Cole Bennett
Cole Michael Bennett is an American music video director and record executive. He is the founder of Lyrical Lemonade. He is well known for his work with Juice Wrld on music videos such as "Lucid Dreams", "Robbery", "Bandit", "Armed and Dangerous" and "Tell Me U Luv Me". Also, he has directed music videos such as YG Marley's "Praise Jah in the Moonlight", Lil Yachty's "Poland", Lil Tecca's "Ransom", Internet Money's "Lemonade", Eminem's "Godzilla", "Gnat" and "Tobey", JID's "Off Deez", Jack Harlow's "Whats Poppin", Wiz Khalifa's "Fr Fr", YNW Melly's "Mixed Personalities", Jennie's "ExtraL", and many others. In 2024, he released the album All Is Yellow, through Lyrical Lemonade and Def Jam Recordings.
Early life
Cole Michael Bennett was born on May 14, 1996, in Plano, Illinois. His father died when Bennett was two years old, resulting in him being raised by his mother and two older sisters. He went to Plano High School and DePaul University before dropping out to focus on his career in videography and hip-hop, which he had been interested in since childhood.Career
2013–2016: Early career
Bennett originally founded Lyrical Lemonade as an internet blog when he was a high school student in Plano, Illinois. His mother helped him come up with the blog's name and had given him a video camera. He began directing music videos for local Chicago rappers, such as Vic Mensa, Taylor Bennett, King Louie, and Ridgio, all of which he uploaded onto the Lyrical Lemonade channel. His channel also featured live show recaps, cyphers, documentaries and interviews.2016–2023: Rise to popularity and numerous music videos
The channel then expanded into other sub-genres of hip hop beyond the local Chicago scene, such as the emerging Soundcloud rap sub-genre. In 2016 and early 2017, he gained early recognition, working with artists such as Famous Dex, Lil Pump, Smokepurpp, and Ski Mask the Slump God. On April 7, 2017, he released his first short film, "Lone Springs". In August 2017, he directed the music video for the Lil Xan single, "Betrayed", which was certified Platinum by the RIAA in 2018. He later directed numerous music videos for hit songs, which include Ski Mask the Slump God's "BabyWipe", Lil Skies' "Red Roses" and "Nowadays", and YBN Nahmir's "Bounce Out with That".In May 2018, he directed the music video for Chicago rapper Juice Wrld's "Lucid Dreams", which peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. As of August 2024, the video has surpassed 1 billion views on YouTube, becoming his most popular video on the channel. He has since worked with mainstream figures in hip hop such as J. Cole, Wiz Khalifa, Kanye West, and Eminem.
In January 2020, he directed the music video for Kentucky rapper Jack Harlow's breakout single "What's Poppin". In March 2020, he directed the music video for Eminem's hit single "Godzilla". The video itself features cameos from Dr. Dre and Mike Tyson. It gained 13 million views in 24 hours. In December 2020, in his second collaboration with Eminem, Bennett directed the music video for the rapper's single "Gnat".
2023–2024: ''All Is Yellow''
In 2023, Bennett began releasing tracks from his debut studio album, titled All Is Yellow. The lead single from the album, "Doomsday", with Juice Wrld and Cordae, was released on June 23, 2023, and reached number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100, 49 on the Canadian Hot 100, 83 on the Irish Singles Chart, and 92 on the UK Singles Chart. The album's second single, "Guitar in My Room", with Lil Durk and Kid Cudi, was released on September 29. The third single, "Hello There", with Corbin, Lil Tracy and Black Kray, was released on October 20. The album's fourth single, "Stop Giving Me Advice", with Dave and Jack Harlow, was released on December 8 and charted at number 33 on the Irish Singles Chart, and 29 on the UK Singles Chart. The fifth and final single, "Fallout", with Gus Dapperton, Lil Yachty and Joey Badass, was released on January 12, 2024.All Is Yellow was released on January 26, 2024. The tracklist was revealed on January 13, 2024.
Bennett went on to direct a music video for every song of off the album. Three of the videos are yet to be released.
