1. Your husband Johnny “J” produced multiple tracks for 2Pac. What was it like witnessing their creative relationship, and what’s your most vivid memory of those studio sessions?
Coppe Cantrell. It’s funny that you would ask that question, it’s the 2nd time I was asked that question, in the past 2 days, but witnessing their creative relationship as Johnny’s wife. I would say that it was a match made in heaven, as Johnny always said, “It was a marriage, that was meant to be,” I’d have to agree.
Watching my husband and my little brother 2Pac, working together was a friendship, partnership, and a brotherhood bond that wasn’t to be broken. Their chemistry together was off the charts, like a hand fitting a glove. I called myself Johnny’s biggest fan, so I had the privilege to watch him create music, the kick, to the snare, adding bass lines, and keyboards. Whether it was utilizing a sample or just a beat he’d created from his dome. Witnessing 2Pac, and him for most would’ve been looking at two geniuses doing their
thing creating the sound that was the soundtrack to many, that is still bumping in cars, bars, and clubs, and new audiences have been able to hear their music for decades to come. For me, it was just another day in the studio, with my husband Johnny, and my little brother 2Pac.
What you have to understand is that I was there through every session, they had together, and I never missed one session. There was constant excitement, Johnny and 2Pac, both were happy that they would be able to record music non-stop, so while being prolific, Johnny and Pac said, “Let’s get a production
company together,” it was almost simultaneously. I remember 2Pac, asking, “What are we going to call it?”
Johnny said, “Non-Stop Productions,” because we work around the clock.” Check out the credits on the
back of the Hit Em Up Maxi-single, you will see it credited Produced by Johnny “J” and 2Pac for Non-Stop Productions.
My memory was of them being happy that they were able to record music together non-stop! This is why Johnny came up with the production name Non-Stop Productions. Don’t get me wrong, it was an exciting and festive time, being able to see them both do what they loved to do, but you need to understand they
did about 150 songs together. At this point it’s woven together like the threads on a silk shirt, it wasn’t
just a partnership, we were all family. What amazing feet, at the time, you’re not thinking this is history in the making, you’re just listening to the dope beats, and the incredible songs that come from the magic
that they were able to do together.
2. As someone who was behind the scenes during the Death Row era, what’s one misconception people have about that time in Hip-Hop history?
Coppe Cantrell. Being behind the scenes during the Death Row era, I think some of the misconceptions of that time in history, was that everyone at the label was feuding, in fact, most of the time, I saw them collaborating on each other’s projects. Yes, there may have been a little rivalry and maybe a little bit of jealousy, but you’ll only hear about that from a runner in the studio.
Most of the time, it felt like it was one big happy family, it wasn’t all “gangsta, gangsta” in the studio, I guess they had the security there to regulate that! Back in those days another misconception was that if you were a producer, you’d most definitely get your shine, but you didn’t, most people only knew who the producers were by reading the label copy on the album. If you were a producer who also was a rapper, then you most likely were recognized as an artist and a producer, I guess this is why not many people knew about Johnny “J”, except the super fans who read the credits in those days.
3. How would you describe Johnny “J”‘s unique production style that made him stand out from other producers of the 90s?
Coppe Cantrell. Johnny did music from the soul. It was very heartfelt, you could feel it through your body. He was a drummer in high school and a natural musicologist. Even though he sampled drums and things like that he played the drum machine as if it was a drum, okay. And that’s how he was able to stand out in that 808 classic sound. He was able to add his unique drum style and things like that. Sometimes, Johnny would play live percussion over the sampled drums.
The way he truncated the sounds of the music, he also added the baseline, and instrumentation, he wouldn’t just use samples. He would add live music, live base, live other instruments to his music. I don’t know why he just loved sampling and playing those drums on the sampler as if it were an actual drum.
Johnny was able to have his uniqueness, because you know he came from Mexico. I was told, that members of his family were from Mexico, and were Mariachi’s, so adding the fusion of his natural born gift, with the Soul music, from Staxx Records to The Sounds of Philadelphia. Things like that from the old school records he was able to collaborate with what he knew. His knowledge from high school playing in the marching band as a drummer, being a musicologist along with those records he sampled or was able to create pieces of samples and making it his own, to coming up with original music, it was an art form.
