Having created Los Angeles, CA, based Pop / R&B band, Klymaxx, in 1979, Bernadette Cooper, along with Lorena "Lungs" Porter Shelby, Cheryl Cooley, Robbin Grider, Lynn Malsby and later Joyce "Fenderella" Irby, would go on to release four popular studio albums, spawning a succession of hit singles, “The Men All Pause," "Meeting in the Ladies Room,” "I Miss You" and "I'd Still Say Yes," before quietly disbanding in ‘89.
Cooper, who recently launched a brand new imprint, GOTU Records, then formed short lived musical collective Madame X, signing with powerhouse Atlantic Records, before finally unleashing her critically acclaimed solo debut, Drama According To Bernadette Cooper, in December 1990.
Let’s hop right into this latest entry, “Jealous Bitch You’ll Never Be Me,” featuring Cheri & Maxi [Original Mary Jane Girls] — Tell me about this particular composition; how did it even come to fruition?
In 2009, by RonKat Spearman, laid down the demo. Mallia Franklin from Parliament Funkadelic, and Maxi from the Mary Jane Girls tackled most of the vocals on the demo. I had cocktails with my road manager, Seth Neblett, who is Mallia Franklin's son and Original Mary Jane Girls Maxi & Cheri’s Road Manager as well. He played a snippet of the demo for me, and I loved it. I asked, “Can, I play around with the track?” He sent me the 1:40 second demo, I then put on my producer’s hat and began making decisions that would bring the song to life. Considering that the demo was bass heavy, I knew it would not be authentic if I tackled it by myself. So, I contacted Cornelius Mims. Sent him the demo and he sent me back exactly 1:40 the same length as the demo. I rearranged it into a 3:46 second song, dissected the original vocals from the 2009 demo track and used them as a guide to rearrange the vocals. My first choice was Maxi & Cheri to be guests on the track, and they obliged me.
How then does “Jealous Bitch You’ll Never Be Me” either differ and / or compare to previous Bernadette Cooper selections?
Coming from Klymaxx, I normally would never use the word “Bitch” on a track, then I had to remind myself that Bernadette Cooper is a separate entity and would because as an artist I am daring and invite controversy. The song is not intentional, not meant to hurt anyone…it’s a thought the way I and most people feel about their haters.
Tell me your whole inception into music -- When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for you, Bernadette?
Wow, I’m sure the long version is available on the internet, but for the sake of our interview here is the short of it all. I was put on this earth to do music, I realized my purpose as a child. I have always been musically inclined and could predict the next chord progression while listening to the radio. I was introduced to the drums when my mother remarried, and he came into our household with a drum set. I practiced every day after school and was a part of his traveling ministry. I played at revivals and on the corner for hand-outs. I became active in my music classes at Compton High School, and then birthed the idea of Klymaxx. Throughout all my adversities, I landed on my musical feet. And, Klymaxx became successful.
Now you are from Los Angeles, CA, correct? So growing up in the ‘City of Angels,’ who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?
Aretha Franklin left the biggest impression on me as my mother played her constantly in our household; through all of her different emotions. I tapped into Aretha’s soul at an incredibly youthful age, and learned about emotions and how they affect people. There is no artist today that makes me feel like Aretha Franklin did.
In having said that, how do you classify your overall sound and / or style?
I lost myself for awhile after the Drama According to Bernadette Cooper project because I became a sought-after producer, writer and began writing to please others. I love the latest music business, which I consider now to be the branding business. There is now no formula for a hit record. My new record brought me back to my original style of being outrageous and unpredictable. In a way, “Jealous Bitch You’ll Never Be Me” is liberating for me. I have no expectations, and I am having fun promoting it!
What particular string of events actually led to your initial linking up with Lorena Porter Shelby, Cheryl Cooley, Robbin Grider, Lynn Malsby & Joyce "Fenderella" Irby, and the formation of Klymaxx?
Once again the story is long…all great creations first begin in the mind. Your thoughts begin to develop and manifest over time, and then the vision became clear to me. There was nothing like it, but how did I achieve it? The Universe had already written my chapters before I was born; I became totally focused, and fixated like I get when I see a vision. I found the girls one by one, voice by voice.
Where does the group’s moniker originally derive from?. Klymaxx?
