Happy Monday! This week’s earworms come from American R&B singer and actress, Kiana Ledé.
Every week, OOR Studio x Fräulein reaches out to various budding artists to create a playlist for us to play within our office. Of course we share the best ones with you! This week, expect smooth crooners, dashes of Drake, a beautiful cameo by the Queen Jill Scott, and other songs perfect for a cool down in the summer heat.
In April this year, the R&B singer, songwriter, actress and pianist Kiana Ledé launched her debut album KIKI – an ode to a black/brown Aries in her early 20s using R&B as a cathartic release.’ The album reflects on her years of struggle, especially when the now 23-year-old moved from Phoenix all alone to L.A. to pursue her career in music. She was only 16 years old, which made it even more difficult for her to handle being dropped by her label. Six months of depression followed until she found her strength again to work on new EP, her debut album, and to act in shows such as Scream and All About the Washingtons. Ledé has struggled a lot with the pressure coming from the entertainment industry, aiming to make her artistry fit into a certain mold. On top of being a mix of black, Mexican, Native American and white, many have made her feel like she wasn’t enough of anything. Despite her family’s difficult history, she still worked her way up throughout the industry, building her self-confidence and identity. Her mother’s father was deported before her mother was even born. For this reason, she also lost touch with her Mexican roots and family.
For her first breakthrough moment, Ledé celebrated in 2011 when she won the KIDZ Star USA competition and earned a contract with ECA Records. Today, the newcomer musician is signed with Universal Music, climbing to the top with a modern, fresh, poppy interpretation of R&B and soul music.
“Music has been everything for me during these uncertain times. I use my favorite tracks to workout, do yoga, meditate and just unwind at the end of the day. It’s literally been such a life saver for me.“ Kiana Ledé
IMAGES: Joseph Collier
