Cole Bennett (born May 14, 1996) is an American music video director and record executive.[1] He is also the founder of Lyrical Lemonade.
| Cole Bennett | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bennett in 2021 | |||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Born | May 14, 1996 Plano, Illinois, U.S. | ||||||||||||
| Occupations |
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| Website | lyricallemonade | ||||||||||||
| YouTube information | |||||||||||||
| Years active | 2013–present | ||||||||||||
| Subscribers | 21.9 million (April 2024) | ||||||||||||
| Total views | 11.2 billion (April 2024) | ||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
Early life
editCole Bennett was born on May 14, 1996, in Plano, Illinois. He went to Plano High School and he dropped out of DePaul University to focus on his career in videography and hip hop music, things he had been interested in since childhood.[2]
Career
edit2013–2016: Early career
editBennett originally founded Lyrical Lemonade as an internet blog when he was a high school student in Plano, Illinois. His mother helped him come up with the blog's name and had given him a video camera. He began directing music videos for local Chicago rappers, such as Vic Mensa, Taylor Bennett (no relation), King Louie,[3] and Ridgio,[4][5] all of which he uploaded onto the Lyrical Lemonade channel.[6][7] His channel also featured live show recaps, cyphers, documentaries and interviews.[8]
2016–2023: Rise to popularity and numerous music videos
editThe channel then expanded into other sub-genres of hip hop beyond the local Chicago scene, such as the emerging Soundcloud rap sub-genre. In 2016 and early 2017, he gained early recognition, working with artists such as Famous Dex, Lil Pump, Smokepurpp, and Ski Mask the Slump God. On April 7, 2017, he released his first short film, "Lone Springs". In August 2017, he directed the music video for the Lil Xan single, "Betrayed", which was certified Platinum by the RIAA in 2018.[9] He later directed numerous music videos for hit songs, which include Ski Mask the Slump God's "BabyWipe", Lil Skies' "Red Roses" and "Nowadays", and YBN Nahmir's "Bounce Out with That".
In May 2018, he directed the music video for Chicago rapper Juice Wrld's "Lucid Dreams", which peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.[10][11] As of August 2024, the video has surpassed 1 billion views on YouTube, becoming his most popular video on the channel. He has since worked with mainstream figures in hip hop such as J. Cole,[12] Wiz Khalifa,[13] Kanye West,[14] and Eminem.[15]
In January 2020, he directed the music video for Kentucky rapper Jack Harlow's breakout single "What's Poppin". In March 2020, he directed the music video for Eminem's hit single "Godzilla".[16] The video itself features cameos from Dr. Dre and Mike Tyson.[17] It gained 13 million views in 24 hours.[18] In December 2020, in his second collaboration with Eminem, Bennett directed the music video for the rapper's single "Gnat".[19]
2023–present: All Is Yellow
editIn 2023, Bennett began releasing tracks from his debut studio album, titled All Is Yellow (2024). The lead single from the album, "Doomsday", with Juice Wrld and Cordae, was released on June 23, 2023 and reached number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100, 49 on the Canadian Hot 100, 83 on the Irish Singles Chart, and 92 on the UK Singles Chart. The album's second single, "Guitar in My Room", with Lil Durk and Kid Cudi, was released on September 29. The third single, "Hello There", with Corbin, Lil Tracy and Black Kray, was released on October 20. The album's fourth single, "Stop Giving Me Advice", with Dave and Jack Harlow, was released on December 8 and charted at number 33 on the Irish Singles Chart, and 29 on the UK Singles Chart. The fifth and final single, "Fallout", with Gus Dapperton, Lil Yachty and Joey Badass, was released on January 12, 2024.
All Is Yellow was released on January 26, 2024. The tracklist was revealed on January 13, 2024.[20] The album features guest appearances from Sheck Wes, Ski Mask the Slump God, JID, Lil Durk, Kid Cudi, Chief Keef, Lil Yachty, Lil Tecca, Lil Skies, The Kid Laroi, Teezo Touchdown, Juicy J, Cochise, Denzel Curry, Lil B, Latto, Swae Lee, Aminé, Snot, 6 Dogs, Juice Wrld, Cordae, Eminem, Gus Dapperton, Joey Badass, BabyTron, G Herbo, Corbin, Lil Tracy, Black Kray, Umi, SahBabii, Jack Harlow, and Dave.
