The Breakfast Club - INTERVIEW: Coco Jones On Maturing Through Music, Lessons From Childhood Stardom, Dating Rumors, New Album +More

Episode Date: April 25, 2025

The Breakfast Club Sits Down With Coco Jones On Maturing Through Music, Lessons From Childhood Stardom, Dating Rumors, New Album. Listen For More!YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BreakfastClubPower1051FMSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Wake that ass up. Early in the morning. The Breakfast Club. Yep, it's the world's most dangerous morning show, The Breakfast Club. Charlamagne the God, Jess Hilarious is here. Envy is not, Lauren LaRosa is filling in, and we got the fabulous Coco Jones here.

What's happening, Coco? What up, Charlamagne? Hey, y'all. Hey, boo. Nice to be having me. Nice to meet you. Coco got a new album. Nice to see you again. Period. It's your debut album.

It's my first album ever, yeah. Why not more? I'm gonna tell you right now, Def Jam don't care about you. Oh, Jesus Christ. And I'm gonna tell you why. I'm gonna tell you why. They sent your album at 7.44 a.m. this morning.

And I said, no, we should cancel the interview because it's not fair to you as an artist and it's not fair to us as hosts. And cause you know, you're sitting here now and then you know, people will be in your face talking to you about everything except for your music and people will wonder why. Why are they always just focused on the mess?

Why are they talking about everything but our music? It's because your label didn't send it until 7 44 this morning. We're doing a show. Who got time to listen to the album? I hear you. So yes, that's the reason why that was the hold-up So I don't know what the label told you but that was the reason I was like, you know what?

Let's cancel the interview. Thanks. Are you still gonna do it? Yeah, we're doing it now But I just like that Lauren did a crash listen to that. Oh, maybe that's why I was rushing for these papers Okay, I am a fan. I do feel like you deserve your moment, but it went down how he said it went down Yeah, I ain't get a chance to listen to it. That's the FYNB left and he was like I ain't listen to it I'm not gonna do it like that. Oh, and he didn't say cancel. He said reschedule We have a schedule. Yeah cancel you he was like we should reschedule it because that's not fair to either It's not you know, I don't think it's ready you at all. I mean I hear what you're saying I definitely feel like I would want y'all to hear it if y'all would want to ask me questions about it

I also know though like there's only I only got the right now, you know I'm going on tour right after I drop this album So I do want to still talk about it and I can still I can share what I know True, you're gonna listen to it when you when you get to listen to it. Okay They I got a But also, I love my labels. They do have my label. I feel I gotta speak for my team. They need to do better by you. I'm not gonna let you just say that.

They missed an album till 7.44 this morning. Okay, well. And this is a radio station. I gotta say, I love my label. They be doing right by me. But she only doing what I would do if somebody talk about one of y'all. I'd be like, what?

Like, don't do that. She did not. That was a God damn lie. I'll do it now. I'll do it now. No, no, no, I will. I will step out for y'all now a god damn life. I'll be on now. I'll be on now. I'll be on now. I'll be on now. Same, same.

Well, we're here. Hi. Hey y'all. How you feeling? I'm feeling good. I'm feeling good. I'm happy to be here. Debut album.

Yeah. But like you've been, I feel like your music has been so big, but this is your technical like first album. Yeah, it is my first album ever. Which is weird though, because I feel like on one side, I feel like deja vu in a way. But on is weird though because I feel like on one side,

I feel like deja vu in a way, but on the other side, I'm like, okay, technically I have never put out an album. So I've been, it's like weird to say that, like an album I've been used to saying EP, which is different, it's different, but similar too. What is the difference? What do you think the difference is between an EP and an actual album?

I think honestly the weight that they hold. I mean an EP is like a feeler, it's a little safer, it's a little like less serious. And then an album is like, you know, it's a chapter. You really respect it as an entire project. And then there's like a way more serious like rollout and there's way more intentions behind it. I feel like with my EP, there were no expectations.

And now with my album, I have so many expectations, me, myself, and then of course, like the world. And that's why the label should send it to people, especially radio stations before they do interviews. Lauren, you say what you say before Coco walked in. You better keep that same energy. No, no, first of all, I said it all in love, so it's gonna be said.

But I'm making sure Jess has the album research that we had because I do want to talk about it because what I feel like happens with you is You have these big moments like I see you and when those things drop It's everything Coco Jones and we as fans feel like you are such a prize to R&B and what you do. You deserve that Consistently, but then when things like today happen like if I didn't push we wouldn't be doing this and you deserve that consistently. But then when things like today happen, like if I didn't push, we wouldn't be doing this and you deserve that moment. It's unfair to you. And I think that that's sometimes why,

as a fan, we feel like your music suffers. We have to search for more than just the clicky stuff. And even in listening to the music, I was happy we got to listen to it, even though I only got the five songs. Because I could even feel in your music, this is different because to me, it's like you're more into yourself.

There's a lot more like sexual conversation. If you're a woman, you're here. And I know that that's what you want people to see you as because you've worked so hard. I don't think sometimes that the way that things appear to us as fans that they're set up, you get that. And I don't think it's fair to you. That's what I said before you came in here.

