UB Anniversary ReVisit: Coko Talks SWV + Mental Health

Over the next year, we’ll be spotlighting features from our e-zines from the last 25 years. T M H Entertainment, T M Hxone and Urban Bridgez.

As the longest running website for R&B online, since 1999 – We’ve been able to conduct some amazing interviews with R&B Royalty, as well Hip Hop Legends.

UB has also been blessed to speak with some of black cultures, biggest icons, in film, television and literature.

Today we spotlight a real one, one of our absolute favorites, legendary vocalist Coko. Today we celebrate her during our anniversary ReVisit, on the 25th Anniversary of her solo album release “Hot Coko.”

SWV started out as a hot young vocal group out of Brooklyn. Coko (Cheryl Gamble), Taj (Tamara Johnson-George) and Lelee (Leanne Lyons) began harmonizing in their early teens. “My teachers will tell you, I was always singing in school,” Coko stated to an industry trade when SWV emerged.

Whenever possible, Coko would hang out with her friend Taj, and the two would sing and perform in talent shows. She eventually moved to the Bronx where she met Lelee, who shared the same interests. “She was always singing too; going down the street, to the store, anywhere,” Coko stated. Lelee added, “I was singing even when I wasn’t supposed to be!”

Taj remembered, “We used to sing all of New Edition’s songs in the hallways at school, and even tried to dance like them in our performances.” A couple of years later Lelee and Coko decided to start a gospel group. After they made several attempts to record demos with different line-ups, the three singers met their then manager Maureen Singleton, who named them Sisters with Voices.

“She (Maureen) felt that our voices blended so well that we must be sisters,” said Taj. Singleton shopped SWV‘s demos and landed them a deal with RCA Records. “I didn’t think it would happen this fast. Lelee and I were just playing around with our music,” stated Coko.

The tape soon caught the attention of legendary producer Teddy Riley, the originator of the ubiquitous early ’90s New Jack Swing sound. Teddy Riley helped SWV craft their debut album.

By the fall of 1992, the trio had released their album. “It’s About Time,” which was produced by an assortment of talent including Brian Alexander Morgan, Jeff Redd and Donald “Dee” Bowden. “We wanted to relate to everybody,” said Coko. And audiences did relate. By December, SWV‘s debut single “Right Now” had hit the Top 10 on both the urban and pop charts. By Spring, 1993 the trio‘s next release, “I’m So Into You,” became their first #1 hit.

Lelee stated, “We’ve been waiting a long time to get where we are, and now it’s our time!”

In 1995, Coko along with SWV took lead on the single “Freedom,” the theme from the “Panther” film. Written by Joi for her debut album. The soundtrack version featured other A list women of R&B including TLC, En Vogue, Karyn White, Xscape, Aaliyah, Vanessa Williams, MC Lyte, and Monica among others.

Two more SWV releases followed, 1996’s “New Beginning” followed by “Release Some Tension” in 1997.

As a member of SWV, Coko stood out as the commanding lead vocalist behind several chart-topping hits.

With the release of her solo debut, “Hot Coko,” released 25 years ago today on August 10th, 1999. The former choir girl set out to establish herself as one of contemporary music’s leading female vocalists and songwriters.

Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, Coko grew up singing in church and eventually would like to come back to gospel music because that’s her roots. “I was singing in Hezekiah Walker’s Love Fellowship choir when I decided to leave and start singing secular music,” explained Coko, who cited gospel singers Twinkie Clark, Tramaine Hawkins and Men of Standard as her biggest influences.

That’s when she teamed up with childhood friends Lelee and Taj and formed SWV-an acronym for Sisters With Voices.

Despite the group’s popularity and public image as a happy collective, Coko said that SWV‘s success only intensified tensions that had begun to rattle the group. “Finally, we decided that we were either gonna get it together or we would just go our separate ways,” she continued. “We could never get it together, so we went our separate ways.”

Instead of brooding over the break-up of SWV, Coko seized the moment as an opportunity to fulfill her lifelong dream of recording a solo album. “It was a lot of fun,” she said of the recording process. “It was also a lot of hard work because it’s just me now and I did all the background and lead vocals. Plus, I wrote some of the songs,” she said with a proud smile. In total, Coko co-wrote five songs on “Hot Coko,” “Sunshine,” “You and Me,” “Don’t Take Your Love Away,” “I Ain’t Feelin’ You” and “All My Lovin’.”

Staying true to the heart and soul of R&B, love and happiness are the themes that prevail on “Hot Coko.” The first single, “Sunshine,” was a loving tribute to Jazz, Coko‘s son. “I thought that track was really happy and it made me feel really good, so I wrote about being in love and being happy. For me, it relates to my son because he brings sunshine in my life.”

