Cokni O'Dire
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Cokni O'Dire (born 1969 in Wembley, England) is a Ragga MC and hip hop artist best known for being a member of the original Scheme Team featured on the Rhyme Syndicate/Epic Records release of Divine Styler's Word Power.
Biography
Cokni was born in Wembley, England but was raised in various parts of New York. The first crew he joined was El Producto in Cambria Heights Queens where he was the Human B-Box for LL Cool J during the time when rhymed with the Albino Twins back in the early eighties. He battled many who wielded the art of oral percussion, one of which was Rahzel, in a competition judged by Biz Markie. Initially known for having a thick ragga inspired vocal style, he coined the phrase 'Shock Out' in the Los Angeles Hip hop dance circle during the years of 1989 and 1990. Cokni later joined Divine Styler In the Original Scheme Team, when Divine got signed to epic, and was featured on Divine's debut album Wordpower. After the Scheme Team had broken up and gone their separate ways, He went on to pursue a successful career as a turntablist and a music promoter promoting Reggae Dance Hall and Hip Hop. After contributing to various Drum and Bass and various Hip Hop tracks, he later had a short reunite with former Scheme Team member Divine Styler to contribute Vocals to House of Pain's last album, Truth Crushed To Earth Shall Rise Again and Divine Styler's Wordpower 2 album.
Recent projects
He had a radio program called The OTO Hour on KXLU Los Angeles. In the club scene he has become a staple as a resident DJ/MC of Chocolate Bar, KPL, Umoja Hi Fi and Positive Rhythm events. Currently he is featured on the French release of an Italian production called Allegro "Someone Else" featuring L.V. and Fresh Game. He currently resides in Dallas, Texas and is married with three kids.