This chant is the soundtrack of my childhood. Every float this Mardi Gras is going to be blasting “I Really Want U” and “Shake It Like A Dog,” from its speaker system like it’s 2000 and not 2020. Jerome Cosey’s voice was heard from the airwaves on Q93 to the DJs on the corner and every school dance I can remember.
New Orleanians have been listening to 5th Ward Weebie’s infectious rhymes for more than 20 years.
According to a NOLA.com article, Cosey was a graduate of John F. Kennedy High School, already musically inclined and playing drums in the marching band. By 1999, his full-length debut, “Show the World,” hit the streets.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, his tongue-and-cheek hit “F— Katrina” voiced the opinions of an entire city affected by the storm. His song was later used in the first season of the HBO series “Treme.”
Almost 10 years later, “Lemme Find Out,” hit the airwaves, creating a whole new generation of Weebie fans across the nation.
His voice even appeared on Drake’s last studio album, during the breakdown of his hit “Nice for What.”
The loss of Cosey is serious, too. His voice was part of the fabric of a culture that preceded the floodwaters of Hurricane Katrina and was untouched by rapid gentrification.
“It broke my heart to learn that Jerome Cosey — our 5th Ward Weebie — has passed,” New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrel said in a statement on Twitter, “Let me find out you didn’t know who he was … He was an iconic personality, a New Orleans legend, and a beloved friend. He was the Bounce King, who showed us how to move, how to love, and how to bring passion and humanity to everything we do. New Orleans has lost a cornerstone of our culture. Our City will not be the same without his voice and his spirit. May he rest in God’s perfect peace.
5th Ward Weebie was a driving force in New Orleans' Bounce music scene, producing such hits as "Get Out The Way" & "Let Me Find Out" Most recently he performed at our Black & Gold Pep Rally in the lobby of City Hall! pic.twitter.com/ov2XT67OrC
Lemme find out you done gone all the way to heaven. We’ll miss you, Weebie. We made sure to cut up for you.
New Orleanians dance in a second line memorial parade for 5th Ward Weebie, Jerome Cosey, a bounce music pioneer and rapper know for the song Let Me Find Out and Get Out the Way Thursday, January 9, 2020. The paraded started from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club at Broad Street and Orleans Ave. Cosey was 42 years old and died from complications from a heart attack. He made music with Master P, and Mystikal, appeared in a video with Drake and was also known for the song F Katrina released in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Matthew Hinton
New Orleanians dance in a second line memorial parade for 5th Ward Weebie, Jerome Cosey, a bounce music pioneer and rapper know for the song ‘Let Me Find Out’ and ‘Get Out the Way’ Thursday, January 9, 2020. The paraded started from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club at Broad Street and Orleans Ave. Cosey was 42 years old and died from complications from a heart attack. He made music with Master P, and Mystikal, appeared in a video with Drake and was also known for the song ‘F— Katrina’ released in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Matthew Hinton
New Orleanians dance in a second line memorial parade for 5th Ward Weebie, Jerome Cosey, a bounce music pioneer and rapper know for the song ‘Let Me Find Out’ and ‘Get Out the Way’ Thursday, January 9, 2020. The paraded started from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club at Broad Street and Orleans Ave. Cosey was 42 years old and died from complications from a heart attack. He made music with Master P, and Mystikal, appeared in a video with Drake and was also known for the song ‘F— Katrina’ released in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Matthew Hinton
New Orleanians dance in a second line memorial parade for 5th Ward Weebie, Jerome Cosey, a bounce music pioneer and rapper know for the song ‘Let Me Find Out’ and ‘Get Out the Way’ Thursday, January 9, 2020. The paraded started from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club at Broad Street and Orleans Ave. Cosey was 42 years old and died from complications from a heart attack. He made music with Master P, and Mystikal, appeared in a video with Drake and was also known for the song ‘F— Katrina’ released in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Matthew Hinton
New Orleanians dance in a second line memorial parade for 5th Ward Weebie, Jerome Cosey, a bounce music pioneer and rapper know for the song ‘Let Me Find Out’ and ‘Get Out the Way’ Thursday, January 9, 2020. The paraded started from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club at Broad Street and Orleans Ave. Cosey was 42 years old and died from complications from a heart attack. He made music with Master P, and Mystikal, appeared in a video with Drake and was also known for the song ‘F— Katrina’ released in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Matthew Hinton
New Orleanians dance in a second line memorial parade for 5th Ward Weebie, Jerome Cosey, a bounce music pioneer and rapper know for the song ‘Let Me Find Out’ and ‘Get Out the Way’ Thursday, January 9, 2020. The paraded started from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club at Broad Street and Orleans Ave. Cosey was 42 years old and died from complications from a heart attack. He made music with Master P, and Mystikal, appeared in a video with Drake and was also known for the song ‘F— Katrina’ released in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Matthew Hinton
