Cole Bennett is not a traditional Spotify playlist curator. His influence comes from something independent rappers need just as badly: the ability to make discovery feel bigger than one song. Through Lyrical Lemonade, Bennett turned music videos, interviews, live events and a consistent visual identity into a trusted filter for internet rap.
That matters in the playlist era because listeners rarely discover music through one platform alone. A fan might see a clip, watch the full video, search the artist on Spotify and then follow the record into algorithmic playlists. Bennett’s career shows how those steps can connect.
Documented: He started by covering artists, not chasing stars
Bennett founded Lyrical Lemonade as a Chicago hip-hop blog in 2013. He told WBEZ that he wrote about music he liked because he wanted to introduce readers to their next favorite artist. Before major budgets arrived, he filmed friends and emerging Chicago acts while developing his editing style.
According to XXL, Bennett once wrote 10 to 15 blog posts per day and charged some early artists only $20 for videos. His major online breakthrough came through Famous Dex’s 2016 “Hit ’Em Wit It” visual after the Lyrical Lemonade channel had already published roughly 120 videos.
That sequence is important: the recognizable opportunity arrived after years of catalog-building. Artists often reverse the order, demanding industry attention before creating enough work to prove their identity.
His taste became a recognizable brand
Bennett’s musical foundation included Lil Wayne, Gucci Mane, Wiz Khalifa, Mac Miller, Kid Cudi, Chance the Rapper and Chicago’s underground scene. He has publicly identified Kid Cudi as a favorite artist. Visually, he told XXL that color, mood and creative freedom were central to his process.
Reasonable analysis: Bennett’s real curation advantage was consistency without sameness. Viewers recognized the bright colors, animated lines and Lyrical Lemonade carton, but every artist still received an individual world. That is the same balance a rapper needs across Spotify artwork, TikTok clips, videos and live presentation.
Influence beyond Spotify
Lyrical Lemonade expanded from a blog and YouTube channel into Summer Smash, freestyle programming and broader entertainment projects. In 2026, Bennett described plans for Lyrical Lemonade TV to The Washington Post, including music-rooted travel and culture programming.
This cross-platform ecosystem keeps an artist visible after the first upload. A video creates the moment; short clips circulate it; interviews provide personality; live events deepen community; Spotify captures repeat listening.
How upcoming rappers can apply the playbook
- Build a catalog before making the big ask. Three polished releases with connected visuals are more convincing than one unfinished single and a long DM.
- Create a repeatable visual signal. Use consistent colors, framing, typography or characters so fans recognize your content before reading your name.
- Bring curators a story already in motion. Include the best song link, a short explanation of the record and evidence of genuine audience response.
- Connect platforms. Prepare your Spotify profile using SupremePR’s guide to treating an artist profile like a landing page, then support it with searchable TikTok clips and strong visuals.
Can artists submit to Cole Bennett?
As of August 11, 2026, Lyrical Lemonade’s public-facing contact page does not display a clear open music-submission form. Artists should not trust unofficial accounts promising guaranteed access or spam Bennett’s personal pages. A legitimate approach is to build regional momentum, collaborate with credible creatives and make the music easy for tastemakers to discover naturally.
SupremePR can help artists organize that wider campaign through music promotion across Spotify, TikTok and SoundCloud. Artists ready to expand legitimate playlist outreach can also review SupremePR’s Spotify playlist promotion by influencers. Placement works best when the record, profile and content already tell the same story.
Cole Bennett’s biggest lesson is not “get a Lyrical Lemonade video.” It is to become recognizable enough that every release strengthens a larger world. Modern discovery rewards artists who give fans multiple reasons—and multiple platforms—to stay interested.