On the sexier side, there’s “All My Lovin.” “It’s about being in a relationship with a guy and giving him my all, but he’s not giving it back to me,” stated Coko, adding, “So I turn to someone else who gives me what I need.”

“Hot Coko” also showcased the talents of several gifted producers. In addition to producing “Sunshine,” “I Ain’t Feelin’ You” and the sentimental ballad “All My Lovin‘,” R&B; hit-maker Rodney Jerkins accents Coko‘s chocolately voice with a unique synthesized vocal distortion technique on “Don’t Take You Love Away.”

Likewise, Brian Alexander Morgan, whose extensive resume includes work on SWV‘s biggest albums (“Weak” and “Rain”), blessed the project with “Bigger Than We” with lush strings and all. The album takes a minimalist approach to “Triflin‘,” featuring Eve and borrows from the best elements of classic slow jams on the magical “Everytime.”

Producers Damon Thomas and Michael Powell, known for their work with Anita Baker contributed with “Hard to Say Goodbye” and “If This World Were Mine,” a duet between Coko and Tyrese.

“I’m singing from the heart on this album,” Coko said, adding, “most of the songs are about something that either I or some of my close friends went through.”

Coko set out to set her own standard with “Hot Coko,” “There’s a lot of negativity in this business. If I could change anything, it would be to bring more positivity to it. That’s what I want my music to represent.”

“Hot Coko” reached the Top 15 of Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums shart.

As a solo artist, Coko has released three more albums, the gospel albums “Grateful” in 2006, and “The Winner in Me” in 2009. Plus the holiday release “A Coko Christmas” in 2008.

SWV reunited in 2005 and have been going strong ever since. They’ve had tour dates with New Edition, Keith Sweat, Doug E.Fresh, Slick Rick, El DeBarge, Bell Biv DeVoe, Dru Hill, Salt-N-Pepa, Kelly Price and more while traveling extensively all over the world.

In 2008, SWV was also an honored guest at the BET Awards performing with Alicia Keys, En Vogue and TLC. June 2009, the ladies helped headline an event for late singer/actress Della Reese. We covered the event, which included appearances by Jon B. Shanice & Flex Alexander. In 2010 the trio got together to record the single “Doozit” with Naughty By Nature for their album “Anthem Inc.” In October of that year the group was apart of the Where I Want To Be R&B 90s concert in NYC along with Lil Mo, Jon B, Avant and Donell Jones.

After a 15-year gap between studio albums, “I Missed Us” arrived in 2012 as a smart update of SWV‘s ‘90s sound. The release debuted at #6 on the R&B chart. The album earned them a Grammy® nod in 2013 for “Best Traditional R&B Performance.” “Co-Sign” was the lead single that featured a hot video directed by Derek Blanks.

In February 2014, Coko released a new solo gospel single “At Your Feet,” Taj & Lelee joined Coko on stage to perform the single at BET’s Celebration of Gospel. A month previous, fans saw as Coko recorded the song on SWV‘s hit WE tv reality show “SWV Reunited.”

Coko talked to UB about “SWV Reunited” at the time and told us what we could expect, “You know us as SWV the music, but I don’t think you guys know our individual personalities. You think you know us, but you don’t really know us. Like most people would consider me to be a b*tch and whatever! But you really get to see like who we are. How we operate in our everyday life with our family. Our family and how we come together within the group. You get to learn about our break-up. You have three different stories, so you guys can believe whatever story you want.”

The show didn’t disappoint, and aired for three seasons. 2016‘s “Still” was SWV‘s fifth album and the best SWV album since “New Beginning.” The album was led by “Ain’t No Man,” a typically sweet mid-tempo track that showcases Coko, Taj, and Lelee‘s harmonies while referencing the 1980 quiet storm classic “Love’s Calling,” originally recorded by the James Ingram-fronted Zingara.

2016 also saw the ladies being spotlighted on TV One‘s hit series “Unsung.” Although the episode showcased the ups and downs of the trio throughout their career. The ladies wasn’t necessarily happy with the way the episode was edited and presented. Regardless it was one of the most watched episodes of the series.

In 2017, the 25th anniversary of Sisters With Voices! The ladies started the year, recording with childhood idols Bell Biv DeVoe for their album “Three Stripes,” on the hot single “Finally.”

BET honored the ladies with their first ever, televised musical award throughout their 25 years, at the Soul Train Awards. SWV took to the stage to perform a melody of their hits; “Weak,” “Right Here” and “Rain.” They closed out their set with “Anything” remix with appearances from Wu-Tang Clan members Method Man & U-God. The honor was a long time coming and well deserved!

