CoKo's Biography

COKO...the voice behind the name brings out warm emotions in R&B lovers worldwide. Everyone loves her. Once one-third of the multiplatinum female triumvirate SWV, CoKo's powerhouse baby/ girl/ woman vocals have driven consumers to record stores everywhere. Major top charting hits like "Weak", "Right Here/Human Nature", "Use Your Heart", "Rain" and "Sunshine" were all part of the whirlwind that took the industry by storm from 1992 to the present. Fans could not get enough of this woman's sweet, honey-dipped vocals--vocals that have been labeled by critics as the most distinctive of 90's. Now, CoKo has taken things to the next level with the release of her blazing self-titled solo project, which currently has left fans and the media alike begging for more. But who is CoKo? What is she all about?

Born Cheryl Gamble, CoKo was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. An only child, CoKo was raised for the most part singlehandedly by her mother Tibba Gamble. Her father was in and out of her life for much of her younger years. Her relationship with her mother however, was and is one of her tightest bonds today. Tibba, who herself is an accomplished singer, reared CoKo in the realm of music from as early as 3 years of age. CoKo was singing everything, from gospel to secular rhythm and blues. A doting mother, Tibba kept a watchful eye on her daughter's career, grooming her to be a star in the future. From performances in talent shows run by Harold Jackson to recording demos of "I Don't Know Why Jesus Loves Me," CoKo was always in the limelight, acquiring many accolades from judges and the crowds along the way. Things changed however when teenaged girlfriends Tamara Johnson and LeAnne Lyons came into the picture. The three girls were already fast friends when their amateur talent show appearances as "Female Edition" transformed into a real-life recording deal with one of the world's leading labels, RCA. Dubbed "Sisters With Voices" by their manager Maureen Singleton, SWV would go on to become one of the world's biggest selling girl group phenomenons of all time.

The first album "It's About Time" had a very modest beginning on the charts. Selling just a couple hundred copies its first few weeks out, the album didn't even register on some charts, and it spent eons on Billboard's Heatseeker list. The debut single "Right Here" fizzled almost immediately, and from all outside appearances "It's About Time" was just another flopping attempt to compete with other major all-girl collectives such as EnVogue, Jade and TLC.

RCA serviced another single and video to the airwaves however. When "I'm So Into You" hit the radio, it was over. It was like nothing ever heard in the R&B/Pop realm. It was just something about that combination of SWV's tight harmonies, cutting-edged beats, and CoKo's "you must love me" gospel-tinged vocals, that drove 500,000-plus fans to stores in the spring of 1993. "I'm So Into You" went gold promptly, reaching No.2 on R&B's charts, and No.6 on Pop. Before the single could drop out of Billboard's Hot 100 Top 10, it was joined by yet another hot track "Weak" which would become SWV's first dual No.1 on ALL of the national Charts. Later, "Right Here/Human Nature", "Downtown", "Always On My Mind", and the crowd pleasing collaboration with Wu Tang Clan "Anything" would further solidify SWV as hitmakers, that were here to stay. "It's About Time" would go on to sell more than 5 million records worldwide, and would become the No.2 best selling album that year. All of this was achieved on the strength of Cheryl "CoKo" Gamble's voice and SWV's round-the-way girl appeal. Subsequently the "SWV: The Remixes" was another gold seller, followed by 1996's 2x platinum-plus "New Beginning", 1997's Platinum-plus "Release Some Tension", their acclaimed "A Special Christmas" and 1999's "SWV: Greatest Hits." As you can see by the declining sales stats, SWV's music was selling less and less by the late 90's, due to the saturation of female groups that basically copied their style, and the incredible rise of rap that dominated the charts. In addition, SWV as a group was experiencing problems. The girls now had households of their own to manage, and there was tension between the ladies themselves. Lackluster live performances instilled doubt in consumers' minds about the other girl's vocal abilities; the media had been labeling CoKo as the only legitimate sister with a voice from day one. Multiply those factors with low album sales, bad marketing and promotion, and inconsistent management, and it came as no surprise that SWV split in 1998. Taj and LeLee went on to pursue other endeavors, and RCA quickly reintroduced a previously offered solo deal to Cheryl, who accepted the offer.

