Samantha Cole

Samantha Cole (born October 31, 1975) is an American singer‑songwriter who emerged from the vibrant music scene of Southampton, New York, before relocating to Manhattan to pursue a professional career. From a young age she demonstrated a fierce dedication to her craft, taking vocal lessons at fifteen and securing numerous singing engagements throughout New York City, experiences that honed her stage presence and vocal versatility. Her breakthrough arrived after a series of thirty appearances on MTV's The Grind and regular performances at the upscale club Tatou, where she caught the attention of Universal Music executives Doug Morris and Daniel Glass, leading to a record deal with Universal Records. The self‑titled debut album, released on September 9, 1997, showcased Cole’s songwriting abilities—she co‑wrote eight of the ten tracks—and featured an all‑star production lineup including David Foster, Nile Rodgers, Richard Marx, Rhett Lawrence, and Diane Warren. The lead single “Happy With You” reached number 78 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and earned moderate radio play, while the follow‑up “Without You” climbed to number 25 on the Radio & Records adult contemporary chart and later found new life through covers by Kimberley Locke and Clay Aiken, even topping Asian charts. Beyond her solo work, Cole collaborated with Jamaican reggae star Shaggy on the 2001 single “Luv Me Luv Me”, which peaked at #5 on the UK Singles Chart, and again on “Bring It To Me” for the Dark Angel soundtrack in 2002. A 2005 dance‑floor revival came with her cover of Animotion’s “Obsession”, a club hit that reinforced her status as a staple of New York’s discothèque scene. Cole has also pursued modeling, appearing in FHM and Loaded, and expanded into acting with cameo roles on HBO’s Sex and the City, the WE reality series Single In the Hamptons, and Damon Dash’s 2003 film Death of a Dynasty. As of the mid‑2000s she has been working on a sophomore album titled Superwoman for Alpha Omega Records, continuing to blend pop, dance, and R&B influences while maintaining a loyal fanbase.