Danielia Cotton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Danielia Cotton
|
|
|---|---|
Cotton in 2010
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Danielia Brooks |
| Born | September 24, 1967 |
| Origin | Hopewell, New Jersey |
| Genres | Rock, blues |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar piano |
| Years active | 2001–present |
Danielia Cotton, born Danielia Brooks on September 24, 1967, is an American rock singer. She is also a talented songwriter and guitarist.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Danielia Cotton grew up in Hopewell, New Jersey. It is a small town in western New Jersey. She was one of four children. Her mother raised them by herself. Danielia's mother was a jazz singer as a hobby. She worked in accounting to support the family.
When Danielia was 12, her mother gave her an acoustic guitar. She also began singing with her mom and aunts. They were part of a gospel group called the Brooks Ensemble Plus. Danielia was one of only a few Black students at Hopewell Valley Central High School. She did not hear much R&B or hip-hop music there. She loved rock music, but also learned to appreciate jazz and gospel.
Danielia was a top student in high school. She was the first person to graduate from the New Jersey School of Performing Arts. Her amazing singing skills earned her a full scholarship to Bennington College. At Bennington, Danielia decided to study acting. She spent most of her last year at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. She also took extra classes to keep studying music. She had special lessons with jazz trumpeter Bill Dixon. She says he "really trained my ear."
Music Career
In 2005, Danielia Cotton released her first album. It was called Small White Town. The title was inspired by her hometown of Hopewell. Her second album, Rare Child, came out on May 20, 2008. It was one of the top ten albums downloaded on iTunes that week.
On July 7, 2009, she released a live EP called Live Child. An EP is a shorter music album. This EP was a companion to Rare Child. Live Child won an Independent Music Award. It was named 'Best Live Album'. It also won 'Live Performance Album Vox Pop' for the song "Righteous People."
Danielia released The Gun in Your Hand in 2012. Then came The Real Book in 2014. In 2017, she released The Mystery of Me. This album mixes rock and soul music. It includes songs like "Set Me Free" and "Drink." The song "4 Ur Life" was inspired by classic Motown music. Many news outlets, including The New York Times, wrote about the album.
Band Members
Danielia Cotton performs with a talented band. Here are the main members:
- Danielia Cotton – She sings lead vocals. She also plays electric and acoustic rhythm guitars. She writes the songs too.
- Marc Copely – He plays lead guitar and sings backing vocals.
- Winston Roye – He plays the bass guitar.
- John Clancy – He plays the drums.
Music Albums
Danielia Cotton has released several albums and EPs.
Studio Albums
- Small White Town (2005)
- Rare Child (2008)
- The Gun in Your Hand (2012)
- The Real Book (2014)
- The Mystery of Me (2017)
- Good Day (2022)
Extended Plays (EPs)
- Danielia Cotton (2004)
- Live Child (2009)
- Woodstock (2014)
- A Prayer (2016)
- A Different War (Danielia Cotton & The Church Boys) (2020)
Singles
- "Testify" (2008)
- "Forgive Me" (2017)