Impact
edit
Bennett's Lyrical Lemonade frequently promotes and contributes to the rise of upcoming rappers.[21] Examples of this include Lil Pump, whose appearance on Lyrical Lemonade elevated his popularity to a certain extent.[22] Other examples include Pump's friend and frequent collaborator Smokepurpp, Juice Wrld, Ski Mask the Slump God, YNW Melly, Lil Tecca, NLE Choppa, Lil Mosey, The Kid Laroi, Yeat, Trippie Redd, and Jack Harlow.[23]
Pitchfork named Ski Mask the Slump God's 2017 "Catch Me Outside" music video, which was directed by Bennett, one of their favorite music videos of the 2010s.[24]
Other ventures
editBennett has also ventured into creating merchandise and lemonade beverages under the Lyrical Lemonade name. He said, "I really want to compete with Minute Maid and all of the elite lemonade and juice companies and I really think we can do that."[25]
In February 2020, Lyrical Lemonade collaborated with Jordan Brand.[26] The collection included an Aerospace 720 shoe, a hooded sweatshirt, and a long sleeve t-shirt.[27] In April 2020, Lyrical Lemonade collaborated with streetwear brand FTP. The collection included a hooded sweatshirt, a t-shirt, and co-branded cans of lemonade.[28][better source needed]
In November 2021, Cole Bennett launched another virtual retail space called "By Cole Bennett."[29] Here, individuals are able to buy clothing and other soft goods that are designed by Bennett himself and are subject to limited releases. On the same virtual store front, Bennett occasionally allows fans to purchase props previously used in Lyrical Lemonade videos.
Bennett hosts a music festival called Summer Smash every year. It is presented by independent Chicago-based event production label SPKRBX.[30]
Lyrical Lemonade discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [31] |
US R&B/HH [32] |
AUS [33] |
CAN [34] |
NZ [35] | ||
| All Is Yellow | 43 | 16 | 86 | 51 | 23 | |
Singles
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [36] |
US R&B/HH [37] |
CAN [38] |
IRE [39] |
NZ Hot [40] |
UK [41] | |||
| "Doomsday" (with Juice Wrld and Cordae) |
2023 | 58 | 19 | 49 | 83 | 3 | 92 | All Is Yellow |
| "Guitar in My Room" (with Kid Cudi and Lil Durk) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Hello There" (with Corbin and Lil Tracy featuring Black Kray) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Stop Giving Me Advice" (with Dave featuring Jack Harlow) |
— | — | — | 33 | 7 | 29 | ||
| "Fallout" (with Gus Dapperton featuring Lil Yachty and Joey Badass) |
2024 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||||||
Other charted songs
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Bub. [42] |
US R&B/HH [43] |
NZ Hot [40] | |||
| "Fly Away" (with JID, Sheck Wes, and Ski Mask the Slump God) |
2024 | — | — | 34 | All Is Yellow |
| "Say Ya Grace" (with Chief Keef and Lil Yachty) |
— | — | 32 | ||
| "This My Life" (with Lil Tecca featuring the Kid Laroi and Lil Skies) |
19 | 49 | 20 | ||
| "Doomsday Pt. 2" (with Eminem) |
— | — | 16 | ||
Accolades
edit| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BET Awards | 2020 | Video Director of the Year | Himself | Nominated | [44] |
| 2021 | Nominated | [45] | |||
| 2023 | Nominated | [46] | |||
| 2024 | Won | [47] | |||
| BET Hip Hop Awards | 2020 | Video Director of the Year | Himself | Nominated | [48] |
| 2021 | Nominated | [49] | |||
| 2022 | Nominated | [50] | |||
| 2023 | Nominated | [51] | |||
| 2024 | Nominated | [52] | |||
| Streamy Awards | 2019 | Directing | Lyrical Lemonade | Nominated | [53] |
| 2020 | Cinematography | Nominated | [54] | ||
| 2022 | Won | [55] | |||
| 2023 | Nominated | [56] |
Selected videography
editFilmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Juice Wrld: Into the Abyss | Himself | [59] |
References
edit- ^ Skeleton, Eric (July 18, 2019). "Inside Cole Bennett's Lyrical Lemonade Empire". Complex. Archived from the original on August 31, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- ^ Turner, David (June 13, 2017). "Cole Bennett, SoundCloud's Favorite Video Director, Squiggles to Success". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
- ^ King Louie - How We Settle That (Dir. Cole Bennett), retrieved December 23, 2022
- ^ Ridgio - Anywhere (Official Video), retrieved December 23, 2022
- ^ "Lyrical Lemonade – Every Lyrical Lemonade Song". Genius. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
- ^ "Lyrical Lemonade - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
- ^ Cole Bennett Explains The Lyrical Lemonade Boost | Genius News, retrieved December 23, 2022
- ^ Lyrical Lemonade (September 18, 2016). "Smokepurpp & Lil Pump: The Lyrical Lemonade Interview". Retrieved August 31, 2019 – via YouTube.