New Orleanians dance in a second line memorial parade for 5th Ward Weebie, Jerome Cosey, a bounce music pioneer and rapper know for the song ‘Let Me Find Out’ and ‘Get Out the Way’ Thursday, January 9, 2020. The paraded started from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club at Broad Street and Orleans Ave. Cosey was 42 years old and died from complications from a heart attack. He made music with Master P, and Mystikal, appeared in a video with Drake and was also known for the song ‘F— Katrina’ released in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Matthew Hinton
New Orleanians dance in a second line memorial parade for 5th Ward Weebie, Jerome Cosey, a bounce music pioneer and rapper know for the song ‘Let Me Find Out’ and ‘Get Out the Way’ Thursday, January 9, 2020. The paraded started from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club at Broad Street and Orleans Ave. Cosey was 42 years old and died from complications from a heart attack. He made music with Master P, and Mystikal, appeared in a video with Drake and was also known for the song ‘F— Katrina’ released in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Matthew Hinton
New Orleanians dance in a second line memorial parade for 5th Ward Weebie, Jerome Cosey, a bounce music pioneer and rapper know for the song ‘Let Me Find Out’ and ‘Get Out the Way’ Thursday, January 9, 2020. The paraded started from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club at Broad Street and Orleans Ave. Cosey was 42 years old and died from complications from a heart attack. He made music with Master P, and Mystikal, appeared in a video with Drake and was also known for the song ‘F— Katrina’ released in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Matthew Hinton
New Orleanians dance in a second line memorial parade for 5th Ward Weebie, Jerome Cosey, a bounce music pioneer and rapper know for the song ‘Let Me Find Out’ and ‘Get Out the Way’ Thursday, January 9, 2020. The paraded started from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club at Broad Street and Orleans Ave. Cosey was 42 years old and died from complications from a heart attack. He made music with Master P, and Mystikal, appeared in a video with Drake and was also known for the song ‘F— Katrina’ released in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Matthew Hinton
New Orleanians dance in a second line memorial parade for 5th Ward Weebie, Jerome Cosey, a bounce music pioneer and rapper know for the song ‘Let Me Find Out’ and ‘Get Out the Way’ Thursday, January 9, 2020. The paraded started from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club at Broad Street and Orleans Ave. Cosey was 42 years old and died from complications from a heart attack. He made music with Master P, and Mystikal, appeared in a video with Drake and was also known for the song ‘F— Katrina’ released in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Matthew Hinton
New Orleanians dance in a second line memorial parade for 5th Ward Weebie, Jerome Cosey, a bounce music pioneer and rapper know for the song ‘Let Me Find Out’ and ‘Get Out the Way’ Thursday, January 9, 2020. The paraded started from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club at Broad Street and Orleans Ave. Cosey was 42 years old and died from complications from a heart attack. He made music with Master P, and Mystikal, appeared in a video with Drake and was also known for the song ‘F— Katrina’ released in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Matthew Hinton
New Orleanians dance in a second line memorial parade for 5th Ward Weebie, Jerome Cosey, a bounce music pioneer and rapper know for the song ‘Let Me Find Out’ and ‘Get Out the Way’ Thursday, January 9, 2020. The paraded started from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club at Broad Street and Orleans Ave. Cosey was 42 years old and died from complications from a heart attack. He made music with Master P, and Mystikal, appeared in a video with Drake and was also known for the song ‘F— Katrina’ released in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Matthew Hinton
New Orleanians dance in a second line memorial parade for 5th Ward Weebie, Jerome Cosey, a bounce music pioneer and rapper know for the song ‘Let Me Find Out’ and ‘Get Out the Way’ Thursday, January 9, 2020. The paraded started from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club at Broad Street and Orleans Ave. Cosey was 42 years old and died from complications from a heart attack. He made music with Master P, and Mystikal, appeared in a video with Drake and was also known for the song ‘F— Katrina’ released in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Matthew Hinton
New Orleanians dance in a second line memorial parade for 5th Ward Weebie, Jerome Cosey, a bounce music pioneer and rapper know for the song ‘Let Me Find Out’ and ‘Get Out the Way’ Thursday, January 9, 2020. The paraded started from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club at Broad Street and Orleans Ave. Cosey was 42 years old and died from complications from a heart attack. He made music with Master P, and Mystikal, appeared in a video with Drake and was also known for the song ‘F— Katrina’ released in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Matthew Hinton
New Orleanians dance in a second line memorial parade for 5th Ward Weebie, Jerome Cosey, a bounce music pioneer and rapper know for the song ‘Let Me Find Out’ and ‘Get Out the Way’ Thursday, January 9, 2020. The paraded started from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club at Broad Street and Orleans Ave. Cosey was 42 years old and died from complications from a heart attack. He made music with Master P, and Mystikal, appeared in a video with Drake and was also known for the song ‘F— Katrina’ released in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Matthew Hinton
