By: Fredwill Hernandez
There was a buzz of excitement as many, including myself, arrived early and eagerly awaited the start of Cocoa Sarai’s “Pat Down” experience single release party, performance, and video premiere powered by the HITMKR ecosystem. This event took place on Wednesday, April 11, at Grandmaster Records in Hollywood, California, where attendees were treated to an electrifying performance after a few technical difficulties were resolved.
“Yes — “Pat Down,” is the first single from my album. This project has been years in the making. I’ve lived, grown, healed, and evolved. And I’m still creating. I chose “Pat Down” to lead the way because, honestly, I was afraid of it.,” eloquently explained the Brooklyn, New York born singer/songwriter whose been singing since she was two. “It was the first time I released a record where I wasn’t singing at all. It made me nervous because I knew it might surprise some of the people who love my music. But that’s exactly why I released it. I want people to expect honesty, expect quality—but also give me the freedom to stretch creatively.”
The packed and sold-out house left many wishing they should had arrived earlier just to be front and center.
“I love my supporters—I call them my loved ones because that’s what they are: family. We had a video premiere concert in New York 48 hours before the LA show, and the energy in both cities was incredible. I don’t believe in just performances—I believe in experiences,” also explained Sarai who aside from performing “Pat Down,” also performed the singles “No Apologies,” “Brenda,” “The Fence,” “Sugarcane,” and “Chakra.” “Technical issues or small venues? That just means I get to be even more connected with the audience. What you saw was intimacy, vulnerability, and real joy. For 40 minutes, we’re on the same frequency. And I’m grateful to be the one guiding that energy.”
For the release, Sarai, who performed with a live band, teamed up with direct-to-fans music distribution ecosystem HITMKR, through which she also made the single available.
“Yes, I teamed up with HITMKR for the LA release, and it’s been a great partnership. They’re not afraid to roll up their sleeves. They care about the artist—they want you to understand your data, connect with your audience, and they’re constantly evolving. I love how open they are to feedback and innovation. That kind of support is rare.”
The private events organized by the HITMKR ecosystem to showcase the platform and its artists, specifically Serai in this instance, have been quite successful and continue to build momentum, with this event following that same trend.
Regarding her approach to composing music and her collaboration with Kennedy [Kimbell] from JFK Music Management, who played a significant role in the event’s success, Serai also mentioned, “My process is fluid—sometimes I start with words, other times I freestyle melodies while the beat is being built. I trust the moment. Working with Dr. Dre and Snoop on Missionary was a blessing. Dre has what Snoop calls “The Avengers”—a group of writers and producers called ICU—and I was lucky to be one of them. I co-wrote and was featured on songs throughout the project. I’ve also written for Anderson .Paak, Nas, K-pop group NCT 127, the TV show STAR by Lee Daniels, and more. Each project is different, but I always lead with feeling. Kennedy’s been a big part of the rollout out here in LA for this release. We’ve been working closely together, and I really appreciate how on point he’s been with coordination—staying on top of timelines, communication, and just making sure things keep moving. I work hard, but it makes a difference when you have someone in the mix who’s just as locked in. I’ve got a solid team overall, but Kennedy’s consistency and hands-on approach have definitely helped keep things running smooth during this phase.”
