From a broken home in a small town outside of Philadelphia to graduating Georgetown University in 3 years to working on Wall Street to CEO of Revel Music Group, Coley is on a mission to inspire the undaunted pursuit of your dreams while not taking yourself so seriously. Perseverance has driven Coley through years of personal and professional struggles, all the way to co-owner of Revel Music, a record label that has landed major label deals and works with some of the biggest names in music. Pittsburgh Music Magazine had an opportunity to get Coley’s answers on a few burning questions we had for him:
What was the first recording you bought with your own money?
I think it was a tape of Kris Kross’ “Totally Krossed Out” as ridiculous as that is. I was real young but I had been starting little businesses (lemonade stands, sourcing group coupons, etc.) since I was 5 so I had my own play money pretty early. It’s kinda crazy serendipity that I’m now partnered with the founder of Ruffhouse Records who executive produced that record.
Do you have a guilty pleasure band/musician that you would be embarrassed to admit?
This is gonna sound weird, but I literally can’t feel embarrassment. If I did, I wouldn’t be able to pull my balls out as often. My last answer prolly qualifies; I even wore my tee shirts backwards and shit for a little while there when I was rockin’ that tape lol. I listen to all music man, from rap to oldies to pop to R&B to country, I like anything that gets me going. People gotta quit picking “sides” and putting music in a box (like indie vs. pop etc.), a good record is a good record. Like that song “Call Me Maybe”, say what you want about it but the song is a smash.
Walk us through a typical day for Coley…
Wake up. Swish my feet in the covers. Turn my nature sounds off. Stand up. Grab my balls. Take a piss. Eat a healthy breakfast. Stretch. Meditate. Creative time – either record, listen to beats or write a song. Hit the gym. Take a shower. Grab my balls. Eat lunch. Business calls/emails til around 6pm. Creative time – write treatments for my music videos, plan a photoshoot, write. Play some basketball with the fellas. Shower. Call up a purdy lady. Eat dinner. Snuggle up with said purdy lady for a bit. Grab my balls. Work til 3 or 4am. Read. Meditate. Pass out. Repeat. Prolly a couple extra ball grabs in there, some by me, some by the purdy lady. On party nights throw bustin’ sweet dance moves at the end.
Most fascinating serial killer?
People who kill people suck. I’m not gonna even give them the faux self-importance which they seek by acknowledging one of them. If you plan on killing someone, kill yourself.
Last book you read and your impressions of it.
‘Think and Grow Rich’ by Napoleon Hill. A must read for anyone working to become successful at something, doesn’t matter what.
When not making music, I am…
Makin’ moves or makin’ love.
If you had to listen to one artist for the rest of your life who would that be?
Jay Z or Bob Marley
What’s the side of you that the public never sees?
My ass, although I’ma show em that too. Oh and I’m actually really sweet and sensitive and shit.
Do you read your own reviews?
I’ve been reviewed?
Who are you listening to now?
Kendrick Lamar’s “good kid, m.A.A.d city”. Such a dope album.