Coppe Cantrell
March 22, 2023
By Dan Locke
What is your upbringing?
My upbringing was being a part of a large family, a total of eleven children, one set of twins in the bunch. Both of my parents Alma and Dorsey Cantrell raised me and my siblings. My father owned a Rubbish company with his father and my mother was a nurse. It was fun to grow up in such a large family. I remember birthday parties as a child, we didn’t have outside friends or distant relatives to join in on the festivities, it was enough of us to make our own parties. We were raised as Catholics and went by the strict teachings of the catholic church, I was baptized at twelve years old, after attending Catechism Classes. I later attended John Muir High School, and I was in Tall Flags, which was a part of the marching band, I also played on the Volleyball Team, and I was Vice President of my Senior Class. After I graduated from high school, I went to Los Angeles Valley College, while I was there, I became a cheerleader, where I met a love interest and became pregnant, with my son NIamyja. While becoming a mom, I had to do things alone, becoming a single parent trying to make ends meet with not much of an education was a difficult task. While going to Jr. College, I attended a trade school to learn word processing, so I could find a decent enough job to at least pay the bills. It was a difficult task trying to go to school at times having to bring my son to school with me, so I later dropped out of Junior College.
A couple of years later I would meet my husband to be Johnny Jackson, smitten by him after six months of courtship, we married, and had a daughter together named Zhani.
How did you discover music?
How I discovered music is not the typical way in which people discover music. Before I can tell you how I discovered music, I need to let you know that, when I met my husband Johnny, he was a record producer, who produced music for artists such as 2Pac, and many others. He was known professionally as Johnny “J”. I was always in the study with him everywhere he went producing records, if you saw him nine times out of ten you would see me. Johnny passed away in 2008, it was after his passing that a prophet told me that I was going to be singing, I laughed at him, and he laughed back at me stating, “your gonna be a singer, and your name is gonna be COPPE”. I was more intrigued that he knew my childhood nickname, but his prophecy came true just three months later. On July 1, 2009, God woke me up out of a sound sleep at 3am, I started singing words upon words of praise, and I had written a few songs within hours. This is how I discovered music, it was through the miracle gift that God had given me, you see I was tone deaf.
How did I start to write music?
I started writing music, the moment that God had given me the gift to sing, and from that point ideas pop into my head, I have my phone with me, and I voice record my ideas, but I’m a little old fashioned. I still like to use a pen and pad. Songwriting is like putting a puzzle together, so it’s important to map out what you want to write about, I’m a very visual person.
Describe your music?
My music has a classic sound, I utilize the tracks that my late husband wrote and produced the tracks, I take those tracks, and I either write a song to the track or in my case since god had given me my gift initially I had written a bunch of songs without music, I had to take on the task to fit my lyrics to the tracks, it was difficult in the beginning, but later I got use to it, and I was also able to learn how to write to the track. I had no training other than watching my husband in the studio, and the artist he’d worked on, and of course the God given gift he has given me.Every song gets a bit easier, because as a child of God faith without works is dead, you must apply yourself.
I would say my sound is a nice eclectic mix of music, though it is Christian Contemporary music, there is a mix of hip hop, pop, rock, and reggae that you can hear. I minister in song the non-compromising word of God; I don’t sugar coat anything. With that being said, I don’t leave God or Jesus out of my music to conform to what others want me to say. God is the one who gave me the gift, I’m not ashamed to sing about God or Jesus. My sound is also edgy for some in the gospel community, I don’t bite my tongue on anything, I’ve even been censored one of my songs called War Cry.
What was your first performance like?
My very first performance was in a church, I guess most people get nervous before and during a performance. I was both, on top of being nervous, I had Laryngitis my first performance, so it was a battle. I did not want to disappoint by cancelling my performance, I made it through with lozenges and singers spray, but it was not an easy task, especially God has given you a gift, and your telling people that, you’re like how they can believe this you’re if you’re not singing, so I
pressed on and sang, though I was sick with this horrible sore throat. I did have my backgrounds playing in the back, and I had a full-on performance with dancers, it may have helped me out a bit. Most times those of us who minister in song, we give a brief testimony about our journey, and how we got saved, so you could hear that my voice was gone.
Royalties never appear like magic. Royalties are only sent to you through work undertaken by a PRO to ensure that their members are getting paid. If you’re not yet signed up to a Performing Right Organization like ASCAP, BMI or SESAC, you may not be receiving all the royalties you deserve. Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the international singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
Yes, I do belong to a songwriter’s organization, I belong to ASCAP, and I have been with ASCAP, early on since 2009. I believe it is important for all artists, go and get signed up. If you want to get paid for the airplay, TV, and film, when your song is played, this is a must.