2024–present: Films, documentaries and entrepreneurship
In May 2024, Bennett announced that he would be stepping down from directing every Lyrical Lemonade video on the YouTube channel. Mentioning that he would be directing only a select music videos a year moving forward. With this, he also stated that he will be signing video directors to keep the story going. Since then, Lyrical Lemonade has signed 3 music video directors – AMD, Diamond Visuals and Reduciano.In October 2024, it was announced via Rolling Stone that Bennett would be directing a Chief Keef documentary detailing the story of Keef's return home to Chicago, produced by Kenya Barris.
Cole Bennett has mentioned he is focused on making a feature film in the coming years while continuing to build his production company.
Impact
Bennett's Lyrical Lemonade frequently promotes and contributes to the rise of upcoming rappers. Examples of this include Lil Pump, whose appearance on Lyrical Lemonade elevated his popularity to a certain extent. Other examples include Smokepurpp, Juice Wrld, Ski Mask the Slump God, YNW Melly, Lil Tecca, NLE Choppa, Lil Mosey, The Kid Laroi, Yeat, Trippie Redd, and Jack Harlow.Pitchfork named Ski Mask the Slump God's 2017 "Catch Me Outside" music video, which was directed by Bennett, one of their favorite music videos of the 2010s.
Other ventures
Bennett hosts an independent music festival called The Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash every Summer. It was started in 2018 in partnership with Chicago-based event production label SPKRBX. The festival is three days long and brings in over 40,000 people a day. Summer Smash has featured acts such as Travis Scott, Post Malone, Juice WRLD, Lauryn Hill, Insane Clown Posse and many many more.Bennett has also ventured into creating merchandise and lemonade beverages under the Lyrical Lemonade name. He said, "I really want to compete with Minute Maid and all of the elite lemonade and juice companies and I really think we can do that."
In February 2020, Lyrical Lemonade collaborated with Jordan Brand. The collection included an Aerospace 720 shoe, a hooded sweatshirt, and a long sleeve t-shirt. In April 2020, Lyrical Lemonade collaborated with streetwear brand FTP. The collection included a hooded sweatshirt, a t-shirt, and co-branded cans of lemonade.
Since then, Lyrical Lemonade joined Illumination Studios for a partnership. Lyrical Lemonade has done two creative projects for The Minions and one for The Super Mario Bros. Movie with Jack Black.
In November 2021, Cole Bennett launched another virtual retail space called "By Cole Bennett." Here, individuals are able to buy clothing and other soft goods that are designed by Bennett himself and are subject to very limited releases. On the same virtual store front, Bennett occasionally allows fans to purchase props previously used in Lyrical Lemonade videos.
Lyrical Lemonade discography
Studio albums
Singles
Other charted songs
Accolades
Selected videography
| Year | Title | Artist |
| 2017 | "D Rose" | Lil Pump |
| 2017 | "Catch Me Outside" | Ski Mask the Slump God |
| 2017 | "Betrayed" | Lil Xan |
| 2017 | "BabyWipe" | Ski Mask the Slump God |
| 2017 | "Red Roses" | Lil Skies |
| 2017 | "Nowadays" | Lil Skies |
