Brooklyn, NY. (Top40 Charts/ Alliant Records) - Over the years, turning tragedy to triumph has been a common thread amongst some of the most gifted artists. While lyricist John Cook may not carry himself with the tough exterior of rappers in today's market, he is infinitely aware of the harshest struggles life has to offer. John Cook's debut album Heaven's Pen is a personal opus, intertwining John's experiences and unfaltering faith with street-savvy messages that the Hip Hop nation can embrace. A native of Brooklyn, John was raised in a creative environment, with artists growing up in his neighborhood including Special Ed and the group Another Bad Creation (ABC). Sadly, at only four-years-old, John saw his father commit suicide, and when he was seven his mother became extremely ill. It was through the church and his mother's amazing recovery that John realized his calling in life. He drew from the musical success of those around him to formulate his own brand of music, and meshed his spiritual ideals into the songs he wrote. "I really felt that if I could be a part of the music, then all of the things that I had been through would disappear," explains John. "I was reading the Bible and listening to rap music. I knew that they could co-exist. I wanted to give God the opportunity to live in me!" Recently, John teamed with Disturbing Tha Peace MC Serius Jones and Atlantic Records' singer/songwriter Wynter Gordon to record the new track "Pain." The track soulfully offers the artists' combined thoughts on enduring hardships, and will be available in September for fans everywhere. With the release of Heaven's Pen and future projects, John Cook hopes to inspire the next generation of Hip Hop hopefuls in their quest to add a deeper meaning in their music. No matter what the perspective, there is always an opportunity to tell the stories that connect us all. "We have to speak to people's situations and circumstances," says John, "because music speaks the truth."
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