Fifth Ward Weebie… The Making of a Mogul
Jerome Cosey A-K-A Fifth Ward Weebie is known as a bounce and rap phenomenon that’s known to rock parties with his high-energy songs. A few years ago, he created the song and video “Let Me Find Out” that’s gone viral on YouTube and along with his other hits are still dance floor classics. But outside of music he is a mogul in the making and Philanthropist; giving of his time and resources back to the community. He has been spearheading events for years that have brought the likes of Avant, Chante’ Moore, Meagan Good and others to New Orleans. Most recently he’s created an event called “Laugh and Chill” that combines music and comedy. “Laugh and Chill is important for New Orleans because it contains two of the things I feel are key elements in life; Comedy & Music, which both heals the soul,” says Weebie. This is the fifth installment of the series that’s featured nationally renowned comedians Michael Blackson, Gary Owen and Pierre Edwards, in addition to R&B Sensations Musiq and Carl Thomas.
Bouncing to the Top
While the genre of Bounce Music has been exploding over the past few years with Big Freedia at the forefront of the movement and Pop Sensation Miley Cyrus twerking and Beyonce’, who has for many years taken bounce elements and made them mainstream. Unlike some Bounce artist who are no longer in the music game, Weebie is the one artist whose music spans generations and continues to be relevant. Speaking of the success of “Let Me Find Out” and was he surprised he says, “Yes and no. Yes, because I didn’t expect people old and new fans a/k/a family to interact with the song the way they did. And no because I really worked on “Let Me Find Out” for almost three months before recording it and I also knew it was a shock song. I am excited that it took off the way it did and thanks to all the people who continue to support me and my many projects.”
Over the years Fifth Ward Weebie has been able to take Bounce into other genres, such as with Brass Bands, Trombone Shorty, PJ Morton in addition to working with hip-hop heavyweights Master P and Lil Wayne. Speaking of why he is able to seamlessly take his brand of bounce into unfamiliar terrain he says, “What I bring all the time is great energy and good Nola Music. It’s like great Gumbo and that is what our music is in New Orleans and I just put my own spin on it and make it fit with any style of music.”
Recipe for Success
Speaking of flavor Weebie also gets down on the food tip. On any given Sunday, you can catch him boiling crawfish at Encore, located in Metairie. “I boil crawfish because I love it and it’s a Louisiana thing baaaby!!! Continuing he says, “Me & my partner B Streezy been boiling for fun as a hobby until Q93 DJ Wild Wayne invited us to boil one year for a DJ Roof Top Party In L.A for the BET Awards Weekend and the people loved it. So, we came up with the idea of a day party on Sunday because nobody was doing day parties. So, we invite the City to come enjoy some good food, chill, and drink early from 3PM until 9PM and its $10 Admission + FREE Seafood.”
Giving Back to the Community
As his star rises he has not forgotten where he comes from, he is constantly finding ways to give back to his community. “Me & My Childhood Friend Richard Hines have an organization we call “Hey Young World Inc.” We go back to our community where we’re from and host an event every year where we supply the kids in our neighborhood with school supplies, entertainment, food, and vital information about other community programs they can get their kids involved with.”
Lessons from Mama: Pray Hard Work Hard
His life is a testament that where you start does not determine where your life ends. He has created a recipe for success and in an inspiration for his community. Fifth Ward Weebie, who grew up in a single-family home says growing up in a single parent household was motivation for him. Also, he says the most valuable lesson in life he’s learned is from his mother who simply told him to pray hard and work hard. This formula is working for him as he is letting the world find out what success and giving back looks like.
Recommended For You.
Be the first to comment