Hot Coko

Coko first rose to prominence in the 1990s as a member of the trio SWV. Following the group's disbandment in 1998, she pursued a solo music career.[1] In a 1999 Billboard interview, Coko said that she had been unable to record solo music due to her SWV obligations.[2] Her debut studio album was recorded in various studios in California and New York.[3] Coko took more creative control of her music by co-writing songs and picking producers.[2] She co-wrote music with Rodney Jerkins who also produced songs for the album.[2][4]

Although she described hip hop music as "cool", Coko identified herself as a R&B artist.[2] She referred to the album as representing her "gospel roots" and likened her sound to Alvin and the Chipmunks with a "Coko twist".[5] RCA executive Brett Wright believed that Coko would remain "true to her R&B roots" and cited the "urban crossover market" as her primary demographic.[2]

Billboard's Steven J. Horowitz wrote that "Sunshine" was an "ebullient ode to a loved one".[6] Coko dedicated the song to her then three-year-old son Lil Tracy.[7] Produced by Jerkins, the instrumentation consists of "interlocking jerky drum loops and squelching basslines" and a "stuttering production". Noisey's David Lehmann wrote it was similar to Jenkins' other late 1990s songs.[8] Recording the song with "multi-layered vocals",[8] Coko sings the lyrics: "Sunshine, sunshine / You brighten up my days / I love you always".[9] Vibe's Larry Flick likened the lyrics to a nursery rhyme, and described "Bigger Than We" and "Try-Na Come Home" as soul ballads.[9] Flick compared Coko's vocals for "Bigger Than We" to Gladys Knight, specifically due to the song's "layer rhythm-harmony arrangement".[9]

"Triflin'", featuring a rap verse from Eve, is an R&B song with hip hop influences and lyrics about a woman teasing her boyfriend.[10] The hook includes: "Ghetto / Sorry / Oh no / Tired game / And that's such a shame / ... pitiful."[9] Entertainment Weekly's Matt Diehl cited "Triflin'" and "I Ain't Feelin You" as examples of hip hop soul.[11] Flick wrote that "I Ain't Feelin You" was a "funk anthem" and referred to "Everytime" as "smooth [and] warmly romantic".[9] Coko recorded "If This World Were Mine", originally a 1967 single by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, as a duet with Tyrese.[12] Flick described the cover as a slow jam.[9] The standard edition of the album ends with "So Hard to Say Goodbye" which features backing vocals from Babyface and Kevon Edmonds.[12]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[13]
Billboard	(favorable)[14]
Entertainment Weekly	C+[15]
Rolling Stone	[16]
Vibe	(favorable)[16]

Hot Coko was released to a generally mixed to positive reception. Allmusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that "[Coko] isn't the most charismatic singer, but she is blessed with a strong voice that sounds very inviting when placed in the right settings." He awarded the album three out of five stars.[13] Matt Diehl from Entertainment Weekly found that Hot Coko "plays like a game of 'Name That Diva': Too often, she obliges Mary J. Blige fans with copycat vocals of their idol while faithfully replicating Faith Evans’ smooth sound. But when Coko’s flamethrower pipes cook the chocolaty-good hip-hop soul rhythms that drive ”Triflin”’ and ”I Ain’t Feeling You,” she’s not just a sister with a voice but with an attitude."[15]

• Hot Coko at Discogs