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Cool Nutz was riding high, then pandemic hit after album release, Knitting Factory date

Cool Nutz performs at Knitting Factory in downtown Spokane on March 7. (Jewells Pena)
Cool Nutz performs at Knitting Factory in downtown Spokane on March 7. (Jewells Pena)
By Ed Condran edc@spokesman.com(509) 459-5440

The energy was palpable halfway through Cool Nutz’s set March 7 at the Knitting Factory. The veteran rapper from Portland kicked off his tour showcasing tracks from his latest album, “Father of Max,” which dropped in February. Some 1,500 fans packed Knitting Factory to catch E-40 and Too Short.

But Nutz, aka Terrance Scott, who opened the show, was winning over the crowd. “It was a great way to start everything,” Scott said. “The crowd was really into what I was doing, and I sold a lot of merch that night. Everything seemed to be timed right.”

Scott, 47, cut the catchy “Tappin’ Out,” with Portland Trailblazers star guard/rapper Damian Lillard, aka Dame DOLLA, and rapper Drae Steves. The single from “Father of Max” was being played before Trailblazers games.

“We were looking at the Blazers season to give the song a big bump,” Scott said. But just over a week after the show at the Knitting Factory, the novel coronavirus put tours, basketball games and normalcy on hiatus.

“It’s disappointing, but I try to look at the bright side,” Scott said while calling from his Portland home. “I’m at my house with my family spending time with them, and I’m working on the administrative side of things. I’m not the only one who put an album out just before the coronavirus hit.”

Green Day, Justin Bieber and Best Coast are among the recording artists who released albums in February. “Who could have predicted that things would turn out this way,” Scott said. “I’m not looking at this negatively. Would I have held up the release if I knew what was going to happen? It doesn’t matter.

“All I can do is be positive. I look at the Spokane and Portland shows as extremely positive. I’ll be back out there at some point when this all goes away.”

Scott insists that he’ll return to Spokane as soon as possible. “I’ll get back to Spokane as soon as I can. There was such a great vibe in Spokane. I have unfinished business there. I can’t wait until we get back to normal. Until then, I’ll do my best to get my music out. I’m dwelling on the good.”