Hollie Cook

Biography

Hollie Cook, born in 1987 in West London, England, grew up in a musically rich household as the daughter of Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook and Jeni Cook, a backing singer for Culture Club, with Boy George as her godfather. Of paternal English and maternal West Indian descent, she was immersed in music from a young age, gravitating towards artists like Marc Bolan, David Bowie, The Cure, and reggae influences from West London's Jamaican culture, which her father also loved. Her early career took a punk-reggae turn when she joined the re-formed all-female band The Slits around 2006, contributing vocals and keyboards to their EP Revenge of the Killer Slits, a US tour, and a new album recorded in L.A., where she was dubbed the 'second singer' by Ari Up.

Transitioning to a solo career from 2010, Cook collaborated closely with producer Prince Fatty (Mike Pelanconi), releasing her self-titled debut reggae album Hollie Cook in 2011, featuring George Dekker of The Pioneers and Dennis Bovell, which she branded as 'tropical pop'—a fusion of reggae, rocksteady singers like Janet Kay and Phyllis Dillon, and 1960s girl groups. Praised by the BBC as one of 2011's most enjoyable reggae albums, it led to appearances on Later... with Jools Holland, Stone Roses reunion support shows in 2012, and further releases including dub versions, Twice (2014 via PledgeMusic), Vessel of Love (2018 with guests like Jah Wobble and Youth), Happy Hour (2022), and Shy Girl (2025). Her style evolved into cosmic tropical pop and lovers rock, blending soul, R&B, and reggae experimentation while maintaining a haunting, unique voice.

Cook's legacy lies in bridging punk, reggae, and pop, carrying forward The Slits' feminist spirit into modern 'tropical pop,' with consistent critical acclaim and a distinct presence in the UK reggae scene, evidenced by her Spotify genres of reggae, dub, roots reggae, and rocksteady.

Fun Facts

• Boy George is Hollie Cook's godfather, as her mother Jeni was a backing singer for Culture Club.
• She supported The Stone Roses at their 2012 Heaton Park reunion shows in Manchester.
• Cook covered Amy Winehouse's 'You Know I'm No Good' on the 2012 tribute album Back to Back to Black.
• Her father Paul Cook shares her love for reggae, influenced by West London's Jamaican music scene from his youth.

Associated Acts

• The Slits (2005–present)

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Janet Kay - stylistic inspiration for reggae and rocksteady vocals (influenced tropical pop sound on albums like Hollie Cook (2011)) [ongoing since early career]
• Phyllis Dillon - key influence as female rocksteady/reggae singer (shaped vocal style in solo work) [ongoing]

Key Collaborators

• Prince Fatty (Mike Pelanconi) - primary producer and songwriter for solo career (Hollie Cook (2011), Prince Fatty Presents Hollie Cook in Dub (2012), Twice (2014)) [2010-present]
• The Slits - band member (final lineup, vocals/keys, 'second singer') (Revenge of the Killer Slits EP (2006), US tour, L.A. album) [2006-2009]
• George Dekker - guest artist from The Pioneers (Hollie Cook (2011)) [2011]
• Dennis Bovell - featured collaborator on debut (Hollie Cook (2011)) [2011]
• Ian Brown - collaborator post-Slit (undisclosed tracks) [late 2000s]
• Jamie T - collaborator post-Slit (undisclosed tracks) [late 2000s]
• Jah Wobble - guest on album (Vessel of Love (2018)) [2018]
• Alex Paterson - guest on album (Vessel of Love (2018)) [2018]
• Martin 'Youth' Glover - guest on album (Vessel of Love (2018)) [2018]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #reggae, #tropical-pop