Exclusive | Singer Kalenbree Talks Her Upcoming Sophomore Project 'Panda'

“My music is something for people to vibe to, to cry to, and shake their ass to if they want to! My music is genre defying and revolutionary.”

— Kalenbree

By: Omar Cook

This week's "Who's Hot?" Artist of the week is Georgia singer, Kalenbree! Kalenbree is a versatile artist out of Decatur who has the ability to switch her flow from song to song. This artist can sing, rap, play the guitar, and is a crowd engaging performer. After releasing her first full project “Indigo Child” in 2018, Kalenbree is set to drop her sophomore project “Panda” this year and she recently dropped a new single called “1999”. This is an exciting artist on the rise that you certainly want to keep your eyes on as you can’t help but get caught up in her vibe when you turn the music on.

Kalenbree - 1999

We talked with Kalenbree in an exclusive interview, check it out below!

How long have you been making music and how did you get started?

Kalenbree: I was groomed in a musically inclined family, both my mother and my father are singers and instrumentalists which influenced me to create music of my own at a very young age. I was a frequent church goer so naturally this is where I got my first opportunity to showcase my talents. It all happened like this: 

 My youth pastor caught me singing one day with my friends and she said, “You sing?” And my friends butted in to say, “And she plays guitar!” Then my Youth Pastor goes, “You’re singing next Sunday!” And leaves! I really wanted to be an author originally so, I honestly didn’t want to do it, but I did it anyway. I sang in front of a huge crowd of kids and I was really close to getting up and leaving. But she made me stay and sing, and when i finished I had the straightest look on my face...then everyone started cheering and clapping and I was very surprised! I thought to myself, “Hm... I like this feeling. Maybe I should do this more often.” So, I performed every other Sunday at my church, and I got more and more confident in my music and decided to keep going and I haven’t stopped since. Ironically enough, I never decided that I was going to do music with my life until 2017.

Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?

Kalenbree: My biggest influences are my personal experiences in life; I am a very passionate person, but when I was younger I had terrible anger issues and needed an outlet. Music saved my life. The people who influenced me where my mother, my youth pastor, and Erykah Badu, India Arie, Ed Sheeran and Kendrick. Ed Sheeran was my biggest influence ever though and my favorite artist at the time.

My favorite artist is Kendrick Lamar and it will always be Kendrick Lamar. But, I also love SZA, SahBabii, Louis Armstrong, Erykah Badu, Smino, Masego. 

What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?

Kalenbree: I want to collab with Doja Cat, Tierra Whack, Masego, Smino, Kaash Paige, Xiamara and Jelani Imani. I just really fuck with them as artists and I feel like we would make great music!

What do you feel is your best song/project ever released and why?

Kalenbree: The best song I have out right now numbers-wise is “Decatur” but “1999” is also a favorite of mine. My song “Decatur” is my baby and it changed my whole sound; I made a song about where I grew up at and it was everyone’s favorite song at the time. I just really love the vibes of it and I freestyled the whole thing so it was really fun for me to make. I’ve only put out one project thus far called Indigo Child which is a collection of songs that holds a special place in my heart because it’s very personal and signifies the start of my musical career as a recording artist. 

Kalenbree - BUBBLEGUM

What projects can we look forward to in the near future?

Kalenbree: Everyone can look forward to my next EP Panda dropping some time this year! And a song with me and DavidTheTragic as well.

How do you generate new ideas for your music? 

Kalenbree: I generate new ideas based on my emotions and what’s happened to me in my life. Making music is a coping mechanism and outlet for my feelings. I always feel super relieved after making a song, I guess you can say that creating music is therapeutic for me. 

What motivates you and how do you define success?

Kalenbree: The people, my family, my friends, and my supporters all motivate me. My ambition stems from my need to win. I define success as joy. When I am undoubtedly happy and the people around me are happy is when I believe I have become successful, believe it or not, I want everyone who helped me to eat, even the ones I fell out with. 

How do you describe your music to people and what separates you from other artists in your genre?

