NCognita

Standing firm in the belief that words have incredible power, NCognita is a 20-year-old rapper, poet and recording artist from Los Angeles County. Growing up in South Central, the Southern California native found herself inspired by her surroundings, becoming captivated by a multitude of influences that would go on to shape her perspective as an artist. From watching her father lead congregations as a pastor to observing her mother educate the youth as a teacher, NCognita was quick to take note of the impact speaking with conviction has on others. Encouraged from an early age to express herself freely, NCognita was drawn to the limitless potential of an empty page, with a supportive teaching giving her a special blank notebook and helping instill a strong love for poetry early on. This, paired with a vibrant music upbringing that included everything from foundational Gospel artists to hip-hop and R&B legends, helped Ncognita open her eyes to the magic of strong lyricism and spoken word, laying the foundation for her to explore her talents and later gravitate towards music.

After entering a poetry contest where she paid homage to Maya Angelou, NCognita's passion for writing became further ignited, leading her to perform her original works and experiment with writing over instrumentals. As an attendee of the NAACP Award-winning Amazing Grace Conservatory, and later, the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, NCognita began fully immersing herself in the arts, studying everything from theatre to dance to spoken word. After first embracing music in a more serious capacity during her senior year, NCognita decided to continue her education at Loyola University and enrolled in the Urban Electronic Music Production program. Currently a sophomore at the esteemed New Orleans institution, NCognita is grinding in every sense of the word, balancing her schoolwork while nurturing her own artistry, with each area of focus helping inform the other.

In 2020, NCognita independently released the high-energy singles "Hallucinogen (Trippin)" and "Clap Clap," offering an introduction to her profound lyrical dexterity, ability to effortlessly switch flows and penchant for delivering unfiltered personality with every bar. NCognita’s confidence and authenticity shines through on every track, helping her stand out as a powerhouse rapper. In addition to garnering recognition for her razor sharp pen game, NCognita is also winning over new fans with every freestyle she drops, showcasing her exceptional talent for coasting on all types of beats and expertly building on the raw energy that comes with creating in the moment.

With an empowered mission to create from a place of honesty and genuine intention, NCognita aims to cultivate an experience through her music. Much like her artist moniker suggests, as she invites others into her world, NCognita is very conscious and mindful of what she reveals about her identity, creating a playground for self-expression where the possibilities are endless and open to individual interpretation. As a recent addition to Raedio—Issa Rae's music imprint and creative house in partnership with Atlantic Records—NCognita continues to place trust in her journey and create on her own terms. With unwavering support to see her visions come to fruition from her label and budding fanbase alike, NCognita is happily polishing her forthcoming debut EP and gearing up to seeing where her creative calling will take her next. As she continues to find her footing, one thing remains undeniably clear: NCognita is an artist destined to make an impact.