What Cookie$’s NBA 2K24 Feature Means for Producers — And How You Can Use It as a Blueprint

When Cookie$’s Bisaya track “Bogo” landed on the NBA 2K24 soundtrack, it didn’t just put Cebuano hip-hop on a global playlist — it sent a message to artists and producers everywhere: your regional identity IS your global advantage.

If you are someone building a career in hip-hop and R&B, here’s how his win can guide your next moves.

1. Authenticity Travels Further Than Imitation

Cookie$ didn’t switch to English for mass appeal.He didn’t dilute his sound to “fit” an international mold.He leaned deeper into who he already was — a Bisaya artist with a distinct voice.

The lesson:In a saturated market, authenticity cuts through the noise. Trends come and go, but identity is timeless. Your sound, your regional influences, and your cultural roots can make you stand out on a global stage.

Action Step:Identify 2–3 cultural sounds, rhythms, or influences from your background or environment and experiment with weaving them into your beats or hooks.

2. Global Platforms Are Hungry for Underrepresented Voices

The inclusion of “Bogo” in a massive franchise like NBA 2K24 shows that mainstream platforms are actively seeking fresh perspectives, new languages, and unique sonic identities.

Games, streaming platforms, and sync agencies want music that feels different — something that represents a culture beyond the usual Top 40 palette.

Action Step: Build a small catalog of “sync-friendly” tracks that blend your style with cultural identity:

• clean arrangements

• strong bass lines

• catchy motifs

• easy-to-loop sections

• cultural samples or language elements

This positions you for opportunities in games, ads, and films.

3. Regional Culture = Brand Power

Bisaya culture became part of Cookie$’s brand. It’s recognizable. It’s memorable. It’s something people talk about.

For producers today, having a strong brand identity is just as crucial as having strong beats.

Action Step:Think about what you want people to associate with your sound in 3–5 years — then start building it now through your sonics, visual identity, and storytelling.

4. Collaborations Can Unlock Cultural Movements

Cookie$ collaborated with 777 International, Pizza Palace, Midnasty and other Bisaya acts — creating collective momentum that made the movement louder than any one artist could achieve alone.

For you, collaboration is a form of cultural amplification.

Action Step:Seek 2–3 artists from your region or scene and create tracks that highlight both your production skill and your shared identity.This builds community while also strengthening your brand.

5. Visibility Creates Representation — Representation Sparks Demand

The moment a Bisaya song hits a global video game, young Bisaya listeners around the world get inspired.Labels take notice.Playlists open up. Media pays attention.

Representation isn’t just symbolic — it’s strategic.

As a producer or artist, connecting your music with your identity can tap into the same rising wave.

Final Takeaway: Your HISTORY Is Your Leverage

In a world where everyone has access to the same plugins, same drum packs, and same platforms…the one thing nobody else has is your story.

Cookie$ didn’t blow up globally despite being Bisaya — he blew up because he leaned into it.

If you do the same — in your beats, in your branding, in your collaborations — you’re not just making music. You’re building a movement around who you are.