A: My music is something for people to vibe to, to cry to, and shake their ass to if they want to! My music is genre defying and revolutionary. My intentions and reasons for doing music are all genuine since it is out of the love for it. That’s also what makes me different.  

Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?

Kalenbree: I don’t think that there’s any specific formula to success. Every successful artist has their own journey and their own story to getting to where they are now. Times change all the time, so no one thing is going to work for everyone. I believe once you find your niche, everything else is based on the people around you, you’re mindset, and the law of attraction.

Who is your greatest inspiration?

Kalenbree: My mother is my greatest inspiration. She took care of me a supported my music career first before anyone else did. She went above and beyond to throw me my first show ever. She beat cancer, and still continues to be so hardworking despite her health conditions. It’s just inspirational and lets me know that I have no excuses as to why I’m not working hard.

In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?

Kalenbree: The most influential and successful in my genre today? I make alternative r&b, so SZA, Frank Ocean definitely, and The Weeknd. 

Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?

Kalenbree: Passion definitely. I’m passionate about everything I do. Even the things I say I’m passionate about. I guess it’s cause I’m an Aries.

What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?

Kalenbree: I had to sacrifice comfortability. Like, I could’ve had a regular job, good pay and focus on school, having enough to move out as soon as I got into college, and live a normal comfortable life. But, I put my all into music. I put all my eggs in one basket and bet it all on music.

What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?

Kalenbree: Performing excites me the most! I love being on stage and I love the crowd. I’m my happiest when I’m on stage. What discourages me the most is my own thoughts. I struggle with being positive 24/7, but I’m only human. Sometimes, I wonder if I’m a good enough artist to make it, wonder why I’m not making it ASAP.

Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?

Kalenbree: I see myself on tour, winning hella awards and changing millions of lives along the way.

What advice would you give to other up and coming artists or people looking to break into the music industry?

Kalenbree: I would say, “keep going, accept criticism in all shapes and forms and never take anything to personally, set standards, and always have people around you that will tell you the truth, because those are the people who genuinely want to see you win and care for you.”

Is there anything else you would like people to know about you or your music?

Kalenbree: Only that I’m always evolving and I will continuously drop music,visuals, and cater to my fanbase. My music career has only just started, stay tuned for more Kalenbree.

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Exclusive | Kindal Tate Talks Her Upcoming EP 'Summer Vibez' & Advocating for Anti-Bullying

By: Omar Cook

This week's "Who's Hot?" Artist of the week is Singer/Songwriter/Producer Kindal Tate! Kindal hails from Northridge, California and uses her jazzy vibes to fuse with a variety of different genres. She attended College of the Canyons in Valencia, California. She is an advocate for anti-bullying and inspires those young and old that anything is possible if you believe in yourself. Kindal is an extremely talented vocalist who produces music that is soulful with good vibes!

Kindal Tate - Finesse

We talked with Kindal Tate in an exclusive interview, check it out below!

QUESTION: How long have you been making music and how did you get started?

Kindal Tate: I’ve been making music since 4 years old. I would make up songs and perform them for family in our living room. Music has always been played around me at home and thats what began my passion for singing.

QUESTION: Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?

Kindal Tate: I would say Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong has been my biggest musical influence and my favorite musicians  are Sza, Masego, Count Basie, Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, Stevie Wonder, Amy Winehouse, Cab Calloway, Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald.

QUESTION: What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?

Kindal Tate: Sza, Erykah Badu, Masego, Stevie Wonder and D’angelo  because they are insane when it comes to creative lyrics, harmonies and over all they are super authentic as artists.

QUESTION: What do you feel is your best song/project ever released and why?

Kindal Tate: I would have to say Floating is the best song off the EP because that song started it all I was finally in a real cool creative space in my mind.

QUESTION: What projects can we look forward to in the near future?

Kindal Tate: It will be a while till “Diary of a Jazzy Kid” will drop but I will be dropping an EP in June called “Summer Vibez”. 

QUESTION: How do you generate new ideas for your music? 

Kindal Tate: I usually go to the beach, or sit outside and watch the clouds.

QUESTION: What motivates you and how do you define success?

