Introduction

If you have heard Coco Jones Taste even once, you already know it does not let you go. That swirling, eerily familiar production hits you first. Then her voice slides in, warm and magnetic, and you realize something brilliant just happened. She took one of the most iconic pop songs ever made and turned it into something completely her own.

“Taste” dropped on February 21, 2025, as the lead single announcing Coco Jones’s debut studio album Why Not More?. It immediately became one of the most talked-about R&B releases of the year. Fans streamed it millions of times. Critics praised it. And for anyone who had been following Coco’s journey from a Disney kid to a Grammy-winning R&B powerhouse, the song felt like the perfect next chapter.

In this article, you will get a full breakdown of Taste. You will learn what makes the song work, what the lyrics actually mean, how it connects to her debut album, and why this single matters for the future of R&B. Whether you are a longtime fan or just discovering Coco Jones, this is the deep dive you need.

What Is “Taste” by Coco Jones?

“Taste” is a sultry, slow-burning R&B single that samples Britney Spears’s 2003 pop classic “Toxic.” The production team behind it is nothing short of impressive. Stargate, the Norwegian duo known for shaping hits for Beyoncé and Rihanna, teamed up with Jasper Harris, whose credits include work with Post Malone and Jack Harlow. Together they transformed the original dance-pop anthem into a smoky, minor-key groove that feels both familiar and completely fresh.

The song runs approximately two minutes and forty-four seconds. Short, sharp, and impossible to shake. It was written by Coco Jones alongside Aaron Shadrow, Pontus Winnberg, Henrik Jonback, Mikkel Storleer Eriksen, Cathy Dennis, Bloodshy, and Blush. Every one of those names carries serious music industry weight.

The Toxic Sample and Why It Works

You might wonder: does sampling “Toxic” feel gimmicky? The answer is no, and here is why.

Britney Spears’s “Toxic” is built on a theme of dangerous, irresistible attraction. Coco Jones does not fight that theme. She leans directly into it. The chorus of “Taste” echoes the original’s central feeling of being helplessly pulled toward someone you know is not good for you. The production team pitch-shifts and slows down the signature strings, making them darker and more sensual. It strips away the bubbly pop energy and replaces it with something heavier and more emotionally complex.

The result is an R&B track that bridges Y2K nostalgia with the sounds of 2025. Millennials who grew up with Britney recognize it immediately. Younger listeners discover something new. That is a genuinely rare trick to pull off, and Coco does it with total confidence.

Breaking Down the Lyrics of “Taste”

The lyrics of “Taste” explore obsessive attraction and emotional vulnerability. This is not a casual love song. It goes deeper than that.

Verse One: Helpless and Loving It

In the opening verse, Coco describes the total grip another person has on her. She sings about how a kiss can leave a legacy. She compares the possibility of living without this person to a tragedy. The language is dramatic by design. She is not being subtle about the depth of her feelings.

The phrase “I can’t get enough” sets the tone for the whole song. This is someone fully aware that they are being consumed by an emotion and choosing to stay right in the middle of it.

The Chorus: Toxic Reimagined

The chorus is where the Britney Spears sample becomes most obvious. Coco sings directly about being on a ride, about slipping under, about a poison paradise. She names it as toxic. She admits to being addicted. And yet the vocal delivery is not distressed. It is confident, almost celebratory. She is not ashamed of wanting this. She owns it completely.

That tonal choice is what separates “Taste” from a standard heartbreak song. This is a woman who understands exactly what is happening to her and finds power in that self-awareness rather than shame.

Verse Two: Desire Without Apology

The second verse goes further. Lines like “one bite of you, the things that it could do” make the sensual nature of the song very clear. Coco has spoken openly in interviews about exploring her sexuality more fully in this era of her music. “Taste” fits that vision without ever crossing into territory that feels forced or out of character.

There is something refreshing about lyrics that treat adult desire as completely normal. The song does not flinch. It does not over-explain. It just says what it means.

Why “Taste” Matters for Coco Jones’s Career

To understand why “Taste” is such a significant release, you need to know where Coco Jones has been.

From Disney Kid to Grammy Winner

Coco Jones was born on January 4, 1998, and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Her mother was a singer. Her father played in the NFL. She started recording music at just nine years old. By 2010, she was competing on Radio Disney’s Next Big Thing, finishing as runner-up and landing a deal with Hollywood Records.

