Darlene McCoy

Darlene McCoy
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
Instruments vocals, singer-songwriter
Years active 2005–present
Labels EMI Gospel
Website iamdarlene.com

Darlene Jenise McCoy (born October 31, 1971; née, Johnson), is an American gospel musician 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 breathrough release on the Billboard magazine charts, which it placed on the Gospel Albums chart.

Early life

McCoy 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] She did not fully commit to following Jesus Christ, until she was 15 years-old.[4]

Music career

EMI 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] She 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", with Rkd Music Management on May 17, 2011,[13] and this charted on the Hot Gospel Songs chart put out by Billboard at No. 21.[11]

Personal life

McCoy married her husband, Robert McCoy, at the age of 22 years in 1993, and they resided in Greenville, South Carolina, until their departure for Atlanta, Georgia in 1997, so she could pursue her music career.[4] They joined, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, and the pastor at the church is Bishop Eddie L. Long. The couple have two children together.[4][5]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions[11]
US
Gos
Darlene McCoy 22

References

  1. ↑ Walker, Candace (October 30, 2011). "Darlene McCoy to Host Birthday Bash!". Bella Online. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  2. ↑ Intelius. "Darlene Mccoy in Lawrenceville, GA". Intelius. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Songwriter/Composer: MCCOY DARLENE JENISE". Broadcast Music, Inc. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Martin, Susanne (June 14, 2007). "Darlene McCoy: Described as "an urban inspirational version of Mary J Blige"". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Love Whittington, Lisa (February 25, 2005). "Sing Darlene, Sing" (PDF). The New Birth Voice. pp. 12–13. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Staff. "Biography of Pastor Curtis L. Johnson, M. Div.". Valley Brook Outreach Baptist Church. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  7. ↑ Darlene McCoy (September 13, 2005). "Fallen in Love: Darlene McCoy". EMI Gospel. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Fallen in Love (EP): Darlene McCoy". EMI Gospel. April 24, 2007. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  9. ↑ AllMusic. "Darlene McCoy: Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  10. ↑ AllMusic (May 8, 2007). "Darlene McCoy - Darlene McCoy". AllMusic. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Billboard. "Darlene McCoy: Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  12. ↑ Cummings, Tony (June 20, 2007). "Review: Darlene McCoy – Darlene McCoy". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  13. ↑ Darlene McCoy (May 17, 2011). "I Shall Live And Not Die: Darlene McCoy". Rkd Music Management. Retrieved March 26, 2015.

External links