I could definitely understand that perspective. I feel like also though, like there's just so much out every freaking day. So in general, it's like who has the real formula to put everyone's eyes on that one thing all the time? If so, then everyone would copy that and then that would be a wash. You know what I'm saying? So I'm like, there really is no formula.

I can understand that, but I'm like, I don't even know what to tell people to do. The people that I'm seeing, they're doing what they're supposed to do, because I'm looking at you right there. I'm seeing you doing the things, you know, and I'm doing everything that I'm told to do. So it's like, there's no real formula for that. It's how you look at it. And I love the way that you look at it, because it's a lot that you have to offer. You're an actress, you're an artist. And speaking of how we look at things, taste the visual. What made you step out and be like that? I've never seen you

Like that now you're always sexy always you know what I mean, but you've never Ever popped out like that the visual for taste. Yeah, what made you say? I'm gonna just give them a lot more sexy than I've ever she was giving for yeah She was very much giving baby time is now to tell you the time is now. That's what I'm saying. Never even knew that she could dance like that, honestly. Pink, pink, what was it? Clocky. Clocky, boy.

Oh my God. Clocky. He was in the wrong thing. He was like, clocky. Yeah, clocky. Like, he's so... I'm crying. What ignited that Coco Jones fire?

What was that? Well, first of all, I mean, the song itself is sexy. You know what I'm saying? But I think for me, I want people to already know, like, hey, she does multiple different sides of her. Like, of course, I can do the belting, and I'm in my feelings, and I'm going there, and it's vocals, and it's all of that.

But I don't want to do a whole show of that. That's just not how I authentically feel right now. I mean, I'm in my feelings and I'm going there and it's vocals and it's all of that. But like I don't want to do a whole show of that. You know, that's just not how I authentically feel right now. I mean, I'm 27. I have other sides to me, the way I talk with my girls, the way I talk when I'm mad. Like I want to be able to show those different sides too. So I feel like when do I do that? It would have to be now, you know what I'm saying? To like get people warmed up to different versions of me.

And honestly, when I made Taste, my album was already done. It was supposed to be out in October, and then it just wasn't flowing right, so we pushed it back. And so I kind of had no, I guess, expectations that I put on myself, and I was kind of like, I did my part, so I'm just gonna have fun. And then that led to Taste, which to me,

it was just so fun, and it was freeing, and it was scary, so I just wanted to do it. Why was it scary? So what was it? Def Jam, you had the album since October. Def Jam didn't send it till 7 44 this morning. You know what? Oh my God.

Tell him, child, where is the grace in the room? Where is it? Where is it? Listen, I just want the best for Coco Jones. Thank you. You said that they're doing good things for you. I'm just simply saying why not more? Okay, well you ate that part. That's all I'm saying. You ate that part because that good things for you. I'm just simply saying why not more? Okay, well, you ate that part.

That's all I'm saying. You ate that part because that's the top of the album. But anyway, so a version of it was done in October, but a lot of it changed. A lot of it changed, like me. I mean, taste happened because there was no, you know, there was no expectation. And it was scary because I was gonna get mixed reactions.

I knew that. Like, some people were gonna be like, you're this girl, you're the same girl. Don't dance, don't do that, don't be sexy. You know what I'm saying? And then other people were gonna live for it. So I kinda just had to be okay with that. Because I feel like, what am I supposed to do?

It's my life too, and I'm still a developing artist. These are the things I wanna do and try. And maybe one day I'll look back, I mean I probably will look back at some of the things that I did and be like, but like, give me the time. You know what I mean, it's crazy though. You keep it, I mean not to be like funny,

you keep it tasteful when you do. Absolutely, even taste was tasteful. Yeah, and it was the nod to Britney Spears. Well, actually though, that was, it was cut down and down and down. I really did, I'm gonna say I really did try a lot of things because I wanted to see what they looked like on myself because also like, I don't know how I feel

doing something until I try it. So either I could live with like the regret and the fear of like, I don't know how I feel doing something until I try it. So either I could live with like the regret and the fear of like I don't even want to push it like that or I could try things and luckily I have a team who's like try it. You know they'll help me facilitate figuring out who I am all the way. And so I did do way more than that in that video. It just wasn't saying right. Is that why, so the timeline he talked about, October to when we getting it now,

and that's why things have been changing, and that's why we got the stuff, like it's because everything was changing? No, the songs changed from October. Some of them changed. Some of them changed from October to now the album coming out. But taste the video I was just saying,

like the edits of it, like it got chopped and screwed a lot because I wasn't feeling some of the ways that I looked. I wasn't feeling it for myself. the edits of it, like, it got chopped and screwed a lot. Because I wasn't feeling some of the ways that I looked. I wasn't feeling it for myself. Like, it didn't feel like me, you know? Some of it felt like me trying to do something versus some of it felt like me being me, and I just kept what was like a green light in my spirit, you know?

