Darlene Jenise "McCoy" Johnson-Jackson (born October 31, 1971; née, Johnson), is an American gospel singer, songwriter, author, radio personality, and Christian R&B recording artist. She started her music career, in 2005, with the release of Fallen in Love single by EMI Gospel. She would release a precursor extended play, in 2007's Fallen in Love, again with EMI Gospel. This will lead into the release of Darlene McCoy later on that year. This album was her breakthrough release on the Billboard magazine charts, which it placed on the Gospel Albums chart. She is the First African American Female to host a nightly syndicated radio show, as she is the host of Nightly Spirit under Reach Media Inc.
Darlene "McCoy" Johnson | |
|---|---|
 Darlene mcCoy | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Darlene Jenise Johnson |
| Born | October 31, 1971 Greenville, South Carolina |
| Origin | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Genres | gospel, Christian R&B, contemporary R&B, traditional black gospel, urban contemporary gospel |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | vocals, singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | EMI Gospel |
| Website | iamdarlene |
Early life
editDarlene was born on October 31,[1] 1971,[2] as Darlene Jenise Johnson,[3] in Greenville, South Carolina,[4][5] the daughter of William R. Johnson and Sadie Sherman Johnson.[5][6] They raised her in the church from the time she was born,[4] along with her retired military Air Force brother, Reverend Curtis L. Johnson.[6]
Music career
editEMI Gospel signed her to a music contract in 2004.[4] Her solo music career started in 2005, with the release of the single "Fallen in Love", and this released on September 13, 2005, by EMI Gospel.[7] This eventually lead to an extended play being released, Fallen in Love, on April 24, 2007 by EMI Gospel, and this was the precursor to her first studio album.[8] This song was included on the soundtrack of Tyler Perry's Diary of a Mad Black Woman. Darlene released, Darlene McCoy, on May 8, 2007 with label EMI Gospel.[9][10] This album would be her Billboard magazine breakthrough release on the Gospel Albums chart at No. 22.[11] The album got nominated at the 39th GMA Dove Awards for the Urban Album of the Year, while the song, "Simply Because", was nominated for Urban Recorded Song of the Year. Tony Cummings, indicating in a nine out of ten review by Cross Rhythms, realizes, "All in all, outstanding urban gospel."[12] In 2011, she released a single, "I Shall Live And Not Die"on May 17, 2011,[13] and this charted on the Hot Gospel Songs chart put out by Billboard at No. 21.[11]
Personal life
editDarlene McCoy has 3 Children: Ambria Boyd, Chandler "Champp" McCoy and Dylan McCoy. She also has one grandson Jax Nasir Scott, and one granddaughter. Darlene is also the first cousin, twice removed of minister/activist Benjamin Mays and comedian/actress Moms Mabley.
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | In Sickness and in Health | Eve | TV movie |
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions[11] |
|---|---|---|
| US Gos | ||
| Darlene McCoy |
|
22 |
References
edit- ^ Walker, Candace (October 30, 2011). "Darlene McCoy to Host Birthday Bash!". Bella Online. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
- ^ Intelius. "Darlene Mccoy in Lawrenceville, GA". Intelius. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
- ^ "Songwriter/Composer: MCCOY DARLENE JENISE". Broadcast Music, Inc. Archived from the original on April 24, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
- ^ a b c Martin, Susanne (June 14, 2007). "Darlene McCoy: Described as "an urban inspirational version of Mary J Blige"". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
- ^ a b Love Whittington, Lisa (February 25, 2005). "Sing Darlene, Sing" (PDF). The New Birth Voice. pp. 12–13. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
- ^ a b Staff. "Biography of Pastor Curtis L. Johnson, M. Div". Valley Brook Outreach Baptist Church. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
- ^ Darlene McCoy (September 13, 2005). "Fallen in Love: Darlene McCoy". EMI Gospel. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
- ^ "Fallen in Love (EP): Darlene McCoy". EMI Gospel. April 24, 2007. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
- ^ AllMusic. "Darlene McCoy: Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
{{cite web}}:|author=has generic name (help) - ^ AllMusic (May 8, 2007). "Darlene McCoy – Darlene McCoy". AllMusic. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
{{cite web}}:|author=has generic name (help) - ^ a b c Billboard. "Darlene McCoy: Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
- ^ Cummings, Tony (June 20, 2007). "Review: Darlene McCoy – Darlene McCoy". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
- ^ Darlene McCoy (May 17, 2011). "I Shall Live And Not Die: Darlene McCoy". Rkd Music Management. Retrieved March 26, 2015.