Jimmy Cozier was encouraged to sing as a child by his family, who would demand that he perform in group settings. He started out as a singer/songwriter for artists such as Mýa, Sinéad O'Connor, and Janet Jackson (whose hit "Girlfriend" he co-wrote). He was a background vocalist for the Junior Mafia/Lil' Kim track "Backstabbers", and toured with Joe behind the latter's album All that I Am.

Wyclef Jean caught word of Cozier's talent and had him meet with Clive Davis, who signed Cozier to J Records. His 2001 self-titled debut hit the Billboard Top 200, peaking at #65 and hitting #15 on the Top R&B Albums chart on the strength of the single "She's All I Got". "She's All I Got" rose to #26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and to #4 on the Hot Hip Hop/R&B Singles chart. Cozier toured throughout 2002 and 2003 and has recorded a reggae album and another R&B album, presumably to be released on his label Cozi Music.