Is that, now, is Coco in taste, or is that like happy in a relationship, Coco? Or like, oh, I'm getting done right, Coco. You know what I'm saying? Or is that just a side of you that we have not seen that you just, you know what I'm saying? You know, I think it's just I'm grown. And you know, me and my girls, we talk like this.

Like when we're flirty, like when we're sensual, like we grown, you know what I'm saying? Like music is all of the things. It's in love, it's late night, it's anger, it's all of the emotions. So I wanted to, in this album, I wanted to try to show all the different sides of me

and really just learn, like learn for myself, how did that make me feel? How did the video make me feel? How did the responses? Being on tour and seeing what people like and what they don't. Like it all kind of is like lights up in my brain like okay, now I know that. Like I feel like it highlights things and then I'm like oh, that's what I like.

Oh, that's what I should be doing more of. You know what I'm saying? Like. So okay, because first of all when you talk about relationships you're glowing instantly. We had taste. So somebody's leaving a legacy on your lips when they kiss you. Then you got A-E-O-M-G.

And baby. What's A-E stand for? American Eagle. American Eagle. American Eagle. No. For real? Out.

It was just something to say. Yeah, it's just like the sounds when you're feeling good when you're in the midst of all of the things. You got that one. Girl, you got the song where, here we Go, is that the song where you talk about you trying to get over somebody but they won't leave you alone because you like, but you laid up with your new boo.

You've been talking about being happy in these interviews and the people are saying that it's Donovan Mitchell. Is this your bae, is that, what's happening? I'm happy and that's all I gotta say about it. Here it is. I mean, you already know, so y'all know. Okay, so it is. And the music gives happy, so I'm happy for you.

Donovan Mitchell, the basketball player? Yes. No, so it is. And the music gives happy, so I'm happy for you. Don't have to admit to the basketball player? Yes. No, the nigga who sell houses. Yeah. I don't know. I didn't know that. Hey, I'm crying. But no, I talk about as much as I feel like I want to talk

about, because I'm not the type to be giving out all of my details. That's just not my truth. I give as much as I can, and I give my everything when it comes to this music shit, so I'm like, yeah, I'm happy, and yeah, y'all know what it is. Did you write all the songs on the album? I co-wrote a lot of them, I would say 90%.

Okay. But then a couple of them, I didn't write them. Okay, here we go, did you write Here We Go? Okay, when I listen to it, I can feel that you wrote it because of the way that you sing it, versus some of the other songs, not that they're not good, but you can just- That's the one you let me hear with that hard ass beat?

Yes. I heard that. Yeah, that one I was like, this one right here? I know she wrote this one. Yeah. I just, I feel that. When you're writing and you say you don't want to give everything to everybody, but I listen to this project

and I'm like, oh, my girl is in love and it's good. How do you hold back on certain things to not give it all? Cause it's oozing out of you in the music. Thank you. Thank you. Well, I feel like a lot in the music. Thank you, thank you. Well, I feel like a lot of the things I talk about are very relatable. It's not like I'm like, and then we pulled up

and something's like, and it's very specific to me. I try to make songs that are useful, you know what I'm saying? So I'm trying to say things that I feel, but in a general way. And also I love to co-write, because I feel like I don't have the only perspective, and I'm trying to make songs that, you know, have a wider range of perspective.

So I'll be having me and somebody else or a couple people going back and forth to make it feel like this is what we really say, this is how we really talk as people, you know what I'm saying? And then also I feel like other than that, in like interviews, you know, you just pivot. Can I ask you about this line from Here We Go?

Because I'm old, I don't know what this mean. Why it's gotta be your way, I want it to be mine. What you think this is for play must be out your mind. Like I was basically saying, when you're playing with somebody's emotions, when you in and out of their life, do you feel like that's funny or hot? Or are you into that?

Like what's wrong with you? You know what I'm saying? Oh, okay, okay, okay. So, okay, so you, cause you use the word four-place, but you're talking about, I get what you're saying. Like are you thinking you flirting with me when you're playing with my life, when you're playing in my face?

Like are you, do you think I like that? Cause in the song she's like, yo, I'm happy over here. I like where I'm at, but you just, you pop up in my likes, you showing up places, like you think that this is like, this is it, like that, no, leave me alone. But he's not leaving her alone. And those guys be kind of low key having a little hold even though they shouldn't Like the guy so if you're moved on and you're trying to you know

You're right I don't have that because I'm disconnected from anything toxic and I'm moving into my glory and my happiness I know they be in your phone, but you just be blocking the things that aren't gay he won. I was's one. Pivot it. Pivot it. So, that was one. Where are we going with this? Wow. When did it turn into one? Anyway, I got a question.