Coko told UB the best part about receiving that honor, “Just finally being recognized. We’ve been in the industry for so long. Never part of any cliques, just us.” She went on to say “So we’ve always had to fight a lot harder than the rest. So, to finally be recognized was awesome! I just wanted the flowers before I was dead and gone.”

In 2019 SWV appeared in the realty show “Ladies Night” with Salt-N-Pepa. In 2020 the ladies took on Xscape in an epic Verzuz battle.

This year SWV performed a show-stopping “Tiny Desk” for NPR.

Currently the ladies of SWV are on tour with Xscape, after filming a season of the Bravo reality series “Queens of R&B.”

UB has interviewed the amazing Coko numerous times over the years, starting in 2009 with the release of “The Winner In Me.”

Over the past decade Coko shared a lot with us and this ReVisit features excerpts from those interviews. Including our first video interview with Coko, which went viral.

In that interview, she discusses misconceptions people have about her and gets candid about mental health and gives advice to those suffering. Coko also clears the air about the “Men In Black” rumors (which she also addresses in the excerpts), plus plays a hilarious version of the UB Lyric game with us. Where she sings a bit of “Bigger Than We!”

In the excerpts below, Coko speaks on SWV‘s first award recognition, given after 25 years, their legacy and their previous reality show “SWV Reunited.” Coko also tells us about the beginning of SWV and how she had no expectations.

Coko also shares what her ideal tour would be, her favorite SWV songs and her essential list of R&B albums & more.

UrbanBridgez.com: Tell me about the new disc “The Winner In Me.”
Coko: “The Winner in Me,” I think it’s really a good CD if you’re going through it and just feeling down and out. I say it’s for depressed and insecure people. It’s something that can just uplift you, encourage you and make you feel better. To encourage you and let you know, there is a winner inside of you. A lot of people are going through alot in this day and time. I just wanted to put some music out there that’s real positive!

UrbanBridgez.com: What was the best part about recording the new album?
Coko: The best part? I don’t really like the studio (laughs). So that’s always like just terrible. But I think the best part about working on this record, was my Pastor he wrote two songs on this record for me. He actually wrote the title track “The Winner in Me,” so that was really exciting. He’s a great writer, so I got the chance to work with him and help him get out there some too. So that was really good for me when I was working on this record.

UrbanBridgez.com: How do you prepare yourself when you know you’re about to start work on a new release?
Coko: Oh man, I just have to sit there and get it together for a minute. Because like I said I really don’t like going into the studio because it’s such a long process. You have to always do stuff over and over again. So I just have to sit, by myself a minute and get it together. No talking, no yelling and screaming, because I know I have to be focused when I go into the studio and do what I have to do.

UrbanBridgez.com: When you recorded “Grateful,” were you at all worried about your fans reaction to your first gospel project?
Coko: I wasn’t really worried about the SWV fans, I was more worried about the Church people (laughs). SWV fans, you know they’re pretty cool. They just wanna hear some music. They’re pretty loyal, they flow with us. It was the Church people that I was much more worried about. Some of them gave me a hard time, but they’ve come around. It’s better now.

UrbanBridgez.com News hit recently of an SWV reality show coming to WE tv and fans like me are ecstatic! What do you guys want SWV fans to get out of watching the first season?
Coko: Thank you and what you’re gonna get or will get, because we’re done filming. You know us as SWV the music, but I don’t think you guys know our individual personalities. You think you know us, but you don’t really know us. Like most people would consider me to be a bitch and whatever! But you really get to see like who we are. How we operate in our everyday life with our family. Our family and how we come together within the group. You get to learn about our break-up. You have three different stories, so you guys can believe whatever story you want (both laugh). It’s three different versions about the same story (laughs). So you get to hear about that. You see us fight, but we’re passionate about each other and we love each other. We’re just rebuilding our friendship. In this show, we go to therapy. Two of us have plastic surgery.

UrbanBridgez.com Say Waaaa (both laugh)!
Coko: So you get to see all of that on the show! Some things that deal with health issues, you just get to see that we’re human. We go through things and a lot of the stuff that the bloggers say, it really effects us. You’ll see that we have a lot of fun and we’re crazy. You get to see all of that; it’s going to be a great show! Those that love us, once you see it..you’re going to love us even more!

