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SWV and Xscape were two of the hottest R&B girl groups in the 1990s. Both groups have several hit songs to their name and an esteemed place in music history. They came together for a Verzuz battle for the ages in May 2021, but one group member almost didn’t make it to the ceremony.

Taj Johnson George, Cheryl 'Coko' Clemons and Leanne 'Lelee' Lyons attend 'SWV', 'Love Thy Sister' and 'Match Made In Heaven' red carpet event at 54 Below on December 4, 2014 in New York City | Desiree Navarro/WireImage
Taj Johnson George, Cheryl ‘Coko’ Clemons and Leanne ‘Lelee’ Lyons attend ‘SWV’, ‘Love Thy Sister’ and ‘Match Made In Heaven’ red carpet event at 54 Below on December 4, 2014 in New York City | Desiree Navarro/WireImage

SWV and Xscape came together for a ‘Verzuz’ battle

Verzuz has entertained music fans everywhere since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Superproducers Swizz Beatz and Timbaland first came together in March 2020 via Instagram Live for a friendly competition to see who has more hit songs in their catalog. The idea was born out of necessity as artists were no longer able to perform at concerts and connect with their fans in person.

In the year since then, Verzuz has exploded into a must-see music event that has invited some of the biggest names in the music industry. Some of the most popular battles have been between female R&B singers: Brandy and Monica’s highly anticipated battle, for example, was their first time being in the same room in nearly a decade and allowed them to bury their hatchet once and for all.

SWV Cheryl 'Coko' Clemons
Cheryl ‘Coko’ Clemons attends the “SWV Reunited” series premiere at Jazz Room at the General on January 15, 2014 in New York City | Johnny Nuñez/WireImage

Coko witnessed a shooting right before the ‘Verzuz’

SWV vs. Xscape was a battle that diehard ’90s R&B fans were excited for, as were the members of each group. But right before she showed up to the venue, Coko Clemons of SWV had a close encounter that could’ve put her in the hospital — or worse.

“Last night as I’m preparing for Verzuz, a lady was shot outside my hotel window,” Coko said honestly in an Instagram post. “To see and hear the four shots, see her laying on the ground and all the blood was unbelievable!! Thennnn… I get to the venue and had a really bad anxiety attack! Literally crying and screaming.”

(L-R) Leanne 'Lelee' Lyons, Tamara 'Taj' George and Cheryl 'Coko' Clemons
(L-R) Leanne ‘Lelee’ Lyons, Tamara ‘Taj’ George and Cheryl ‘Coko’ Clemons of SWV attend the “SWV Reunited” series premiere at Jazz Room at the General on January 15, 2014 in New York City | Johnny Nuñez/WireImage
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Coko was visibly shaken during the ‘Verzuz’ battle

Fans noticed that something looked off about Coko, and she acknowledged that she was so shaken by what had just happened and struggled to contain how she felt on camera. Her son and other team members helped calm her down during the show’s intermission.

“Yeah y’all saw me looking uncomfortable and irritated during the first half,” she said. “But, if it wasn’t for my son @jayyemichael @ynottamiya and @mrljb I probably wouldn’t have been out there at all. Thank you for calming me down & understanding my mental [health]. I love y’all to the fullest!!”

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