Deborah Cox
July 13, 1974 — Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Deborah Cox is a Canadian R&B and pop singer whose 1998 hit "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" spent 14 weeks at number one on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop chart, a record for the longest run at the top of that chart that stood for 26 years, and who later became a celebrated stage actress, originating the role of Roxie Hart in Broadway's Chicago.
From Toronto to Clive Davis
Born on July 13, 1974 in Toronto, Ontario, Cox grew up in a Barbadian household where music was central, singing in church and local competitions from an early age. She relocated to the United States in her teens and was signed by Clive Davis to Arista Records in 1994. Her self-titled debut album appeared in 1995 and produced modest R&B chart success with "Sentimental," establishing her as a serious vocalist with an impressive upper register and emotional control unusual for a debut artist. Her second album, One Wish (1998), transformed her from a promising newcomer into a household name.
"Nobody's Supposed to Be Here"
The lead single from One Wish, "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" was co-written and produced by Montell Jordan. It spent 14 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart — the longest run at that position by any single up to that point, a record that stood until 2024. It also crossed over to the pop chart, peaking at number 11. The album yielded a second major hit with "We Can't Be Friends," a powerful duet with R.L. of Next, which also reached the top five on the R&B chart. Cox received Grammy nominations and was named the Best New R&B Artist by Billboard. Her voice — warm, precise, and capable of both intimate ballads and full gospel-influenced power passages — made her one of the most technically skilled singers of the late 1990s R&B era.
Did You Know?
Cox's 14-week record at the top of the Billboard R&B chart was broken in 2024 by Morgan Wallen's country crossover record "Last Night" — a remarkable 26-year reign for an R&B ballad. For almost three decades, "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" was the benchmark against which every R&B chart run was measured.
Broadway and Continued Career
Cox continued recording into the 2000s, releasing albums including The Morning After (2002) and Destination Moon (2007), and scored additional hits with "Beautiful U R" and a remix of Whitney Houston's "Same Script, Different Cast." She made a significant career pivot into theatre, playing Roxie Hart in the Broadway production of Chicago in 2008 and returning for another run — a role she has revisited in multiple productions and tours. She has also performed in the stage productions of Jekyll & Hyde and Breathe: A New Musical. A recognised advocate for LGBTQ+ communities, Cox has headlined multiple Pride events and maintains a devoted international following. She remains active as a recording artist and performer.