Her early career included Disney Channel appearances, a starring role in the 2012 TV movie Let It Shine, and a handful of singles. But the transition from child star to serious adult artist is one of the hardest moves in entertainment. For years, it did not click.

Then in 2022, everything changed. She signed with High Standardz and Def Jam Recordings and released “ICU,” a soulful ballad that hit differently. The song reached the Billboard Hot 100, achieved platinum certification from the RIAA, peaked at number one on the Billboard R&B Airplay chart, and won Best R&B Performance at the 66th Grammy Awards. She also received nominations for Best New Artist, Best R&B Album, and two other categories at the same ceremony.

She was also playing Hilary Banks in Peacock’s Bel-Air, the dramatic reboot of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, adding to her cultural footprint even further.

By the time “Taste” arrived in February 2025, Coco Jones had seven Grammy nominations and one win under her belt. All of that, before releasing a single full-length album. “Taste” was the first real signal of what that debut album would sound like.

Setting the Tone for Why Not More?

“Taste” serves as both a lead single and a mission statement. It tells you exactly who Coco Jones is in 2025. She is confident. She is sensual. She is willing to take creative risks. She is not trying to make the safe choice.

In an interview with ELLE, she described the album’s approach: “On my debut album, I accomplished some of the sonic changes and experimentation that I wanted to try. I have so many different types of music that I’m into.” She mentioned her Disney background, her Southern upbringing, and her time singing gospel, noting that each chapter of her life left a mark on her sound.

“Taste” represents one specific mood within that wider range. It is the chapter that says: I am a grown woman, I know what I want, and I am not apologizing for any of it.

The Music Video for “Taste”

The music video for “Taste” was directed by Ava Rikki. The visual aesthetic aligns perfectly with the song’s tone. Coco moves through scenes that highlight her physical confidence and command of the space around her. The direction and styling work together to reinforce the message of the song: this is a woman fully in control of her own image and narrative.

The video became one of her most-watched releases, accumulating millions of views across platforms in a short period. She also performed “Taste” live on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2025, a performance that showed off her vocal delivery in real time and proved the song translates powerfully to a live setting.

Coco Jones Taste and the Debut Album Why Not More?

Why Not More? was released on April 25, 2025, via High Standardz/Def Jam Recordings. The album features 14 songs and represents years of creative work. Coco described the process as strict and deliberate: “It’s been a really long process because I’m really strict with myself.” Some tracks date back three years. Others were recorded just months before release.

“Taste” appears as track two on the album. Alongside it you will find tracks that explore very different emotional and sonic territory:

• “Here We Go (Uh Oh)” — a cyclical love anthem that topped the Billboard Adult R&B Airplay chart for three weeks
• “Most Beautiful Design” featuring London On Da Track and Future — a trap-soul exploration
• The title track featuring YG Marley — a reggae-influenced reflection on pushing for more
• “By Myself” — a smooth, guitar-driven empowerment piece
• “AEOMG” — a playful, raunchy track that interpolates Luther Vandross
• “Other Side of Love” featuring Alicia Keys — added on the deluxe edition

The album received critical acclaim and earned Coco Jones her second Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. A deluxe edition, Why Not More (MORE!), followed in August 2025, adding eight bonus tracks including a collaboration with Leon Thomas and a track with Lady London.

Coco explained the album’s spirit simply: “Why Not More? is the question I’ve been asking myself in hopes of understanding me and growing in confidence. This album is about leaning into whoever you are right now without worrying about who you’ve been or who you want to be in the future.”

What Fans and Critics Are Saying About “Taste”

The reception to Coco Jones Taste has been overwhelmingly positive from both audiences and music publications.

Fans consistently highlight three things:

• The cleverness of the “Toxic” sample and how naturally it fits into an R&B context
• Coco’s vocal performance, which feels assured and mature
• The way the song manages to feel nostalgic and completely current at the same time

Critics praised the production choices. Stargate and Jasper Harris took a bold gamble by slowing and darkening one of pop music’s most recognizable strings sequences, and the payoff was real. One reviewer described the song as “an instant R&B classic” and noted that it showcases Jones’s vocal power while respecting the source material.

Some reviewers noted that the song works best when you lean into its short runtime. At under three minutes, it does not overstay its welcome. It hits, it delivers, and it leaves you wanting more. Which, given the album title, feels very much intentional.

