New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


?>

 

Makin Waves Song of the Week: "California" by Cook Thugless


By Bob Makin

originally published: 05/25/2020


New Brunswick-originated jazzadelic rap act Cook Thugless premiere their latest video, “California,” which chronicles their love of their new state. PHOTO BY ANTHONY KING

No Jersey act makes more videos than the New Brunswick-originated jazzadelic rap band Cook Thugless, which makes sense because rappers Jack Blerry and Jean Louis are Shakespearean-trained actors. JL also is a filmmaker, as are their Jersey City friends at MoonCulture Films, especially AJ Seferlis, co-director of Thugless’ latest clip for the single, “California,” with JL.  Here is the vid’s media premiere: 

With more than a dozen clips to their credit, many of them helmed by AJ, his MoonCulture partner, Anthony King, and/or JL, Thugless have won the Makin Waves Video of the Year Award twice for 2017’s “New Release” and 2018’s “DAT MOFK!” 

As with their three LPs since the 2013 debut, “Space,” their 2019 EP, “Lost in L.A.,” produced several clips, which help chronicle most of the bi-coastal band members’ adventures relocating to the West Coast in pursuit of a record deal. 

A self-released LP chronicling the horrors of that deal was delayed for two reasons, good and bad. Unfortunately, the LP could not be released today as planned because the curse of the pandemic delayed mixing and mastering, but that turned out to be a blessing because Thugless since have nabbed trustworthy interest that also will delay the release of an album but in a good way. Stay tuned, and in the meantime, enjoy these other videos by Cook Thugless:

 

 

 

Bob Makin is a reporter for MyCentralJersey.com and the former managing editor of The Aquarian Weekly, which launched this column in 1988. Contact him via email and like Makin Waves on Facebook.

 



New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky




EVENT PREVIEWS

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Asbury Heart is Jason Didner's love letter to a city that refused to quit — and to the musicians, misfits, and believers who kept the beat going. Drawing on the sounds, stories, and personalities that transformed Asbury Park from a place of decay into an unlikely worldwide music destination, the album spans punk, soul, reggae, and heartland rock in the spirit of the Jersey Shore scene itself: eclectic, unguarded, and alive.
Looking for the Heart of Saturday Night? Eddie Skuller to bring the Ballads of Tom Waits to Hoboken

Looking for the Heart of Saturday Night? Eddie Skuller to bring the Ballads of Tom Waits to Hoboken

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Jersey City based singer Eddie Skuller will perform a personal tribute to the songwriting of Tom Waits on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the 503 Social Club. Eddie returns for a night of classic Waits songs, interpreted by this skilled, masterful singer. A moving experience guaranteed!
The Newton Theatre presents The Wailers on May 16th

The Newton Theatre presents The Wailers on May 16th

(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Wailers are celebrating 50 years of "Rastaman Vibration" with a tour honoring one of Bob Marley & The Wailers' most influential albums. The tour comes to The Newton Theatre on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 8:00pm.
Raul Midón Takes the Stage at the Grunin Center

Raul Midón Takes the Stage at the Grunin Center's Prima Theatre on May 16th

(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts welcomes Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and virtuoso guitarist Raul Midón to the Gia Maione Prima Foundation Studio Theatre on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 7:00pm. Tickets are $35.
The Masterwork Chorus presents "An American Tapestry"

The Masterwork Chorus presents "An American Tapestry"

(MADISON, NJ) -- On Saturday, May 16, 2026, The Masterwork Chorus presents An American Tapestry at The Concert Hall at Drew University. This is a musical journey through 250 years of Americana celebrating the the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Showtime is 7:30pm.
The Morris Choral Society to Conclude Season with Brahms Requiem on May 16th

The Morris Choral Society to Conclude Season with Brahms Requiem on May 16th

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- The Morris Choral Society will perform their Spring Concert on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at St. Mary's Abby Church on the campus of Delbarton School. The soloists for this concert will be Soprano Cassandra Douglas and Baritone Charles Gray. The chorus will be accompanied by a full orchestra. Showtime is 7:30pm.
WP Presents Brings Unforgettable Fire to Shea Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday

WP Presents Brings Unforgettable Fire to Shea Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday

(WAYNE, NJ) -- WP Presents the U2 tribute band Unforgettable Fire on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 8:00pm in the Shea Center for Performing Arts. Unforgettable Fire, or ‘UF’, was born on New Year's Day in 1995 as one of the very first U2 Tribute Bands to ever perform in America.
Albert Music Hall presents Rock Around the Pines: A Celebration of Early Rock

Albert Music Hall presents Rock Around the Pines: A Celebration of Early Rock 'n' Roll on Saturday

(WARETOWN, NJ) -- Albert Music Hall presents "Rock Around the Pines" on Saturday, May 16, 2026, an evening dedicated to the sounds of 1950s and early 1960s rock 'n' roll. The themed program brings classic jukebox favorites, rockabilly rhythms, and vintage dance hall energy to the Pinelands stage, with five local acts performing throughout the evening.
A Chat with Veronika and Madelene of Arrival From Sweden Who Perform at UCPAC on May 16

A Chat with Veronika and Madelene of Arrival From Sweden Who Perform at UCPAC on May 16

Arrival from Sweden is coming to Rahway, NJ's Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 8:00pm. Founded in 1995 in Gothenburg, Sweden, Arrival from Sweden is one of the world's most popular ABBA tribute bands and the only group that has ever been given a previously unreleased song directly from ABBA to record.
Masterwork Music and Art Foundation to Honor Wayne Walters At 65th Birthday Celebration on May 17th

Masterwork Music and Art Foundation to Honor Wayne Walters At 65th Birthday Celebration on May 17th

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- The Masterwork Music and Art Foundation will celebrate its 65th Anniversary with a gala at the Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (21 Normandy Heights Road) in Morristown on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 3:00pm. The event will showcase some of its grant awardees plus honor Wayne Walters, a well-known New Jersey musician who sings, composes, conducts, and has taught and influenced many over the years.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS






 

Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info