Thank you, because I read that word. Why, why, why more? Why not more? What did you, did you come up with that title? Okay, so it's one of the songs that is on the album. It's actually featuring YG Marley, and it's really dope. It's like an island vibe. And I really love that title because I felt like

that's what I kept asking myself. Like, why would I hold back, you know? Why wouldn't I do the things that I feel like I really want to do? And I feel like all the answers were rooted in fear, like, oh, they might not like it, or it might not work. And I'm like, I would rather just try things and be able to, like, learn from rather just try things and be able to like learn from them

than not try and wonder what would have happened if, so that kind of led to Why Not More being the album name. But also I feel like it was a little less serious. Like it was being Why Not More or like self titled, Cocoa, whatever, but I'm like, I don't even know if I fully know Cocoa yet myself. So I don't know if that's my truest, truest, truest truth to name my album that. I feel like Why Not More resonated with me more because I fully know Coco yet, myself. So I don't know if that's my truest, truest, truest truth to name my album that.

I feel like Why Not More resonated with me more because I ask myself a lot of questions, I ask my team a lot of questions. I'm very curious and I'm still trying to figure it out. I love that because it feels like you give your all to everything you do. So when you give your all but Def Jam doesn't, how does that make you feel?

Why are you still on that? You know what? What? Why? I'm just asking. I just, I'm just asking. You know what's happening in the store? This is crazy. It is crazy.

Oh my God. I'm like, here's what I really feel. I really feel like it takes a lot of effort and time to make an artist work and for a developing artist. And I feel like I want, what I really want people to do is to look at me with the perspective of like, I'm not trying to do like the trending here today

and I'm gone type thing. I'm trying to make things that are timeless, but that takes time and that takes effort. And I feel like I have a team that does a lot for me and has effort for me. Like I wouldn't be up here saying that if that wasn't my truth, you know what I'm saying? Well, they dropped the ball this morning.

That's all I'm saying. And at a crucial time like this, they dropped the ball this morning. That's all I'm saying. And at a crucial time like this, they shouldn't be doing that. That's all I'm saying. So when would you have prepared to listen to it? A week ago. You were on the schedule a week ago. We should have been at the album.

We should have marinated with the album for a while to really be able to have a conversation. I think albums are different than movies. I don't like to watch movies before I have conversations with people about their movies because you don't want to spoil it, but I think albums are different. Okay, well I got five singles out.

Did you listen to them? I listened to- They been out. You listen to the- The one you let me hear this morning, Taste, and it was another one. What was the one you let me hear this morning? Here I go.

Here we go. Taste. He need to hear that A-E-O-M-G so he know. I hate A-E-O-M-G. American Eagle, is that like core commercial? He would like that with you though. You think so? Yeah. Huh? What? He said American Eagle, oh my God-G, American Eagle, is that like core commercial? You think so? Yeah. What?

He said American Eagle, oh my god. No, I can't believe it. Is that what commercial? I can't believe it. What does that mean for real, though? A-E-O-M-G, so basically, it's just like a freaky song. And it's like legs on the ceiling got me like A-E-O-M-G. Like, it's just something to say, it's just fun.

I know what the O-M-G is, but what is the A-E? It's just like, you know how when you say your vowels, A-E-O-M-G. Like, it's just something to say. It's just fun. I know what the O-M-G is, but what is the A-E? It's just like, you know how when you say your vowels, A-E-I-O-U? It was like that. A-E-O-M-G. Yeah, it's like, oh, like she, it's just, yeah. Damn. Yeah.

We was just having fun writing. I ain't doing it right. I ain't never been nobody screaming no vowels. Uh-uh, look at that thing, R-C-Y. Why did you pull a fan out? I can't do that. I can't with that. But no, I'm really excited.

You can listen to the album. It'll be out on Friday. And I'm curious to hear your thoughts next time I see you. Absolutely. Well, will you finish it? Oh, because I got more stuff that I want to ask you. So even in this moment right now, you're handling this conversation very, very well. Thank you.

Is this because you've done everything from Disney to we've seen you on Fresh Prince of Bel Air, the remake. What is it called on Peacock? Uh, Bel Air. Bel Air. Um, on Bel Air. You've been doing it for a long time. Does that, does this, your bel- Yo K-pop fans, it's your boy Bom Han and I'm bringing you something epic. Introducing the K-Factor.

The podcast that takes you straight into the heart of K-pop. We're talking music reviews, exclusive interviews, and deep dives into the industry like never before. From producers and choreographers to idols and trainees, we're bringing you the real stories behind the music that you love. And yeah, we're keeping it 100, discussing everything from comebacks and concepts

to the mental health side of the business. Because K-pop isn't just a genre. It's a whole world. And we're exploring every corner of it. And here's the best part. Fans get to call in, drop opinions, and even join us live at events. You never know where we might pop up next.

So listen to the K-Factor on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This isn't just a podcast. It's a movement. Are you ready? Let's go The big guests continue on Los Culturistas this week. It's a very funny Amy Poehler Don't overthink it they talk water. We did not drink water growing up water was not a thing parenting You got teen boys. This is like the black diamond of parenting. And of course.

I don't think so, honey. Horror movies. Okay. Amy Poehler is on Las Culture. The latest episode is out now. Listen to Las Culturistas on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you listen to podcasts. Ever wonder what it would be like to be mentored

by today's top business leaders? My podcast, This Is Working, can help with that. Here's some advice from Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JP Morgan Chase on standing out from the leadership crowd. Develop your EQ. A lot of people have plenty of brains, but EQ is do you trust me? Do I communicate well? When you walk in a room, do people feel good you're there? Are you responsive to people? Do people know you have a heart? Develop the team, develop the people, create a system of trust, and it works over time.