The entertainment industry took a bittersweet attitude towards CoKo's forthcoming solo project. On the one hand, most fans, insiders, and critics were relieved that CoKo would continue to make music, since, in their opinion, she was the epitome of SWV anyway. On the other hand, many haters emerged from the woodworks, doing their utmost to destroy the woman's career before it even started. By April of 1998, nasty rumors circulated throughout the industry saying that CoKo had written an alleged letter to SWV announcing her departure. Then, LeLee stepped forward, and unwittingly added to the negativity, by releasing her version of the breakup via a gossip magazine. Within a matter of weeks, CoKo's reputation was nearly ruined, thus turning former fans against her and each other, as radio and tabloids continued to pick CoKo's persona apart. Cheryl remained silent and out of the public eye for the duration of the ordeal, only venturing out to tape "Motown Live", her second televised solo performance. However, despite the hatred, RCA and CoKo continued with the recording of the debut solo CD "Hot CoKo" undaunted. On June 14th,1999 RCA geared up for the much-anticipated August 10th date with the non-commercial radio release of "Sunshine" the lead single from "Hot CoKo". By now, much of the badmouthing had ceased, since Cheryl was now calling and visiting radio stations personally discussing the breakup, and clearing up vicious lies devised by the media such as the aforementioned "letter" situation. Although some refused to support Cheryl's budding solo career, "Sunshine" proved that these haters had experienced a reversal--now they were a minority.

"Sunshine" skyrocketed to the top 5 on the music charts and it exploded overseas in the UK market. Fueled by a state-of-the-art video shot in Hawaii(featuring a cameo from her three year old son Jazz), "Sunshine" was the perfect song for the summer of 1999. It shut the mouths of the haters, while showing off vocal ability that CoKo rarely displayed on SWV's radio hits. Male listeners proposed to their fiances' on the radio, by singing the track as best they could, while community youth foundations used the jam as a theme song. School and college bands rocked to it, and listener requests made it a track comparable to the Fresh Prince & DJ Jazzy Jeff's mega hit "Summertime"in many US markets. It was just a feel-good, ode to positivity, that took your mind off of the negativity in life. It also broke the mold other R&B/Hip Hop singles were stuck in--one of male-bashing, scrub-calling, Benz repossesion, and popping crystal at all costs.

As "Sunshine" flew up the charts on the strength of airplay alone, RCA released "Hot CoKo" on August 10th, to widespread satisfaction. Now, the former haters were praisers. The LP was the third-best selling title the week of it's release. Reviews from the media gave the LP 4 to 5 stars and A+'s across the board. Although some fans remained disgruntled, they had a change of heart once CoKo began appearing on high profile TV shows. She now had a working promotional tour complete with dancers, back up singers, and a live band.She was getting standing ovations left and right. Posters of "Hot CoKo" were plastered everywhere, while her various websites recieved an unprecented number of hits from old and newfound internet fans.Guest artists such as EVE, Tyrese, BabyFace and KeVon Edmonds made appearances on this R&B/Hip Hop/ Jazz-flavored Pop album. Featuring tight production by SWV hitmaker Brian Alexander Morgan, Rodney Jerkins, Micheal Powell and herself, truly supportive SWV fans made sure their CD collection was not devoid of the "Hot CoKo" LP. Yes, CoKo was on her way to establishing herself as one of the new millenium's leading solo warblers.

As her second hit-to-be "Triflin'" hits radio November 1st,1999, there will be even more to talk about in the weeks, months, and century to come. From her early childhood days when Momma Tibba made her clothes from scratch to the multiplatinum run of SWV, CoKo has come a long way. She has remained strong and humble, but confident. CoKo has managed to shake off the "bitch" persona that haters and so-called fans have tacked onto her name--she comes across as a very lovable person--a big sister type figure, with a sense of humor. She is a full grown woman now, a mother, and even has plans to establish herself in the Gospel arena. She is a trendsetting vocalist, one who has what it takes to succeed in this competitive "bite or be biten" industry. While her solo career takes her from the cold, gloomy "Rain" to the unlimited happiness "Sunshine" can bring, Cheryl "CoKo" Gamble is gonna be alright. Of all the stars in the galaxy, her star will outshine the brightest, and we as fans have the pleasure to watch....