Kindal Tate: Just having the gift to heal people with music how music has healed me is what motivates me. It’s our responsibility as artists to create real art that can help people or change the world. Success is what you make it, for me it’s just constant growth and always evolving musically and as a person and if I just so happen to “make it” then it was  the universe and God’s plan.

QUESTION: How do you describe your music to people and what separates you from other artists in your genre?

Kindal Tate: My music has a jazz feel with a modern twist on any genre I choose to mix it with. I’m not a box type of artist my audience is anyone and everyone if you vibe with it cool and if you don't that thats cool too, no limitations here. 

QUESTION: Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?

Kindal Tate: There is only one key to success and my mom instilled it in me since I was born and that key is to just “BELIEVE”. 

QUESTION: Who is your greatest inspiration?

Kindal Tate: My Family is my greatest inspiration because although we don't have a lot they have given me everything and anything to help support my dream.  In knowing that I have that much support there is no way I’m going to give up because only I can stop myself from being the star that I believe I am.

QUESTION: In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?

Kindal Tate: I would have to say Erykah Badu cause she is always creating weather she releases it or not and she still does shows all over the place she is an icon.

QUESTION: Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?

Kindal Tate: Love is the over all theme of my music because with love you know joy, pain, and all types of mixed emotions that come along with the ups and downs of a relationship or friendships. 

Kindal Tate Promo

QUESTION: What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?

Kindal Tate: The hardest one would be not being around my family as much since I'm always booking shows, rehearsing, going to school and teaching.

QUESTION: What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?

Kindal Tate: Coming up with the melody and harmonies are my favorite but getting writers block every once in a while is quite irritating cause I always want everything done now but its all about patience.

QUESTION: Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?

Kindal Tate: I see myself signed to TDE creating my own label and many many awards. I also see myself becoming an icon that inspires people to be themselves and make music the way they want. As for my life I really don't want fancy cars or a huge house just a simple beach house with a recording studio in the basement and I would invest my money in creating music and arts programs in schools for low income kids.

QUESTION: What advice would you give to other up and coming artists or people looking to break into the music industry?

Kindal Tate: Never bend or break because of money, be authentic, be humble, be kind, never wait to be ready, invest your time wisely, don't be naive not everybody is here to help you, be yourself, love yourself and believe in yourself. 

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Exclusive | Shamba is Using Soulful R&B to Carve Her Own Lane

“I love what I do and will never stop. To every single person who supports me and that can feel me in my work, we are in this together and I love you.”

By: Omar Cook

This week's "Who's Hot?" Artist of the week is singer Shamba, a rising artist from Georgia! Shamba was born in New Jersey and raised in Georgia and comes from a family of musical creatives. She is the daughter of former So So Def recording artist Fundisha and the prominent DJ Shakim, (Bow wow, Da Brat, BBD, New Edition, Blackstreet), so Shamba was born prepared to take on the role of super stardom. Shamba has evolved into a multi-faceted entertainer who is beginning to create her own lane. With a slew of live performances and soulful appearances, she’s carved out her own lane and is making her way to success.

While her debut project, Rainbows and Hurricanes, served as the official introduction to a distinctive sound with harmonious melodies and an unapologetic style working themselves in as key components, Shamba’s focuses are now centered around her upcoming EPs that will be geared towards her development and growth, concentrating on how she wants be heard. Determined to go all the way, Shamba has taken it upon herself to prove herself worthy of the prerogative to be considered the skilled artist that she aspires to be. This is definitely an artist to keep track of and add to your playlist. If you enjoy good vibes and originality, this is an artist for you.

Shamba - I Do. ft. DEETRANADA (Official Video)

We talked with Shamba in an exclusive interview, check it out below!

QUESTION: How long have you been making music and how did you get started?

Shamba: I have been making music since I could write. I started singing in church alongside my family. My grandmother was Pastor and the choir consisted of my aunts, cousins, siblings and mom. I was always singing solely due to the fact that it was around me 24/7. It was the most natural thing for me.

QUESTION: Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?

