History
Hollie Cook, born in London in 1987, is a British singer and keyboardist known for her work in reggae and pop music. Growing up with musician Paul Cook of the Sex Pistols as her father, music was an integral part of her life.
After initially pursuing acting, singing, and modeling at a young age, Cook pivoted towards a musical career, finding her path more aligned with her influences than her formal performing arts education. A significant early opportunity arose when family friend Ari Up, the singer of The Slits, invited Cook to provide backing vocals for the EP "Revenge of the Killer Slits." This experience led Cook to leave her studies and join the band for a six-week tour. She became an official member, with Up referring to her as the "second singer." Cook's contributions, including vocals, keyboards, and the song "Cry," were featured on a subsequent Slits album recorded in Los Angeles.
Cook's career has been marked by several notable collaborations. She recorded a duet with Jamie T for his "Chaka Demus" EP and worked with Ian Brown on "The World Is Yours." A particularly impactful collaboration was her featured vocal performance on the underground reggae hit "Milk and Honey" by Mike Pellanconi, also known as Prince Fatty. The single gained significant traction, receiving airplay on major radio stations like BBC Radio 1, 6 Music, and XFM, and was even featured on the television show "Grey's Anatomy." Cook's passion for reggae artists Janet Kay and Phyllis Dillon, alongside the influence of classic 1960s girl groups, shaped her distinctive solo sound, which she describes as "tropical pop."
Her self-titled debut album, released on Mr Bongo Records in May 2011, showcased this unique blend of influences. Cook has also lent her talents to The Rotten Hill Gang, a collective formed by Gary Stonadge of Big Audio Dynamite II, and has toured with a reformed Big Audio Dynamite.