4. You’ve mentioned having unreleased 2Pac and Johnny “J” collaborations. What can you tell us about this music and your vision for its potential release?
Coppe Cantrell. Yes, I can tell you about the unreleased Tupac and Johnny “J” collaboration. About that music, Johnny and Pac left about 30 tracks behind. Being a joint author, I’m allowed to put out that music. So there are some songs from the list, maybe a good 10 songs from the 30 to put those out with the documentary. There are going to be versions of songs that I will make another album with the documentary as far as a soundtrack. Just a couple of songs because I’m adding other artists that collaborated with Johnny, to the soundtrack as well because it’s not just Tupac soundtrack, it’s a Soundtrack of the other songs and other artists Johnny put with other than 2Pac. But as far as a collaboration with Tupac that album is going to be a great album of unreleased music that they put together as joint authors.
The majority of the songs will not have samples. Vision, I have for it is “All Eyes on Us” which is a vision that I had before in 2009, I was trying to release this back then through Wideawake/DeathRow/KLOCK
WORK, but the business didn’t turn out right, and God had another plan for me, so, I put that on hold. It’s funny that other people came out with that title, but that was the title I came up with beforehand, it was such a great title. This time it’s strictly all eyes is on them. With the prolific writings they did together, I plan on putting those collaborations out in the format that they originally did them in. I’m not changing anything on those songs.
5. What was your role at KLOCK WORK Entertainment, and did you have input on the creative direction of the music being produced?
Coppe Cantrell. My role before Johnny’s passing at Klock Work was the Vice President of the company. Of course, I was a half-owner also. My title extended beyond that, I was also his assistant, his right-hand man, I did all the label copies for albums he worked on, including the “All Eyez on Me” album. I stayed in the studio at every session, making sure that Johnny’s, music was properly credited, and the work that he and 2Pac, did together was so prolific, that if I did not sit on the sofa, daily/nightly, their work would’ve been easily stolen, me playing my part and then some, as I was dedicated to the work, Johnny did in front of the scenes, he was the music, and I ran the business, I communicated, with his attorneys, managers, so you name it I did it!
I did have some creative direction for the music that was produced at the time. It’s ironic enough the song “How Do You Want It” Johnny would be like, “What do you think?” and he always asks me questions like,
“Should I play that?” And I’d be like, “Yes, you should play that beat, That’s a dope beat!” That’s also me on the radio version of “How Do U Want It.” The song “All Eyes on Me” almost didn’t get made, Johnny was hesitant to play it for 2Pac I’m like, “That’s a dope beat, play that!” and even with “How Do You Want It” Johnny almost took the cadence out… I was like no, “Don’t take that out!” So yes, I had a creative aspect to production even with the song “Picture Me Rollin,” I am the one who came up with the title. Pac was so excited like, “Oh my God, I can’t believe that, Johnny “J” your wife gave me this title.” I’m on different parts of the song, like “Hit Em Up,” that’s me “Take money.” So yes, I’ve been on the creative side of the business and now being the President and CEO of KLOCK WORK ENTERTAINMENT CORP, and not just the Vice President and a Co-Owner of it. I have my hand in a lot of music that’s going on now, that I’m putting out as well.
6. You’re currently working on a documentary about Johnny “J”‘s life and legacy. What aspects of his story are you most passionate about sharing with the world?
Coppe Cantrell. Yes, I am currently working on the documentary about Johnny’s life and legacy, I am most passionate about telling his authentic story. About someone who lost their identity, and found it through music, but in the end, they tried to take the very identity he created with music. I’m going to start from where Johnny came from, all the way from high school, through his music career, and personal life with me and our children, and how he left this earth.
