In the heart of Pasadena, California, a vibrant blend of rhythm, resilience, and raw truth is rising, her name is Pookie. A multi-hyphenate creative with roots steeped in dance, musical theatre, visual arts, and self-care craftsmanship, Pookie isn’t just an artist. She’s a force of nature wrapped in glitter, grit, and God’s timing.
Her newest single, “Pookie Flow,” is more than just a breakup anthem, it’s a battle cry. Written in the throes of emotional recovery after a toxic relationship, the track dances between vulnerability and unapologetic power, illustrating how heartache can be the catalyst for a creative evolution. “In the moment, I was genuinely affected,” she says. “But I had the realization that with or without that person, I still have a calling to fulfill. So, I prayed and went to the studio.”
That studio? It’s her sanctuary. And her calling? Bigger than music.
Pookie has been performing since the tender age of four. Her mother enrolled her in a professional dance company that hosted shows every season at the Regal Theatre, where Pookie sharpened her command of the stage. “I’ve always been involved in dance,” she explains. “It taught me how to perform, how to feel, and how to connect.”
That connection, between movement and meaning, planted the earliest seeds of her artistry. After training in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, African, and modern dance, Pookie transitioned into choreographing and musical theatre while attending a performing arts high school. “It wasn’t just about the steps,” she shares. “It was about storytelling through movement. That’s what shaped how I create music today.”
Despite her early creative confidence, it wasn’t until Pookie left an abusive relationship that she truly reclaimed her voice. “I started taking music seriously when I realized my relationship was slowing me down,” she says. “I left and found my power through music.”
Her journey wasn’t glamorous. It involved homelessness, betrayal, and being forced to sleep in a shelter. Yet even in her lowest moments, Pookie found light. “The shelter was hard, but the people I met had the purest hearts,” she recalls. “One man, who barely had anything, gave me $20 so I could eat. That kind of love reminded me why I need to make it, to amplify those voices, too.”
She didn’t just survive, she rebuilt. And through every painful twist, music remained her lifeline. “I’ve sat through 8–12 hour studio sessions with migraines. I’ve spent thousands out of pocket just to see my vision through. No team. Just faith, work, and fire.”
When you listen to Pookie, you’re stepping into a universe she’s carefully constructed, lyrically fearless, sonically fluid, and spiritually grounded. A rapper at her core, her music embodies what she calls “real bitch music,” confident, empowered, and soaked in truth. But there’s a softness too, a melodic whisper inspired by artists like Enchanting, Lil Yachty, Doja Cat, and Lil Wayne. “I rap for people who love themselves out loud,” she says. “Music that brags, not to diminish others, but to remind you of your worth.”
Her previous projects, “Drug Rats” (2023) and “Diary of a Mad Black Hustler” (2024), showcased a rising star unafraid to explore multiple layers, humor, heartbreak, hustle, and healing. And now with “Pookie Flow,” she’s leveling up, combining rap with vulnerability in a way that only a woman who’s walked through fire could deliver.
What makes Pookie unforgettable isn’t just her flow or her moves, it’s her why. From building generational wealth for her family, to amplifying the stories of the overlooked, to launching a podcast that gives other artists a voice, Pookie’s vision is expansive. Her motivation? Her baby, her boyfriend, her mom. And God.
“Everything I do now, I do with the intent of breaking cycles,” she shares. “My baby is going to grow up knowing that their mom followed her dreams no matter what.”
She’s not just betting on herself, she’s building a foundation others can stand on.
In between preparing for motherhood and cooking up a new EP, Pookie is also planning visuals, new collaborations, and more live performances.
Stream “Pookie Flow” on all platforms.