At the age of 14, Coco Jones gained prominence through her portrayal of Roxie, a teenage singing star, in Disney's 2012 film Let It Shine. However, this surge in popularity was transient. By the time she reached the age of 16, Jones had secured a recording contract with a record label, only to have it terminated shortly thereafter. The music industry faced challenges in categorizing the young artist, perceiving her as possessing an excessive level of sensuality, self-assurance, and individuality.
During this brief period, Jones inspired a young girl named Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, who lived halfway across the globe in Nigeria. Aderibigbe looked to Disney films as a blueprint for achieving her own aspirations and found a role model in Jones’ character, Roxie.
Motivated by this inspiration, Aderibigbe began her singing career and later adopted the stage name Ayra Starr. Her debut album, 19 & Dangerous, released in 2021, along with its deluxe version in 2022, featured hit songs like “Bloody Samaritan” and “Rush,” the latter of which made it onto President Obama’s list of favorite songs for the year. Her unique blend of vibrant Afropop and soulful vocals propelled her into the mainstream music scene.
Meanwhile, Jones made a comeback with her 2022 EP What I Didn’t Tell You. Tracks such as “Double Back” and “ICU” reflect the essence of R&B, characterized by captivating melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and rich vocals. The song “ICU” earned her a Grammy for Best R&B Performance. Recently, she released a new single titled “Sweep It Up” and is gearing up for an album launch early next year.
Recently, Jones extended an invitation to Starr for a dinner in London, where they connected and expressed their desire to collaborate in the future. That collaboration came to fruition when Starr featured Jones, along with Brazilian artist Anitta, on the empowering track “Woman Commando” from her latest album, The Year I Turned 21.
When Jones and Starr come together for their Musicians on Musicians interview, their deep connection is evident as they embrace and sway like close relatives. As they engage in conversation, the singers draw near, inquiring about each other's experiences in navigating life. Their dialogue takes us through a narrative filled with themes of setbacks, family ties, restless nights, relationships, and the rapid transformations in their lives.
Jones: Girl, I don’t even remember.
Starr: You were having a dinner thing in London, and you invited me. You told me you knew “Away.” I was like, “What?”
Jones: Because that’s my favorite song.
Starr: I was so happy. Then I was seeing you on every red carpet.