UrbanBridgez.com I know that you happen to love various reality shows, what are a few of your favorites and why?
Coko: Right now, I am really enjoying R&B Divas L.A. That is one of my favorites. I was actually going to do it but the SWV show came up. So I went with my sisters. But Mo (Lil Mo) is my homey, that’s my girl! I’m looking forward to doing some work with her. But she is holding it down! I love it and I love R&B Divas L.A. because them heffas can sing! You know and I love good vocals. So that’s kind of my favorite show. Now you know I got to get ratchet (laughs). I love Bad Girls Club (laughs). That’s my show, I’m sorry but that’s a guilty pleasure of mine. Big Brother, of course Love & Hip Hop Atlanta. I think I watch shows that people would probably be like huh? I watch some of everything, I’m just a reality show lover.

UrbanBridgez.com “I Missed Us,” easily one of the best R&B albums of last year!
Coko: Thank you, thank you!

UrbanBridgez.com What was your motivation to get back in the lab with Leele and Taj?
Coko: You know, we’ve been officially back together since 2005. We’ve been saying we were going to record and finally we found the right situation to record and put new music out. I mean, we thought it was the right situation (laughs). But that’s what really made us come together and get this music going again. It got us motivated you know. It wasn’t the best situation for us but at least it brought us together and helped us put out some great music for the fans. So that’s defiantly all that matters. We’re going to be working on some new music soon!

UrbanBridgez.com We’ve talked about this, so I want to finally give you the chance to address it. Surprisingly many people don’t know it was you who sang the hook to Will Smith’s “Men in Black,” but those of us who did always wondered why you were not in the video? Tone & Poke of Trackmasters did an interview with Complex a few years ago and said you declined to do the video because you thought Will Smith was wack, in so many words?
Coko: I really don’t appreciate Tone, Poke or whomever else saying that. Because I’ve never had this discussion with Tone or Poke! That I said Will Smith was wack or implying it, because Will Smith was a friend of mine. What happened was my record label (RCA) wouldn’t allow me to be in the video. Back in the day if you remember SWV was never really featured in anybody else’s video. They would always say no, they wouldn’t allow us to do anything else. So that’s why I wasn’t in the video. I would have loved to be in that video because it was a huge song. It had nothing to do with me thinking Will Smith was wack, so Tone and Poke, you’re wack for saying that! Where are they now? Don’t worry, I’ll wait (both laugh)!

UrbanBridgez.com You are so silly! Any plans as of now to record another gospel album?
Coko: It’s so funny you ask me that, because I’m in the studio right now! We’re recording a gospel song, I’m recording a gospel remake from one of my favorite singers Tremaine Hawkins, “Change.” I’m doing this with a choir. But on the show, you will get to see what the deal is with this gospel situation. I can’t give away too much, but when you see the show, you guys will be like oh okay, got ya!

UrbanBridgez.com You’ve been in this business since you were a teen and have seen the industry pretty much come full circle. What’s your opinion of the current state of R&B from a radio standpoint?
Coko: I don’t even listen to the radio. Not the new school stations, I just listen to the old school stations. It’s just different, not my cup of tea. There are people out there that I still rock with, that I enjoy. But for the most part I don’t really get with it. I love Rihanna, because she don’t care (laughs). She makes good music, so she’s one of the people that I really like. Of course Beyonce,’ it’s amazing to see. Because I’ve known her since she was like 10 years old. To see the woman that she has become is great. Fantasia and I’m waiting for something from Jazmine Sullivan, because she’s like one of the best! There are a lot of them out there that are still doing it. They just don’t get the shine that they deserve! So it can become frustrating at times.

UrbanBridgez.com If you could change one decision you’ve made regarding your career thus far, what would it be?
Coko: I think I would say the break-up of SWV. I would say that with that decision if we would of just kept going. We could of been so much bigger and so much further in our career! So that’s one thing I would change.

UrbanBridgez.com What’s the best part of motherhood for you?
Coko: I don’t know, just watching my kids grow and grow well. I feel like I’m doing something right. You’ll get to see that on the show as well (laughs). You’ll get to see the way I am with my kids, it’s something!

UrbanBridgez.com: What were your goals when SWV first started 25 years ago?
Coko: I had no goals honestly [when we started], I just wanted to get out of the hood. I had no idea that SWV would become so big!

UrbanBridgez.com: Congrats on the Soul Train Award honor, well deserved. How did it feel to receive to receive honor?
Coko: Just finally being recognized. We’ve been in the industry for so long. Never part of any cliques, just us. So we’ve always had to fight a lot harder than the rest. So, to finally be recognized was awesome! I just wanted the flowers before I was dead and gone.

