[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpBSJxxWUtI[/youtube]
SF State student, Ethan “EMoney” Cohen is getting his chance at the big time by rapping his way to becoming a contestant on BET’s famous Freestyle Friday.
“I went up there and blew the judges away,” said Cohen. “Right off the bat they said, ‘we want you to come to New York.'”
Freestyle Friday is a segment from the popular show 106 & Park in which two aspiring rappers freestyle in front of three judges and a studio audience.
“Preparation for that is just everything you’ve done to that point,” said Cohen. “It’s just rapping what’s in front of you.”
Rapping since middle school, Cohen’s goal is to one day make a living as a rap artist. He said being a contestant on Freestyle Friday is one step closer in the right direction.
“It’s huge exposure,” said Cohen. “People all over the world are watching BET, especially Freestyle Friday.”
Some friends from Team Backpack, a collaboration of musicians that Cohen is a part of, signed him up for the competition. He said he was excited to try out, but a freestyle battle gone wrong just two days before left him a little discouraged.
“I had never had that little confidence in my life, but the fact of the matter is, we paid the money (and) the guys from Team Backpack were encouraging me, “said Cohen.
After waiting eight hours to audition, Cohen said something came over him when it was finally his turn.
“I just thought about all the encouragement that Team Backpack gave me and all of the belief they had in me,” he said. “I just couldn’t let them down. ”
Cohen said he’s still waiting for a specific date as to when he will be on the show. To avoid conflict, he said he hopes the set date is when school is out for the semester.
“I’m going to have to talk to all my teachers (and) tell them that I am an aspiring rap star,” said Cohen. “I don’t even think they know what rap is.”
annoymous • Mar 31, 2011 at 8:57 pm
“Ethan rapped at many school events his senior year, and was emotionally set back when he wasn’t accepted into any colleges that he wished to attend. He settled for SF State, which he was not at all exited for.”
-teambackpack.net
Billion Coast • Mar 27, 2011 at 5:54 pm
Keep the hate comin. It means we are doing something right. I love all you haters!!!!
Nick • Mar 27, 2011 at 12:43 pm
People have the right to be “haters”. In every single success story there are the ones that didn’t tried to hold the person back. But the keyword in that is the word “tried”. To quote another Team BackPack rapper, who was featured on MTV, “All you haters give me more promo” -Krissy. We can clearly see that the fact that the orchard of his fame is growing and if he needs to burn down a couple of trees that are hating on him, it will only make the whole operation more successful. Keep doing your thing Emoney, KILL THEM IN NEW YORK!
heresAmetaphor • Mar 26, 2011 at 4:27 pm
emoney losing to ridiculous was like when the eagles beat the saints. not lucky. doesn’t mean the eagles are better. just came to play that day. neither is a shitty team
iLOVEtbp • Mar 26, 2011 at 12:47 am
Why is Ridiculous hating? Apparently you don’t listen to his music because you would know that he reps Sonoma. &you mentioned something about him getting free handouts in rapping — really? really? Cuz it’s that easy to get on 106&park right? If he’s using his parent’s money or not it’s none of your concern – it’s about the music and that’s what he was talking about. So before you come over here trollin’ & hatin’ get your facts straight.
I just wanna say to Emoney that’s I’m happy that you’re able to balance out your school life with your music life. A lot of people would waste an education and I am very happy that’s you’re not doing so. You’re going to make it big one day just keep doing what you’re doing.
Team Teambackpack!!
trolly mctrollerston • Mar 25, 2011 at 2:59 am
successful troll is successful
tbp fan • Mar 24, 2011 at 5:04 pm
Emoney is the best young aspiring rapper out there and he hasnt had shit handed to him. you have no idea what youre talking about, that kid has worked his way from nothing to where he is now. keep killing em emoney
dc • Mar 23, 2011 at 12:28 pm
‘Ridiculous,
First of all, the most on point thing you’ve done, is having the balls to label yourself as ridiculous. Cause that’s exactly what you are. so congratulations on that.
Other than that, all I gotta say, is so what if his parents have financially supported him throughout his life & are currently helping him get through college???
That has nothing to do with the fact that he’s a dope ass rapper. What Ethan is doing career wise, is all coming all from within himself; & that’s what fucken matters. This kid has skill & is putting it to use. His parents money, isn’t spittin sick ass lines in cyphers. That’s all Ethan & that’s what makes him worth listening to. Cypher after cypher, he’s killin em & always got that one line that sticks with you, wanting to hear more from him. That’s what I call fucken talent & I congratulate Emoney for doing something with it & working hard, getting out there & pursing his dream. Like I said, his mommy & daddy’s money isn’t doing getting spots on BET’S 106&Park. It’s all Ethan. So hatin on him, just isn’t gonna work.
e-fan • Mar 23, 2011 at 12:19 pm
‘Ridiculous,
First of all, the most on point thing you’ve done, is having the balls to label yourself as ridiculous. Cause that’s exactly what you are. so congratulations on that.
