Imani Coppola

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Imani Coppola (born April 4, 1978) is a singer/songwriter/musician probably best known for her 1997 hit "Legend of a Cowgirl" which sampled the instrumentals from Sunshine Superman by Donovan.

While just a sophomore at the State University of New York (studying orchestra and later studio composition), Imani Coppola gained a record contract for her surrealistic, sample-laden pop/rockvision of hip-hop, linked to Digable Planets as well as Neneh Cherry. While growing up, her entire family was musical, and Coppola began playing violin at the age of six. She began writing songs and practiced her vocals. Her debut album, Chupacabra, released in 1997, featured the MTV hit "Legend of a Cowgirl."

In 2000, she teamed with the Baha Men for the European and Australian Top 10 hit You All Dat.

In 2000, she recorded her second album for Columbia/Sony entitled "Come And Get Me...What?!" This was quite a different album than Chupacabra, with less samples and more live instruments. Imani writes: "This album is the older sister of "Chupacabra." After touring the world with Chupacabra and playing night after night with a band, I wanted to create an album with live instruments and dynamics....get off the loop...and into the song....it's a nice balance of live drums and beats, infectious melodies and lyircs with quirky themes. It's a journey..."

Columbia, wanting more of "Legend of a Cowgirl," never released the album. Without a major label behind her, Imani started recording music at home.

In 2001, Imani released "Little Red Fighting Mood" through independent distribution.

In 2001 - 2002 She toured with Sandra Bernhard singing back ups and playing violin

In 2002, Imani released "Post Traumatic Pop Syndrome" through independent distribution.

In 2004, she released "Afrodite" on an indie label.

In 2005 Imani launched her own website; http://www.imanicoppola.net and also opened an online music store. She released "Small Thunder" and "The Vocal Stylings Of Imani Coppola," and three new singles, from her website.

In 2005 Imani wrote and performed the bone chilling song entitled "Freedom Come" for the very successful independent film "On the Outs"

In 2005 Imani co-wrote Maia Sharp's single "Fine Upstanding Citizen"

In 2006 Imani contributed two of her own songs "WoodStock", "Fake is the New Real" and arranged all of the strings for artist Alice Smith's Debut Album "For Lovers Dreamers and Me" She can also be heard singing back ups and playing strings on several songs.

On May 26, 2006 she performed with Peeping Tom on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. The other musicians involved in the performance were Rahzel, Dan The Automator, Rob Swift, Dub Trio, and Mike Patton. She is currently touring with Peeping Tom, providing both vocals and violin. During this tour, Imani has performed the song "Woke Up Hwite" from her album "The Black & White Album". Imani Coppola third album The Black & White Album was released on January 14, 2007.