Michael Cooper
Michael Vernon Cooper (born November 15, 1952) is an American R&B and funk singer, songwriter, and guitarist best known as the lead vocalist and co-founder of the legendary band Con Funk Shun. Born and raised in Vallejo, California, Cooper formed his first band, Project Soul, in the late 1960s with drummer Louis A. McCall while still in high school. In 1972, the group relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, to back Stax Records artists The Soul Children and officially became Con Funk Shun.
As lead singer and guitarist, Cooper was instrumental in the band's decade of dominance (1976–1986), during which they released 11 albums and scored hits like "Ffun" (#1 R&B in 1978), "Shake and Dance with Me," and "Chase Me".
Following the band's disbandment in 1986, Cooper launched a successful solo career with Warner Bros. and Reprise Records:-
Love Is Such a Funny Game (1987): His debut solo album featured the major hit "To Prove My Love," which reached #3 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart.
Just What I Like (1989): His second album included the successful R&B singles "Dinner for Two" and "Quickness".
Later Releases: He released Get Closer (1992), featuring jazz icons like Roy Ayers, and later independent projects such as This Heart of Mine (2001) and Are We Cool (2004).
In 2022, Con Funk Shun's ballad "Love's Train"—originally co-written and sung by Cooper—saw a massive resurgence when it was covered by the R&B duo Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak).
In 2014, Cooper and his bandmates received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National R&B Music Society. More recently, in late 2024, he was awarded an honorary doctorate and a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.
As of 2026, Cooper continues to tour with the current iteration of Con Funk Shun and remains active in the studio, recently working on a new album titled A Smooth Jukebo.x
Just What I Like
Keyboards [Additional Keyboards] – Michael Cooper
Mixed By – Brian Malouf
Producer [Produced By] – Michael Cooper
Recorded By – Darrin Harris, Steve Counter
Written-By – Michael Cooper, Tony Shockency
4:07
A2 Turn The Lights Out
Co-producer [Co-produced By] – Kirk Crumpler
Horns – Maliscio Madayulo, Wayne Wallace
Keyboards [Additional Keyboards] – Michael Cooper
Keyboards, Programmed By [Programming] – Kirk Crumpler
Mixed By – Brian Malouf
Producer [Produced By] – Michael Cooper
Rap – Tony "OH"
Recorded By – Darrin Harris, Steve Counter
Scratches [All Scratches By] – DJ Darryl
Written-By – Kirk Crumpler, Michael Cooper
4:20
A3 Girl's Got It Goin' On
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Larry White, Lee Peters
Drums, Synth [Bass Synth], Keyboards, Percussion, Horns – Kirk Crumpler
Keyboards [Additional Keyboards], Percussion, Horns – Larry White
Mixed By – Brian Malouf
Producer [Produced By] – Larry White
Recorded By – Howard Johnston
Recorded By [Additional Recorded By] – Joel Jaffe
Written By – Kirk Crumpler, Lee Peters And Larry White
4:17
A4 My Baby's House
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Michael Cooper, Roniece Lavias, Rosie Gaines
Guitar, Keyboards [Additional Keyboards] – Michael Cooper
Keyboards, Programmed By [Programming] – Tony Shockency
Mixed By – Conley Abrams, Michael Cooper
Performer [Baby] – Roniece Lavias
Performer [Sexy Hype] – Renée Young
Producer [Produced By] – Michael Cooper
Recorded By – Darrin Harris, Steve Counter
Written-By – Michael Cooper, Tony Shockency
5:48
B1 The Best
Co-producer [Co-Produced By] – Michael Cooper
Mixed By – Conley Abrams, Cornelius Mims, Michael Cooper
Producer [Produced], Written-By – Cornelius Mims
Recorded By – Conley Abrams
6:18
B2 Over And Over
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Keith John, Marva King
Drums [Drum Overdubs] – Rayford Griffin
Mixed By – Brian Malouf
Producer [Produced By] – Robert Brookins
Programmed By [Programming], Keyboards – Robert Brookins
Recorded By – Mitch Gibson
Written-By – Michael Cooper, Robert Brookins
6:00
B3 Should Have Been You
