Ludacris protégé, 22-year-old Shareefa Cooper, has gone from a life of crime to a life of rhyme, stepping into the DTP set. Lloyd sat down with the soulstress to find out about her new found success.
When production Adonis Ludacris says, “Music is all about emotion, and I can hear every emotion when Shareefa sings. It strikes a nerve in my system,” you know the complimented artist must have a special something about them.
Shareefa Cooper, 22, is the newest artist to step under the Disturbing The Peace umbrella, and is the first female songstress to join the crew’s ranks.
A mere fledgling by any terms with the dotted line signed in 2005, the sassy and raw soulstress took a huge step forward, reflected in the title of her debut album, ‘Point
Of No Return’. The album name also acts as a cut off point, putting the past behind her to focus on her future.
Shareefa was born in East Orange, New Jersey, but at the age of 14 she relocated to Charlotte, NJ, with her mother, and subsequently joined a local car-theft ring. The fast times soon slowed down when she got busted for auto theft; leaving her to see out a four month jail term. The experience forced Shareefa to ditch her criminal past to focus on her musical ambitions. Soon after, she was introduced to new jack swing innovator Teddy Riley, who worked with Shareefa as a soloist, teaching his protégé much about the craft of songwriting.
When Shareefa parted ways with Teddy it was not long before her big break came, stepping into the DTP fold alongside Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, Bobby Valentino, Field Mob, Playaz Circle, Fate, I-20, DJ JayCee, Shawnna, Lazyeye, and Norfclk.
Now, with her debut album launched, Shareefa is ready to showcase her vocal and writing skills to all that care to listen.
Shareefa sat down and chatted to us about joining the DTP brigade, how she became a crew member and what fans can expect from her highly anticipated debut offering…
How did you first get into hip hop and R&38;B?
I got into it when I was a young girl. I used to watch ‘The Jukebox’ back in the day, which was a big music channel we got back at home. One of my aunts and my mum used to play old records, so that’s when I really got introduced to hip hop and R&38;B, back when I was younger, about three.
How did you become a member of the DTP set?
Three years ago I did a 12-song demo, which was then handed to one of the CEOs of Disturbing Tha Peace, named Jeff Dixon. I then met him in Harlem, New York, on 114th street and I sang for him on the spot. The next day I met Ludacris and Chaka Zulu, the other owners of Disturbing The Peace at [MTV’s] ‘Total Request Live’, and it went on from there.
What can fans expect from your new album?
You can expect the unexpected. It’s straightforward, it’s raw, it’s not a typical album. It touches upon heavy subjects that’s going off right now, like whether you’re happy, sad, glad, angry, cheating, whatever. I’m touching on everything just like a pot of gumbo, like picking your shrimp, your steak, your fish, it’s just a mixture; a variety of things.
What inspired you to come up with the album name, ‘Point Of No Return’?
I felt like everybody reaches a point in their life where you come to the end of the road and you have to make a decision and understand what you want in life. I felt like that’s where I was. I was at a point of no return where I couldn’t go backward; I had to move forward.
Ludacris and Bobby Valentino are the only features on the new album; why did you limit the features to the two?
I kept the features down because I felt like I had to stand on my own and let people know that I can do it by myself and I can survive on my own.
Can you explain your relationship with Chucky Thompson?
When I met him it was just like an instant connection; an instant bond. He produced four records on my album; the most any producer has produced at once on my album - he’s just like my brother. There is crazy chemistry, and like when I get around him, we go ‘til like four o’ clock in the morning, five o’ clock in the morning, back up for the video at like noon doing the same thing. There’s definitely a chemistry and a bond there that I don’t have with any other producer.
What kind of message are you trying to convey on the new album?
It’s each to their own. There’s different messages and people take messages differently, so I just hope that I am sending out the right message. I hope people just find a quick glimpse of something that happened in my life that they can relate to, because I write from personal experience.
Can you tell readers how you felt when you made your national television debut at the Vibe Awards?
I felt good. I was energetic and I was very excited; just to be up there and happy to do what I had to do. It was just a blessing to be up on stage with artists such as Ludacris and Bobby Valentino.
How would you describe your relationship with Ludacris, and how has he helped you settle into the crew?
With Ludacris it’s just like big brother, little sister. I look up to him; I just try and just follow in his footsteps. He sets great examples and I hope to be like him as my career grows. He is definitely a person that you would listen to. I’m taking lessons from him and I learn a lot from him.
What would you say has been the personal highlight of your career so far?
My first video for ‘Need A Boss’; when it hit me it was like wow; this is really happening; that was crazy. You always remember you first video; your first video is special.
How do you find inspiration for writing new lyrics?
When you take time out to just sit down, a million things run through your head. I can write about love in a million different ways; I can think without needing to pick up a pen. There’s a lot of ways you can be creative for writing, you know? A million ways.
What would you say are the hardest problems you have had to overcome to get where you are today?
Life period, you know? Life is tough. But it’s tough for a reason, and can only make you stronger and build a soldier, and I feel like that’s what I am.
What do you feel you bring to the music industry that’s different to other artists?
A breath of fresh air, that’s what I bring.
What are your plans for the future?
I want to start a foundation for little kids, definitely movies and maybe later down the line start up a jean line.
Shareefa’s debut album, ‘Point Of No Return’ is out now. For more information on Shareefa visit her official website www.shareefa.com.
