Collin Suttles is a Bronx-based independent artist who decided to pursue a music career shortly after high school.


His sound can be described as rooted in hip hop, gospel, and soul. His latest release "Co-Op" that dropped on July 4th showcases his talents as an artist and displays his unique sound. The song also has a meaningful message behind it that creates awareness and encourages people to take a stand for issues that they are passionate about.


Keep reading to learn more about Suttles and his plans for the future.


Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?

Sure, my upbringing connected me with the fact that the higher power is in control of my life. Through divine intervention, I believe that music became my safe haven, a place to go when I needed to express my journey through life's ups and downs. I honestly don’t know if I would be here today without music, I’m thankful that the most high put the gift of music in my heart.


How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?

Hmmm, good question. My sound is definitely rooted in hip hop, gospel. and soul music. I’m a writer at heart, but I also produce records. Therefore I usually approach each project or song from a different perspective. For example, this week I completed the campaign theme music for Shenequa Charles, who is running for State Assembly in the Bronx, NY. She came to me with the idea, I vibed on it for a few days, put together the music, and wrote the lyrics. It doesn’t particularly sound like other music that I have released, but the feedback has been great. People are listening and getting excited about the campaign, which was my goal. So I say all that to say, my sound changes, but if you listen to my music, you will hear some similar elements.


What ultimately inspired you to dedicate yourself to a music career?

Well, music career, those two words have taken on a new dimension as I continue to write, produce, and perform music. At this point, I’m committed to the indie music scene, and I work with talented musicians, who bring out the best in me. I mention this perspective because a music career means various things to various people. A music career to me means I get to continue to evolve creatively, as I work with creative people. That’s my music career!


What’s one reason you are passionate about music and what inspires you?

The passion I feel for music these days is fueled by injustice and the lack of equality we all are witnessing in our society. Most of my new music is a reflection of urban communities throughout the world, my goal is to connect these melodies, flows, and rhythms to the power of unity, which produces awareness, and builds urban sustainability. That's what's inspiring me at this point!


Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?

Yeah hobbies, those are helpful. I like to exercise and invest time in organizations and individuals that are working on behalf of community development. I also just completed my first children’s book called, “Iggy Likes Sunday,” I’ll probably release it next year.


Who are some of your main musical influences?

Wow, you put me on the spot with this one. My musical palette is very diverse. I could spend days talking about this, and I actually have spent days discussing this topic with my music friends. If I had to name one person that I feel has captured the spirit of creativity, and stayed true to his individuality, it would be Quincy Jones. From Micheal Jackson, to Frank Sinatra, to the soundtrack for The Color Purple, he has remained true to music and his life. That’s what I believe it’s all about!


What are some of your music career goals for the future?

Well, I scored a short film last year called, “Homesick.” I like the process, and think that I could add a lot to film through music. So I wanna score more films, also I produced my second annual Christmas Coat Drive last year, that was fun, and we gave away coats to homeless people. Yeah, I wanna produce more live benefit shows as we enter the future.


Tell us about your latest project "Co-Op." What's it about?

I am promoting my new single entitled, ‘Co-Op’ featuring Raydar Ellis and my band UC

(Underground Collaborative). The single is about cooperative businesses working

together in urban communities to build sustainability. We are preparing to shoot the

video next month. The last project I released or worked on is with indie artist

Larie D. Edwards on his Love Anthems project, featuring a single we wrote together called Captivating. It’s doing its thing, make sure you add it to your playlists.


What has the response been like to that project?

The project is doing well. We still are creating awareness, at this point. I feel that as people continue to hear the music, the demand will grow.


What are some projects you’ve done in the past that you are most proud of and why?

I like most of the music I work on, I have remixes and poetry interludes that I feature on my soundcloud page. You should check it out, let me know what you think. I also have a social & environmental justice blog, called, ‘Humanities Heart,’ that’s beginning to gain noteriety.


What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects we should be on the lookout for? Include some dates if you have them.

