Why This Messaging Detour Slaps Like the First Five Songs of the Forever My Lady Album

I won’t lie: If you had told 11-year-old me that one day I'd turn my weird obsession with jotting down song lyrics into a profitable business move, I'd reply with, "Yeah, OK," and a hard eye roll.

Yet, here we are. 

That same pen-to-paper girl, with childlike wonder and an imagination that sparks big dreams, still gets high off listening to, processing, and transcribing words. But nowadays, the words come from my head and shoot through my fingers, producing beautiful copy and messaging. 

A melodic explosion.

My journey to this split in the road started with music, so I can’t wait to share this FRESH direction with you. As with all detours, it will provide new scenery but lead me to my desired destination: home to myself. But first, let’s take a step back in time to see how I got here...

---

80s Baby, 90s Made Me

I grew up listening to a diverse array of gospel, R&B, and hip-hop artists. Music filled my head, heart, and home. What stayed on repeat was the silky voice of Luther Vandross coming through the TV and my mom's car speakers. She was infatuated with this man, who, despite his size, was undefeated in artistic delivery and flair for romanticizing the ladies. 

From another corner of the house came something a little more my speed: multi-dimensional harmonies with impressionable lyrics. My brother's room was the spot to hear the latest, greatest sounds of the '90s. Always singing, writing, and performing with his homeboys, my brother contributed to my love for boy bands like Jodeci, Shai, and Hi-Five. The juxtaposition of hard beats and church roots made me feel alive, even though I was too young to truly understand the lyrics. 

Then there was my sister. Back in the '90s, she and her crew were known as “The Divas,” but she had an edginess I always admired. Though she channeled a young Faith Evans, she’s the reason East Coast hip-hop pulses strong in my veins. Bumping loud and unapologetically from her hoopie ride’s trunk came the laid-back flow of Biggie, the sweet and rugged sounds of the Fugees, and the quintessential magic of Mobb Deep. 

And to think, it ALL started with my dad, a talented musician who has been an integral band member for gospel legend Pastor Shirley Caesar longer than I’ve been alive. Self-taught at a young age, my dad can effortlessly add color, depth, and richness to any song, new or old. No doubt about it; he's sick on the keys! As I see it now, his passion was the catalyst for our musical discovery. While we are all gifted vocally, he, along with my mom and siblings, gave me the motivation to do more than just listen to music.

So while most kids my age collected colorful Trolls or traded Pokémon cards, I built a treasure trove of handwritten lyrics from my favorite R&B and hip-hop tracks.

I remember sitting in front of my pink, purple, and turquoise two-cassette stereo, waiting patiently for the most-requested jams so I could record them. 

When it was go time, I simultaneously pressed the “Record” and “Play” buttons, ensuring I didn’t miss one note. I always made sure to stop the tape at the perfect time so I wouldn’t capture the deejay’s commentary. I spent my afternoons and weekends meticulously listening to and jotting down the words to every popular song.

Before long, my peers classified me as the “plug” when you needed to show off your lyrical prowess and rap skills between classes or in the talent shows. My hard work paid off. I had the receipts (i.e., the words straight from the artists’ mouths) neatly tucked inside my massive three-ring binder. My siblings still laugh at me today because what I heard come through the speakers was not exactly accurate, lol.

What I didn’t know back then was that my obsession surpassed music; it was language that had me in a pre-teen chokehold. It was something about the structure, storytelling, and the way lyrics could hit your soul and stay there for decades.

That’s why I fell in love with an 18-year-old tomboy from Yonkers, NY named Mary J. Blige. Her life was a stark difference from mine, but at only 11 years old, I felt every note deep down in my bones. The joy, pain, teenage love, and raw energy had me in a trance as I listened to What’s the 411?. The black and white album cover hid Mary’s eyes and smile, giving her a mystique I couldn’t deny. The feminine font was a stark contrast to her edge, giving Mary a softness that lay beneath the surface. 

From the opening sounds of Puff dialing Mary’s number and getting her voicemail to the closing melody of the album’s namesake, every song immersed me fully into Mary’s world. I saw things from her lens, and it’s all because of the words accompanied by sampled beats and lyrics, synthesizers, and New Jack Swing elements. Her album was a masterful fusion of R&B and hip-hop, giving rise to the genre known as “hip-hop soul.” 

That’s the power of a strong message, and as a brand copywriter, content marketer, and strategist, it’s the same power I bring to every client I serve.

A Divergence that Led Me Home

When I created the Kopy Fresh brand in 2020, I knew it would pay homage to the 90s in some way. It started with the name. Incorporating the word ‘fresh’ into my brand was a strategic move. Derived from the popular slang of the 80s and 90s, ‘fresh’ means something new, cool, innovative, and oozing with stylistic flair. It was the exact vibe I was going for. 

I set out to create a nostalgic experience that was true to my roots and foundation, and I did (kind of). But if I'm being honest, I didn’t fully embrace this unique lane. Instead, I put it on pause and ventured down other roads.

But lately, I’ve been craving more substance, more introspection, and a lot more soul…even more creativity in the way I present myself online and serve my audience. I realized that everything I adore about 90s music (the energy, emotional pull, and authenticity) is exactly what I aim to bring to the copywriting and brand messaging world.

So, why wouldn’t I throw it all in a blender, mix it up, and do what I set out to do in the first place?

Consider this a FREΣH TAKE (fun fact: that’s my line name oo-oop!) on my messaging and content direction, where 90s nostalgia meets conversion-centered strategy.

What This Switch-up Looks Like IRL

Here’s what to expect as I roll out this FRESH new vibe like a “I Wanna Be Down” remix:

🎶 Evocative yet tactical content: I’ll be sharing more marketing insight, specifically what falls under Kopy Fresh’s umbrella (e.g., branding, copywriting, and design). These takes will be inspired by 90s R&B and hip-hop music and culture, so the relatability will be on 100.

🎶 Flavorful campaigns and offers: From a new quiz to future products and services with soulful names and meaningful hooks, I’m making strategy feel less stiff and more like your favorite throwback jam.

🎶 The homegirl who gets it…and you: I’m still the girl who loves a good copywriting formula and sales funnel to go with it, but now, you’ll vibe with me on a whole new level.

The Bigger Message

No cute gimmicks here. Nah, this is who I am at the core. This detour is my response to a calling that has burned deep within me since I was a dark-skinned, gap-toothed girl rocking frames and shaky confidence. It’s proof that the freshest brands tell stories, and the best copywriters are those who know how to blend feeling and function.

It doesn’t matter if you’re launching your first offer, rebranding your website, or just trying to convey what you really mean in your newsletters; I want to help you deliver it like a '90s hit.

📌Final Note: The Next Track

This quarter, you’ll see this DOPE evolution unfold in real time. You can still expect a premium brand experience, but now with even more storytelling, cultural connection, and a “run that track back” type of energy. Because when your message is profound and rooted in your truth, people feel it. And when your brand is built like Destiny Child’s The Writing’s on the Wall, there’s no skipping tracks.

I’m still in awe that the girl who used to lend out lyrics is now lending that same passion to help brands communicate with clarity and soul. If you’ve been waiting for someone who understands both the art of storytelling and the strategy behind strong messaging (bonus points if you’re a 90s R&B and hip hop lover!), you've found your home here. Say 'hello' to your new favorite copywriter who can also recite every word of the Miss Thang album with every bit of sass Monica gave us.

Let’s make your brand messaging take the world by storm like a Timbaland-produced Aaliyah track.

Book your complimentary copy chat today!

---

Let's stay connected on social media: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok