'Love & Hip Hop' Star K. Michelle Opens Up About Making Her Move to Country Music: 'Starting Over' (2024)

  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Country Music

K. Michelle's collab with Justin Champagne, "Country Love Song," is out now

By

Tricia Despres

'Love & Hip Hop' Star K. Michelle Opens Up About Making Her Move to Country Music: 'Starting Over' (1)

Tricia Despres

Tricia Despres is a writer for PEOPLE digital, covering everything from country music to pets to that love story that will have you shedding some tears. When she is not at her laptop, she remains in a state of mourning over the demise of Rascal Flatts.

People Editorial Guidelines

Published on March 3, 2023 07:50PM EST

R&B singer K. Michelle has always loved country duo The Judds.

"I saw them on Oprah," the 40-year-old tells PEOPLE in a recent interview from Atlanta as she 'builds out' a new restaurant. "The first music I got was 'Love Can Build a Bridge.' That's all I listened to."

But back when K. Michelle was working her way up her own musical ladder, the Tennessee native says that she never felt it was realistic that a Black woman like herself could ever have a career singing country music.

"Basically, I was told that going into R&B was the only route, or at least the easiest route," remembers the former cast member of VH1's Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta. "So, that's what I did. But there was always this little piece of loneliness and a sadness in me because I couldn't do what I know I was supposed to do."

'Love & Hip Hop' Star K. Michelle Opens Up About Making Her Move to Country Music: 'Starting Over' (2)

But make no mistake — K. Michelle's dream to someday put out a country record never faded. "Country music is who I am," says K. Michelle, who underwent multiple surgeries back in 2018 to deal with silicone injections throughout her body. "If you got to live your life not being who you are, it's going to always be a problem for you."

K. Michelle on Her 4 Surgeries to Remove Illegal Butt Injections: 'It's the Scariest Thing'

A few years back, as K. Michelle watched Blanco Brown take country music by storm via viral hit "The Git Up," she found herself getting more and more motivated to eventually find her way back home to a state and a sound of music that she had long loved.

"The people around me convinced me that it was time to live," she says of the move she made back to Tennessee in 2021. "I just had been feeling so empty. I moved to Nashville, and it was the best experience of my life. I could live my life and it's right up the street from my parents."

And now that she is in Music City, K. Michelle is surrounding herself with some of country music's finest, including Morgan Wallen and singer, songwriter and "Flower Shops" hitmaker ERNEST.

"He's one of my greatest friends in the music industry," says K. Michelle, who is currently out on her I'm the Problem tour. "He wrote with me on a majority of my country album that's coming out."

'Love & Hip Hop' Star K. Michelle Opens Up About Making Her Move to Country Music: 'Starting Over' (3)

Another artist that K. Michelle is now collaborating with is Justin Champagne, who joins her on her first official country music release "Country Love Song," premiering exclusively on PEOPLE and a song written by Andrew Jackson and Tredall Rener.

"I thought he was cute," laughs K. Michelle of Champagne. "As soon as I heard ['Country Love Song'], I instantly knew when I heard it that this was going to be great. It's a great transition and I love him on it."

Granted, K. Michelle knows darn well that everyone is watching and listening as she saunters her way into the genre. "I'm a new artist in country, so it's sort of like starting over," says K. Michelle, who recently released her final R&B album I'm the Problem. "I knew it was important for the both of us for my vocals to be right and to really feel the song."

'Love & Hip Hop' Star K. Michelle Opens Up About Making Her Move to Country Music: 'Starting Over' (4)

But perhaps her biggest cheerleaders and confidants in the country space are the Black women who have already paved their way in the genre.

"People like Mickey Guyton have been in this fight for so long," says K. Michelle, who says she now wants to be known in the country music space as 'Puddin.' "I have so much respect for her about that. I also had Brittney Spencer over to my house to work with me and we did a record together. And to see how well they are both doing is amazing."

'Love & Hip Hop' Star K. Michelle Opens Up About Making Her Move to Country Music: 'Starting Over' (2024)

FAQs

Did K. Michelle do a country album? ›

K. Michelle is currently working on her first debut Country album which is expected to be released in 2024.

How many albums does K. Michelle have? ›

The discography of K. Michelle, an American R&B recording artist, consists of six studio albums, 24 singles (solo; 33 overall), five mixtapes, six guest appearances, and eighteen music videos.

What type of music does Michelle make? ›

MICHELLE is a six-piece Pop/R&B group based in New York City.

What pop star is making a country album? ›

Beyoncé announced this week her upcoming album is called “Cowboy Carter,” billed as the second act to her “Renaissance” album, which she released in 2022. She previously released “Texas Hold 'Em,” which went No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and “16 Carriages” during the Super Bowl last month.

Why did Cardi B leave Love and Hip Hop? ›

That's because she reportedly signed a huge deal with Atlantic records. According to The Jasmine Brand: Sources tell us that she's landed a lucrative deal with Atlantic Records.

What season was K. Michelle on Love and Hip Hop? ›

K. Michelle is a main cast member on Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood since season five, where she is credited on screen as Kimberly. Throughout her time on the franchise K. Michelle appears as a major anti-heroic protagonist of the series.

When did K. Michelle show come out? ›

Michelle: My Life is a reality television series featuring K. Michelle. It premiered on November 3, 2014, on VH1 and is the first spin-off of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta.

What is Kay Michelle's net worth? ›

K. Michelle's net worth is reportedly $2.5 million and she says her deal with Jack Daniel's brought in more than music ever has.

Do K. Michelle have a son? ›

Does K. Michelle have a sister? ›

Who made the first country album? ›

1920s. 1922 in country music, First commercial recordings of country music by Eck Robertson for Victor Records. 1923 in country music, First radio "barn dance" WBAP in Fort Worth, Texas. "Sally Gooden" by A.C. (Eck) Robertson top country record.

Who wrote the most country songs? ›

The Top 10 Most Covered Country Songwriters
  • Harlan Howard with 1380 versions of 143 songs.
  • Bill Monroe with 1364 versions of 125 songs.
  • Merle Haggard with 1359 versions of 138 songs.
  • Willie Nelson with 1355 of 109 songs.
  • A.P. Carter with 1236 versions of 87 songs.
  • Jimmie Rodgers with 1123 versions of 88 songs.
Sep 6, 2023

Did Nelly do a country album? ›

It serves as Nelly's first album to debut in the top-ten of the Top Country Albums, reaching number 7 on the chart.

Is Western Stars a country album? ›

Western Stars is part of Bruce's long-term love affair with country music, and his boyish love of the Western tradition.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Domingo Moore

Last Updated:

Views: 5986

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (73 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Domingo Moore

Birthday: 1997-05-20

Address: 6485 Kohler Route, Antonioton, VT 77375-0299

Phone: +3213869077934

Job: Sales Analyst

Hobby: Kayaking, Roller skating, Cabaret, Rugby, Homebrewing, Creative writing, amateur radio

Introduction: My name is Domingo Moore, I am a attractive, gorgeous, funny, jolly, spotless, nice, fantastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.