Capucine Cantrell was renamed "Coppe" by her dad, because he said her hair shined like a new copper penny. And shining is what this eclectic, mutli-genred artist has been doing ever since. Whether she was doing music videos, dancing on tour, or helping run the successful Klock Work Entertainment label with her late husband, the late Johnny J, Coppe has been shining. And paying attention.

Now, after a lifetime of lessons and experiences, Coppe is back with a strong sense of mission, an invigorated musical palette, and of course, brand new songs. I talked with Coppe about her new music, lessons learned from being in both the mainstream and Christian worlds, and what's ahead.

You've been part of the music business for a while now, although people are still just getting to know you. Give us a quick tour of your musical career so far.

During the initial release of my first album and single "Holy Groove," I have performed and ministered in song for many churches, and I was able to perform at the annual Knott's Berry Farm Gospel Fest for thousands of people. I wrote pretty much all of the songs on my first album and all of the songs on my sophmore album. For that second album, I was able to work with a few Christian hip-hop veterans Macho Ortega [of the Tunnel Rats] and Shames Worthy [LPG]. I got to attend the Stellar Awards, BET's Celebration of Gospel and various conferences, and during those I was able to meet some great people like Lecrae, Mary Mary and Kirk Franklin.

You've done music videos, been a tour dancer, and even were part of Coolio's "Gangsta's Paradise." What did you learn in the midst of that season of your life?

With Coolio, I did an acting skit for that; I did not sing on that record! That was a time period of my life that I was just learning the music business, and when I say music business I mainly worked behind the scenes making sure that the business was right--typing up album credits, split sheets and reading recording contracts, et cetera. During this time of my life, I realized people are always trying to rip you off. Even if your paperwork is right you still have to check the books or numbers.

In your bio, you said on July 1, 2009, God woke you up and really sent you on the trajectory you're on now, making music for Him. What's your calling as you best understand it now? 

My calling is to preach the non-compromising Word of God to all of the world through music, winning souls for the Kingdom, and providing food and shelter for the homeless and less fortunate through philanthropy. I am a servant, a worker for God through Jesus, a soldier for Christ! 

You have a new song coming out, "Dance in the Dark." Tell us how you came to write that song, and what you're trying to communicate through it.

Romans 13:12 says, "The night is nearly over, the day is almost here; so let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." With this song I of course was inspired by scripture, but also by recognizing that there are many clubs and arenas that promote living in sin. Darkness is everywhere, because it is controlled by our enemy, Satan. 

When I say, "darkness," it may not just be a dark room, but somewhere that demonic activity is going on, which is everywhere. It's not easy! We the believers, the people who are to be the light of this world, have to go into all of the world to preach the Gospel to win as many lost souls as we can. People need to be given the opportunity to know the truth so they can be set free, if they choose not to after knowing they have free will to do what they please, but will be judged.

How is "Dance in the Dark" the next step for you creatively and musically? What does it say about the direction you're headed as an artist? 

I would say that "Dance In The Dark" is just a sneak peek of where I am headed musically. There is an eclectic mix of music on my upcoming release, The Breastplate Of Righteousness. I have a reggae record, a rock song, and a lot of the elements of hip-hop. I love all kinds of music so there is no specific direction other than me taking a stance for righteousness. I don't have a problem with saying what I need to say lyrically, but tastefully.

You've worked in mainstream and in the Christian spheres. What have you learned from being in both worlds?

Well, I would say both are similar when it comes to the business aspects of things. People will try to take advantage of you in both worlds. It is important to know that sometimes people who are doing it for the kingdom become competitive just like the mainstream, and don't want to open doors for each other. The whole purpose is for winning souls. We are all on the same team, but people get caught up the same way they do in the mainstream. 

I do feel that in the Christian sphere if you are grounded spiritually and you have a true foundation of Christ, and you yourself have a relationship with Him, those relationships can help bolster you in an environment where we have platforms through the Church that we are able to utilize, which the mainstream doesn't have. 

On the other hand, the mainstream will take it to every limit that they can to sell as many records as they can by utilizing sex, drugs whatever they can to sell music. We the Christians are trying to sell music, but it's not by any means necessary. Being in the recording studios you don't have to worry about if people are drinking or getting high in your environment as far as the Christian sphere like you do in the mainstream.

Do you keep in touch with your friends and colleagues in the mainstream world? Have you had any chance to minister to them through your music (or relationship)? 

Well, I've worked with people for whom I worked in the mainstream that contributed in a number of ways, be it engineers, managers, attorneys, PR or video personnel. Some of those people are themselves Christians, which I did not know until I started working on my first project. I was able to minister to some of those colleagues and of course I minister to old friends via social media. I am constantly ministering to family members and strangers.

What's next for you? 

Completing and releasing my album, The Breastplate Of Righteousness, but I do not plan on rushing the release. I will release at least one or two more singles prior to releasing the album. The next single that I will release is "Jesus Rocks." Later, once I complete the release of my album, I will focus on writing a book about my life.

How we be praying for you? 

You can pray that God provides me with the right people around me to carry out His will, and just the continued strength to finish His race. I know that I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. There are a lot of wolves out there in sheep's clothing, and I thank God for giving me the discerning spirit that He has given me.

Anything else to add that we should know about you, the record, any other endeavors?

The album is being released on VOW Entertainment Gospel, owned by myself and my husband, and KLOCK WORK Entertainment Corp., and was produced entirely by Johnny J--the music that he left behind--and myself. I will be putting out a book and a documentary, some people think that I should have put that out first. Doing the will of our Father is my first priority everything else comes after that. It's like 1 Samuel 15:22 says, "Obedience is better than sacrifice."