Well, with COVID-19 it’s tough to say. We are currently completing the EP, which ‘Co-Op’ is the lead single for. It should be out later this year.


What message do you hope fans take away from your music?

I want people to gain a new perspective on life from this music. I want people to prepare as we take on new norms. My objective is to create music that is part of the healing process.


Where can we follow you on social media?


Facebook: productive.jeff

Twitter: jeff_humanity

Instagram: Collin Suttles

YouTube: Jeff aka Collin Suttles

Website: Humanities Heart

Soundcloud: Collin Suttles - Remix Magazine

Bronx-based artist Collin Suttles is working towards his music career goals and is showing his dedication. The independent artist recently dropped “Co-Op” on July 4th, which showcases his talents as an artist and displays his unique sound. The song also has a meaningful message behind it that creates awareness and encourages people to take a stand for issues that they are passionate about.

Suttles’ unique stands definitely makes him stand apart from the rest. His music helps differentiate him and position him as someone who is pursuing his career and is not afraid to be different. When asked about why he chose to pursue a music career, the artist answered that he was committed to being surrounded by people who bring out the best in him.

“At this point, I’m committed to the indie music scene, and I work with talented musicians, who bring out the best in me,” Suttles said. “I mention this perspective because a music career means various things to various people. A music career to me means I get to continue to evolve creatively, as I work with creative people. That’s my music career!”

Keep reading to learn more about Suttles and his plans for the future.

Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?

Sure, my upbringing connected me with the fact that the higher power is in control of my life. Through divine intervention, I believe that music became my safe haven, a place to go when I needed to express my journey through life’s ups and downs. I honestly don’t know if I would be here today without music, I’m thankful that the most high put the gift of music in my heart.

How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?

Hmmm, good question. My sound is definitely rooted in hip hop, gospel. and soul music. I’m a writer at heart, but I also produce records. Therefore I usually approach each project or song from a different perspective. For example, this week I completed the campaign theme music for Shenequa Charles, who is running for State Assembly in the Bronx, NY. She came to me with the idea, I vibed on it for a few days, put together the music, and wrote the lyrics. It doesn’t particularly sound like other music that I have released, but the feedback has been great. People are listening and getting excited about the campaign, which was my goal. So I say all that to say, my sound changes, but if you listen to my music, you will hear some similar elements.

What’s one reason you are passionate about music and what inspires you?

The passion I feel for music these days is fueled by injustice and the lack of equality we all are witnessing in our society. Most of my new music is a reflection of urban communities throughout the world, my goal is to connect these melodies, flows, and rhythms to the power of unity, which produces awareness, and builds urban sustainability. That’s what’s inspiring me at this point!

Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?

Yeah hobbies, those are helpful. I like to exercise and invest time in organizations and individuals that are working on behalf of community development. I also just completed my first children’s book called, “Iggy Likes Sunday,” I’ll probably release it next year.

Who are some of your main musical influences?

Wow, you put me on the spot with this one. My musical palette is very diverse. I could spend days talking about this, and I actually have spent days discussing this topic with my music friends. If I had to name one person that I feel has captured the spirit of creativity, and stayed true to his individuality, it would be Quincy Jones. From Micheal Jackson, to Frank Sinatra, to the soundtrack for The Color Purple, he has remained true to music and his life. That’s what I believe it’s all about!

What are some of your music career goals for the future?

Well, I scored a short film last year called, “Homesick.” I like the process, and think that I could add a lot to film through music. So I wanna score more films, also I produced my second annual Christmas Coat Drive last year, that was fun, and we gave away coats to homeless people. Yeah, I wanna produce more live benefit shows as we enter the future.

Tell us about your latest project “Co-Op.” What’s it about?

I am promoting my new single entitled, ‘Co-Op’ featuring Raydar Ellis and my band UC (Underground Collaborative). The single is about cooperative businesses working together in urban communities to build sustainability. We are preparing to shoot the video next month. The last project I released or worked on is with indie artist

Larie D. Edwards on his Love Anthems project, featuring a single we wrote together called Captivating. It’s doing its thing, make sure you add it to your playlists.

