Today – 12th August – marks the release of Darrell Cole’s new project ‘RETURN ON INVESTMENT PT. 1’, a body of work that encapsulates the journey he’s been on and the man he is today, dedicated to his late father. The title and artwork pay homage to his Sierra Leone heritage, which Cole acknowledges as hugely inspirational throughout his journey as an artist and beyond. Reflected in the artwork is the Cotton Tree, also known as a Kapok Tree, a historic symbol of Freetown, the capital city of Sierra Leone.
Accompanying the release is the collaborative single ‘Free The Mind’ featuring Kojey Radical and JVCK JAMES. The stand out track sees the three artists share centre stage and create magic over a Hip-Hop summertime instrumental. The 11-track project also boasts a feature for Belgian rapper Krisy, who put his unique flare on soulful club track, ‘Bah Oui’. Throughout the project Cole's showcases not only his lyricism but his ability to explore musical styles and genres, refusing to be labeled solely as a Hip-Hop artist. Following the hype created by both ‘Celebration’,‘Bruddah’ and ‘Knights’ which dropped over summer, Cole has created a buzz and set the tone for this new chapter in his life. On the project, Darrell worked exclusively with his friend and producer Samuel Kareem who is also part of the collective ‘ALLE$ LIFESTYLE’.
During his life Cole has experienced a rich culture of music living in different cities including; New York, London and Amsterdam, a perfect reference point for the unique sound he has created. ‘RETURN ON INVESTMENT PT. 1’ is about gratitude and giving thanks to all those who have supported him thus far. Digging deeper, Cole touches on the generational trauma and sacrifices his ancestors made for future generations which he is paying homage to through his music. With every intention to inspire and pay it forward, he uses his hard-working, hustler mentality to motivate others to follow in his footsteps.
Return on Investment PT.1 is now available to stream via all main music services.
