Deborah Cox
Ambassador Digital Magazine Editor-In -Chief Musa Jackson sits down for an inspiring interview with award winning singer and actress Deborah Cox. Born in Toronto, Canada she is a Grammy nominated, Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee with six top 20 Billboard R&B singles, thirteen No.1 hits on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play Chart. Her sophomore album spawned two No. 1 R&B songs including the record breaking “Nobody’s Supposed To Be Here” which spent 14 weeks on the charts and “We Can’t Be Friends”. After 25 years she was given Black Music Honors Entertainer Icon Award and also on September 23, 2020 she received the key to the city of Toronto proclaiming it “Deborah Cox Day”.
Interview
MUSA
How did you get your start in the music industry?
DEBORAH
I got started at a really early age. I grew up in Toronto at around the age of seven or eight I was doing talent shows. By the time I was in elementary school I was doing commercial jingles. I had an early start singing professionally so by the time I was in high school I was already doing background vocals on songs and demos. I went from gig to gig.
MUSA
Tell us about what it was like growing up in Toronto, Canada?
DEBORAH
I grew up in the eighties where it was all about pop music and rock n roll where there was no infrastructure for Black music. My early memories are listening to records, tapes and the radio out of Buffalo, NY. That was my source of soul music, my opportunity to be influenced by R&B. That was my foray into hearing different styles. Because I had a Caribbean background I was rooted in that culture. I never felt that I needed to be validated by what was going on socially. I always felt like I belonged because I had my Caribbean background to fall back on. But it was still very alienating because I was always the only black girl in class at one point in the school. It was very isolating. So it was hard to find other people to relate too. It gave me a thick skin, gave me prospective. Because of that I had this go get it attitude and I remained very independent in thought and was always broad in my vision.
MUSA
Your sophomore album “One Wish“ gave us two number one mega hits “Nobody’s Supposed To Be Here” and “We Can’t Be Friends”. What was that like for you at that time?
DEBORAH
Well it was really gratifying. “Nobody’s Supposed To Be Here” the underpinnings of that song is church. soulful gospel sound. It wasn’t on the radio at that time. It was all about Lauryn Hill. I remember radio programmers were so negative about playing the song. I felt that this song wasn’t going to have staying power. They were totally wrong. I feel very vindicated by those two songs really made a mark in American Black music and American music. The remixes extended the life of the song and helped it to gain this new audience worldwide. It became this anthem that is for someone who didn’t come from a place that didn’t have a lot of black music to listen on the radio. It felt so wonderful to have this song in my arsenal that was going to create longevity. That’s something I always wanted. I didn’t want to be this artist that had one hit and was gone. I wanted to make sure I had a career.
MUSA
You’re a Grammy nominated songstress. Six top 20 Billboard R&B hits, and an incredible thirteen number one hits on Billboards Dance Club Play Chart. With so much success how have you managed to keep your life private?
DEBORAH
I managed to keep my priorities straight. I think it’s important that once you get into the real thick of this business and industry. When you have so much success, so much fame I think it can be really difficult to navigate. Fortunately I love the fact that I was an artist that came out before social media so I really feel like I had an opportunity to let my music speak for itself. Let my performance speak for itself. I didn’t have to rely on the trickery. I came up in a time when you had to prove yourself as a singer, as an artist, as a creative. You had to have some real substance behind your art. I’m thankful that was it back then.
MUSA
As an actress you’re garnering rave reviews in BET’s First Wives Club and Emmy nominated series HBO Max Station Eleven. What kind of roles appeal to you?
DEBORAH
I’m a lighthearted fun kind of person. It’s in my DNA to be jovial and happy. So I love a good romantic comedy. I love to curl up with either an autobiography or watch documentaries and romantic comedies. Lately there have some great movies that are brilliantly done. I’m a big fan of Ava Duvernay, her documentary and movies. On the more serious side that the kind of stuff I like as well. When The First Wives Club called me I was so excited. I was like that is me.
"I never felt that I needed to be validated by what was going on socially. I always felt like I belonged because I had my Caribbean background to fall back on. But it was still very alienating because I was always the only black girl in class at one point in the school. It was very isolating. So it was hard to find other people to relate too. It gave me a thick skin, gave me perspective. "
MUSA
You are currently on Broadway as Glinda The Good Witch in latest revival of The Wiz. What was your challenge in taking on such a beloved iconic role?
DEBORAH
The challenge was staying true to the original with Lena Horne. What she gave to the role in the film which was my only reference because I didn’t see the original on Broadway. Knowing that Dee Dee Bridgewater won a Tony for the role and killed it and is an icon too. I had both of those images in my mind and wanted pay homage and respect to that but also bring something different. What was really great about this production is I got another song to sing to really showcase Glinda’s more fun, ethereal jazzy side. Having the opportunity to do The Wiz it offered my that opportunity. That’s what I love most about this version of Glinda. My version of Glinda. I knew it was going to be a version for the ages. An opportunity to originate a role. Those opportunities don’t come that often. So I really wanted to make sure that it was monumental and stand the test of time. Ten, twenty, thirty years from now that will be the version people will be singing and learning from.
MUSA
You’re the first Black woman inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, given the key to city of Toronto declaring it Deborah Cox Day and had a star on Canada Walk Of Fame all in the same year. Tell us what those impressive career milestones mean to you?