| 2018 | "Bounce Out with That" | YBN Nahmir |
| 2018 | "All Girls Are the Same" | Juice Wrld |
| 2018 | "123" | Smokepurpp and Murda Beatz |
| 2018 | "Welcome to the Rodeo" | Lil Skies |
| 2018 | "Bands" | Comethazine |
| 2018 | "Lucid Dreams" | Juice Wrld |
| 2018 | "DoIHaveTheSause?" | Ski Mask the Slump God |
| 2018 | "Creeping" | Lil Skies |
| 2018 | "Noticed" | Lil Mosey |
| 2018 | "Fr Fr" | Wiz Khalifa |
| 2018 | "Walk" | Comethazine |
| 2018 | "Magic in the Hamptons" | Social House |
| 2018 | "Kamikaze" | Lil Mosey |
| 2018 | "Armed and Dangerous" | Juice Wrld |
| 2018 | "Off Deez" | JID |
| 2018 | "Bleed It" | Blueface |
| 2019 | "Mixed Personalities" | YNW Melly |
| 2019 | "Thotiana" | Blueface |
| 2019 | "Robbery" | Juice Wrld |
| 2019 | "Thotiana" | Blueface |
| 2019 | "Faucet Failure" | Ski Mask the Slump God |
| 2019 | "i" | Lil Skies |
| 2019 | "Have Mercy" | YBN Cordae |
| 2019 | "Ransom" | Lil Tecca |
| 2019 | "Stop Snitchin" | YG |
| 2019 | "Shotta Flow" | NLE Choppa |
| 2019 | "Camelot" | NLE Choppa |
| 2019 | "Bandit" | Juice Wrld |
| 2019 | "Nuketown" | Ski Mask the Slump God |
| 2020 | "Whats Poppin" | Jack Harlow |
| 2020 | "Diva" | The Kid Laroi |
| 2020 | "Thief in the Night" | Rod Wave |
| 2020 | "Godzilla" | Eminem |
| 2020 | "Blueberry Faygo" | Lil Mosey |
| 2020 | "Tell Me U Luv Me" | Juice Wrld |
| 2020 | "Shotta Flow 5" | NLE Choppa |
| 2020 | "21" | Polo G |
| 2020 | "3 Headed Goat" | Lil Durk |
| 2020 | "Tell Me Why" | The Kid Laroi |
| 2020 | "Lemonade" | Internet Money |
| 2020 | "Gifted" | Cordae |
| 2020 | "Dolly" | Lil Tecca |
| 2020 | "So Done" | The Kid Laroi |
| 2020 | "Coco" | 24kGoldn |
| 2020 | "Gnat" | Eminem |
| 2021 | "Bad Boy" | Juice Wrld |
| 2021 | "GNF " | Polo G |
| 2021 | "Whipski" | Snot |
| 2021 | "Knock Knock" | SoFaygo |
| 2021 | "His & Hers" | Internet Money |
| 2021 | "Tell Em" | Cochise |
| 2021 | "Motley Crew" | Post Malone |
| 2021 | "Papercuts" | Machine Gun Kelly |
| 2021 | "Who Want Smoke??" | Nardo Wick |
| 2022 | "Life Goes On" | Oliver Tree |
| 2022 | "What Happened to Virgil" | Lil Durk |
| 2022 | "Honest" | Justin Bieber |
| 2022 | "Talk About Me" | Dot da Genius |
| 2022 | "Doja" | Central Cee |
| 2022 | "Out thë Way" | Yeat |
| 2022 | "Backstage Passes" | EST Gee |
| 2022 | "Poland" | Lil Yachty |
| 2022 | "Edging" | Blink-182 |
| 2022 | "My All" | Polo G |
| 2023 | "Peaches" | Jack Black |
| 2023 | "Strike " | Lil Yachty |
| 2023 | "Doomsday" | Lyrical Lemonade, Juice Wrld and Cordae |
| 2023 | "Bigger Thën Everything" | Yeat |
| 2023 | "Tesla" | Lil Yachty |
| 2023 | "Fighting My Demons" | Ken Carson |
| 2023 | "Stop Giving Me Advice" | Lyrical Lemonade, Jack Harlow and Dave |
| 2024 | "Doomsday Pt. 2" | Lyrical Lemonade and Eminem |
| 2024 | "Praise Jah in the Moonlight" | YG Marley |
| 2024 | "Tobey" | Eminem |
| 2024 | "Hate Me" | Lil Yachty and Ian |
| 2024 | "Sorry Not Sorry" | Lil Yachty and Veeze |
| 2024 | "Bad Time" | Lil Tecca |
| 2024 | "Change Me" | BigXthaPlug |
| 2025 | "GBP" | Central Cee and 21 Savage |
| 2025 | "ExtraL" | Jennie and Doechii |
| 2025 | "Catch Me Outside 2" | Ski Mask the Slump God |
| 2025 | "Yukon" | Justin Bieber |
| 2025 | "P.O.V." | Clipse and Tyler, the Creator |
| 2026 | "Die On This Hill" | SIENNA SPIRO |