From the mind of Bernadette Cooper; from the teenage mind of Bernadette Cooper.
How did you all even wind-up signing with / to SOLAR Records?
We sent many demos out to different record companies. One landed in the hands of Margaret Nash, an executive at Solar Records; she told Dick Griffey, the president of the company, about us. Mr. Griffey arrived at our rehearsal one day and loved us. Even though he needed lots of artist development to get us ready for the business, he was able to see the vision and our future.
Ultimately, what caused Klymaxx to eventually disband?
It depends on who you ask. So many factors participated in the Klymaxx break-up. The downside is, if we had stayed together and toured the self-titled last Klymaxx album would have been our biggest. The upside was divine timing for me, because the group energy was tormenting, when my popularity began to grow. I never regretted departing from a complex situation. Moreover, I began my second act as a producer, writer and entertainer for soundtracks and other artists like Bette Midler and Teena Marie. My Bio became quite extensive. Soon after, the music suddenly changed. New Jack Swing, Bell Biv DeVoe, became the new music scene and Bands suddenly became a thing of the past. My timing was heavenly!
Where have you been? And, what all exactly have you been up to, both personally and professionally speaking, during this lengthy musical hiatus?
What hiatus? From what time are you referring to? Since Klymaxx? The timeline matters. In front or lingering somewhere in the back, I have never left the creative scene. One thing is I have been actively touring for the last ten years under Klymaxx feat. Bernadette Cooper, and so much more..
Switching gears here… What do you want people to get from your music?
I want a connection. The matters that I discuss and write about are for women who have world experience. I want them to grasp onto the fact that I’m a woman who has been in this business for over 40 years, and on this earth for much longer. I have Knowledge and Wisdom in every category. So, when I write I want you to feel me like I felt Aretha.
If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Sylvester! He called me months before he passed away and asked me to produce his next album, which would have changed both of our lives in the best way. We were both from the church. He was an Icon and changed the game. So did I. That was during the time when I was musically free. I would have happily worked on that project!
If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?
No venue comes to mind, but I would love the audience of the LGBT community. My show, which includes fashion, attitude, and the best vocalist out there today. Including the best female musicians and entertainers. My show is prime for an audience that appreciates fabulousness.
On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of R&B? And, even more specifically, why do you feel that we, the masses, don’t see the group dynamic like it was back in, say, the nineties?
It’s very sad, especially when I dwell on it. I’m just happy I was around to experience when things were beautiful!
Do you have any other outside / additional aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?
Many, I have a recording studio that is used by John Legend, Raphael Saadiq and currently Stanley Clark is mixing his new project at Museum68 Studios. I love antique / vintage shopping and decorating, And, I love animals.
To date, what has been your greatest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?
KLYMAXX! Being the only black woman to solely make history by creating the only female women of color R&B / Pop band to achieve such stardom. Of course, It would not have happened without the girls in the band…but it was a seventeen year old girl from Compton and Inglewood High School who laid the foundation.
What’s an average day like for you?
I am an introvert, a computer geek. A diva nerd! When I am not touring, my day consists of a pair of glasses, the gym, Trader Joes. Then, back home. I cook, take care of my mom, and create! I’m a fan of online shopping. And, mostly, I am in my office, which is my bed, conducting business, with silk pajamas on. I rarely have bad days; if I am creating, I’m good! I am currently restoring my vintage Jaguar; collecting vintage cars has always been a love of mine. Knowing that my favorite car is almost complete, makes it a good day.
Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans...
I love my fans! They are my distant family and their praise has helped me through discouraging times; I never turn down an autograph, I converse like a caring human being with them on social media. Gone are the days of ego that most artists have.
What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?
I love it all! Especially negotiating. I negotiate my own contracts…meaning I’m right there alongside of my manager and attorney making hard decision and structuring my deals.
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Learn branding and marketing. This is no longer the music business, it’s the branding business,
Lastly, what’s next for Bernadette Cooper?
I just started my new label GOTU [Goddess Of The Universe] Records. Focusing on old school artists that are still brandable; I’m going to constantly put out music for the next year and tour. I love to perform!
Is there anything I left out, or just plain forgot to mention?
No, you covered it all!
Any "closing" thought(s) for our readers?
Thanks for the love throughout the years.
Comments