DEBORAH
It’s humbling and enlightening I realize time through my children. That’s how I’m able to really recognize just how short life can be. So when I think about the historic nature of having all of these moments. These are things that my children will get to see moving forward. It’s a part of their legacy. As they grow and have their own families and we just continue. In my life the most repetitive number has been one. For so many things. That’s been my journey I’ve been a pioneer on so many levels. I really understand what my place is in the world and what I represent. Not just for me and my family but for the culture. It’s taken too long for this type of recognition for a black woman.
MUSA
Tell us about why you partnered with “Beautiful U R” and the work you’re doing?
DEBORAH
Beautiful U R was based off a song that was off my last studio album The Promise. It came out the struggle. My daughter Sumayah was a baby. I was in the studio and we had all this studio time locked in. And we had to use it. A short window of time between gigs, and all of the other musicians in the studio. I was so sick I wasn’t even sure I was going to get through the song. That song came out of the experience of being there not knowing or figuring out what the was the next thing going to be for me. Beautiful U R came out of that. I always knew that there was going to be some philanthropic mission behind the song. During the pandemic I met the Troy sisters who were doing such great work in the community and so we decided to partner up. The first one was two years ago in Toronto, then D.C. at Howard University. It’s been a great to give back and raise awareness about of things we women are going through. That we don’t talk about. There’s a lot of homelessness. The Beautiful U R foundation is there to aide whatever the need is in the moment. I feel real gratitude to be a part of initiatives like that.
"I’ve met so many mean people along the way that I don’t see even in certain circles anymore. Because of the way that they’ve treated people. There’s something to be said about that. Keeping In humility and staying in gratitude. I think is the key. "
MUSA
You recently launched “Kaziasu” a new wine. How would describe the wine? What does the name mean?
DEBORAH
The is a combination of my children’s names. Kayla, Isaiah and Sumayah. I wanted something personal and represented family and something that tasted really good. And was also organic. I love to have wine after a show. I never been able to find something that taste good and was also organic. So during the pandemic it was a pet project that came to life. We found this beautifully shaped bottle that we wanted it in. We designed it. Got all of our trademarking in. That was easiest part because there is no name, Kazaisu. ( laughs) We visited the vineyard. We loved the winemaker who is a wine artiste. He prides himself on knowing the right blends and curating these incredible tasting wines. We went on journey. Our first placement was at the Yankee lounges. They placed an order for many cases. We supply places in Brooklyn and Manhattan. We had a slow start. We are still building and growing. We also have our direct to consumer which was launched last year. We are also sold at the theater
MUSA
You have been in the business for over 25 years receiving the Black Music Honors Entertainer Award. What advice would give today’s artists hoping to achieve that kind of career longevity?
DEBORAH
I think keeping things in perspective. Not getting caught up in celebrity. Keeping your head on your shoulders being willing to work hard. Being kind to people, and not being an asshole. That goes a long way. I’ve met so many mean people along the way that I don’t see even in certain circles anymore. Because of the way that they’ve treated people. There’s something to be said about that. Keeping In humility and staying in gratitude. I think is the key.
PHOTOSHOOT CREDITS
Cover Star: DEBORAH COX @deborahcox
Interviewer: @iammusajackson
Photography by @marcbaptistephoto
Styling by @the_real_re_edit for @TheStylemonsters
Hair by @lurissaingridhair
Makeup by @GreggBrockingtonbeauty
Makeup Assistant @paintedbyjsr
Stylist Assistants @soulflwr @kenthaplug_ @d0minici @scc.sdesigns75
Manicure @lynnnewyork
BTS/ Video: @CourtneyDouglasphotography
Location manager: Markiquse Chess
Cover look:
Dress by @CDGreene
Earrings by @HausOfTopper
Bangles by @scc.sdesigns75
Shoes by @StuartWeitzman
Look 2:
Dress by @Tiscarenostudio
Ring by @Laruicci
Gloves are stylist’s own
Look 3:
Dress and Coat by @CDGreene
Shoes by @SarahPalmer_Italy_
Ring by @Laruicci
Gloves are stylist’s own
Look 4:
Jacket (as headpiece) by @CDGreene
Look 5:
Shrug by @CDGreene
Pants by @FranklinRoweInternational
Earrings by @HausofTopper
Look 6:
Cress and jacket by @CDGreene
Shoes by @JessicaSimpson
Look 7:
Dress by @Laruicci
Earrings by @HausofTopper
Gloves are stylist’s own
Look 8:
Cape, Shirt and Pants by @Eppersonstudios
Shoes by @SarahPalmer_Italy_
Hat by @scc.sdesigns75
Look 9:
Earrings by @HausOfTopper
Look 10:
Jacket and Pants by @Marco Hall
Bag by @CDGreene
Earrings by @HausOfTopper
Shoes by @BetsyJohnson
Art work: Haile King Rubie @rubiehaileKing
Location: @rennewyorkharlemhotel
Renaissance NY Harlem Hotel
NY TEAM:
Founder & Editor In Chief:
Musa Jackson @iammusajackson
Art Director/ Cover & Editorial Graphics:
Paul Morejon @paulmorejon