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And it's me, Harley Quinn Smith. That's my daughter, man, who my wife has always said is just a beardless, d***less version of me. And that's the name of our podcast, Beardless, D***less Me. I'm the old one. I'm the young one. And every week we try to make each other laugh really hard.

Sounds innocent, doesn't it? A lot of cussing, a lot of bad language. It's for adults only. Or listen to it with your kid. Could be a family show. We're not quite sure, we're still figuring it out. It's a work in progress. Listen to Beardless, it's me on the iHeart radio app,

Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcast. You do this and still say human come from that? Or are you daily like, kind of like prepping yourself up, like hey, these are things that are gonna be asked, I gotta be ready for, like, or you just go in and you're like, yo, I got this? No, I think I do have to remind myself, like when I'm doing press, like, okay,

these are probably things that people are gonna wanna talk about, what do I, like, I wanna be in tune with myself, what I wanna say, you know what I'm saying, so that I'm not like, caught off guard, even though you did kinda catch me off guard, I can't even hoe, but You know what I'm saying? So that I'm not like caught off guard. Even though you did kinda catch me off guard, I can't even ho, but you know, I do have that media training, period.

But other than that, I feel like, I feel like honestly, having the window of time where nobody was really checking for me really brought me to earth. You know? And in a way, not like I was a gas up or anything, but I was just like a kid actor. And like, you don't really have a personality, you know what I'm saying?

You're just doing what you gotta do and you love it and that's happy and that's fun, but I didn't live at all. Like, I didn't experience much. I was not like, wilding out. I didn't, hello, wilding out. I didn't do anything really, because I wanted to work. So I just wanted to be right for the job. So I think that brought me to a reality

and like a kind of normalcy that I feel like I'm even now I'm like, hey, I'm really not like normal. Like I feel like I am but you know, I can't just go and move the way I want to move because life is different. But I feel like I'm like I'm never gonna be able to change because that window of time like was so real to me of like absolutely nothing going on that I feel like it'll never like, nothing will really gas my head up or nothing will really take me down ever again. What did it stuck with you?

You were a child star so from, what did you learn as a child star that stays with you now? That this is business sometimes and it's not personal and I can't let it correlate with my self worth, you know? Some of it is like so out of my control that it's like... and it's gone. It's really not me. It's really not me. And as long as I feel like I'm giving my all to the things that are in my control, I'm happy. And there's so much that I can't make this album do any of the things that I want it to do. I can't make anything be the way that I want it to be, but

I can't make anything be the way that I want it to be, but what I create that I can control. So that to me, I feel like has become the only thing that I correlate with like, did I do a good job or not? Like, is it something that I could control? And did I do my all there? Then I'm happy with that. That's your serenity prayer. That's a serenity prayer.

You know what that is, right? Serenity prayer? Yeah. God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. But once you put that album out into the ecosystem, it's out of your control. Whatever it sells, whatever radio does with it,

like you did the best you could already in the studio. Yeah, for sure, for sure. I love how you defend your team, I love how you speak up for your team, and I love the fact that your mom has been by your side through all this. Is she your manager? No, my mom's not my manager. She was for the time when there was nobody, but. Yeah.

I feel like now my mom is more like my wife's counsel. Love that. Yeah, she was definitely the wife. Make sure to tell her, make sure to tell Def Jam. Make sure to tell your mom about Def Jam. She's gonna watch this. She's gonna watch it, she's probably gonna be in your DM. Definitely.

She's gonna say thank you. Okay, a homey Def Jam account. I just handed Coco her first album ever. Well, that wasn't really the first, it was like fake first album. It was like the first mix tape or something. First body of work. Cause Jess brought up your mom,

and I know your mom used to help you do and package all those things, right? Yeah, she actually, she said she bought a lot of those little packaging stickers and put them all there like squares, and put it in the thing, and then it came out, printed like that, I don't know how she did that. Office Max. It's really giving it.

Yeah, I used to go to Office Max and get those stickers, and you used to put them on there, that's how you started mix tapes and everything. Dang, I don't know how she figured out how to do that, but yeah, my mom was definitely, like you gotta have somebody who's willing to take you to those places, to wait on them sets for you,

and like to, you know, a job that you're auditioning for, you might not hear back whether or not you got that for months. And you might have to do so much in the meantime to like prove your worth, you know? So somebody, especially if you're a kid, somebody's gotta be willing to do that with you. And I think my whole family, honestly,

has invested in this because me and my mom would be gone, so that means my mom was gone from her kids, my mom was gone from her husband. We all like, we knew what it was that we were like working towards. And so my win is like, is everybody's win because we all put something in. What were your earliest memories

of wanting to be who you are now? Was that your dream or did somebody instill that dream in you? It was definitely me. Even when I look at little kid videos of me, I would be not even fully forming sentences, but I would be singing though. And they'd be like, sing.

