Jared Lincoln Cotter is an American pop/R&B singer, songwriter and model. He has hosted a number of TV shows, and he co-wrote the number 1 song "Down" by Jay Sean.
Biography
Born and raised on Long Island, Cotter grew up in a family of musicians. Cotter's great grandfather, James Reese Europe, was the first African American jazz player to perform at Carnegie Hall. Cotter's father, Robert Cotter, played in the late 1970s with Nile Rodgers and the late Bernard Edwards of the Big Apple Band, later known as Chic. Cotter listed as his influence artists such as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Brian McKnight. Cotter's recording career began when he was 15. He performed and released music as JL Cotter, and co-wrote songs such as "Make U Cry", "My Girl", "She Likes It" and the Notorious B.I.G inspired "Somebody's Gotta Go". He has worked with Joshua Thompson, Rob Fusari and Jeremy Skaller, and has also collaborated with other songwriters including Andre Deyo, Teron Beal and worked with producer and songwriter, Quincy Patrick. Cotter has performed on BET's 106 & Park, and opened for platinum-selling artist Avant. He has also performed at BB King's in Times Square, Village Underground, Soul Café and SOB's. In 2005, he independently released "The Album Before the Album".
Personal life
Cotter began dating Canadian singer-songwriter Melanie Fiona in 2013. On March 14, 2016, their first child was born. On Valentine's Day 2018, the couple became engaged.
''American Idol''
Cotter appeared on the sixth season of American Idol and reached the semi-final stage of the competition. He sang Stevie Wonder's "Lately" for his audition.
Before he appeared on Idol, Cotter released an album, "The Album Before the Album," independently as JL Cotter in 2005. The album was re-released after he appeared on Idol. He released a single "Good Morning" in October 2008. Cotter has written songs for other popular artists such as Carl Thomas, Joe, and in particular Jay Sean with whom he has considerable success. He co-wrote a number of songs on Jay Sean's album All or Nothing, including the number one song, "Down", which was the seventh-best selling single of 2009, and for which he received an ASCAP award as a writer for one of the "Most Performed Songs" of the year. He signed a worldwide deal with EMI Music Publishing in 2009. He has been nominated for Best Male R&B Vocalist at the Underground Hip Hop Music Awards.. Cotter released a five-song EP You Me Forever on July 1, 2014.