New Orleanians dance in a second line memorial parade for 5th Ward Weebie, Jerome Cosey, a bounce music pioneer and rapper know for the song ‘Let Me Find Out’ and ‘Get Out the Way’ Thursday, January 9, 2020. The paraded started from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club at Broad Street and Orleans Ave. Cosey was 42 years old and died from complications from a heart attack. He made music with Master P, and Mystikal, appeared in a video with Drake and was also known for the song ‘F— Katrina’ released in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Matthew Hinton
New Orleanians dance in a second line memorial parade for 5th Ward Weebie, Jerome Cosey, a bounce music pioneer and rapper know for the song ‘Let Me Find Out’ and ‘Get Out the Way’ Thursday, January 9, 2020. The paraded started from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club at Broad Street and Orleans Ave. Cosey was 42 years old and died from complications from a heart attack. He made music with Master P, and Mystikal, appeared in a video with Drake and was also known for the song ‘F— Katrina’ released in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Matthew Hinton
New Orleanians dance in a second line memorial parade for 5th Ward Weebie, Jerome Cosey, a bounce music pioneer and rapper know for the song ‘Let Me Find Out’ and ‘Get Out the Way’ Thursday, January 9, 2020. The paraded started from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club at Broad Street and Orleans Ave. Cosey was 42 years old and died from complications from a heart attack. He made music with Master P, and Mystikal, appeared in a video with Drake and was also known for the song ‘F— Katrina’ released in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Matthew Hinton
New Orleanians dance in a second line memorial parade for 5th Ward Weebie, Jerome Cosey, a bounce music pioneer and rapper know for the song ‘Let Me Find Out’ and ‘Get Out the Way’ Thursday, January 9, 2020. The paraded started from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club at Broad Street and Orleans Ave. Cosey was 42 years old and died from complications from a heart attack. He made music with Master P, and Mystikal, appeared in a video with Drake and was also known for the song ‘F— Katrina’ released in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Matthew Hinton
New Orleanians dance in a second line memorial parade for 5th Ward Weebie, Jerome Cosey, a bounce music pioneer and rapper know for the song ‘Let Me Find Out’ and ‘Get Out the Way’ Thursday, January 9, 2020. The paraded started from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club at Broad Street and Orleans Ave. Cosey was 42 years old and died from complications from a heart attack. He made music with Master P, and Mystikal, appeared in a video with Drake and was also known for the song ‘F— Katrina’ released in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Matthew Hinton
New Orleanians dance in a second line memorial parade for 5th Ward Weebie, Jerome Cosey, a bounce music pioneer and rapper know for the song ‘Let Me Find Out’ and ‘Get Out the Way’ Thursday, January 9, 2020. The paraded started from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club at Broad Street and Orleans Ave. Cosey was 42 years old and died from complications from a heart attack. He made music with Master P, and Mystikal, appeared in a video with Drake and was also known for the song ‘F— Katrina’ released in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Matthew Hinton
New Orleanians dance in a second line memorial parade for 5th Ward Weebie, Jerome Cosey, a bounce music pioneer and rapper know for the song ‘Let Me Find Out’ and ‘Get Out the Way’ Thursday, January 9, 2020. The paraded started from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club at Broad Street and Orleans Ave. Cosey was 42 years old and died from complications from a heart attack. He made music with Master P, and Mystikal, appeared in a video with Drake and was also known for the song ‘F— Katrina’ released in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Matthew Hinton
New Orleanians dance in a second line memorial parade for 5th Ward Weebie, Jerome Cosey, a bounce music pioneer and rapper know for the song ‘Let Me Find Out’ and ‘Get Out the Way’ Thursday, January 9, 2020. The paraded started from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club at Broad Street and Orleans Ave. Cosey was 42 years old and died from complications from a heart attack. He made music with Master P, and Mystikal, appeared in a video with Drake and was also known for the song ‘F— Katrina’ released in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Matthew Hinton
New Orleanians dance in a second line memorial parade for 5th Ward Weebie, Jerome Cosey, a bounce music pioneer and rapper know for the song ‘Let Me Find Out’ and ‘Get Out the Way’ Thursday, January 9, 2020. The paraded started from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club at Broad Street and Orleans Ave. Cosey was 42 years old and died from complications from a heart attack. He made music with Master P, and Mystikal, appeared in a video with Drake and was also known for the song ‘F— Katrina’ released in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Matthew Hinton
New Orleanians dance in a second line memorial parade for 5th Ward Weebie, Jerome Cosey, a bounce music pioneer and rapper know for the song ‘Let Me Find Out’ and ‘Get Out the Way’ Thursday, January 9, 2020. The paraded started from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club at Broad Street and Orleans Ave. Cosey was 42 years old and died from complications from a heart attack. He made music with Master P, and Mystikal, appeared in a video with Drake and was also known for the song ‘F— Katrina’ released in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Matthew Hinton
NEW ORLEANS, LA – MAY 05: 5th Ward Weebie performs at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds Race Course on May 5, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/WireImage)
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