Written by Mikey Eckstein for Beautiful Machine Magazine

From the heart of Zimbabwe to the streets of London and now stages across the globe, Cookiie With a Double i is the kind of artist who refuses to be boxed in. Her journey is a cultural mosaic—shaped by her African roots, polished in London’s diverse creative scene, and now embraced by U.S. audiences who can’t get enough of her raw energy and fearless artistry.

Cookiie is more than a rapper. She’s a designer, a storyteller, and a bold spirit who uses both music and fashion to express her unapologetic authenticity. With her signature Cookiie Cutter hats, she’s redefining what it means to merge artistry with identity, proving that style and sound can come from the same creative source.

Her rise is a story of courage, individuality, and alignment with destiny. Whether on stage in Los Angeles or rocking out in Detroit, Cookiie commands attention—not just with her flow but with her presence. She doesn’t just perform; she embodies freedom, and that’s exactly what her music is about.

I sat down with Cookiie to talk about hats as crowns, the vibe that drives her music, and how American audiences have given her a whole new sense of home.

Q&A With Cookiie

Your hat game is strong—what do hats represent for you, and how do they tie into your overall style and identity as an artist?

For me, a hat isn’t just an accessory, it’s a crown. It’s a statement piece that speaks before I even open my mouth. Hats represent identity, confidence, and individuality. They’re a way of saying, I’m here, I’m bold, and I’m unapologetically me.

As an artist and designer, my hats and my music come from the same place of pure self-expression. Both worlds feed into each other. When I wear a Cookiie Cutter hat, it’s not just fashion, it’s art. It’s me stepping into my higher self, channeling that divine inspiration that’s been bestowed on me.

So whether I’m on stage performing or walking into a room, my hat is my signature. It ties into my style because it amplifies my energy. It says: this is Cookiie, with a double i, living free, authentic, and limitless.

How do you think your London roots show up in your music and fashion compared to when you perform abroad?

I love London, it’s my city, my foundation, and such a huge part of my music and fashion. Growing up in a place that’s so multicultural shaped my sound, my style, and my perspective.

But honestly, when it comes to music, I feel more appreciated abroad. Outside of London, people seem to catch my vibe, energy, authenticity quicker in a different way. London made me who I am, but performing abroad shows me how far my artistry can really reach.

When you’re creating music, what comes first for you—the beat, the bars, or the vibe?

For me, it always starts with the vibe. Music is energy, and I have to feel it before I can create it. The beat sets the tone, the bars bring the message, but the vibe is the spirit which connects everything together.

Sometimes the vibe is so strong it feels like it’s been placed in me by a higher power, and then the words just flow. Other times the beat will spark it, but without the right vibe, it won’t come alive. So yeah, vibe first, always—that’s where the freedom and authenticity sit.

What themes or messages do you hope listeners take away from your songs?

The main message I want people to take from my music is freedom and to express yourself in whatever way feels true to you. My songs are about courage, authenticity, and living without apology.

I’ve learned to embrace my uniqueness, and I want my listeners to feel the same power in themselves. Whether it’s through fashion, art, music, or anything you love—I want my music to motivate you to stand tall in your truth.

At the end of the day, my songs are little reminders that you can try, you can fail, you can rise—but you should always be free to be YOU.

Who are some of your biggest influences, both from the UK and internationally?

My influences come from both music and fashion, because I see them as one. From the UK, I’ve always been inspired by the boldness of artists who broke barriers—people like Amy Winehouse for her raw honesty, Dizzee Rascal for bringing grime to the forefront, and Alexander McQueen in fashion for showing that art can be fearless and unapologetic.

Internationally, I draw a lot from legends who stood for individuality and power—artists like Missy Elliott for her creativity, Rihanna for her reinvention and confidence, and icons like Prince who embodied freedom of expression.

All of them showed me that you don’t have to fit in a box and that’s the energy I carry into both my music and my hats. It’s about carving your own lane and owning it.

What’s been the biggest difference between performing in the UK and performing in U.S. cities like Detroit?

The biggest difference is definitely the energy. The energy I get from people in the U.S. is completely different from the UK. When the Americans see me I feel like they understand and connect right away. When I performed in LA, the love and the vibe was so uplifting, I honestly felt like the U.S. was made for me.

The UK gave me my foundation, but in the States it feels like alignment, like it’s meant to be. That energy pushes me to give even more on stage, because the connection is so real.

What does being a female rapper in London mean to you, especially in such a male-dominated scene?

I don’t see male-dominated or female-dominated, I see my lane. I’m Cookiie with a double i, one of one. My destiny is bigger than barriers.

Do you feel the London rap scene supports women differently than the U.S. scene?

I can’t say for sure, but what I do know is I am the scene. I attract my tribe, and it has to be real. The U.S. shows me more love, but wherever I go, what’s meant for Cookiie will find me.

What has surprised you most about American crowds compared to London crowds?

What’s surprised me most about American crowds is how quickly they connect with me. In London, it sometimes takes people a little longer to catch the vibe, but in the U.S. it feels instant—like they already know me before I even touch the stage. The love is bigger, the energy is louder, and it honestly uplifts me in ways I didn’t expect.

It made me realize the U.S. really is a space where my artistry resonates naturally, like the energy and I were made for each other.

As a female rapper breaking through, what challenges have you faced and how have you stayed true to your unique style?

I’ve learned that my uniqueness is my power. Whether it’s in my music or with Cookiie Cutter hats, it all comes from the same source of authenticity. I don’t chase trends, I create from my spirit, and that’s how I keep my style untouchable. Challenges come, but my destiny doesn’t change.

Looking ahead, what’s next for you—any dream collaborations or goals you’re aiming for in the near future?

Right now I’m really excited about launching my hat brand, Cookiie Cutter. It’s another extension of my artistry and self-expression. Alongside that, my focus is on attracting the right collaborators, people who align with my energy and authenticity.

I don’t like to put limits on what can happen. The dream is to keep growing, keep creating, and work with people who inspire me, whether that’s in music, fashion, or beyond. I believe when you stay authentic, the right opportunities and collaborations naturally find their way to you.

✨ Cookiie With a Double i is proving that artistry isn’t about fitting into lanes—it’s about creating your own. With her hats, her music, and her undeniable presence, she’s not just stepping into the spotlight, she’s shaping it.