- ^ "American single certifications - Lil Xan - Betrayed". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on June 26, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- ^ "Juice WRLD Unveils Cole Bennett-Directed Video for "Lucid Dreams"". PigeonsandPlanes. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- ^ Trust, Gary (October 1, 2018). "Maroon 5 & Cardi B's 'Girls Like You' Holds Atop Hot 100, Juice WRLD's 'Lucid Dreams' Lifts to No. 2". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 1, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- ^ Saponara, Michael. "J.I.D. & J. Cole Get Animated in New 'Off Deez' Video: Watch". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 31, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- ^ Clark, Trent (September 18, 2018). "Wiz Khalifa & Lil Skies Smoke Out Grocers In "Fr Fr" Video". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on August 31, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- ^ Armstrong, Megan (January 18, 2019). "YNW Melly Recruits Kanye West For Robot-Driven 'Mixed Personalities' Video: Watch". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 7, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
- ^ Eustice, Kyle (March 7, 2020). "Eminem Announces Cole Bennett-Directed 'Godzilla' Video". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on March 10, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
- ^ Okon, Wongo (March 9, 2020). "Eminem Breathes Fire, Shoots A Bazooka, And Generally Wilds Out In His 'Godzilla' Video". Uproxx. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
- ^ Mench, Chris; Hill, Tia; Abad, Russel; Morel Jr., Jacques (March 9, 2020). "Eminem Links With Lyrical Lemonade's Cole Bennett For His "Godzilla" Video". Genius. Archived from the original on April 7, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
- ^ "Eminem Gets Knocked Out by Mike Tyson in New 'Godzilla' Music Video — and Honors Juice WRLD". PEOPLE.com. Archived from the original on March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- ^ Powell, Jon (December 18, 2020). "Eminem drops wacky new video for "Gnat"". Revolt. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
- ^ Bennett, Cole. "beyond thankful, beyond excited. all is yellow 1/26 💿". Retrieved January 13, 2024 – via Instagram.
- ^ "The Impact Of Cole Bennett". Genius. August 30, 2019. Archived from the original on August 31, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- ^ "Lil Pump - "D Rose" - A new music video directed by Cole Bennett". Splice Today. February 27, 2019. Archived from the original on August 31, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- ^ "Framework: The Making Of Lil Tecca's "Ransom" Video With Cole Bennett". Genius. August 29, 2019. Archived from the original on August 31, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- ^ "20 Pitchfork Staffers on Their Favorite Music Videos of the 2010s". Pitchfork. October 25, 2019. Archived from the original on October 29, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
- ^ "'Lyrical Lemonade' taking over global music scene while honoring Chicago roots". Fox 32 News Chicago. April 10, 2019. Archived from the original on July 30, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- ^ Hernandez, Jovani (January 20, 2020). "Lyrical Lemonade Jordan Aerospace 720 Release Info". Sneaker News. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
- ^ "Post by Lyrical Lemonade". January 22, 2020. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021 – via Instagram.
- ^ "Post by Lyrical Lemonade". April 25, 2020. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021 – via Instagram.
- ^ "By Cole Bennett". bycolebennett. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
- ^ Mease, Sarah (July 4, 2019). "Everything You Need to Know About the Videographer Cole Bennett". Study Breaks. Archived from the original on August 31, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- ^ "Billboard 200: Week of February 10, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
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- ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. February 5, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
- ^ "Billboard Hot 100: Week of July 8, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Week of July 8, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ "Canadian Hot 100: Week of July 8, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on June 14, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
- ^ a b "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. February 5, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100: 30 June 2023 – 6 July 2023". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100: Week of February 10, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Week of February 10, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ Thomas, Megan (June 15, 2020). "BET Awards 2020 nominees announced". CNN. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
- ^ "Megan Thee Stallion & DaBaby Lead 2021 BET Awards Nominations: Full List". Billboard. May 27, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
- ^ Rouhani, Neena (June 8, 2023). "GloRilla & Drake Lead 2023 BET Awards Nominations". Billboard. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
- ^ Grein, Paul (May 16, 2024). "Drake Leads Nominations for 2024 BET Awards: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
- ^ Grein, Paul (September 29, 2020). "DaBaby Leads All Nominees For 2020 BET Hip Hop Awards: Here's the Complete List of Nominations". Billboard. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
- ^ Grein, Paul (September 9, 2021). "Cardi B, Lil Durk & Megan Thee Stallion Lead 2021 BET Hip Hop Award Nominations: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
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- ^ "9th Annual Streamy Nominees". The Streamy Awards. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
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- ^ Findlay, Mitch (August 11, 2020). "Gunna, Nav, & Don Tolliver Are Dropping A Single Friday". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
- ^ "'Juice WRLD: Into the Abyss' Review: Gone-Too-Soon Rapper Tells His Story in Elegiac Documentary". November 13, 2021.