2023 has been Coco Jones’ year. The former Disney star has released her Def Jam debut album “What I Didn’t Tell You”; embarked on a nationwide tour; collaborated with the likes of Justin Timberlake, Lil Tjay and Brent Faiyaz; and now has major Grammy buzz for best new artist.
It has been a breakout year for the artist as she has emerged as one of the most exciting voices of the new wave of R&B, but she is no stranger to fame.
Coco Jones has been in the spotlight ever since she played the lead role in the 2012 Disney Channel musical, “Let It Shine.” Being a Disney kid prepared her for the mainstream fame she would go on to achieve as an R&B star, describing it as a “baby boot camp” for the world she is in now.
Jones was signed to Def Jam in 2022 and released her label debut album earlier this year.
In support of her album, Jones will grace the stage at Atlanta’s One Musicfest on Oct. 28, alongside the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Brent Faiyaz, Tems and Killer Mike.
The artist performed in Atlanta earlier this year at the Strength of a Woman Festival and can’t wait to come back to the city.
“Atlanta always gives me great energy,” said Jones. “I feel they stand alone when it comes to their participation in my songs, their support with me as an artist, it’s really a one-of-a-kind experience.”
The performance at One Musicfest is part of the second leg of her “What I Didn’t Tell You” tour. Jones remarked how much she has learned about herself as an artist and as a person during her debut headlining tour.
“As a performer, I learned that I really do dedicate my life and body to my fans. I don’t drink heavily, I don’t party. I want to make sure each show people are satisfied so I am strict with my own life choices,” she said.
Her album, which was released in January, signaled her arrival as an R&B superstar in the making as she showcased her stunning vocal ability.
“I wanted to express that I’m not just a character. I’m of course an actress and I love that but I’m really a musician and that is what I started with and what I’ll finish with.”
She added: “It is very cathartic when I am writing my own music, it’s kind of like a journal entry,” said Jones. “I try to challenge myself to be as honest as I really can and not be afraid; like what would I say to myself if I can only hear it? That’s what I try to put in my music.”
The artist achieved her breakthrough success with the album’s lead single “ICU” - which was her first song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and recently became her first platinum single.
She remarked how the response blew her away, “I didn’t expect a song this soulful to work in this time period and to see the love that it’s gotten has really shown me anything is possible when you lead with authenticity.”
The hit made everybody stand up and take notice, including fellow Tennessean Justin Timberlake, who collaborated with Jones on a remix of “ICU.”
When Jones was told that Timberlake wanted to remix her song, her response was “prove it!” She didn’t quite believe it at first.
“We both are from Tennessee and I think he just wanted to support another upcoming artist. He has been in my position before trying to establish himself, so he feels me. His support meant so much to me.
“Working with Justin Timberlake [I learned] that you really can own your own lane. You don’t have to be anybody else, you can authentically be yourself and the right opportunities will be for you,” said Jones.
Jones further showcased her versatility by collaborating with a variety of artists such as rapper Lil Tjay, R&B icon Babyface and Afrobeats artist Adekunle Gold.
“I feel the best way to approach collaborations is finding a way to make the song sound like something I would put out on my own. I just forget it’s a collaboration, that way they get the most authentic version of myself,” said Jones.
It has already been a monumental year for Jones but the icing on the cake would be to end it with a Grammy nomination for best new artist. She’s hotly-tipped to get a nod, alongside the likes of Ice Spice, Peso Pluma, Noah Kahan and Gracie Abrams.
“For them to consider me would be mind-blowing,” on the prospect of a Grammy nomination. “It would mean the world to me to win any Grammy of any sort honestly and truly because of what the Grammys mean. It’s a tastemakers award of legends and people who have earned their spot here in this industry, deciding on who is really who.
“I really want to win a Grammy and I want to win 11,000 of them, the more the merrier.”
FESTIVAL PREVIEW
One Musicfest
Coco Jones performs at 3:15 p.m. Oct. 28. The festival runs Oct. 28 and 29. Starting at $169. Piedmont Park, 1071 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta. onemusicfest.com.
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