What has the response been like to that project?

The project is doing well. We still are creating awareness, at this point. I feel that as people continue to hear the music, the demand will grow.

What are some projects you’ve done in the past that you are most proud of and why?

I like most of the music I work on, I have remixes and poetry interludes that I feature on my soundcloud page. You should check it out, let me know what you think. I also have a social & environmental justice blog, called, ‘Humanities Heart,’ that’s beginning to gain notoriety.

What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects we should be on the lookout for? Include some dates if you have them.

Well, with COVID-19 it’s tough to say. We are currently completing the EP, which ‘Co-Op’ is the lead single for. It should be out later this year.

What message do you hope fans take away from your music?

I want people to gain a new perspective on life from this music. I want people to prepare as we take on new norms. My objective is to create music that is part of the healing process.

Where can we follow you on social media?

Facebook: productive.jeff

Twitter: jeff_humanity

Instagram: Collin Suttles

YouTube: Jeff aka Collin Suttles

Website: Humanities Heart

Soundcloud: Collin Suttles - On The Scene New York

Graduate student. Special education teacher.
Digital humanities specialist. Writer. Poet. Musician. Indie artist.

Those are only some of the myriad vocations of
Jeffery Collin Suttles. To call him enterprising would be an understatement.

A candidate for the M.A. in Urban Studies at SLU this semester, Jeffery found new inspiration for his art in a cooperative management course that he took with Rebecca Lurie in 2019. As his final project, Jeffery composed a song called, “Co-Op,” which he subsequently premiered last month at a community development rally/video shoot held at the Black Lives Matter mural in Brooklyn.

“I’ve been performing for over twenty years,” Jeffery said. “I started out in a vocal group called Mass Appeal, along with my brother and cousin. We opened up for a lot of artists, including the Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z. Now I’m working with another talented group of musicians called UC, which stands for Underground Collaborative, I continue to write and produce for indie artists as well as work on my solo projects.”

So how did “Co-Op” come about? “It started with an idea from my co-op class. Ironically, I worked at Green Worker Co-op as an intern a few years ago, and I was interested in learning more about the cooperative concept. The class was an extension of my initial interest in connecting people to build companies. So I wrote a song about how cooperative businesses and opportunities can open people up. The narrative starts with a rap by Berklee College of
Music professor Raydar Ellis, explaining what’s going on in urban neighborhoods, and what it will take to make our dreams come true. It’s a fun song about community enlightenment, with a funky groove.”

“The rally was a really cool event. Green Worker Co-op, the Black Panthers, and NYC Network for Worker Cooperatives, all showed up to support the movement. We shot various scenes that I want to turn into a music video/PSA to educate people about the cooperative business model. That’s my main message nowadays: sustainability, community growth, and creating a level playing field. I want to share a message of empowerment through the people.”

Music isn’t the only way Jeffery is getting his message across. “I have a degree from the Graduate Center in digital humanities. My capstone was a digital project entitled “Black Economic Empowerment: Educating in the ‘Hood.” I also have a publishing certificate from the City College of New York, where I got my undergraduate degree. Now I work with several forms of multimedia on content which relate to my passion to address issues in social and environmental justice. Oh, and then there’s my day job. I’m a special education teacher, and I just finished my first children’s book, Iggy Likes Sunday.”

Besides being the inspiration for “Co-Op,” how has his time at SLU informed Jeffery’s artistic ambitions? “Being at SLU has helped me develop a whole new theme for my art. Urban studies has really made me grow in my understanding of communities and the labor movement. A lot of my classmates already work for the city or in government agencies, and learning from them as well as my professors has taken me to a whole new level. I want to incorporate empathy in urban studies, and what it takes to make communities work with some of the technical knowledge I learned in digital humanities. And of course, with my music. I really believe some amazing things are going to happen.” - CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies Blog