Shamba: Mike has been my biggest influencer on this journey. I was so used to creating by myself so having him come into my life and encourage me to stay true to myself and my craft definitely sparked a confidence to a whole other level that I feel bleeds through every song we create. My favorite musicians change every so often due to the fact that new music drops. However, I definitely will forever love Brandy & Jazmine Sullivan, that love will never change lol.

QUESTION: What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?

Shamba: There are sooooo many artists I would like to collab with. Firstly, I want to collab with every artist apart of the Kalombo family. After that my top 5 is 6lack, Ty Dolla $ign, Drake, H.E.R and Masego.

QUESTION: What do you feel is your best song/project ever released and why?

Shamba: Every new song Mike and I create becomes my favorite so ultimately I feel as though at that moment it’s the best lol BUT if we’re speaking released, I’d say Breathless on Rainbows and Hurricanes is the best song of mine. If only you knew the story behind the song, it still amazes me how I was able to put it in words and add a melody then BOOM add Mike’s crazy dope beat behind it … breathless.

Shamba The Artist - Red Lights (Official Video)

QUESTION: What projects can we look forward to in the near future?

Shamba: We have so many just waiting in the vault, but in the near future you can expect two more Eps following REFLECT as part of a trilogy project.

QUESTION: How do you generate new ideas for your music?

Shamba: My ideas or visions come at the weirdest moments you wouldn’t believe me if I told you. But there is no set formula though, I create when the urge comes and it comes oh so often. My everyday life and situations generate that urge.

QUESTION: What motivates you and how do you define success?

Shamba: My motivation comes from those in my corner and the people that I know my voice has not yet reached. I feel success can only be measured by happiness and love. It is the very difference in waking up to a job that pays well but you hate vs waking up loving what it is you do and the people you are surrounded by. If you have love and a smile in your heart you are far more successful than the richest man.

QUESTION: How do you describe your music to people and what separates you from other artists in your genre?

Shamba: If I had to describe my music, I’d just say it’s real. Real stories, real emotions. I feel the emotion behind it is what separates me from other artists. I spill so much of myself into every word and note, that I think it is close to impossible to not feel it when you hear it.

Shamba - Wave (Official Video)

QUESTION: Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?

Shamba: I’m sure there is a formula to becoming a “successful” artist in this industry of numbers, but for me it’s all about being organic. As an artist if you’re not creating for the enjoyment and for the love of your craft, you are not truly successful. Just be you and you’re successful.

QUESTION: Who is your greatest inspiration?

Shamba: My mother is my greatest inspiration. Her support of my music and both warranted and unwarranted criticism inspires me to push myself to new highs that I didn’t always feel I could. Her believing in my gift helps me daily to break through ceilings in efforts to reach the superstar she deems me to be.

QUESTION: In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?

Shamba: I don’t really register with one genre but I will say Beyonce is the most influential and successful artist. Her work ethic and execution with everything is so groundbreaking that it would be wrong to not say B.

QUESTION: Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?

Shamba: Whew, imma go with Passion. I am a passionate person on both ends of the spectrum. I love hard and you hear that in most of my music but on the flip side… I tell you it gets real. You will get every emotion from me but with all the passion that my body possesses.

QUESTION: What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?

Shamba: I’ve sacrificed time, friendships and approval of those close to me. I decided to pursue music full time, because I know in my soul that this is what God has me here to do. With that though, I don’t believe in plan B’s. Having faith in something is not having a back up plan, that just says that a piece of you doubts and doubt and faith can not coexist.

QUESTION: What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?

Shamba: Hearing or seeing an idea of mine come to life excites me most. Whether that’s through visuals, photography or musically … seeing anything I envision come to life gives me an adrenaline rush. Now when someone comes and tears that vision down, it discourages me or when they don’t get the vision. But that’s something I’m working on because like I said, my craft is for me.

QUESTION: Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?

Shamba: I can never put a timestamp on this journey, so I’ll just put it like this. I see myself being exactly where God has me to be and executing the hell out of that position.

QUESTION: What advice would you give to other up and coming artists or people looking to break into the music industry?

Shamba: Do not worry about what the next man is doing. Do you. Be you. Stay true.

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