William Cooper (rapper)
William Cooper | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Andrew Kissel |
| Also known as | Booth |
| Born | January 6, 1979 |
| Origin | Newark, New Jersey |
| Years active | 2003 - present |
Andrew Kissel (born January 9, 1979), professionally known as William Cooper, is an American rapper, record producer and A&R from Newark, New Jersey. He is best known as one of the founding members of Underground Hip Hop super group Black Market Militia. Cooper was a key subject of Mark Jacobson's book "Pale Horse Rider".[1][2] Cooper earned his first professional producer credits when he produced songs on Tragedy Khadafi's Still Reporting album, which was released on October 21, 2003 on Solid Records / 25 To Life. William Cooper, under the alias Booth, produced the title track "Still Reporting", "Hood Love" ft Rashida and "Wake The Dead (Black Aura Skit)". The album peaked on Billboard Charts at #53 (Top R&B / Hip Hop Albums).[3][4]
Rap career[edit]
In the late 1990s until the early 2000s, Cooper was primarily going by the name Booth, until Wu-Tang Clan affiliate Killah Priest suggested the name William Cooper to him as a nod to Milton William Cooper, a conspiracy theorist, radio broadcaster and author, best known for his 1991 book Behold A Pale Horse. Cooper, has also continuously stated the book was a moment of enlightenment for him and insisted there was no better way to honor that moment then taking on the name William Cooper.[2][5] [6]
Cooper made his professional rapping debut in 2005 alongside well known Brooklyn, New York recording artists: Killah Priest (Sunz Of Man), Timbo King (Royal Fam) and Hell Razah (Sunz Of Man), along with Queensbridge "Intelligent Hoodlum" rapper: Tragedy Khadafi. The five rappers performed under the group name: Black Market Militia and released their self titled debut album March 22, 2005 on Nature Sounds / Performance Records and featured guest appearances from Dead Prez, Oscar Brown Jr. and The Last Poets.[7]
In 2009, due to the success of the group's Black Market Militia album, Cooper landed a distribution deal with Traffic Entertainment / The Orchard to distribute his debut solo album: Black Market Militia Presents: William Cooper "Beware Of The Pale Horse", which was released on Cooper's newly founded label, Gemstarr Regime, on October 20, 2009 and featured guest appearances from Kool G Rap, Ill Bill, Nature (The Firm), Killah Priest, Hell Razah, 9th Prince (Killarmy), Stoneface, Majesty, Bloodsport and Blue Raspberry. The album was supported by two U.S. tours with Killah Priest and six music videos.[8]
Cooper released his sophomore solo album God's Will on May 5, 2015 via his imprint Gemstarr Regime with distribution from Traffic Entertainment / The Orchard. God's Will featured guest appearances from Sticky Fingaz (Onyx), Rah Digga, Ill Bill, Diabolic, Sean Price, Big Noyd, Reef The Lost Cauze, Timbo King, Stoneface, Trife Diesel, Nature, 9th Prince, Big Twins, Planet Asia, Killah Priest, Pace Won and Young Zee. The album was supported by six music videos and won "Independent Album Of The Year" at The Underground Music Awards.[9]
Appearances in books[edit]
Writer Mark Jacobson is best known for his journalism which was the basis for the movie American Gangster and the television show Taxi, released his book Pale Horse Rider in 2018 documenting the life and times of Milton William Cooper. Rapper, William Cooper, is a key subject in this book and an entire chapter is dedicated to the rapper.[10]
Filmography[edit]
Cooper was featured in two documentary films, both as himself, Tragedy: The Story of Queensbridge (2005) and Risen: The Story of Chron "Hell Razah" Smith (2018).[11]
Film Title- "Tragedy: The Story of Queensbridge"
Year- 2005
Director- Booker Sim
Role- "William Cooper" as himself
Film Title- "Risen: The Story of Chron 'Hell Razah' Smith"
Year- 2018
Director- Frank Meyer
Role- "William Cooper a/k/a Booth" as himself
Winner of "Best Music Documentary" at The People's Film Festival.
References[edit]
- ↑ "William Cooper "God's Will" wins "Album of The Year" at the 12th Annual Underground Music Awards".
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "The Black Market Militia". allhiphop.com.
- ↑ "Truth Music Directory: Artist Profile: William Cooper (Hip Hop / Rap)". July 8, 2016.
- ↑ "Billboard Chart".
- ↑ "The Conspiracist Manual That Influenced a Generation of Rappers". hiphopdx.com.
- ↑ "William Cooper Interview".
- ↑ "Black Market Militia: Struggle Onward". allhiphop.com.
- ↑ ""American Gangster" Writer Assists William Cooper For "Pale Horse Rider" Video". hiphopdx.com.
- ↑ "WILLIAM COOPER - GOD'S WILL LP Review". June 19, 2015.
- ↑ "Life and Times of Bill Cooper". June 12, 2019.
- ↑ "Risen: The Story of Chron 'Hell Razah' Smith" – via www.imdb.com.
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