What makes a good songwriter?
What makes a good songwriter is a person that knows how to first come up with a great hook and pick the right track to write to. Second, I would say the body of the song, which is the storyline that you are able to captivate your audience with a cohesive story without becoming redundant. Third, I think it’s important to have some dynamics in your song, some changes, and different things along the way that do not bore the audience and keep them intrigued. I like to create little pre-hooks, and little chants in between or at the end of my songs, so people can sing along to those as well as the hook. Remember, its usually the simple things that people catch onto first.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
The title of my first original song is “Jesus You Lifted Me”, and yes I recorded the song. I will be releasing that song later this year on my LP “The Breastplate of Righteousness”.
How was it to see your single “Dance in The Dark” to hit the number 1 stop on the World Indie Charts, and the European Indie charts for 4 weeks?
It was amazing to see my song hit the number 1 spot, on the World Indie Charts, and the European Indie Charts, wow your telling me something I’m just realizing I was at the top of the charts for 4 weeks; I didn’t count it. Ironically, it just re-entered the charts at #16 on both charts. After dealing with so many closed doors, and people telling your song is not good enough, this proved the naysayers wrong, and I knew in my gut, that it was not only a great song, but a hit song. Having so many gatekeepers along my path, this was an open door and a light that I needed, that God showed me what I am doing is not in vain.
So, all I could think of is thank you God, I prayed for this open door that was previously closed, and he opened the door for radio, and its listeners to start embracing me, but it is the message that I want to get out to the world, and having to get to the top of those charts 4 consecutive weeks, let me know that in some instance like the European charts has over 800 songs, I’m like how did I do that? God, The World Indie Charts has a few hundred songs as well. How did I do that God? I’m in awe of what he could do, ironically I didn’t share it with too many people think your bragging when in fact your just proud to make it number 1 at something, what a blessing its been.
How was it working with 2Pac and Coolio?
Working with 2Pac was an unforgettable experience, he was like family to me, so it goes beyond the scope of working with him. He was an amazing person, writer, rapper producer, friend and brother. I had the pleasure to work with, because my late husband Johnny “J” produced records for him. 2Pac, knew exactly what he wanted, from picking the tracks that Johnny would play for him, and which singers he wanted, 2Pac was a professional when it came to recording his songs. Funny how I remember him directing me on how to cuss on the first record he ever asked me to be on “Death Around the Corner”, I sounded very corny, he had to direct me on how to say bad words, that was funny, ironically it was also my son Niamyja who was on that record with me, he had to direct both of us on what to say.
Pac which I called him, my little brother allowed for input, like the song “Picture Me Rollin”, he was actually stuck, in this rare moment after recording a few songs that day, but wanted to get other artist like CPO on this track, but he had no idea of what direction he wanted to go in, he had two lines I believe it was just me and him in the studio at that moment, he was at the soundboard stuck, I said “let me see what you got”, He showed me the three lines he had, I said that’s your title right there he’s like what, I said, “Picture Me Rollin”, that’s your title, he’s like thank you OMG! I’m ready he started jumping up and down and he ran into the kitchen at the studio to get Johnny and said, “your wife just gave me a dope title”. He was like a kid in a candy store, it was great working with him. The track “Hit Em Up” is another story all in all, we all need Jesus for that song, I never seen him angry, he was always happy, but on this occasion he was. I just so happened to be the one to put my vocals on that track, they were sampled in because I was tone deaf at the time, so I did a lot of takes they picked the best one, and sampled it in. He is truly missed.
Working with Coolio was a cool moment in time, we were in the studio right next door to him at Echo Sound, Johnny was recording either 2Pac, or Thug Life album, he came into the studio, and asked, Johnny “If he could use me on a song”, he said, “no problem”! So, when I went next door in the other studio, he had a script ready for me to say, “and he directed me as to what to say on the skit Recoup This, wherein I played a distraught secretary, funny I didn’t want any credit, but he had someone come next door when we were finished and got my information. I had never seen the album credits or even knew I was given the credit until about 3 years ago, I looked up my name or his project to hear the song. He was a professional, he was fun to work with, he will be missed.
How did your recording company start with your husband?
My recording company started with my husband Johnny “J”, by first coming up with a name. Johnny often worked around the clock, and we would often joke and say it’s like clockwork baby! So, I suggested, since you work around the clock lets just name the company KLOCK WORK. From there, the name stuck, we got all our DBA Filings, and eventually I told him we need to get incorporated, and in 1997, we did just that, we’ve had our corporation since then, prior to that it was a production company that we started in 1995.