And I'd be like, yes, I would love to sing. So it was always me. I didn't think that it could be a tangible job though. I knew sports was a real job, because my dad played in the NFL, so I was like, okay, this is a real job. This can actually be something you do. But I didn't know music could be something you really do.

I saw it on TV and I thought, you know, those people are doing that. But it wasn't until my mom introduced me to the opportunities that I was like, you can try to do this yourself. It's something I could do. And then I was hooked. There was no stopping me.

But then you also had options because you got into acting as well. Yeah, yeah. So which bug do you options because you got into acting as well. Yeah, yeah. So which bug do you think, you know, I guess infected you the most? Music. Definitely music.

Yeah, I respect acting because it's definitely outside of my comfort zone and it's stories that are like outside of me. And you do it well. Thank you, thank you. But I think music is like, it's just like home to me. It just feels safe. So that was your first love of an act then?

Yeah, absolutely. Are you looking forward to more film though? Oh yes, I literally went to South Africa this year to do a film and I really think it's gonna be dope. I really, ideally I would love to be able to do both every year. I think that's really cool when artists can do that. So I wanna try to keep that up.

Cool, do you have a favorite song on this album? On Why Not More? My favorite song, I mean it to keep that up. Oh, do you have a favorite song on this album, or why not more? My favorite song, I mean, it changes all the time, but I would say right now, it's probably By Myself. It's called By Myself. It's basically saying I wanna be comfortable by myself. I think I love that one because, you know, it reminds me what's really important. I gotta one because, you know, like it reminds me like what's really important.

Like I gotta know myself, you know? Whatever's happening around me is gonna, I can't let it influence me or affect me. I gotta know myself. And also I wanna be really in tune with myself. I don't wanna lose my voice. Of knowing who I am, knowing what I want out of all of this, knowing what's important to me.

And also if this all went away, it would be me by myself. So am I cool with that? I always wanna check myself, be like, you cool with that? Have you always felt comfortable by yourself? No, no. I definitely feel like, if anything, I felt like something was wrong

if I didn't have people around me, maybe like, you're not doing what you need to be doing, you're not booked, all the things, no. But I think also by myself, to me, it doesn't mean alone. It means like intentionally sitting with yourself. Like, are you coding back? Like, learning yourself and taking that quiet time. I feel like that's when I get a lot of ideas.

I feel like that's when I can like feel things and like unpack things. Like, what the heck was that? Actually, I really didn't like the way he was saying that. You know what I'm saying? Not nothing like that. I'm just saying like, you really like can think about things that are going on.

There's so much sound, there's so much going on, there's so much fast pace that being by yourself I feel like is like crucial for self growth, you know? Did you see that viral video of you, and the reason why I asked that you see it, because a lot of people don't be seeing stuff of themselves. Like just because it hits blogs don't mean you see it, but this is why I was so shocked when I saw it taste,

because it was a video a couple weeks ago that I saw that went viral, and it was you rehearsing, but she was looking like, I ain't doing all that. So, but, cause they was like gyrating on each other. I guess your choreographer or whoever was displaying what they wanted you to do, and you was looking at it like, uh-uh, your face was like, I'm not, I'm not doing it.

No, I was so scared. OK, so he was throwing her up in the air. Yes. And I'm tall, but I don't like heights that I can't, that ain't my choice, you know? So that's why I was looking scared as hell. But I was proud of myself. I told the choreographer at Lee, I said, do what you would do,

not what you think I can do. And let me see what happens after that. I got you. If it's too hard, I'm going to tell you, girlie. And let me see what happens after that. If it's too hard, I'ma tell you girl, and some of it was just too hard, but I was proud of myself for trying it. I was literally in a hoop. I had an aerialist come and teach me how to be in a hoop

for one part of the video. I really was proud of myself. I went outside my comfort zone and I was living for it. You talked about earlier the moment you said when people weren't checking for you, it was like in between your Disney and your next song and stuff of that nature. And I watched the interview where you were saying that

you were like almost embarrassed to go out and get a job at certain points and things of that nature. How do you, because people were virally saying things about where you been and stuff. How do you deal with those moments when you're viral, but it's like for stuff that you don't care to be viral for? Now that you know yourself a bit, but you're still figuring yourself out.

Um, I'm like, the internet isn't real. I'm like, what is this place? It's not even like for real. What's real is the people that I tend to be talk to who know me, you know? So I'm like, this is so not real. So if something is going viral, I mean, I might get a little summer drop like, yeet.

Cause I'm like used to people talking about my music only. And so anything else is like, it's still new to me that people care about what I got going on personally. I'm like, y'all care about that? Okay. How can we talk about your music if we don't get the album until 7 44? That's not your fault though,

just talking about Def Jam. Continue. Anyway, I really don't take it seriously because I feel like people's attention span is so short. It'll be important today, gone tomorrow. Yeah, if you don't talk about it. That's why I had to ask you, did you see the video I'm talking about?