7. How have you approached preserving Johnny’s musical archives over the years?
Coppe Cantrell. I have preserved his music by keeping his music. I have not sold his music to the highest bidder, because I know it is a time to be born. The beginning of the rebirth of his music came with God calling me to sing glorifying him with Johnny’s music. This is a time for his music to be born. His musical archive was originally stored on floppy disks, drives, and some reels. I still have the actual two-inch reels of his music. I have the disk of the original recording, which was stored on floppy disks a lot of them and from his mind.
The actual floppy discs from his SP 1200 Drum Machine, into the recording of the songs transferring to 2” machines, and then into the Pro Tools sessions. His music is in a vault. So, it is being preserved from the original disks that he had with Tupac and Bizzy or whoever else he Produced and wrote songs with. I’m
going to do some different things with some drum kits and things like that because people always ask
about Johnny’s drums and preserving his legacy. It is time, I mean we’re coming off 30 years in 2026 “All Eyes on Me” released, in which he Produced 11 songs on that album itself. Our company that me and Johnny started together will be celebrating our 30th anniversary for KLOCK WORK Entertainment on December 1, 2025. It’s overdue for letting the world know about his story. A delay is not a denial in Jesus’ mighty name.
8. Could you walk us through your spiritual transformation after Johnny’s passing and how it led to your own music career?
Coppe Cantrell. It was amazing after I was reintroduced to the bible by a prophet, who also was my teacher when I went back to college when Johnny was incarcerated. After reading the bible for about 6 months, I was given the prophecy that I was going to be a singer. I laughed at the prophet, and he laughed back, and said, “You’re going to be a singer, and your name is going to be Coppe.” I was so intrigued that he knew my childhood nickname. I wasn’t opposed to his prophecy, but I couldn’t believe it, because I was tone deaf.
The mere fact that only my family and childhood friends knew my nickname, made his prophecy more believable, though I didn’t know how or when it would come true. My daddy nicknamed me Coppe at 6
months old, because he said, “My hair looked like a brand new, shiny copper penny.” I was taken aback by his prophecy because I was tone-deaf.
About 3 months after his prophecy after reading the word of God daily, on July 1, 2009, at 3 am, I
received the miracle gift to sing, it was like being baptized, dunked in water, then coming up singing, the only thing, I wasn’t in water, it was the Holy Spirit. I was in my bed asleep. I started crying and singing words upon words of praise, glorifying God, he gave me songs to write, and as I was prompted to write, I wrote a few songs, without music.
The miraculous transformation, from being behind the scenes into the forefront to singing and glorifying God, came with challenges. I went from writing songs without music, and seeing the prophet again, and being excited that his prophecy had come true. I now had the task of putting what I wrote to my late husband’s tracks, which he’d left behind. I was told, “God wanted me to glorify him with Johnny’s music,” so now, his music belongs to God. I have since released 3 albums. I’m currently working on my fourth album titled “The Helmet of Salvation,” all tracks produced and written by Johnny “J”, and all lyrics and vocals produced and written by me. It’s oh so real, Johnny always wished I could sing, he always told me that.
9. Your single “My Daddy” has been climbing the charts. What inspired this song, and how does it represent your artistic vision?
Coppe Cantrell. My song “My Daddy” is climbing the charts, what a blessing it has been. What inspired the song and how it represents my artistic vision, is me missing my earthly father, my daddy. He’s no longer with me, passed away in 2004, but God reminded me that even though my earthly father is no longer here, I have my heavenly father through Christ Jesus who gives us all things. It’s like a parable, Jesus had many of those in the Bible. It means something, like those people who have never had their fathers around in their lives and how they should know that they have a heavenly father. God in heaven, gave us all these things, our hips, our lips, our noses, our toes, our thighs, and our eyes.
The meaning behind the artistic vision was for me to just have fun with Christian music and the things
that God had given us. I mean, I think that’s an amazing aspect of them picking a track from the Johnny “J’s” vault, that fits so eloquently. Something fun, something uplifting, something new, that can uplift
young people, and uplift older people who don’t have their father no longer with them. This is what
inspired me to write a song. I miss my daddy, and those people never had a father present. I wanted to pay homage to him and our heavenly father God through Christ Jesus.
