Jersey City resident Anthony Brown, who goes by Deep Cova, has had quite a remarkable career in the music industry, and he’s still living his dream. Working for the likes of musical artists Trina and Rick Ross, Deep worked hard to get to where he is today while also setting out to make a difference in the community. Read on for Hoboken Girl’s profile of Deep Cova.
Making It in The Biz
Deep grew up in South Jamaica in Queens, which happens to also be the hometown of 50 Cent. The 40-year-old producer and musician says his form of survival was the streets.
“I started out as a street kid,” Deep shares. “When I was growing up, things were tough. I remember 50 Cent slapping Crown Fried Chicken and it was either you fight, shoot or run. I ran. I wasn’t that good of a fighter then.”
He credits his cousin, Ike Lee III, for giving him the kickstart he needed to get an education in the music industry. Ike Lee III, formerly from the group 3Boyz From Newark, is a producer, music engineer, musician, and writer.
^ Deep Cova and Trina
“My cousin gave me a shot as his protégé and through him, I learned the aspects of producing and writing,” Deep tells Hoboken Girl. “Because I was raised in this industry by cousin Ike, I walk into a room and Tony Dofat (record producer), Al B. Sure!, and Christopher Williams are my family. Faith Evans, too. I’ve known these famous people as family.”
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Apart from learning from his cousin, he says he learned how to play instruments “from a church in Brooklyn called Mount Ollie Baptist Church.”
For the next few “decades,” Deep’s career consisted of working on Gospel Latin music and hip hop. He’s produced music for Mr. Cheeks, a rapper known for working with the musical group Lost Boyz; Mr.Talkbox, who was featured on Bruno Mars’ track 24k Magic; and rappers Maino and Jim Jones and Peedi Crakk, formerly of Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella Records.
^ Deep Cova with Method Man and Redman
Top Career Highlights
For the past 30 years, Deep has also been going HAM on the drums. He’s currently working with Trina aka the Queen of the South.
“I’ve enjoyed playing for Trina,” Deep says. “She allows me to create on the fly. The artists that I played for never had a full-time drummer. I created the position and I asked for an opportunity, and they [get to] see how my energy brings a positive measure to the shows.”
When he’s not focused on Trina, whom he calls “one of the biggest female rap artists of all time,” he’s hitting the road with Rick Ross, Jeezy, 2 Chainz, and Gucci Mane.
^ Deep Cova and Trina
“The highlight of my career has been doing this new Legendz of the Streetz Tour featuring Rick Ross. I’m the only drummer on the tour, so it gives me a big platform to expand my brand,” Deep says. The tour continues in 2022 (click here to get tickets).
He’s also looking forward to performing on other stages like at the BET Awards and the American Music Awards. And one day, he hopes to accomplish his biggest goals of producing for Rick Ross, Lil Baby, and H.E.R.
Making an Impact in Jersey City
Deep is proud to call Jersey City his home — a city he’s lived in for the past 15 years and the city where he works as a compliance officer. There’s no doubt he’s been passing along his musical talents to aspiring artists.
^ Deep Cova meeting the Ying Yang Twins
“For years I was a music teacher and Assistant Dean of Students for the Jersey City schools system,” Deep tells Hoboken Girl. “I’m now trying to educate the hip hop community by going back into the school system and changing the culture of the music by starting apprentice modules within the music programs to cut and prevent gun violence in half. Music changes the mindset.”
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In addition, he’s working on bringing more women into the forefront of hip-hop culture. “There need to be more women at the helm,” he adds.
To get in touch with Deep Cova, send him a message on Instagram, @deepcova_lb.