Tell me about your video “God’s Will”? Why did you decide to animate?
My song God’s Will is about life’s ups and downs, and the things that we go through, no matter how tough things are, God has a plan for you as he did for me, though I went through such great tragedies, it is and was God’s will for our life that matters, if we endure his will conquers everything. He has transformed my life into the minister of music he has called me to be.
As far as making the song “God’s Will” animated, I just wanted to try something different, you see, my music though, I’ve went through ups and downs, I don’t want people to idolize me, so you will rarely see me in my own music videos, I will do some, but not all of them. It is not about me it is about spreading God’s truth to the world. Doing conceptual videos, give you a glimpse of what I am saying with regular everyday people starring in them.
Though I know we are in a world where everyone wants to be the centerpiece of attention, it’s not about that it’s about saving souls, as I was called to be that vessel, I just want to be obedient to that, and not get caught up in the glamour, and idolization of myself.
Your brand-new single “Jesus Rocks” comes in soon tell me about it?
My brand-new single “Jesus Rocks” is the story of Jesus all his miracles that he performed through his ministry, but in a cool hip way. Of course, the song can possibly reveal all the miracles he performed, but the most notable ones. I chose a Rock, hip hop track, that my late husband Johnny “J” produced to write the song. I also wondered how Jesus got around, as I’ve read the bible, and I watched movies, I’m like how he went from place to place, that’s how I came up with my hook and “You Know how Jesus Rocks, he just wears sandals no socks, you know how Jesus rolled disciples through the city he strolled. Jesus was Jesus, but he had to be cool, he was no punk, he hung out with tax collectors, prostitutes, and multitudes of people who needed healing, but he’s Jesus he could do that and not be tempted! It must’ve been fun hanging out with Jesus, he experienced jealousy and envy and persecution like no other.
What is the process of writing your music?
The process of writing my music has come in a few different ways. My first experience with song writing, after I was given the gift to sing, I was writing lyrics and melody without any music, after coming to the realization that my newfound gift, I still needed to put my lyrics and melody to music. So, I had to match my lyrics and melody with tracks that were left by my late husband Johnny “J”. Once I finished all the songs that I wrote without music, I started writing songs to the music, but a lot of times I will come up with a hook without the music, and sometimes waking up with an idea, I either jot it down on paper or I sing into my voice recorder from my phone.
I like to use Garageband to upload the instrumentals and I get a pen and pad and I write my songs, and then I pre-record a demo on GarageBand, so that when I go into the studio, I already know the song. There are times that I have come up with songs on the spot while I was in the studio, the two songs were on my first album, the songs Holy Groove, and God Will Solve Your Problem. I also write additional parts to the songs as I record the hook and the verses, If I haven’t already come up with a bridge, I will write one on the spot while I’m recording as well as other parts of the song, like a vamp or outro to the song.
What are you feeling about streaming music?
What I am feeling about streaming music, is it can be a great thing on one hand and not so great on the other hand. I think streaming music has allowed for independent artists to create a buzz for themselves on their platform, it can be good, because it’s another way to collect other streams of income. Though, these streams don’t makeup what an artist could’ve earned, if those streams were actual sales. Back in the days and up until the early-mid 2000’s, or let’s say before Napster, an artist was able to have a larger percentage of the profit -sharing of their own music.
Now all the record company must do is sell their content to the platform, and take a large payment from them, while the artist virtually is getting paid pennies for their content.
For a major artist, I’m not sure if Spotify is the way to go, again, they profit less off their streams, as to if they are selling a single, they get a bigger percentage if the song does well, they are a good platform for people around the world to discover their music, I think this is their only benefit.
The symbol # is known as the number sign, hash, pound sign and a sharp sign in music. The symbol has historically been used for a wide range of purposes Since 2007, widespread usage of the symbol to introduce metadata tags on social media platforms has led to such tags being known as “hashtags” and from that, the symbol itself is sometimes called a hashtag.
Are people forgetting that the # is a part of music?
Yes, I believe people are forgetting that the # is part of music, in fact you are teaching me something that I did not know. I am not classically trained, and whatever music notes I learned as a child from playing violin or seeing musical notes, I don’t recall the # being one of them. I think this will be music to a lot of people’s ears to know that the # is part of music, I know it is mine.
Digital vs. vinyl?
Wow, I was literally just having a discussion with my engineer about this yesterday, of course many of us that are from the old school, or non-millennials, and maybe even some millennials prefer vinyl over digital music. It sounds better, you can hear the sounds sound more solid.
