Jordan McCoy

Sometimes the most unlikely of unions can produce a cosmic experience by bridging generational and cultural gaps. That’s exactly what happened when a Midwestern, rock ‘n’ roll, teen princess and an East Coast music mogul/hip-hop aficionado formed a musical alliance. Now, Jordan McCoy, the latest artist to blossom from the Bad Boy family tree, introduces her brand of pop-rock with an introspective inaugural, Just Watch Me. A small town girl with big city dreams, McCoy grew up performing at local hee-haw shows, sale conventions and sweet corn and watermelon festivals in Mount Vernon, Ill. Before long, she had become a hometown celebrity. McCoy performed wherever she had an audience, no matter how small. “I remember when I was really young, I’d sit in my living room and sing my own songs for family and friends and I always made them clap,” she recalls. “Believe it or not, I was the one dragging my mom to auditions, not the other way around.”

In the summer of 2003, McCoy’s perseverance earned her a subsequent spot as a finalist in the first and only season of American Juniors, the American Idol spin-off that showcased talented teens. Although McCoy didn’t become the AJ victor, her talent and shine were too bright to be dulled. Eventually AJ’s loss would prove to be Bad Boy’s gain. Clockwork Entertainment’s CEO/President, Debbie Hammond reached out to the budding starlet. “Despite my loss I am grateful for the exposure that American Juniors gave me,” McCoy says. A longtime associate of Diddy’s, Hammond convinced him to hear Jordan live and Diddy immediately signed and adopted her into the Bad Boy family. McCoy, who plays the guitar and drums, enlisted the help of a production dream team that reads like the Rock ‘n’ roll Hall of fame: Diane Warren, Matthew Gerrard, Steve Diamond, Bobby Huff, Liv and Mim Nervo, Mike Shimshack, Kyle Kelso and Wade Robson.

The outcome of this collaboration is Just Watch Me, a rock ‘n’ roll anthology that delivers universal truths about everything from confidence and friendship to heart break and love. The album kicks off with the defiant title track which taunts detractors over a symphony of electric guitars with lyrical will power as she belts: “Not afraid of working hard/and there’ll never be a guarantee/but I believe I can be anything I want to be/No matter what you say/just watch me/I’ll do it/no matter what you say/I’ll do it/I’m flying no one is gonna clip my wings/just watch me/just watch me/can’t stop me!” Then there’s the equally spirited inspirational “Life’s Open Door,” which encourages one to be a risk-taker and explore limitless opportunities by pursuing his or her dreams while the mid-tempo, empowering anthem “Unnoticed” serves as a declaration to keep it moving after a heart break, because what your ex didn’t see the next person will. “Rock ‘n’ Roll Girl,” McCoy’s tribute to her mentor and big brother Diddy, addresses the unlikely partnership of two people from two different backgrounds coming together in perfect harmony. “I think Diddy and others wondered if a hip hop boy and a rock ‘n’ roll girl could actually work,” she says. “But we made it happen.” The album continues to fire up girl power with the track “I Don’t Need Boys,” which discourages relationships for the sole purpose of monetary gain and promotes chivalry and female independence. And McCoy flips the script with the candid breakup anthem “Next Ex-Boyfriend,” but expresses vulnerability with “On Saturday Night, (11:27),” that evaluates the hindsight of infidelity. A funky, rocked-out upgrade to Belinda Carlyle’s 1990 chart topper “I Get Weak” adds a bit of nostalgia while the sentimental ballad “Promise Me,” begs for a love that stands the test of time and distance. The encouraging “Always Friends” is a tribute to the maturation of friendships.

Now, with all the elements in place and all the stars aligned, all eyes are on McCoy. “Growing up in a small town you think that there’s no way out to follow your dreams and that you’ll never make it,” she says. “They were more people who doubted me than supported me, but I’m glad I didn’t let anything stop me from pursuing my dreams and now I know that this is where I belong.” Long live rock and roll girls!