Your Music Is A Labor of Love

Boo, your music is a labor of love. How do I know?

Because I was born into this.

I grew up moving between two worlds. On one hand, I was a public school kid in Seattle and Hawai'i, navigating housing and food instability, witnessing substance abuse, experiencing poverty firsthand. The CPS and police were regular staples in my family’s day-to-day life. I grew to understand what it meant to survive systems that weren’t designed for us.

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On the other hand, when I was 11 my father fought for custody and won. I moved to Pasadena and began experiencing the music industry up close in Los Angeles—watching him from the balcony of the House of Blues, standing backstage on tour, seeing the business and the brilliance unfold in real-time. My father is the legendary Taj Mahal, and through him, I saw both the magic and the mechanics of a life in music. In my teens I moved to the Bay Area, finding my voice and footing in the underground Hip Hop community.

But before all of that, there was my mother. Teresa Peila. An entrepreneur, and classically trained flautist. A brilliant woman whose life was claimed by the mental health system, addiction, and the weight of intergenerational trauma. Mama gave birth to me at home in 1987, surrounded by midwives— I was ushered into this world through music and midwifery. It’s in my blood, in my lineage, in the way I create and support creation itself.

Growing up I learned how to move between these two realities while hiding in plain sight—never quite sure how to communicate my unique experience, my perspective, or where I fit in. I’ve always wanted to be a good steward of my story and my parents' stories, as unconventional and extraordinary as both of their lives have been.

And I know you probably have a story that no one fully understands.

One that’s far more complex, powerful, nuanced, beautiful, and heartbreaking than what your fans—or the public—imagine your life to be.

Only you can tell that story.

This path is not for the faint of heart. TRUST, I understand. Being a professional musician in this industry is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding callings you can pursue. It demands tenacity, perseverance, commitment, and a level of vulnerability that most people will never dare to embrace.

For over two decades, I’ve been perfecting the art of creating stunning music that moves people—body, mind, and spirit. I’ve dedicated my life to creating music that moves the culture forward and supporting recording artists of all ages tap into their distinct offering. I believe in the power of collaboration, shared resources, and international conversations that center Black women and girls’ voices, our perspectives, and our solutions. I believe in using music to address the most pressing issues our communities face—while celebrating our resilience, our creativity, and our joy.

But what’s your vision, Beloved?

• How do we address systems of oppression, generational trauma, and healing—while still making music that SLAPS?

• How do we craft songs that not only sound bomb as fuck but also shift policy, spread time-sensitive information, and inspire real change?

• How much longer are you going to wait to tell THAT story, the one that could change, even save lives?

Take some time today to sit with these questions. And when you're ready:

✨ Light a candle.

🎶 Put on your favorite instrumental playlist (mine is a 2.5-hour J Dilla mix on YouTube).

📝 Set a timer and just freestyle—let the words flow, stream-of-consciousness style. 5 minutes or 5 hours. No pressure. Just presence.

Your Music Is a Lifeline.

I understand the weight of what you carry—the genius, the fame, the fortune, and the complexity of it all. I know what it means to be seen but not always understood. To be celebrated yet still deeply human. To have the world watching, yet feel like few truly see you.

That’s why I do this work.

As The Music Midwife, I am here to hold space for you—not to objectify you, idolize you, or act weird about your success, but to guide you through the creative process with the reverence, respect, and expertise you deserve. I see you. Not just your accolades, but your artistry. Your vision. Your humanity.

There are millions of people watching and listening to you every day. Looking to your music for guidance. For inspiration. For survival.

Your music is a labor of love, but your story could be a lifeline. A light on someone’s path. A force for healing and liberation—not just for your audience, but for you, our ancestors, and future generations.

I invite you to step forward and tell your story. Whether you decide to invest in yourself and snatch up your VIP Day with me, or simply commit to writing about three important topics this year—just show up. Here’s to giving birth to music that is the highest and fullest expression of  your purpose, what you were put on Earth to be and do.

Luh yal, frfr,

– Coco Peila, The Music Midwife™

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Songwriting Coach I Multi-hyphenate Hip Hop Artist I Producer

CEO of Let’s Make A CLASSIC