2006–2013: Early career with Disney and Hollywood Records In 2006, she competed on
Radio Disney, where she became known for her song, "Real You". In 2011, she guest-starred on
Disney Channel's television series
So Random!. In 2010, Jones was the runner up during season 3 of
Radio Disney's The Next Big Thing singing competition. Shortly after, she released her debut project
Coco Jones, and began a concert tour revolving around the theme of anti-bullying called UBU-Stop the Bullying. In June 2012, Jones played the lead role of Roxie in the television Disney movie,
Let It Shine. The movie was the most watched
Disney Channel Original Movie and most watched movie of the year for kids and tweens in 2012. Jones signed a record deal with
Hollywood Records and began working with Grammy-nominated producer Rob Galbraith, co-writing and recording all-new original music. The video for the track premiered on the Disney Channel on December 12, with a premiere on VEVO just afterwards. Her extended play
Made Of was released on March 12, 2013, and it reached the top 10 of the Billboard Heatseekers chart. She toured with
Mindless Behavior later that year. Jones performed with Mindless Behavior at
Radio Disney's Radio Disney Music Awards, and took home an award for "Funniest Celebrity Take." Following the release of the EP, Jones worked in the studio with
David Banner,
Ester Dean, and Jukebox, with plans to release her debut album by August.
2014–2022: Independent music and acting roles In 2014, Jones was dropped from Hollywood Records. In July 2017, Jones was featured in a
Fanta commercial. In April 2018, Jones was featured in 1950s-era jazz film,
Flock of Four. In September of that year, she released a song, called "Just My Luck", along with its music video. On September 3, 2019, Jones released a song, called "Depressed". On September 20, she released an 8-track EP, titled
H.D.W.Y.. In August 2020, it was announced Jones will appear in the upcoming holiday film,
White Elephant, and horror film,
Vampires vs. the Bronx. In September 2020, Jones talked about her negative experiences in the industry with
colorism. According to her, executives decided she was not marketable enough after featuring in
Let It Shine. In November 2020, Jones released the single, "Hollyweird". In September 2021, Jones was cast in
Peacock drama series,
Bel-Air, a reimagining of hit sitcom,
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, in the role of Hilary Banks. The show would premiere in February 2022.
2022–present: Signing to Def Jam Recordings, ''What I Didn't Tell You and Why Not More?'' On March 20, 2022, Jones announced that she had signed a new artist deal with High Standardz and
Def Jam Recordings. Her major label debut single "Caliber" was released on March 25, 2022, and also served as the lead single for her major label debut EP ''
What I Didn't Tell You''. After the release of the EP's second single, "
ICU"; as well as the non-album
Amazon Music exclusive single, "Love is War", the EP was released on November 4, 2022. Just a month prior to the EP's release, Jones was featured on
Babyface's ninth album,
Girls Night Out, contributing vocals to the song, "Simple". The music video for the song was also released a week later on October 31. On January 20, 2023, Jones released the deluxe edition to her EP, which includes a song, "Simple", and three new tracks. Jones' single, "ICU", reached number 21 on the
Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, and peaked at number 63 on the
Billboard Hot 100, her first entry on both charts. On 30 January 2024, Jones signed an exclusive publishing deal with
Warner Chappell Music. On February 10, Jones released "Love is War" on all streaming platforms, and four days later, released a
Spotify-exclusive cover of "
Until the End of Time" with
Leon Thomas. On April 6, 2024, Jones performed the National Anthem at night one of
WrestleMania XL in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On August 9, Jones partnered with
Disney for a reimagined release of
Princess Tiana’s "Almost There". On August 16, Jones released a promotional single, "Sweep It Up", with an accompanying visualizer and lyric video. On November 22, Jones released her sixth extended play,
Coco by the Fireplace. On April 25, 2025, Jones released her debut studio album,
Why Not More?. == Musical style and influences ==