Other than that, all I gotta say, is so what if his parents have financially supported him throughout his life & are currently helping him get through college???
That has nothing to do with the fact that he’s a dope ass rapper. What Ethan is doing career wise, is all coming all from within himself; & that’s what fucken matters. This kid has skill & is putting it to use. His parents money, isn’t spittin sick ass lines in cyphers. That’s all Ethan & that’s what makes him worth listening to. Cypher after cypher, he’s killin em & always got that one line that sticks with you, wanting to hear more from him. That’s what I call fucken talent & I congratulate Emoney for doing something with it & working hard, getting out there & pursing his dream. Like I said, his mommy & daddy’s money isn’t doing getting spots on BET’S 106&Park. It’s all Ethan. So hatin on him, just isn’t gonna work.
Nel • Mar 23, 2011 at 10:39 am
yo ridiculous, isnt it funny that you know so much about Emoney? and you called him a pimp? you can even say at this point that your a fan. keep asking/talking about him it only benefits E in the end. oh and good job on that battle bruh you came very well prepared
Drea • Mar 23, 2011 at 10:31 am
Emoney is blessed to have his family’s support to get him through school! I just dont understand how somebody can be mad at that! How are you hating on someone getting their education? Exactly it sounds as stupid as it looks! Balancing school & trying to be serious with music is hard, but he’s doing it and he will continue to shine. He’s making major moves in music, as well as getting himself out there to let his voice be heard, and he’s furthing his education! How can you be mad at that? Keep shining love, the world is yours!
xoxo Drea
Jimbo12 • Mar 23, 2011 at 10:23 am
I had no clue that being a nuisance to society and such a waste of space could be so passionate about an opinion, which has NO VALUE WHATSOVER!!
Ridiculous • Mar 23, 2011 at 10:10 am
I had no clue that being commercially viable meant you were a good rapper these days. thanks for letting me know!
a savage • Mar 23, 2011 at 9:55 am
1. there is a difference between renting a house in SF and sharing an apartment with 3 roommates.
2. so what if his parent’s are helping him out? my parents didn’t help me. i have gs in student loans to pay now. that doesn’t make anything better you idiot
3. learn to be happy.
4. everyone hates a hater
5. when you go to sleep tonight, just know that you will never, ever, ever be on BET, and the only reason you are talking bad about someone is because they accomplished something you aren’t capable of. jealousy is an ugly thing
kill em in NY emoney
taylor • Mar 23, 2011 at 9:59 am
lol hard to be a g when you have parents paying your way admit that player, althoguh i got no hate for emoney
Ridiculous • Mar 23, 2011 at 9:45 am
I’d like to add, I would be jealous if I was supporting myself financially, but everyone knows that any 20-something year old who can afford to rent his own house in SF and throw parties every other week is using daddy and mommy’s money, so thats probably why he has the extra time to focus on being a studio G.
Ridiculous • Mar 23, 2011 at 9:42 am
“I’m going to have to talk to all my teachers (and) tell them that I am an aspiring rap star,” said Cohen. “I don’t even think they know what rap is.”
I wish we all had daddy’s and mommy’s money and funding to let us afford enough time to play part-time pimp.
This cat reps San Francisco. he aint even from San Francisco. he’s from the wealthy town of sonoma.
troy • Mar 23, 2011 at 9:45 am
hey ridiculous, why can’t you be happy for him? you sound pretty bitter to me. and emoney will always, always rep sonoma to the death. don’t speak about stuff you don’t know about buddy
Ridiculous • Mar 23, 2011 at 9:50 am
I’m not bitter. I’m upset that someone who had his ass handed to him in a freestyle continues to garner attention for the sole reason that his parents pay for his rent and his living expenses so he doesn’t have to focus on hustling to survive. just another rich white boy with rich white parents who support his “city lifestyle”.
also, Brittney Doohan is Ethan’s friend. its obvious at this point that the express isnt known for good coverage for allowing such a biased report as “news”.
Aaron Williams • Mar 23, 2011 at 10:35 am
@Ridiculous,
This is Aaron Williams, Multimedia Editor for Xpress and Brittany Doohan’s editor. Thanks for taking time to view our content and discuss news fairness.
According to Brittany, she was not friends with Ethan Cohen before doing the story. Furthermore, her angle was to cover an aspiring rapper on campus, not discuss whether or not his financial situation aids him in this endeavor. The video describes his experiences with Team Backpack and the story is about his future in New York.
I personally don’t see the bias. If you don’t mind, can you describe where you see it?
Right... • Mar 24, 2011 at 11:26 am
How do you know this guy isn’t up to his ears in student loans? Oh right, you don’t. And he is a pimp. Don’t hate and get your facts straight.
iLOVEtbp • Mar 26, 2011 at 12:48 am
if you listens he reps Sonoma