CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 14: Singer K. Michelle performs during The Love Hard Tour at Spectrum Center on March 14, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jeff Hahne/Getty Images)
K. Michelle is taking her music career to new heights with THIS recent move! The ‘Tennessee’ singer has signed her first record deal as a country music artist! According to Billboard, Puddin’ (Michelle’s alter-ego) is now with BBR Music Group/ BMG Nashville.
This means K. Michelle is now signed among the likes of country stars Jelly Roll, Jason Aldean, and Lainey Wilson. Michelle’s exciting chapter comes while she’s still putting together her debut country album. Her first single in the new genre, ‘Tennessee,’ dropped last September, and its music video on YouTube is up 280,000 plus views.
There are no additional details about her deal, including how much she signed for or what she’s promised and for how long. However, her new record label released a statement BRAGGING on their latest signee and promising the album and tour soon enough! they called her career “groundbreaking” praising her ability to stretch “genre boundaries.”
On Instagram, Puddin’ shared deep words about the career marker, saying the record deal means “the world” to her.
“Listen, I’ve always been off trend my whole life. I’ve Never been in the cool crowd. It used to hurt but it forced me to move alone, but strong. Just me my mic, voice, pen, and God. I kicked, screamed, begged, and pleaded to just sing what I wanted. 3 years ago after getting sick and almost loosing my life trying to be accepted by culture. I said f**k it! If i can’t get invited to the party I’ll throw my own and that’s what I did.”
She explained that she moved back to Tennessee because she believed she deserved “to do what [she’s] great at.”
“It’s bigger than me. I represent the weird kids, the misunderstood, the have nots, the overlooked, women and men from all different walks of life. I am the underdog. Thank you @bbrmusicgroup @bmg for partnering with me and understanding my vision. Out of every label I knew IMMEDIATELY where I was going. I look forward to hitting stages everywhere to introduce the music I grew up on. A long hard road ahead of me, but I’m equipped for WHATEVER. Ford Tough.”
Her caption also seemed to hint at the name of her country debut project. She wrote, “This is what you call, ‘The Makings Of An Outlaw.'”
While K. Michelle is making country music strides, most of us know the artist from her R&B career. From ‘Can’t Raise A Man’ to ‘Cry,’ the singer held her own for 10 years in the soulful lane with six albums. Then, she announced her transition—and it’s been well-received by fans and the music community so far.
She made a vocal appearance on the song ‘Love Can Build A Bridge,’ for the project ‘A Tribute to the Judds.’ Her label-mate Jelly Roll was on the track, along with Fisk Jubilee Singers. Puddin’ got to perform the song at the Country Music Awards in November.
After releasing her country-inspired album ‘Cowboy Carter’ in March, Beyoncé sent K. Michelle an inspiring message along with some flowers. The sweet gesture came amid online comparisons of Beyoncé gagging the country music scene while Michelle was still digging her boots into it!
Most recently, in June, K. Michelle brought her vocals to the CMA Fest, performing at the Nissan Stadium!
