By Marcus Scott
“Ultimatums don’t work well with me,” says resident diva Coko. “I just want them to have my back, ‘cause this really means a lot to me.”
Oh, Coko. Never change, and by that I mean, it almost feels like it’s impossible for the high-octane, soul belting spinto-soprano to do otherwise. Last week, after finally dropping her guard and letting Taj and Leelee in on her plans to record yet another solo gospel effort, Coko put up it up again when the ladies protested against her dreams of releasing another album. It’s understandable, based on the fact that they are supposedly working on their come back after being away nearly 15 years. Back in their hometown of New York, Leelee and Taj left to blow off steam, while Coko ran to her sanctuary: a recording studio to wrap-up the stunning gospel number, “At Your Feet.”
It only made sense that Coko would arrange a summit with Taj and Leelee to address the issue head on, by letting them hear the song that she’s been sneaking off to record on the low. The results: “I really want to freaking hate this song, but I can’t,” Leelee explained. “Coko can piss you the hell off, and she starts singing a little melody and you’re like, ‘You bitch.’” Leelee’s right; the song is maybe even “slow clap” good, and the girls give her their support as long as it doesn’t affect the group and their growth.
At Sony, they meet with Bob Frank, CEO of Red River who informed them that an attorney called to discuss the fact that SWV weren’t released from their last contract despite a clear breach of contract, like not promoting their music.(Although, the trio’s previous album I Missed Us earned a Grammy nod, it slid way below the radar). So, they called up Marcus “DL” Siskind of Mass Appeal Entertainment to ask if they could cut ties and move on to the corporate giant Sony. The threesome signed their first record deal when they hit it big with RCA in ’91, and had various resources at hand. Later, under Mass Appeal , the group was left to their own devices — and without a team to properly promote their projects. Though the label dropped the ball in a big way, the label is still making them fulfill their album obligations or face litigation; something that all of them are opposed to.
When they walk into MBK Entertainment to notify new manager Jeff Robinson they are required to record one final album with their old label. Jeff agrees to stay with them, he is understandably dismayed that the ladies didn’t consult with him prior.
After the trio finished sound check on the Greek stage, it’s clear Coko took it the hardest, when she pulled Cory aside to tell him she doesn’t want to record another album with Marcus and Mass Appeal, and may focus on her gospel career anyway. With typical savoire faire, Sisters With Voices crushed their show, where they headlined alongside Dru Hill and Tony Toni Toné. But peace couldn’t be still even after a great night, and Coko broke the news to everyone that she will not be recording if Mass Appeal Entertainment will be at the helm, leaving the girls in a tough spot: Get sued for not complying or record another album with their blasé label. Not the perfect ending the ladies imagined for the culmination of their tour at the Greek Theater in LA and leaves one to ask: Could SWV be over?
For all of the blood, sweat and tears these three remarkable women have gone through, it still seems as if the ghost of their pasts are keeping them apart, and that spirit’s name is ‘ego.’ Whether it’s Taj refusing to uproot her family from their Nashville, TN home because of her career with SWV, even at the loss of a promising career path for her husband; whether it’s Leelee’s refusal to tone it down in hopes of landing the right fella; or whether it’s always been about Coko and her ambitions to be the truly legendary singer she deserves to be seen as… these ladies have spent all of the season ego-tripping. Provided there’s a next season of SWV: Reunited, will there be a lesson in humility? And most importantly, will they finally heal the wounds of the past? Time will only tell, but I’m getting a little “weak in the knees” thinking about it.