Co-producer [Co-Produced By] – Kirk Crumpler
Guitar – Michael Cooper
Mixed By – Brian Malouf
Producer [Produced By] – Michael Cooper
Programmed By [Keyboard Programming] – Kirk Crumpler
Recorded By – Darrin Harris, Steve Counter
Written-By – Kirk Crumpler, Michael Cooper
4:25
B4 Wild Side
Co-producer [Co-Produced By] – Michael Cooper
Keyboards, Programmed By [Programming] – Skylark
Mixed By – Conley Abrams, Michael Cooper, Skylark
Percussion [Additional Percussion] – Michael Cooper
Producer [Produced], Written-By – Skylark
Recorded By – Conley Abrams
4:05
B5 Do You Love Me Baby
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Les Edwards, Michael Cooper, Myron Edwards
Co-producer [Co-Produced By] – Michael Cooper, Tony Valera
Keyboards, Programmed By [Programming\] – Les Edwards
Mixed By – Brian Malouf
Producer [Produced], Written-By – Les Edwards
Recorded By – Darrin Harris
3:50
Label: Reprise Records – 1-25923
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1989
Genre: R&B Hip Hop, Funk, Soul
Style: Soul, New Jack Swing, Contemporary R&B
Michael Cooper's 1989 album "Just What I Like" is a definitive example of the New Jack Swing and contemporary R&B era. Released through Reprise Records, it solidified Cooper's transition from his work with the funk band Con Funk Shun into a successful solo career.
The album maintains a strong reputation among soul and funk enthusiasts, with users on Discogs giving it average ratings between 4.39 and 4.78 out of 5.
Modern retrospective reviews often cite it as a "masterpiece" of the genre, praising its "funky sound," "brass/horns," and "groove".
The album's polished sound was achieved through collaboration with notable producers of the late 80s R&B scene, including Robert Brookins, Larry White, Cornelius Mims, and Jay King.
In 2026, it remains a sought-after title for vinyl collectors, sometimes fetching high prices (up to $66 for specific releases) due to its status as a high-quality production of its time.
Love is Such a Funny Game
Written-By – Denzil Foster, Jay King, Thomas McElroy
4:42
2 You've Got A Friend
Written-By – Carole King
6:16
3 Dinner For Two
Written By – Ron Everette
5:48
4 Just Thinkin' Bout Cha
Written-By – Benjamin Wright, Ken Harris, Michael Cooper
4:29
5 No Other Lover
Written-By – Jay King, Michael Cooper
4:23
6 Oceans Wide
Written-By – Michael Cooper
4:45
7 Love Is Such A Funny Game
Written-By – Alex Hill, Jay King
3:57
8 Quickness
Written By – Erell Smith
Written-By – Michael Cooper
4:02
9 Look Before You Leave
Written-By – Alex Hill, Jay King
4:14
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 25653-1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Contemporary R&B, New Jack Swing, Ballad
Released in late 1987, Love Is Such a Funny Game marked Michael Cooper’s successful debut as a solo artist following the disbandment of the legendary funk group Con Funk Shun. The album is widely regarded by critics and fans as a seamless transition that preserved his former band's soulful appeal while embracing a more modern late-80s sound.
The album blends contemporary R&B, funk, and early New Jack Swing. Reviewers on Barnes & Noble highlight its "variety of rhythms," ranging from high-energy dance tracks to silky ballads.
Cooper showcases more vocal range than in his Con Funk Shun days, notably utilizing a falsetto on tracks like "To Prove My Love" and a passionate tenor on slower grooves.
Key Tracks:-
"To Prove My Love" – The standout lead single that reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart. It is often compared to the funk-heavy sound of Cameo.
"Dinner for Two" – A fan-favorite slow jam featuring a thumping bassline and smooth saxophone intro that reached No. 24 on the charts.
"You've Got a Friend" – A six-minute R&B reimagining of the classic Carole King song.
"Love Is Such a Funny Game" – The title track, noted for its "slinky" feel and lush background vocals.
The album marked Cooper's successful transition from a group member to a solo artist. It holds a strong reputation among "old school" R&B fans, maintaining a solid 3.96/5 average rating on Discogs.