Digital is good if you want to receive something quickly, without having to wait to receive it, but I don’t think digital sounds best, of course it is more cost effective.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
The song that comes to my mind I’m not sure why is I’m Only Human by Human League. The song’s meaning to me is that we all go through problems in this life, no matter the loss we are only human made of flesh and blood, born to make mistakes.
Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means things like a playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.
Yes, pay to play is still a thing, I hear it often, it takes payola to get your song played on the radio, especially from traditional stations in the U.S., most of which is done under the table. We also have so many other apps and different things that you must pay into to get your song played that are available on various platforms that even sell your music. Again, with the various playlists that you must pay for on the internet are almost a must, especially for unknown artists. The idea behind it is pay to get in front of an audience that you may not have ever had the opportunity to do so, it’s like having a commercial at the Super Bowl, paying for the audience to see what goods you are selling. Speaking of the Super Bowl the artist doesn’t get paid to perform, they utilize that slot to get their music in front of the millions of people who will be watching in exchange for their performance. So, what I’ve heard is that major bands or acts have charged opening acts a fee to open up or perform at their shows.
The show Star Trek introduced people to the holodeck: an immersive, realistic 3D holographic projection of a complete environment that you could interact with. Today holograms are already being used in a variety of way, such as medical systems, education, art, security and defense Performers like Tupac, Michael Jackson, Roy Orbison, Frank Zappa, Elvis Presley, Amy Winehouse, Buddy Holly, Ronnie James Dio, Marylin Monroe, and Whitney Houston have done it already. The band ABBA just announced that they will be doing a comeback together after nearly 40 years as holograms on their next tour. With ABBA it was with the help of George Lucas . If the cost was down to the point, you could do it also, would you be willing to do Holographic concerts in our living room?
If the cost were down, to do a Holographic concert in my living room, I would absolutely do it! I think with the state of the world, and after having to deal with the Covid 19 Pandemic, it has changed a lot for our entertainment and listening pleasures. I believe when more issues arise, it will cause more performers to have to go this route. I think therefore Apple is now offering performance videos to be purchased, right now for mainstream artists, but it will be available to the masses in the future.
In the past if a musician stopped doing music they found a new career. For example David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants.. If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing?
If I can’t do music anymore, I would like to do several things, first and foremost continue to preach the non-compromising word of God, maybe become a talk show host that can implement God’s word. I also would like to create my own fashion line, I love fashion, and I’ve always come up with different custom pieces for my wardrobe, others have asked when I will sell them.
Lastly, but certainly not least, since I am working on my non-profit organization, I would continue with that doing philanthropy.
What is your happy place?
My happy place is being able to spend time in the word of God, praying and meditating and having my time with God, and after you are done there is peace and quiet. When I am free from the pressures of life, for whatever time that may be, that is my happy place.
Red Hot Chili Peppers are about to sell their entire song catalog for $140 Million. In the past year a lot of musicians such as Stevie Nicks ($100 Million) , Bob Dylan (over $400 Million), Taylor Swift, Journey, Def Leppard, K.T. Tunstall, John Legend, ZZ Top and Shakira have sold their catalog rights within the last year. Bob Dylan sold his entire catalog for a reported $300 million. Neil Young sold 50 percent of his worldwide copyright and income interest in his 1,180 song catalogue to Hipnosis Songs Fund limited . Once you get to the age of about 70. Publishing is far more lucrative than the mechanical royalties paid to artists based on sales, airplay and streams. A good example of this is Michael Jackson brought the rights to the Beatles catalog in 1985. And in the late 80’s the Beatles Revolution appeared in a Nike commercial.
The lump sums being offered by publishing firms are more tax friendly concerning estate planning. On January 19, 2021 Hipgnosis Song Management acquired 80% of Kenny Chesney’s recorded music royalties, covering the country superstar’s discography from his 1994 debut In My Wildest Dreams through 2017’s Live in No Shoes Nation.
Someone who was totally against selling his rights was David Crosby. He did not want to sell his publishing rights. In addition, it was not an easy thing for him to do. However, by making a deal with
Irving Azoff’s Iconic Artists Group, it took a big weight off his shoulders. He could pay off his house and cover other bills. Now he does not have to work for a living. It should be noted that David is battling tendinitis in his hands, which hurts his ability to play guitar.
Do you think you would be willing to sell your back catalog if someone like Universal is willing to buy everything, such as all the rights to all your songs?