10. How do you navigate both the Hip-Hop and gospel worlds in your music and business dealings?
Coppe Cantrell. In one instance, I came from a Hip-Hop background, but I’m utilizing the music that my late husband left behind to write the songs that I’m doing right now, as God commanded me to do. He called me for a time such as this, to glorify our heavenly father. Balancing that world is amazing because it’s going hand in hand, but also the aspects of the industry of the rappers and Hip-Hop and everything else that is coming at me. No, I have not used or had anybody rap on Johnny “J’s” tracks. Any new up-and-coming rappers or anything like that because God ordained me to utilize it for His glory. But if there is someone who God wants me to utilize his tracks for rappers or something like that, he will allow me to use it and let me know which one that’ll be. Maybe somebody that’s unique, like Common, LeCrae, and so many other Christian Rappers, or a Rapper who’d pay homage to God’s will, not cursing or anything like that.
I think we’ve been there already and done that. I still need to tell the world the story through the documentary. The story came from Hip-Hop. Everything started from Hip- Hop and God wanted to use me as someone who can go back to the Hip-Hop era to win those souls. God called me as I am. God has me doing that in Hip-Hop and in the Gospel world in my business dealings. This is what’s opening the door right now, for his documentary. People thought that Hip-Hop was only going to be here for a short period of time, though I have influence in the Gospel, CCM, CCH, Rock, and Dance Music, it’s Hip-Hop is at the forefront of my music and in my dealings in business. Hey, Johnny “J”
still is Hip Hop, God did not take my business away, he wanted me to realize, not to forget where I came from, but not do those things of the past, use it as a testimony to help and heal others.
11. What would Johnny think about your musical evolution today?
Coppe Cantrell. I will tell you Johnny would be so elated! He would be so happy because he ALWAYS wanted me to be able to sing. He used to say to me, “If only you could sing like Whitney Houston, if only you can sing like Mariah Carey.” Because he loved female singers, he wanted to have his own singer. He wished I could do it, because he knew that I would cooperate, and it wouldn’t be a problem. He could just put me out and put an album together, but I was tone-deaf. Johnny would be so happy to know that I am singing. I can say his wish came true, that would be amazing.
12. Between your music career and the documentary project, what milestone are you most looking forward to achieving in the next year?
Coppe Cantrell. Achieving both simultaneously, I thought I could do them separately. Gods like no, it’s you’re calling for a time such as this. As the press is talking about both things right now the milestone is putting out the documentary as I’m working on both. The Biopic whichever one of the two is going to come first, it can happen simultaneously. This day and time is important for you to do more than one thing at the same time, but we will see what distribution wants to do before I jump the gun on what’s going to take place.
I am back in the studio as we speak on my fourth album. I can control my music release more than the movie, and documentary. You know I’m in the studio still writing and I gotta keep flowing while in that prolific moment. Sometimes I call myself a Jamaican man because I can do a lot of things. I got more than one job running my company Klock Work Entertainment, President/CEO. You need to decide on
putting out a project and working on the right project and I’m working on both things. Because when
you’re prolific, God is right, having to write when you’re in that moment. It doesn’t come when you want it to come, it comes when he says for it to come. There’s a point where the documentary project, once it’s released, it’s released. It can be released in theaters, on Netflix, or on HBO. Whatever aspect of distribution are those moments that you can’t control. Once it goes from place to place you can do things at the same time, so I’m prepared to receive every milestone.
A prayer that my music reaches millions of people, which it is reaching, but even in those sales and even with the documentary, it reaches those people who can be inspired by Johnny’s story. I know the Latin
community is looking forward to him being like their hero because people thought that there wasn’t
someone in Hip-Hop that had such a high caliber he had. I’m looking to do everything simultaneously, as we are doing and talking about it right now. God bless you guys take care.
For more details and updates, connect with Coppe Cantrell at:
www.instagram.com/coppe_cantrell/
www.youtube.com/@coppecantrell
