Ever looked at a map of the East Coast and wondered exactly where the "Players" star calls home? It’s a bit of a trick question. If you’re asking where is Coi Leray from, the answer isn’t just a single dot on a GPS. Most people associate her with the grit and energy of North Jersey, but her story actually starts in a completely different state.
She was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Yeah, Bean Town. But don't expect her to have a thick Red Sox accent. While she entered the world there on May 11, 1997, she didn't stay long. Her family packed up and moved south to Hackensack, New Jersey, which is where the Coi Leray we know today was actually "made." It’s that specific New Jersey upbringing—mixed with some heavy family drama and a sudden shift from luxury to the struggle—that gave her that signature "it's never too late" attitude.
The Boston Birth and the New Jersey Reality
Coi Leray Collins was born into a world that was, at the time, pretty flashy. Her father is Raymond Leon Scott, better known as Benzino. If you followed hip-hop in the late 90s, you know he wasn't just a rapper; he was the co-owner of The Source, which was basically the Bible of hip-hop back then.
Being born in Boston was a byproduct of her dad's deep roots in the city's music scene. But the move to Hackensack changed the vibe. Growing up in Jersey is different. It’s tough. It’s fast. Hackensack isn’t exactly the suburbs you see in movies; it’s a place that demands you have a bit of a shell. Coi was the only girl in a house full of five brothers. You can imagine the chaos. She’s gone on record saying she felt like "one of the boys," which probably explains why she can hold her own in a male-dominated industry without blinking.
The Shift from Riches to Rags
Things got complicated fast. When her parents split up in the mid-2000s, right around the time Benzino had a very public and messy exit from The Source, the money stopped flowing.
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Basically, the "Benzino's daughter" life went from fancy cars and big houses to her mom bartending and the family relying on food stamps. This wasn't some slow decline; it was a "get uncomfortable" kind of shift. By the age of nine, Coi was seeing the world through a much more realistic lens. They were living in New Jersey, trying to make ends meet, and that hustle is what actually sparked her music career—not just having a famous dad.
Why Hackensack Defines Her Sound
While she's technically a Bostonian by birth, the "where is Coi Leray from" debate almost always ends with Hackensack. New Jersey is where she went to school (well, for a while), where she got her first job, and where she first started rapping with her brother, Taj.
She has this weirdly infectious, high-energy style that feels very "Tri-State Area." It’s polished but has this underlying bite.
- The Sales Hustle: Most people don't know she dropped out of high school at 16. Why? Because she was actually good at sales. She was working 9-to-7 shifts and making more money than she would sitting in a classroom.
- The "Bow Down" Era: At 14, she was already dropping videos on YouTube. If you dig deep enough, you can find the "Bow Down" and "Rock Back" videos. They’re raw, very "Jersey," and show a kid who was clearly influenced by the rappers her dad was beefing with or promoting.
- The Homecoming: In a move that surprised everyone, she actually went back and got her diploma from Montclair High School in 2021. It was a massive moment for her, showing that even if you're from the streets of Hackensack and making millions, finishing what you started matters.
The Benzino Factor: Influence or Hindrance?
You can't talk about where Coi Leray is from without talking about her dad. It’s a love-hate thing. Or, more accurately, a "we're good on Christmas but we might fight on Twitter" thing.
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Benzino has been involved in some of the most legendary beefs in rap history—most notably with Eminem. For a long time, Coi had to distance herself from that. She didn't want to be "Benzino's daughter"; she wanted to be Coi Leray. Her song "No More Parties" has that famous line about her daddy letting her down. It’s a heavy sentiment for a girl who grew up watching her father run the industry only to see him lose it all.
Despite the drama, the DNA is there. She’s got the business mind. She’s got the "I don't care what you think" energy. It’s just redirected into a sound that’s way more modern and pop-leaning than anything her dad ever did.
Real Talk: The "Industry Baby" Myth
There's a lot of chatter online about her being a "nepo baby." People say, "Oh, she only made it because of her dad."
But if you look at the timeline, Benzino was mostly "estranged" or busy with his own controversies when she was coming up on SoundCloud in 2018. She wasn't handed a massive record deal on a silver platter because of a phone call. She was posting tracks like "Huddy" and "G.A.N." and building a niche following of kids who didn't even know who Benzino was.
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Honestly, being from a household that went from peak wealth to food stamps is a much better origin story for a rapper than just being a rich kid with a mic. It gave her the perspective to write songs that actually resonate with people who are struggling.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Artists
- Trace the roots: If you want to understand her flow, listen to early 2010s Jersey rap. The influence is hidden in the pockets of her verses.
- The "Never Too Late" Rule: Use Coi’s return to Montclair High as a reminder. You can pause your education or a project for a "hustle," but finishing it adds a different kind of respect to your name.
- Don't Inherit the Beef: Coi successfully navigated her father's 20-year feud with Eminem by simply refusing to participate. It's a masterclass in protecting your brand from family baggage.
Knowing where Coi Leray is from helps you understand the duality of her music. She’s the Boston-born girl with a legacy name, but she’s also the Hackensack dropout who worked a 9-to-5 until her SoundCloud started buzzing. She’s a product of both worlds.
To truly get the vibe of her New Jersey roots, you should check out her early Everythingcoz mixtape. It's way less "pop" than her recent hits and shows the raw Hackensack energy she started with. If you're looking to follow her path, start by building a local presence and focusing on your digital footprint before worrying about who you know in the industry.