Because I know a lot of people have been so far removed from social media and the internet. It's not a real place. It's a whole bunch of people who just say shit and just because they feel like they can have a voice now. It's like, all right, cool. So that's why you're going there. And I also feel like even when people are talking, I'm like,

they still talking, I'm like, go stream that record. If you're upset about something, go stream it. The algorithm doesn't know the difference. I know, that's right. I'm not mad, I'm not blocking nobody. If you wanna talk, keep it on. I need them to know that you're active on this page. Go ahead.

What are the plans for the album release this weekend? I have a party. In Miami on Saturday? In LA on Saturday. Oh. That's dope. And I'm doing a performance tonight I have a party in Miami on Saturday in LA on Saturday And I'm doing a performance tonight that is is like an exclusive thing with Motorola, but I'm really excited. I'm going on tour. So I've been prepping for that I'm doing interviews during the day and I've been doing my rehearsals at night and I'm excited to put the show together and

Perform it everywhere. I'm going to Europe to to do some shows. Yes. I'm really excited for it. I'm excited too. You probably can't wait to write a song about this, him getting on your nerves all day today. Oh yeah, please. I'm not going to write a song about it. I am here for Coco. Coco was born in South Carolina.

She was raised in Tennessee, but she got that South Carolina. So I just want her to always be getting done right at all times. No, people do sting you though. That's it. You feel that? You feel people sting you? I know when they're- Sting? Oh yeah.

Sting you. Sting you, girl. What? Yes, yes. I thought you said sting. No, sting you.? Yes, yes. I thought you said, stan. No, stan you. Like when something happens, because I don't think it's the Disney stuff, because sometimes they do that with certain child actors and child stars.

But I think it's just because we feel that you really care about your work. Yeah. So when anything else happens, like when the SZA, the Shannon Sharp question about SZA's DBL and then SZA commented, the world was, it was a stan thing. It was like, this was not for Coco. And then SZA came out and said, now, why would that be a Coco Jones question? I love SZA commented, the world was, it was a stand thing, it was like, this was not for Coco. And then SZA came out and said, now why would that be a Coco Jones question?

I love SZA, I was like, I was really caught off guard by that, but no, I do feel the energy, and people tell me all the time, when I see them, they're like, we're so proud of you, like we're rooting for you, I'm like, thank you. I'm like, thank you, I don't really know how to feel because for such a long time, I was like, you in your brain are like,

ain't nobody, nobody cares. Nobody cares. And then to see, trust me, it was giving desert island. It's because you had highs and lows. That's what I was talking about earlier. Cause when you, when you, when the low hit, you were out the way, you weren't doing much anything. And then you had to come on the internet.

God damn, Lauren. No, she's talked about this publicly. I literally have said that. Yeah, she had to go online and talk about it. I did a whole video about this, yes. Okay. There are people who know. No, because she do that to people.

I ain't gonna tell you what she said to Johnathan Majors. That was crazy. It was not shade. That was really viralized. No, it's because I'm locked into your journey and I appreciated your journey because you talked about, yo, this is what's really happening right now, even though I don't wanna tell y'all.

And that's why I think we like lock in with you because we can identify the ups and downs in it real. And you gotta fight to come back. And when you come back, it's always good music. Facts, and I do appreciate that. I really, really do. I do feel the love and I wanna like give something good in return for the people who care, you know,

and support me. I wanna give something good. So I'm glad that like y'all know that I really, really care about my stuff for real. I'm trying to make stuff that last. But yeah, I love what I do and I would do it all again, even though it was so uncomfortable at that point for this payoff and for also to inspire the next girl,

like take it easy on yourself, have some grace. It don't mean it's you. Sometimes they just don't know, you know? What point did you get to that point where you was like, yo bro, I'm doing everything I can do. Mm I feel like that's always kind of where I was at I couldn't stop doing like what I loved because it was still so important to me

But I think when I told what I did that video about everything that happened. I was like This might be the last thing I ever do I'm gonna just keep it real. I don't know what's gonna come after this, but yeah, I feel like that was always my truth. I'm giving it everything I got, so I can live with that. And with that. That's just life. In life, if you really believe in God,

you gotta respect the process. Real. Period. Real. I don't even believe in so-called good or bad. I just believe everything is part of one long process. Yeah. Whatever I'm going through, this is what God want me to go through.

I completely agree with that. And I think there's a certain amount of faith too, that like, if you know it's on the way, how would you move? That's right. And so sometimes I would post that cover, ooh, delete the app, because I knew the engagement was so low. But if it was on the way, how would I move?

I would still do this. I would still put my voice out there. I would still write songs. I would still do videos. I would still do it. I would still go to auditions if I knew it was on the way. Me and my best friend would talk about this all the time, because we was both going through it at the same time.

We actually met on set, me and my best friend. We met on a Disney Channel show when we were like 14. Who's your best friend? Jaylen. Her name is Jaylen Brand. She's an amazing actress. You check her out, period. She's on a lot of shows, and she does her big one. Oh, I know that's probably best friend.

