Cocoa Sarai (@cocoasarai) is no stranger to reinvention. The Brooklyn-born, LA-based artist has long operated at the intersection of genres. Moreover, she fuses R&B, hip hop, reggae, and soul into a sound that’s entirely her own. With seven independent projects under her belt and a platinum songwriting credit for K-pop group NCT 127, Cocoa is steadily carving out space for herself in an industry that rarely makes room for nuance.
Recently, Cocoa debuted the visuals for her latest single, “Pat Down.” It’s a bold, assertive anthem that challenges the way confident women are often mislabeled. The visual, co-directed by longtime collaborator Kai Martinez and director Rio, is a cinematic statement of power, freedom, and self-definition.
In a conversation with Remixd Magazine, Cocoa opens up about her journey as an independent artist, the importance of creative control, and what it means to be a woman breaking molds. Especially as a dark-skinned Black woman from Brooklyn. Her words are not just deeply personal, but purpose-driven. “I want women to feel empowered,” she says. “To hear my music and feel good about themselves. To see me and see themselves.”
Moreover, with her next single “Chakra” on the way and an album slated for 2026, Cocoa Sarai is here to show the world what she’s capable of. Read on for our full conversation about art, authenticity, and why trying, unapologetically, is the most radical thing an artist can do.
Cocoa Sarai Interview
Remixd Magazine: To start, where are you from? Who is Cocoa Sarai for people who don’t know her yet?
Cocoa Sarai: I’m from Brooklyn, New York, but I’ve been living in L.A. for about seven years now. I come from a musical family and have been singing since I was around two years old. I grew up in church. My grandfather is from Hanover, Jamaica, and my grandmother is from Cherry, South Carolina. So Thanksgiving means lots of good food and a rich mix of cultures.
Being from Brooklyn the birthplace of hip hop and growing up surrounded by all that style and energy really influenced me. So did the mix of gospel, jazz, rapping, and reggae I was exposed to at different points in my life. All of that ends up in my music. It’s a melting pot, and that melting pot is me.
Beautifully said. I love that you have such a rich cultural background and that it shows up in your sound. However, with that in mind, how would you describe your musical identity?
It’s a true blend of R&B, hip hop, and reggae. We honestly need to find a word for it. Because I don’t really know anyone else doing this exact mix. My songwriting background means I’m fluent in all of those genres. And when I create, I let everything come through naturally. If I feel like throwing in a patois line, I do it. If I feel something soulful or poppy, I don’t hold back. I let it live. It’s all genuine.
That’s powerful — it really feels like your own lane. You recently dropped the video for “Pat Down,” which came out super dope, by the way. Can you talk about the inspiration behind the song and the concept?
Thank you! I’m a stickler about visuals. I’m involved from start to finish on every single one. For “Pat Down,” I worked with Rio, who directed it, and Kai Martinez — who co-directed and is like a sister to me. We’ve known each other almost 18 years. She’s a choreographer. And she’s been my right hand on every video for the past five years.
When you’re independent, you have to work within your budget, so choosing a director is based on what I believe I can bring out of them, too. Rio was great because when I brought him the song, he didn’t just wait for me to lead. He added ideas. That rarely happens. Normally I come with the full treatment, the whole vision. But Rio showed up with shot lists and helped shape the direction.
We actually trashed the original concept because it was getting too expensive, like $7K, which is a lot when you’re self-funding. Then, four days before the shoot, my best friend Katie suggested doing a jailbreak concept. I thought, “If we’re gonna do jail, let’s go all in — I want a real jail, a news reporter, everything.” And we made it happen.
“Pat Down” Music Video
What is the message you wanted audiences to take away from “Pat Down?”
The deeper message behind Pat Down is about women, especially Black women, being confident and assertive, and how that’s often labeled as “aggressive.” It’s about moving past pain — yeah, I cried yesterday, but that’s behind me. It’s also about seeing the world finally celebrate things we were once teased or punished for.
More than anything, I want women to feel empowered when they hear “Pat Down.” I want them to get dressed to it, transition to it, feel good about themselves. For so long, little girls were taught to center their lives around relationships, while little boys were taught to focus on money and purpose. I don’t think that’s fair. I think women can do both. Anyone who can carry life inside them should never be expected to be one thing.
Where does the passion for your music come from?
This isn’t just my art — it’s my mission. To inspire people to empower themselves. We all have different advantages and resources, but if you haven’t been consistent every day for 30 days, can you really say something “didn’t work”? Most people give up too soon. And I’m like… you’re kind of being a b*tch-ass about it. Just try. It’s cool to care. I love music. I love storytelling.
To follow up on that, how would you describe the part of your journey that you’re in right now?
Good question. I think I’m pretty clear on where I’m at. Across the seven projects I’ve released, what’s stayed consistent is that I’m always me. I don’t curate myself. I don’t tone it down. ‘Pat Down’ was what I needed to say and feel after a breakup. And when you’re grinding, sometimes confidence does waver. Especially when you’re an artist and a songwriter. Doing things like Coachella and Grammy House, yet still an indie artist. That duality is real.
Stay connected with Cocoa Sarai on IG here.
