R&B sensation K. Michelle has signed her first-ever record deal in the country music genre, so she’s saying goodbye to her soulful melodies and making way for twangier tunes.
Finally, a Music City label has taken a chance on an artist that Jelly Roll once suggested could be the “female Chris Stapleton” of mainstream country music.
According to Billboard, K Michelle is now with BBR Music Group/ BMG Nashville.
The announcement marks a bold new chapter for the singer-songwriter in the country music genre.
A native of Tennessee, K Michele was raised on the sounds of musicians like The Judds and Whitney Houston. She has released six albums so far, the first being Rebellious Soul in 2013 and More Issues Than Vogue in 2016.
Nothing further is known about her agreement, such as how much she signed for, the specifics of what she was promised, or how long it would last.
But in a statement, her new record label boasted about their latest hire and said the album and tour would happen soon enough! They praised her ability to push “genre boundaries” and referred to her career as “groundbreaking.”
Katie Kerkhover, VP of A&R at BMG, said, “When we first met K. Michelle, she radiated her passion for country music. It’s the fabric of who she is because the lyrics represent truth. She’s built an incredible fanbase with her unique vocals anchored with storytelling at its heart, and that is what transcends genres.”
K. Michelle sang the Judds’ famous song “Love Can Build a Bridge” with Jelly Roll and the Fisk Jubilee Singers last year as part of the project A Tribute to the Judds.
They performed the song live at the 57th annual CMA Awards in November. Michelle gave a second performance at CMA Fest last month, this time at the Chevy Vibes Stage and Nissan Stadium.
Michelle has started the process of releasing her debut country album and showcasing her entire range of musical talent. 2023’s I’m The Problem was announced as her final R&B project. She then released songs like “Tennessee” and debuted Puddin, her alter ego.
Michelle joins BBR/BMG Nashville at a time when several Black country musicians are continuing to soar to new heights in their careers.
