Entertaining a variety of audiences makes multi-talented performer Deborah Cox really comfortable. The powerhouse Grammy-nominated vocalist behind memorable R&B/pop singles like “Nobody Supposed to Be Here,” “We Can’t Be Friends,” “Things Just Ain’t the Same,” “It’s Over Now” and “Sentimental” has been concentrating heavily on her flourishing theatre career, gearing up to portray Josephine Baker in the off-Broadway production, Josephine.
The entertainer made her Broadway debut in Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida followed by Jekyll and Hyde. “It’s all about being fearless, trying different things, trying different mediums and different styles of music” says Cox in a brief chat on the red carpet prior to this year’s BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Honors, later performing “Hold Up the Light” with Fred Hammond as part of a tribute to sibling duo BeBe and CeCe Winans.
Cox’s recording career is still in full swing. The platinum-selling, Juno Award winner is burning up the dance floor, peaking at Number One on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play charts 12 times with infectious singles like “I Never Knew,” “Absolutely Not,” “Beautiful U R,” “Mr. Lonely,” “House is Not a Home” and “If It Wasn’t For Love.” The co-founder of her own imprint, Deco Recording Group, Cox is planning to release another full-length LP, Work of Art, in the near future. “There is new music due throughout the year,” confirms Cox.
The former department store perfume girl, voice behind numerous commercial jingles and background vocalist adds that she patterns her impeccable vocals from having no boundaries. “I grew up listening to all types of music,” continues Cox, who originally signed with Arista Records by veteran music executive Clive Davis, “and that’s what’s contributed to me having such a wide array of music.”
Along with her role in Josephine, Cox is also portraying troubled pop singer Rachel Marron in the staged musical adaptation of the 1992 blockbuster film, The Bodyguard. “This version of [The Bodyguard] is gonna really show the love of the two lead characters,” she explains. “It’s really gonna explore the tragedy that the two of them can’t be together.”
Taking on the challenge to update the starring role originally popularized by late megastar Whitney Houston is the ultimate compliment to Cox. The performer lent her voice to Houston’s biopic on Lifetime and even recorded a duet, “Same Script Different Cast” with the iconic entertainer. Cox explains how the update of The Bodyguard will actually pay homage to the best-selling Grammy-winning artist.
“It’s gonna be about the essence of her voice, the songs and the message in the music,” confirms Cox. “I’m really looking forward to it.”
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Christopher A. Daniel is an award-winning journalist and culture critic currently residing in Atlanta, GA. In addition to being a regular soulhead.com contributor, he is the music & pop cultural editor for The Burton Wire, which covers news around the African Diaspora. Follow Christopher @Journalistorian on Twitter.