Released in the autumn of 1997, Chupacabra is the debut album by American composer, singer, violinist and rap practitioner Imani Coppola.
The album proved to be a critical and commercial success upon its release, receiving positive notices from reviewers, entering the album charts in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
“Coppola’s folk-rapping forges the missing link between Missy Elliott and Bob Dylan” – Entertainment Weekly
“Coppola showcases her gift for razor-sharp urban portraits and up-to-the-minute musical tableaux that flirt with hip-hop, pop, dance, and alternative rock” – Billboard
“Fanciful raps and supple vocals establish her identity as a modern day flower child” – The New York Times
The album’s lead single, “Legend Of A Cowgirl”, became a top 40 hit in the United States, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, charting elsewhere throughout Europe as a result of heavy rotation on MTV.
Coppola was still in high school when she wrote much of the material for the album. Her sister’s boyfriend introduced her to a record producer known for his work with Digable Planets. A demo album ensued which caught the attention of several record labels setting off a bidding war.
Lacking vision and a willingness to support her evolution as a music creator, Columbia Records ultimately dropped Coppola three years after her debut release, refusing to release her second studio album, Come and Get Me… What?!
At the time Coppola was extremely frustrated that the label insisted that she replicate the template of her debut album with her follow up, sampling other artists, when she wanted to compose her music entirely by herself.
Coppola went on to release several independently recorded albums throughout the early Aughts, signing with Ipecac Records in 2007.
Her most recent full length solo album was released in 2019 on Ipecac Records.