Why Coco Jones Represents the Future of R&B

There is a specific kind of artist who manages to honor a genre’s traditions while pushing it somewhere new. Coco Jones is that kind of artist.

Her influences read like a masterclass in vocal excellence: Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Aaliyah, Aretha Franklin, Brandy Norwood, Mary J. Blige. These are not casual references. You hear them in the way she approaches a melody, the way she controls her breath, the way she chooses to deliver a note quietly instead of belting it out when restraint serves the moment better.

At the same time, she is not imitating any of those artists. “Taste” does not sound like a Brandy record or a Mariah record. It sounds like a Coco Jones record. That distinction matters enormously.

She also carries the weight of representation gracefully. Her visibility as a dark-skinned Black woman thriving at the highest levels of R&B has made her a genuine role model for a generation of fans who needed to see someone who looks like them win in exactly this way.

Add to all of this her acting career, her executive producing work on the upcoming romantic comedy That’s Her, her engagement to NBA star Donovan Mitchell (announced July 2025), and her sold-out touring schedule, and you have an artist operating at absolute full capacity.

Conclusion

Coco Jones Taste is more than a great single. It is a declaration. After years of building toward this moment, she arrived in 2025 with complete creative clarity, a voice that can do things most singers only dream about, and a willingness to take the kinds of risks that separate good artists from unforgettable ones.

Whether you came to the song through the “Toxic” sample, through her Grammy win for “ICU,” or through Bel-Air, you ended up in the same place: fully hooked. The song does exactly what its title promises. One listen and it gets into you. You keep coming back for more.

If you have not listened to the full Why Not More? album yet, “Taste” is the perfect starting point. And if you have already heard it, go back. There is always something new to catch.

What is your favorite track on the album? Drop it in the comments or share this with a friend who needs to discover Coco Jones right now.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Coco Jones Taste about? “Taste” is an R&B song about intense romantic and physical attraction. It explores the feeling of being completely consumed by desire for another person, drawing on themes of addiction, infatuation, and emotional vulnerability. The song celebrates that feeling rather than treating it as a weakness.

What song does “Taste” sample? “Taste” samples “Toxic” by Britney Spears, released in 2003. The production team Stargate and Jasper Harris slowed down and darkened the original’s signature string melody to create a sultry R&B atmosphere while keeping the emotional core of the source material intact.

Who produced Coco Jones Taste? The song was produced by Stargate (known for work with Beyoncé and Rihanna) and Jasper Harris (known for work with Post Malone and Jack Harlow), along with Aaron Shadrow.

When did “Taste” come out? “Taste” was released on February 21, 2025. It served as the lead single announcing Coco Jones’s debut studio album Why Not More?, which dropped on April 25, 2025.

What album is “Taste” on? “Taste” is the second track on Coco Jones’s debut studio album Why Not More?, released April 25, 2025, via High Standardz/Def Jam Recordings.

How many Grammy nominations does Coco Jones have? As of 2025, Coco Jones has received seven Grammy nominations. She won her first Grammy for Best R&B Performance for “ICU” at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. Why Not More? also earned her a Best R&B Album nomination at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.

Did Coco Jones perform “Taste” live? Yes. Coco Jones performed “Taste” live on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2025. The performance was widely praised and demonstrated how strongly the song translates to a live setting.

What does “Why Not More?” mean to Coco Jones? Coco has explained that Why Not More? represents a mindset of self-acceptance and confidence. She described it as an album about leaning into who you are right now, without anxiety about the past or future. The title question is one she asked herself during the creative process to push herself further.

Is Coco Jones still on Bel-Air? Coco Jones starred in Bel-Air, the Peacock drama reboot of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, from its premiere through 2025. The show ran for multiple seasons alongside her music career.

What are Coco Jones’s musical influences? Coco Jones has cited Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Aaliyah, Aretha Franklin, Brandy Norwood, Mary J. Blige, Christina Aguilera, Jazmine Sullivan, and CeCe Winans as major influences on her musical development.

Author Bio

Jordan Ellis is a music writer and culture critic with over eight years of experience covering R&B, pop, and hip-hop. Jordan has written for several digital publications and specializes in breaking down the stories behind hit songs and emerging artists. When not writing, Jordan can be found deep in a playlist or at a live show somewhere near the front row.

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Email: johanharwen314@gmail.com
Author Name: Johan Harwen