DJ Cocoa Chanelle
DJ Cocoa Chanelle | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | The Best Kept Secret |
| Born | Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Origin | New York City |
| Genres | Hip hop, R&B, reggae |
| Occupation(s) | DJ, rapper, musician, producer |
| Instrument(s) | Turntable, Sampler |
| Labels | 5th House Entertainment |
| Website | www |
DJ Cocoa Chanelle is an American hip hop DJ, rapper and producer best known for being a radio personality/DJ on New York City's radio station HOT 97 and Kiss FM, as well as being the first DJ ever employed by BET (Black Entertainment Television) on its teen talk show "Teen Summit."
Early life
Chanelle was born in Brooklyn, New York but raised in Bluefield, West Virginia by her grandmother after the death of both of her parents to alcoholism.[1] She started as a MC at the age of 12, and was later put on the turntables by age 13 by her brother Andre who was shot and killed in New Jersey three months before Cocoa was hired as a DJ on HOT 97.[1]
Career
Chanelle was DJ for the minor hip-hop duo Kings of Swing in the early 1990s,[2][3] but her big break came when she landed a weekly spot on BET's teen talk show Teen Summit as the first-ever BET resident DJ, a spot she held for over six years.[1] She has also worked on MTV's Spring Break.[1] and made several guest appearances on BET's Rap City and 106 & Park.
After making several guest mixing appearances on Hot 97's "Morning Show", hosted by Ed Lover, she was recommended to the stations program director and as a result, the morning show producer created the idea for "Ladies Night," which consisted of Angie Martinez, DJ Jazzy Joyce & Chanelle.[1][4] Actor Chris Rock was quoted at the premiere of Madagascar 3 movie in New York City saying "DJ Cocoa Chanelle is radio Royalty." She was also listed in Vibe Magazine as one of the TOP 17 DJ's in the United States, honored by BET for Black History Month and received a Black Girls Rock! award. She was also honored at the industry's biggest event for Radio Mixshow DJ's Mixshow Power Summit conference, where she received the award for "Best Female Mixshow DJ of the Year." [citation needed]
Discography
Production
- 2003: "Ok" – Sheek Louch
- 2005: "Pressure" – Sheek Louch
- 2006: "Pain in My Life" – Saigon
Awards
Black Girls Rock! Award recipient
- Mixshow Power Summit
- Best Female Mixshow DJ of the Year (New York) (Won)
