06 October 2010 (released)
06 October 2010
Montina Cooper is one of those singers that has more experience and talent than most of the stuff out there in the charts. And now, her time has come. After completing Beyoncé’s I Am World Tour, Montina Cooper is ready to take the music world by storm as a solo artist. A brief summary of her music career so far: she has featured on the soundtrack of the morion picture ‘Hitch’ and has been singing and arranging vocals for the likes of Mary J. Blige, Kelly Rowland, Jamie Foxx and, of course, Beyoncé. She is now embarking a long awaited solo career, starting with the ballad ‘Better’ which I reviewed some weeks ago, and planning to release an album independently later this year.
Tell us a bit about your past, when you started singing and what you’ve done up until now.
I grew up in a musical family, so as a child I was always surrounded by it. I started sing when I was two years, old believe it or not! As I got older (around 14 years old) I started singing at local clubs. This helped me to perfect my craft. When I was around the age of 21, I went to a Mary J. Blige concert with my then manager and after the show he took me backstage where I sang for her. She loved it so much that she flew me to NYC to sign me. While I was working on my record, she said why don’t you sing background for me until your record is done. That situation didn’t work out for me, but what it did do was teach me a lot about the business and it helped start my career as a background vocalist. I went on to sing background for Kelly Rowland, and I worked on her Miss Kelly album as a vocal producer. I have had the pleasure to sing backup for Jamie Foxx, Regina Bell and of course the talented Beyonce!
Does your solo career mean you’re not in The Mamas any more?
Having a solo career has always been my ultimate goal in life, I just sort of fell into doing backup. As far as The Mama’s are concerned, they are my family my sisters. So I will always be one of The Mama’s
Being from The Mamas can help getting your music out there, but do you like it that people relate you to Beyoncé and The Mamas?
It doesn’t bother me when people associate me with Beyonce and The Mama’s. These women are extremely talented and to be in a category with them is truly my honor
How did the idea of recording a single come up?
It was simple really! We were on a break from touring, and I have always wanted to record and album. So I said let’s do it, lets make an album
Did you write the lyrics to the song? Take us through the process of writing and recording this single.
I wrote the record with my writing partner Angela Jones. As far as the writing process we have crazy fun! We write first and then we go in to record the next day so the vibe is fresh. It takes a lot of time to create one song, but it’s so much fun it just passes by.
Have you got any plans for releasing an album?
As a matter of fact I do! I am working on an album, and it should be released sometime in November.
How would you define your musical style?
My style is all my own, it’s a bit pop, middle of the road with a hint of soul!
It is very difficult to get out there nowadays being an independant artist. How is it working?
I didn’t get in the music industry for the fame, I got in this business to make great music. So as long as the people who buy my music love it, then I am a success as an independent artist as far as I’m concerned.
Why not a Montina – Beyoncé duet?
A duet with B would be great!
If you could collaborate with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be?
Patsy Cline, I love her music. I know that sounds weird, but I do!
What lays in the future of Montina Cooper?
Well, I want to continue to make great music that touches people. And tour around the world with this album,
Where do you see yourself in a couple of years?
Successful in this industry and still making great music that I can be proud of!