I would never do my best friend like that, because she a clown. But, um... Your best friend. I would never do my best friend like that, because she a clown. But, um, so, I don't know. Your best friend that I met? No, no, no, no, Joey Sheila. Yeah, that's the gay one. She get on my nerves. Yeah, that's true. No, I'm crying.

It's all right. I'm crying. Are we getting a season four of Bellaire, or you can't talk about it? I can talk about it. We're doing the season four. Actually, while I'm on tour, I'll be filming some of it. I'm gonna come back to do my episodes, but it'll be the fourth and final season. But I think it's good that we know

it'll be the final season so we can do everything with the intention of like, okay, let's put a bow on it. And I'm really excited. I think we've done something great that we, you know, it's a blessing to keep people's attention for more than a one season, more than one episode. So I'm proud of what we've done and I hope it inspires more black TV shows

that represent us and show networks like, this is profitable, so keep it up. I'm happy for us. Are you happy? Yeah. Okay, that's all that matters. I am happy. Okay.

He just, he gotta make sure one last time. No, I'm happy, okay. First of, he gotta make sure one last time. No, I'm happy. I am happy, okay. That's all I'm saying. First of all, I know you have good intentions, so I'm not even upset at all at anything you've asked me on. You've seen a lot, you know a lot, and I appreciate you speaking up and saying these things.

I'm not mad at all. But I'm very happy. I am. Good. In personal, in business, it'll all be what it needs to be. That's what I've learned. I was doing all that stressing for years trying to figure out how it was gonna happen.

Waste of time. It happened in a way I could have never even planned. So I have learned and I told God, I was like, I'm never gonna do you like that again. I'm so sorry. Cause I was like, are you serious? I've been talking to him like my friend. I'm like, what was that?

Cause you know me and I don't do nothing crazy. So what's going on? But yeah, everything happens the way it needs to. So to me, I'm like, it's above me, quite literally. That evil man that you used to date, that was trying to, remember the guy you talked about in the video that was financing the videos and then stopped? Oh, yeah.

Him, remember? Has he ever tried to reach back out to you like, oh my God, I'm so sorry, I was wrong. Like, since you talked about it. I mean, not on some apology stuff, but remember. Mm-hmm. Yeah, has he ever tried to reach back out to you like oh my god I'm so sorry. I was I was wrong like since you talked about I mean, I don't not on some apology stuff But okay, really he'd be even my mama and didn't even apologize This man tried to ruin my girl God don't like ugly cuz look at you now that taste video is cinema And he's mad already emailed a mother right after that video He was helping her and the time when she was building

everything back up and he was financing the videos and then he got upset because men are just men and wasn't gonna help her no more and tried to ruin her because of that. It was basically, it was like a toxic little relationship where like I do this for you, you do this for me, if you don't do that, then I don't do that. It was like public, very much, yeah, very much.

But I mean at the time I was like 20. I didn't know what was going on at all in life, you know? So, but yeah, I think that was a really important lesson because I was like, I'll never let somebody have that much power over me again. It's just too much power to give the one person. But you know, I'm literally like, imagine me going from like literally homeschool,

doing Disney stuff to like actually living at all. Like it was like, imagine me going from like, literally homeschool, doing Disney stuff, to like actually living at all. Like it was like, whoa! I was so, I'm so grateful. I'm so grateful that nobody was watching me. Cause I was out. But though it takes things like that for you to get to places like this though, because I was about to ask you like, do you regret that?

But it's like, you can't, because that was a step in the journey, you know, for you to get where you at now or get where you are now so yeah I mean is your mother emailing back? What's the subject line to do? We have to laugh because we're like sir please love yourself. But no I'm not mad at all actually that led to me meeting my therapist who I love. I love I love I love so I'm like everything everything works out.

Love that. Having a great therapist is important. Yes. Coco Jones, Why Now More is available everywhere you get your music now. Do you want people to buy it, scream it? I don't even know how to scream it. I want people to buy it.

I'm sorry, but if you go to, you need to buy that. Cause look, the album equivalent units, you know what I'm saying? You know what I'm saying? Oh yeah, buy that album. Just buy it. I love a stream, go ahead and stream if you're gonna stream, but if you wanna do anything, buy it.

Buy the album, y'all. All right, much continued success, Coco. Thank you, I appreciate y'all. And get the tickets for that tour. My baby's about to go on tour. May 6th, thank you. Period. Thank y'all for having me.

You wanna go to the website? You can go on therealcocojones.com and get my ticket. All right, it's Coco Jones, it's The Breakfast Club. Wake that ass up. Early in the morning. The Breakfast Club. to see his K-pop stories. Plus, you're the fans, you're part of the show. And you can get a chance to jump in, share your opinions, and be part of the conversation like never before. And trust me, you never know where we might pop up next.

So listen to the K-Factor starting on April 16 on iHeartRadio Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. This isn't just a podcast, it's a K-pop experience. Are you in? Let's go. The Big Guests continue on Los Culturistas. This week, it's the very funny Amy Poehler. Are you in? Let's go. I don't think so, honey. Horror movies. Okay. Okay? Amy Poehler is on Las Culture. The latest episode is out now.

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