COCO JONES

You may have seen Coco Jones on the big screen - she's been acting in films and TV since she was a pre-teen, and if you haven't, you will soon, as she's the new Hilary Banks in Bel-Air, Peacock's Fresh Prince reboot. You may also have seen her on the small screen, with nearly 2 million TikTok followers dedicated to improving the representation of proud and talented black women. But in 2023, you should also plan to listen to her, because this multi-faceted woman is finally launching her music career with a brand of R&B that's as soulful as it is relatable, as honest as it is marked by powerful storytelling. And though she's young, she's been around a long time.

Raised in Nashville, TN, by a mother who was also a singer and a father who played in the NFL, Jones learned early on to be ambitious. "My dad woke up and lived his dream his whole life," she says. "That's kind of the education our parents wanted to give us: whatever you're passionate about, as long as you work at it, we'll support you. We'll help you cultivate that passion".

For Jones, it's not so much the success that counts as the connection. Ultimately, she wants to use her voice as an instrument of large-scale change, a tool for personal development and a method of bringing her fans closer to her and, in turn, inspiring them to evolve.

"I learned that the more I opened up to my fans, the more I found that I was listened to and supported," says Jones. "I want to bring transparency to my music so it's understandable. You can find yourself in this song. My journey and yours are the same. You understand me, I understand you."

To be discovered on stage at Le Bataclan on 5 December!