Coco Peila, affectionately referred to as The Music Midwife™ by her clients, is a Songwriting Coach, Multi-hyphenate Hip Hop Artist (Rapper, Singer, Songwriter), and Record Producer. From her collaborations with legendary and Grammy-winning music industry heavy hitters and Hip Hop royalty, to her internationally acclaimed impact at the intersection of "alternative Hip Hop and artistic activism" (BUST Magazine), she is known for her unparalleled ability to help artists birth their most precious and purpose-driven songs with care, precision, and deep artistic intuition.

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Industry Recognition & Media Features

Coco Peila’s groundbreaking work as a songwriting coach, multi-hyphenate Hip Hop artist, and producer has earned her acclaim from prestigious institutions and media outlets worldwide. Her artistry has been highlighted by:

• The Kennedy Center

• Stanford University

• Yale University

• The New Yorker

• BUST Magazine

• International Museum of Women

• Museum of the African Diaspora

• Elton John’s Rocket Hour

• The Def Professor, Co-founder of Harvard University’s Hip Hop Archive and Research Institute

Hip Hop historian Davey D has recognized her as an “Artist to Watch” underscoring her cultural impact and undeniable talent.

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Legendary Stages & Performances

Coco has graced iconic stages and shared mics with Hip Hop royalty and leaders of our time, including:

• Performances at Iconic Venues: The Hollywood Bowl, The San Francisco Opera House, Teatro Nacional de Guatemala, Stern Grove, and Experience Music Project.

 

• Shared Stages With: Ledisi, Talib Kweli, Zion-I, Slum Village, The Pharcyde, Dead Prez, J Rocc, and even President Barack Obama.

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Behind-the-Scenes Collaborations with Industry Giants

A force in the studio, her collaborations with Grammy-winning and legendary artists, engineers, and producers include:

• Scott Jacoby – Grammy-winning engineer, songwriter, and producer.

• G Koop – Grammy-nominated instrumentalist and producer.

• Joe “The Butcher” Nicolo – Grammy-winning producer and founder of Ruffhouse Records, known for discovering, recording, signing, and producing legends like The Fugees, Lauryn Hill, Cypress Hill, Billy Joel, and Kris Kross. Joe recorded several songs on her album trilogy, Confessions of A Black Feminist Rapper, including “Pretty Girls”  “Above That - Black Joy,” and “Perfect Love.”

• Taj Mahal – Grammy-winning, international treasure, 2025 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and father.

 

In a recent interview, Coco shared how she approached working with her father

I approached working with him like I would with any other world-class, international treasure—with respect, gentle attentiveness, creativity, and care. When we’re in the studio, it’s about the music. I treat it like any other high-profile collaboration, because that’s exactly what it is. He was a badass long before he was my father, and I grew up listening to his music alongside many other greats.

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This might sound funny, but it wasn’t until my early 30s that it even crossed my mind to collaborate with him. I felt like I had to step my game all the way up before I even got the nerve to share my music with him. I've been writing and performing music for over 25 years, but it wasn’t until 2019 that he saw me perform live.

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For most of my life, I kept this part of my story close to my chest—not because I was ashamed, but because our family is big, beautiful, and complex, and I wasn’t sure how to navigate people’s perceptions without reducing something so layered into a simple headline. I know I don’t owe anyone an explanation, but I also know how people can be when it comes to high-profile families and their children.

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At the end of the day, I’m 38, pushing 40. I’ve built my career brick by brick, and I’ve come to understand that people are going to think what they think. My job isn’t to control the narrative—it’s to show up in my truth, create the best art I can, and let the work speak for itself.

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More Than Music, This is Movement

Coco Peila is a master cultural strategist wielding Hip Hop as a weapon for joy, resistance, and power. She has taught Hip Hop & Songwriting at UC Berkeley and San Francisco State University. She was chosen by Movement Generation, New Economy Coalition, and Climate Justice Alliance to write and produce a Hip Hop & Climate Justice EP for Creative Wildfire, a national climate organizing project, and was selected by the Women's Earth Alliance as part of their U.S. Women Environmental Leaders cohort for her visionary work as the Director of Hip Hop & Climate Justice at Youth Vs. Apocalypse.​

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A Legacy of Excellence

What others chase, she creates. Our girl Coco continues to push the boundaries of Hip Hop, alt-R&B, and music of the African

diaspora bringing a fresh, authentic voice to

the culture while elevating other artists' voices.

Her work bridges generations, influences global conversations, and sets new standards for excellence in music.

 

Her forthcoming album, Trigger Warning: Confessions of A Black Feminist Rapper Pt. 2, is the culmination of her story and years of dedication to this conversation we call Hip Hop. The vision—limited, classic, gorgeous, and intentional. Pre-order now; only 963 copies left.

Her VIP Day is an immersive, high-touch experience designed to unlock her clients' creative brilliance, refine their vision, give life to what only they can and craft songs that resonate deeply with their audience. She works one-on-one to explore their unique story, emotions, and messages—translating them into timeless music that embodies their essence. With her guidance, they leave with transformative pieces that elevate their artistry and legacy. Applications now open.

Whether you’re a world-class recording artist seeking a songwriting coach who needs help ushering precious and purpose-driven music into the world or a social justice Hip Hop head who snatches up classic albums like art collectors do Basquiat paintings—the impact is the same. Move The Culture forward and in the words of Toni Cade Bambara "...make the revolution irresistible."