Speaking Engaements and Community Events.

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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.

Donorbox

Cole Williams Video - photographed by Bill Wadman

"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?"

Sign our petition

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MUSIC SHOP

Shop Albums, Singles, and Ringtones.All purchases will be redirected to Four Corner Records for order fulfillment. Physical orders shipped within 7 days of placement.