Today we’d like to introduce you to Latoya Cooper “The Songstress”.
To walk in purpose often takes an insurmountable level of courage and boldness. Latoya Cooper’s journey is a sheer manifestation of such audacity. While her path may be far from linear, each step along the way has helped guide her on her trajectory to becoming one of Dallas, Texas’s brightest rising stars in eclectic soul music.
Born and raised in Oklahoma City, Latoya received formal music training as the only singer, songwriter, and guitarist in her family. She found early inspiration from pioneers such as Nancy Wilson and Anita Baker, as well as contemporary luminaries like Mary J. Blige, who all helped shape Latoya’s identity as a recording artist today.
But in the scarce music scene of her hometown, stardom seemed farfetched. Like most local natives, Latoya was often left to her own devices and forced to find an alternative route into the spotlight. One of those outlets was the local pageant circuit, in which she began frequently participating at the age of ten.
This lead Latoya to many other notable opportunities, one of which included competing at Miss Oklahoma and winning top talent. She eventually joined a local band, opening for reggae superstars such as Jimmy Cliff and The Wailers at the Austin Reggae Fest.
But growing into herself as an artist and finding her own voice took some time. “As an artist, it’s hard to find who you are,” she admits. Often finding herself performing covers in her solo shows, Latoya’s vocal coach encouraged her to embark on her journey of discovering her identity in music and embracing it.
But as the pressure grew from her parents to go to college to earn her degree, Latoya eventually stopped singing at the age of 19 to enroll at the University of Oklahoma. Two weeks after graduation, Latoya packed and moved to Dallas, Texas, where she found her first corporate job. Latoya eventually went on to earn three consecutive degrees, including her MBA.
Latoya admits “there was an advantage to getting an MBA”, because it allowed her to understand the business aspect of her true passion, MUSIC! After a long, successful college career and a budding professional career, Latoya still couldn’t resist her persistent itch for music. She slowly became active in the local Dallas scene, performing acoustic sets at local venues. As she progressed, Latoya eventually reconnected with her original bandmates to build her live show.
In the interim, Latoya was landing voice-over gigs, and other artists hired her to perform background vocals and sing hooks on their tracks. This opened the door to Latoya for recording her debut solo project, the Eclectic Soul EP, released in 2015. By this time, it was safe to say that this was the turning point where Latoya’s long hiatus from music officially ended.
From then on, she performed for sold-out crowds, and songs from her EP even went on to gain traction on local radio airwaves. “God told me that your job is to sing for people who want to be fed in a different way… I sing because I love to see people happy.” True to her divinely-ordained mission, Latoya exudes pure love and compassion through her music with poignant and empowering lyrics, emboldened by Latin, jazz, pop, and neo-soul influences.
Her EP “ Hear Me Roar” was released in 2017 to a warm reception followed by the Essence.com premiere of her hit single “Love Affair,” with new music on the horizon, 2019 will see an even greater evolution of Latoya, as she pushes onward down the path of her destiny.
“Music is powerful, [and it’s] important for me to create something that soothes the soul and empowers the spirit…. My music reflects my determination to live with true purpose and without regrets.” Latoya believes that by realizing her own musical dreams, she will inspire her audiences to reach and fulfill God’s Vision for their own purpose-filled life.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road at all.
After winning top talent at Miss Oklahoma at the age of 19. I was persuaded by people to play safely in life, to put singing to the side and pursue the American dream of an 8 to 5 job. I was told at a young age the American dream will make me happy, well it didn’t. I had everything a great day job, beautiful loft apartment, money and world travel and I was very unhappy.
I struggled with depression for ten years before reconnecting to the Lord through my purpose of singing and songwriting. Once I found the power of song again, I started to experience full happiness and the passion to help others to use their musical gift for a greater good.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I am Latoya Cooper “The Songstress.” I am an international recording artist and the Creator, and Founder of “MusicMeetsTheBoardroom.com” workshops and consulting. You can also find me live each week on “The Latoya Cooper Show” @ Strictly DFW TV on Facebook.
As an artist I tour the country performing, I believe by realizing my own musical dreams. Hopefully, I will inspire my audiences to reach and fulfill God’s Vision for their own purpose-filled life.
As the creator and founder of “MusicMeetsTheBoardroom.com” I am focused on helping Ambitious Artists find purpose, self-empowerment, and strategy to execute God’s plan for their gift. I educate artists through workshops designed to empower the Indie Artist by building strong business and budget savvy practices.
On Saturday morning’s I host “The Latoya Cooper” Show @Strictly DFW TV (On Facebook) at 10:00 AM CST. The visual podcast show features Dallas-Fort Worth celebrities and ambitious touring artists who visit DFW from all over the world. The show continues to grow in popularity each week as new viewers discover my direct approach to asking guests questions indie artists want to know. The subjects of my show is focused around Music industry-related topics, very much in line with Music Meets The Boardroom’s mission.
I am very passionate about creating a platform for ambitious artists to learn from each other and learn from successful creatives in the music industry who have walked the journey many are seeking. “It is hard being an artist if I can create a platform for artists to glean from others successes, failures and hopeful give them a step up in their journey. Then I have done my job!
Where do you see your industry going over the next 5-10 years? Any big shifts, changes, trends, etc?
In 5 to 10 years, I see the music industry forcing singers-songwriters to be more than just singers-songwriters. Artists will have to create a full brand that can be used for many products, services, and industries.
Artists will have to become businessmen and women and learn more about their industry, because record labels will continue to lose ground within the music industry due to the internet.
I am blessed, I have been contacted for my skill-set outside of singing and songwriting. As artists, we have to be open, because you never know where an opportunity can take you.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://latoyasongstre
sscooper.com/ - Phone: 817.476.0412
- Email: Management@LatoyaSongst
ressCooper.com - Instagram: @latoya_cooper_the_
songstress - Facebook: https://www.facebook
.com/LatoyaCooperTheSongstress / - Other: https://www.musicmeetst
heboardroom.com/services/consu ltation
Image Credit:
Chris Alvarado Photography
Oh Jee Nam with RHOMBI SURVIVOR Photography
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