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UrbanBridgez.com: Being this is Black Music Month, take me back to when SWV first started, did you ever expect the success you all had early on?
Coko: No, not at all (laughs). I don’t know, we were just like girls from around the way. Doing whatever, I don’t think we took it as serious as we should have. We were doing it, because we love to sing. We didn’t expect it to ever be this big. And I don’t think we really understood how big we were until recently. Like when Alicia Keys called, and we did that with her (BET Awards 2008). Recently I did something with Keri Hilson, so I think now it’s starting to hit us. Like we did something, okay (laughs).

UrbanBridgez.com: Shanice talked to me recently about when she first got pregnant, her label made her feel like she had caught a disease, did you experience any type of backlash from your label when you were pregnant with your first child? I remember you being pregnant in the BLACKstreet (Tonight’s The Night) video.
Coko: They make you feel like that even before you’re pregnant. They let you know from the beginning, they don’t want you to do that. When I did get pregnant, I hid it for maybe 4 or 5 months. And they was like she is gaining weight, I wasn’t saying a word… So one day I called my manager, so he could let my label know. I was like I can’t hide it anymore, I’m busting out my jeans. They were upset, but you know what can you do I’m human. They got over it though.

UrbanBridgez.com: If you could put together a dream tour, who would you include?
Coko: I would love to do something with Patti LaBelle, that’s my ultimate. Who else, I love Ledisi. I love her energy. Man, she makes me just wanna sing all night. SWV would have to be in there. And I have to say Salt-N-Pepa, I did something with them recently. It was tight.

UrbanBridgez.com: Off the top of your head, what are your top 3 favorite SWV songs?
Coko: (laughs) You know what? All of my favorite SWV songs wasn’t singles. One of them is “What’s it Gonna Be,” I was just listening to that the other day. The other one is “Fine Time,” and “You Are My Love.” And they all were off the second record (laughs).

UrbanBridgez.com: What are three essential R&B albums you think everybody should have?
Coko: Hmm… Okay, I’m a little corny. I was just listening to this, Miki Howard has a greatest hits CD. I think everybody should own it. I love it, it’s awesome. I know people was looking at me like I was crazy on the plane, but I don’t care (laughs). I’m gonna say SWV for sho (laughs), everybody likes the first album, but I like the second album. That’s my favorite. And, I’m gonna have to say GUY! I have a whole lot more, but okay I’ll stick to three (laughs).

UB Interviews Speaking on The Voice!

UrbanBridgez.com: How did the duet with Coko come about, she’s one of our favs?
Keith Sweat: Well you know I wanted to work with people who I was fans of and I am a big fan of SWV, they have great music. Same thing with Johnny, you know I worked with him on the LSG projects. So my whole thing is, I love the music people are putting out right now, but I’m stuck in a certain time zone (laughs). So I just got to do certain things that make me feel good musically! And working with Coko, Johnny and people like T-Pain and Charlie Wilson the people doing R&B, well good R&B! Those are the people that I love to work with!

UrbanBridgez.com: I know you have many industry friends, but I know you and Coko from SWV are really tight. I for one have always wanted you guys to collaborate on something.
Shanice: I would love that too, oh my god. I am such a fan of hers. It’s funny because her husband Big Mike travels with me sometime, he’s my musical director when I’m on the east coast. I was in DC recently and he said Coko is coming, I was so nervous to sing in front of Coko (laughs). She’s my friend, but I’m such a fan. She’s so dope, so yeah I would love to do a song with her. I’ll mention that to her, see how we can make that happen. She’s so amazing.

UrbanBridgez.com Some of your favorites?
Jody Watley: I mean Coko, she’s just like a ridiculous singer come on and I love SWV. And I’m biased because when you meet artists and they’re nice you’re going to like them anyway.

UrbanBridgez.com: Umm Coko of SWV.
Miki Howard: Chile I love Coko, oh okay you talking about people like them too because they’re grown (laughs)! I love Coko, oh my god she can sing!

UrbanBridgez.com: Your discography as a songwriter is sick, like you really have some impressive credits, what would you say are your top three favorite and why?
Ivan Matias: Coko of SWV. I was already an SWV fan. Coko’s voice does it for me. She was very pregnant & sat on a stool also. She was effortlessly pushing those notes out & all I could see was hearts floating around her when she opened her mouth. She could do no wrong in my eyes. I would try to show her part of the melody in my raggedy falsetto & she would giggle & sing the melody back exactly as I meant to do it. Her musical choices & instinct are impeccable.

UrbanBridgez.com: Who are some of your favorite current recording artist?
Taral Hicks: I will always love Coko (SWV), she will always be my favorite!

Take A Trip Down Memory Lane With Coko!