Would I be willing to sell my back catalog if someone like Universal is willing to buy everything, such as all the rights to it! I would have to say that the answer for now it would be no, because I have been offered to sell a catalog that I own now on three occasions, and one was even from Goldman Bonds, and other copyrights owners, and record companies. I thought about it, but at the end of the day I said no. Once you sell something of such great value, you can never get it back. You have to think, if they can offer you so many millions to own your entire catalog, how much more money is it worth.
I think it is important for us to leave something to our children to manage and leave as an inheritance, it is not just about the money. I read a fortune cookie one time that read your money is where your heart is, which was the thing that made us not sell the catalog. It turns out that same saying is in the Bible and where to leave an inheritance to our children. I’m not saying selling would not allow me to leave money behind, but I think if you don’t have a purpose a man and his or her money will soon depart. It can’t be just about spending more and more, because there is only so much that you can buy and consume, without most things just collecting dust.
Unless there is something that all of these artists know that I don’t know, that the government or some other entity will take it away, maybe their reasoning is to sell, on the other hand you only get to keep your publishing for 70 years, after it’s been released then it goes to the public.
Otherwise, I am not sure why they would need to sell with the continuous revenue stream coming. At that point, I would have no choice but to sell my catalog.
There are many platforms out there that allow artists to get their music heard. Artist Republik, DistroKid, Tunecore & plenty others offer distribution services. These services enable independent artists to put their music on some of the most popular streaming services globally, from Spotify to Apple Music & everything in between. If you’ve been in any part of the music industry in recent years, you probably know someone that has distributed a song.
Spotify reports that in 2021 there are about 8 million artists on the platform. Of those 8 million artists, about 57,000 are raking in a whopping 90% of the total revenue from streams. That means that .71% of the artists on Spotify are making good money. In 2020, there was a total of around $5 billion paid out to artists on the Spotify platform alone.
Therefore, it’s reasonable to assume that, by the end of 2021, SPOT will be home to over 90 million tracks. And that in the early part of next year, it will surpass a catalog of 100 million for the first time.
What do you think that could mean to independent artists?
I think selling music on Spotify and other various platforms would be a win-win situation for an Indie artist, being that I am an Indie artist myself, I utilize almost all these platforms, and I am new to Spotify. I believe, these platforms not only give us a chance to have a wider audience, but we get to stand next to the big boys, those who are on the major labels will be the minority, but then again, the majors are snatching up artist, just to slap their name on them and sell their content to these platforms for a big piece of the pie. I think eventually everyone will be independent, because selling music has gotten easier.
Over half a billion active users around the world share their favorite music on TikTok either with something like a dance challenge and lip-sync videos or creating a funny skit or candid camera moment.
TikTok has become a great platform for music promotion, sharing songs, and finding new listeners. In which it has become a place for music artists to earn revenue when people use their music. In many cases the daily promotion on TikTok has led to huge boosts on other platforms like Spotify, Facebook and YouTube.
TikTok does this algorithmically generating a feed of content for each user, which you see as the displaying of #. The more a user engages with content, the smarter TikTok gets at guessing what kind of videos the viewer wants to watch. Because a song can go viral because of this.
Sony Music and Warner Music Group- , The ByteDance-owned video app revealed that it has struck an expanded global licensing agreement with Universal Music Group. Now that TikTok is now fully licensed by all three major record companies, will you start using TikTok more?
Breaking news: TikTok is launching TikTok Radio, a full-time SiriusXM music channel going live this summer.The station will be available in vehicles and as a streaming channel on the SiriusXM App, desktop, and all connected devices.
Some of the members on TikTok include Cassyette, YukoEXE, Ashinikko, Palaye Royale, Josh Dun (Twenty One Pilots), Yungblud, Morrissey, Ozzy Osbourne, Joan Jett, Gene Simmons, and Mick Jagger.
The station will be part of a new TikTok collaboration with SiriusXM and its subsidiary,Pandora, to jointly promote emerging talent. Do you think this platform could become a force in the future of streaming music?
Do I think the platform Tik Tok will become a force in the future of streaming music?
I think the answer is Yes it can become a force like Pandora, YouTube, and many other streaming services, but for how long we don’t know. I’ve used the platform a couple of times. You really must work at it. There are so many platforms you kind of get tired of all these new ones that pop up, you must keep jumping from platform to platform. It’s like whomever is the hottest at the time you jump on! If the majors are onboard, I’m sure many will follow.
Any thing in closing?
In closing, I would like to say thank you for the opportunity to broaden my listeners, and allowing more to get to know COPPE CANTRELL, if anyone would like more information, they can go to my website www.coppecantrell.com, IG @Coppe_Cantrell, Twitter.com/CoppeCantrell,
