Biography
Born Darlene Jenise Johnson, Darlene McCoy has built a multifaceted career as a Christian vocalist, performer, author, and broadcaster whose recordings have registered on both gospel and R&B tallies. A Greenville, South Carolina native now based in Atlanta, she grew up immersed in church life and later served as a praise-and-worship director. In 2004 she secured a contract with EMI; her debut single, “Fallen in Love,” appeared on the soundtrack for the cinematic version of Tyler Perry’s Diary of a Mad Black Woman, which reached theaters in early 2005. The self-titled album that followed in 2007, containing that track, climbed to number 22 on Billboard’s gospel albums list, while another cut, “Already Got Joy” (also known as “Simply Because”), reached the Top 30 on the Adult R&B chart.
Her next prominent project arrived in print: Jenimac Moments: Inspirational Words of Wisdom, issued by Jenimac in 2010. After her departure from EMI, McCoy returned to the charts in 2011 with the independent single “I Shall Live and Not Die,” which rose to number 21 on the gospel songs survey. The following year she took a supporting part in the television film In Sickness and in Health. In 2013 she issued the satirical track “Take Me to Burger King” and, shortly afterward, a gospel-flavored comedic rendition of Beyoncé’s “Irreplaceable.” She also helped establish, produce, and write material for the Rickey Smiley comedy ensemble Joe Willie & the Deuteronomaires.
Throughout much of the decade she concentrated on radio, anchoring the midday slot at Atlanta’s Praise 102.5 before introducing the nationally syndicated weekday program Nightly Spirit with Darlene McCoy in October 2015.
Her next prominent project arrived in print: Jenimac Moments: Inspirational Words of Wisdom, issued by Jenimac in 2010. After her departure from EMI, McCoy returned to the charts in 2011 with the independent single “I Shall Live and Not Die,” which rose to number 21 on the gospel songs survey. The following year she took a supporting part in the television film In Sickness and in Health. In 2013 she issued the satirical track “Take Me to Burger King” and, shortly afterward, a gospel-flavored comedic rendition of Beyoncé’s “Irreplaceable.” She also helped establish, produce, and write material for the Rickey Smiley comedy ensemble Joe Willie & the Deuteronomaires.
Throughout much of the decade she concentrated on radio, anchoring the midday slot at Atlanta’s Praise 102.5 before introducing the nationally syndicated weekday program Nightly Spirit with Darlene McCoy in October 2015.
Albums
Singles
