The journey has no doubt been a winding road for K. Michelle’s career and personal life, which has played out before the world’s eyes on the popular reality show Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta. But not one to back down from adversity, that road seems to be becoming straighter for the singer-songwriter with each passing day as she moves ahead with her promising music career. As Warner Bros. Records newest signee, K. Michelle is positioned to travel the rest of that road stronger and unfazed.
The music scene first saw Memphis-born Michelle signed to Jive Records in 2008. She released three mixtapes as a Jive artist (“What’s the 901?,” “For Colored Girls/Pre-Pain Medicine,” and “Signed, Sealed, and Delivered”) and collaborated with the likes of R. Kelly, Usher, Gucci Mane, and Missy Elliott. Her 2011 single “How Many Times” spawned a video, but little buzz. Why did her exposure seem slow to blow?
As she revealed on Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, K. Michelle hinted that there was mismanagement of her recording budget by Jive A&R exec and ex-boyfriend Memphitz. In a publicly controversial issue, she also claims she was abused by the record exec, while he denies the allegations. The role-mixing between business and personal relationships naturally led to a falling out between her and the label, and she was released from her contract. Industry whispers began, saying the soul singer was difficult to work with. Her reputation on the verge of tarnishing, the decision to participate on the popular VH1 show Love & Hip Hop acted as a buffer that allowed people to learn about her story.
With this long overdue exposure, K. Michelle now has the fuel to propel down the road of her career after signing a new recording contract with Warner Bros.
“I’m just really blessed to get a second chance. I have so much to sing about and so many stories to tell,” K. Michelle told Singersroom exclusively. “I may not be the most polished or prissy R&B singer, but I do feel that I am the voice of a lot of women who don’t have a voice.”
Stay tuned for video of official signing.